The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) 2016 drafted an action-oriented framework known as the New Urban Agenda, discussing the issues of urbanization and how to tackle them. One issue highlighted was that of the governance of urban green spaces, committing to promote their creation and maintenance.
Today, Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are an integral part of any modern city, offering benefits to a nation’s sustainability and public health. Defined as open-space areas within an urban city filled with greenery, these landscaped parks serve as pockets of nature within some of the world’s busiest metropolises. As suggested by authors of the New Urban Agenda, discussing the governance of such a space is paramount to ensuring the well-being of our community.
Urban Green Space Governance: Framework and Importance
Historically referred to as “the lungs of the city”, urban green spaces have proven to be a vital fixture for suburban areas–acting as a literal breath of fresh air among high-rise buildings and bustling marketplaces. They offer environmental benefits such as reducing the effect of greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating urban heat, and minimizing noise pollution, as well as physiological advantages to any citizens who frequent the space.
According to recommendations made by the World Health Organization, residents of any urban city should have access to at least 0.5 to 1 hectare of public green space within 300 meters of their home. Higher exposure to greenness is also associated with a reduction in mortality and improved cognitive health. Access to large public parks also promotes social interaction and physical exercise.
UGS also has the potential to boost the economic conditions of a city. These aesthetically pleasing parks may serve as tourist attractions and hubs for public activities such as cultural events. Small businesses may also operate within the space, boosting trade even more.
Urban green spaces serve as the intersection between three different sectors, providing improvements in residents’ physical and mental health, the environment, as well as the city’s economy. Hence, managing these spaces with a clear, effective system of governance is of utmost importance.
Challenges in Managing Urban Green Spaces
Despite being such an important asset to any metropolitan city, urban green spaces are not as common as one would think. A recent study analyzed 1,000 cities spread over 31 countries in Europe and found that over 62% of the population did not have access to green space as recommended by the WHO.
Even countries like New Zealand which are known for their sprawling gardens have witnessed a decline in the percentage of urban green spaces within the country. Between the years 1980 to 2016, green space per person fell by 30% in Auckland, and 20% in Hamilton, two of the country’s most urban cities.
There are several challenges associated with managing Urban Green Spaces that may have contributed to these figures:
A rising population results in the need for increased urbanization (housing, transport, etc)
Managing the prevention of biodiversity loss when creating Urban green spaces
Thwarting potential social inequalities regarding the accessibility of Urban green spaces
Aligning views of multiple stakeholders
Recording and organizing mass amounts of data.
Strategies for Effective Urban Green Space Management
Many of the issues outlined above are ongoing and require a huge amount of time, money, and resources to solve. Below are some possible strategies to help tackle the challenges associated with governing Urban Green Spaces more simply and cost-effectively:
Reserving urban green space on redeveloped sites
Preserving existing green space from future urbanization
Enhancing the quality of existing urban green spaces to allow for more capacity
Making an effort to provide greenery on difficult sites such as narrow streets
Exploring other modes of governance such as community service and public participation to get the job done
Sustainability and the Future of Urban Green Space Management
Despite the efforts made to strengthen the governance of urban green spaces, the management of these areas will only grow more difficult with time. According to the UN World Urbanization Prospects, over two-thirds of the global population will be living in urban areas by the year 2050–a whopping 14 percent jump from 2016.
To make sure our systems are sustainable, we need to take action now. One of the most compelling ways to achieve this stability is to involve the community, particularly the youth. Public policy is first and foremost for the public, so gaining their insight into managing our urban green spaces may prove to be paramount.
Posted 06 November 2023
