With the rise in urban population comes a demand for solutions to offset environmental problems caused by urbanization. Green infrastructure (GI) refers to engineered features that provide multiecological functions in urban spaces. Soils are a fundamental component of GI, playing key roles in supporting plant growth, infiltration, and biological activities that contribute to the maintenance of air and water quality. However, urban soils are often physically, chemically, or biologically unsuitable for use in GI features. Constructed Technosols (CTs), consisting of mixtures of organic and mineral waste, are man-made soils designed to meet specific requirements and have great potential for use in GI. This review covers (1) current methods to create CTs adapted for various GI designs and (2) published examples in which CTs have been used in GI. We address the main steps for building CTs, the materials and which formulae should be used to design functional CTs, and the technical constraints of using CTs for applications in parks and square lawns, tree-lined streets, green buffer for storm water management, urban farming, and reclaimed derelict land. The analysis suggests that the composition and structure of CTs should and can be adapted to available wastes and by-products and to future land use and environmental conditions. CTs have a high potential to provide multiple soil functions in diverse situations and to contribute to greening efforts in cities (and beyond) across the world.

Les sols fournissent des services à la population humaine, appelés services écosystémiques. En vue de répondre aux problématiques environnementales qui se concentrent en milieu urbain, il est attendu que ces services soient facilement appréhendables par les acteurs de l’aménagement. Cet article propose des définitions claires de termes centraux comme « sol urbain », « sol anthropisé » et « couverture de sol » ; il présente également les caractéristiques bio-physico-chimiques des sols urbains. Des analyses bibliométrique et bibliographique de la littérature scientifique sur les services écosystémiques des sols urbains permettent de positionner la place de ce sujet sur les 20 dernières années et de proposer une liste de ces services. Enfin, une analyse critique des perspectives de développement d’outils d’aide à la décision à l’attention des aménageurs pour la prise en compte des sols urbains à chaque étape de l’aménagement est proposée.