Difference between revisions of "Negotiating Green Space Development: Balancing Long-Term Sustainability and Short-Term Social Needs"

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'''Let us imagine a rapidly urbanizing and highly dense city declaring a certain (forested) area as a natural park for protection of biodiversity and provision of green spaces for locals.'''
This scenario has been developed on the basis of a [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park |real world case]].


How might this become a reality?
[[File:Barcelona park picture.jpg|500px]]


To address the potential threats of decreasing green spaces and  biodiversity loss, municipalities and local and regional governments may come together to actively take measures for protection of the urban ecosystems. The ecosystems could be demarcated and managed for their best use both for long term sustainability by protecting the ecosystem and its species and the immediate social needs (recreational and health) of the local people.  
'''Imagine your city where a natural park provides both biodiversity protection and green space for locals to counter rapid urbanization and increasing density.'''


Formation of a natural park in a highly dense city can be shaped and supported by some national and the EU policies e.g. NATURA 2000. It can be further supported by the constitutional rights of citizens (to a healthy environment) and responsibility and duties of governments at multiple scales to provide those services for the citizens.
'''How might this become a reality?'''


For the successful implementation of the intervention, formation of a governance body based on multi-level government agencies, municipalities, scientific, advisory and consultative  bodies (engaging the members of civil society, research institutes, NGOs and academia) would be crucial. Yet, striking a balance between different visions of the stakeholders for the park, particularly, biodiversity protection (for next generations/long term outcome) and social benefits (recreation and green space for present generation) could be a great challenge. It is possible that one vision overshadows the other due to exclusion of some actors at various stages of the park’s management planning process.  As in many cases, park managers or other main stakeholders may avoid local citizens’ participation to the extent possible fearing further complexity of the planning process. However, to avoid exclusion and to promote legitimacy and equality, effective, non-tokenistic  participation of all stakeholders during all stages of the park’s management planning should be ensured.  
To address the potential threats of decreasing green spaces and biodiversity loss, municipalities and local and regional governments may come together to actively take measures for the protection of urban ecosystems. These ecosystems could be demarcated and managed for their best use, both for long-term sustainability by protecting the ecosystem and its species, and for immediate social needs (i.e. recreation and health) of the local people [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park#10. Who initiated the intervention?|(Q10)]].  


The park management team may ensure continuous communication about the park’s affairs through various communication tools e.g. meetings and workshops while making sure the content is comprehensible for all stakeholders. Moreover, for better decision making park authority can create a network for learning and exchange of knowledge between parks within and across regions/urban contexts. Finally, learning and knowledge exchange across parks in Europe may help overcoming challenges and adopt more inclusive planning methods to achieve long term sustainability and short-term social justice goals.
'''What potential policies and laws can support the cause?'''
 
The formation of a natural park in a highly dense city can be shaped and supported by some national and EU policies e.g. NATURA 2000 [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park#18. Are particular substantive (multi-level) governmental policies considered to be highly influential in the genesis and shaping of the intervention? (If easily possible, please specify the policy, the policy field and the governance level mainly addressed, and characterize it along Appendix 2: Policy typology)|(Q18)]]. It can be further upheld by the constitutional rights of citizens (to a healthy environment) and the responsibilities of governments at multiple scales to provide those services for the citizens [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park#19. What constitutional responsibilities and rules does the intervention build upon? In other words, what rights, powers, and/or responsibilities, does the country's constitution (in a broad sense) award municipalities, states, utilities, NGOs, citizens etc. and how does this impact the intervention?|(Q19)]].
 
'''How critical is balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders engaged in project management?'''
 
For the successful implementation of the intervention, the formation of a governance body comprised of multi-level government agencies and scientific, advisory, and consultative groups (engaging the members of civil society, research institutes, NGOs, and academia) would be crucial [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park#9. Problematization and priority:|(Q9)]]. Yet, striking a balance between different stakeholder visions for the park, particularly, biodiversity protection (for next generations/long term outcome) and social benefits (recreation and green space for present generation) could be a great challenge. It is possible that one vision overshadows the other due to exclusion of some actors at various stages of the park’s management planning process.  As in many cases, park managers or other main stakeholders may avoid local citizens’ participation, fearing further complexity of the planning process. However, to avoid exclusion and to promote legitimacy and equality, effective, non-tokenistic participation of all stakeholders during all stages of the park’s management planning should be ensured [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park#23. What obstacles to implementing the intervention (both generally, and in this particular context) have been identified, relating to:|(Q23)]].
 
'''What methods can ensure effective and productive stakeholders engagement throughout the process?'''
 
The park management team may maintain continuous communication about the park’s affairs by holding meetings and workshops, ensuring that the content is comprehensible for all stakeholders. For better decision-making, park authorities can create a network for learning and knowledge exchange between parks within and across regions/urban contexts. Further, learning and knowledge exchange across parks in Europe may help to overcome challenges and adopt more inclusive planning methods to achieve long-term sustainability and short-term social justice goals [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park#25. What are reported outcomes of the intervention? This may include economic outcomes, political outcomes, ability to reach sustainability and justice targets, etc.|(Q25)]].  
 
'''How could this reality be created in your city? What obstacles would have to be overcome?'''


==Do you want to learn more about this scenario?==
==Do you want to learn more about this scenario?==
The scenario is based on a Peri-urban Natural Park of Collserola (Serra de Collserola Natural Park) in Barcelona. Barcelona is a highly populated and dense city with relatively few available green spaces. The intervention aims to protect Barcelona's fragile Peri-Urban ecosystems for both social and ecological functions while preserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services to nearby residents. Specifically, the challenge being addressed here is maintaining a balance between the use of the park for short-term social needs such as recreation and long-term sustainability needs such as biodiversity protection. If you are interested in how obstacles have been overcome in this case, [[Biodiversity Protection and Social Justice in the Barcelona Natural Park#24. What has been done by each central actor group to overcome which particular obstacles in the way of successfully implementing the intervention? (this may include institutional Work - maintaining, disrupting, and creating new rules, applying to both formal laws/regulations and informal norms and expectations.)|see Q24]]. To learn more, check out their website (https://www.catalunya.com/en/catalunya-convention-bureau-ccb) and a study conducted by Naturvation (https://naturvation.eu/nbs/barcelona/peri-urban-natural-park-collserola).
This scenario relates to an '''enabling governance arrangement:'''
*[[3) Build bridges between separate stakeholder groups]]: Constant coordination and collaboration between municipalities and regional bodies including scientific and consultative committees were very important to the success of the Collserola Natural Park - for instance, in overcoming differences in interests of biodiversity protection vs. recreational activities.


This scenario fits under the '''approach''':
This scenario fits under the '''approach''':
*[[Nature-based solutions]]. This approach refers to solutions for urban sustainability that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience.
*[[Nature-based solutions]]


It addresses some '''drivers of injustice''':
It addresses some '''drivers of injustice''':
*[[Uneven and exclusionary urban intensification and regeneration]]. This driver refers to the ways in which new urban developments might force trade-offs between the social and environmental goals of urban sustainability projects. It involves public efforts to improve a neighbourhood’s physical structure and boost its economy by
*[[Uneven and exclusionary urban intensification and regeneration]]  
attracting investment, usually in the sectors of real estate and tourism.
*[[Limited citizen participation in urban planning]]
*[[Limited citizen participation in urban planning]]. This driver refers to the limited involvement and engagement of citizens and citizens’ initiatives in decision-making around the planning, design, implementation and/or evaluation of urban sustainability-oriented interventions.
*[[Unfit institutional structures]]
*[[Unfit institutional structures]]. This driver refers to those aspects or functions of organizations, public offices, administrations and authorities that deal with urban governance and stand in the way of achieving just outcomes in urban sustainability.
 
What do you think about this scenario? Was it helpful to you? Do you find our approach problematic? Send us an email to [[User: Philipp Spaeth|Philipp Spaeth]].

Latest revision as of 20:25, 18 February 2021

This scenario has been developed on the basis of a real world case.

Barcelona park picture.jpg

Imagine your city where a natural park provides both biodiversity protection and green space for locals to counter rapid urbanization and increasing density.

How might this become a reality?

To address the potential threats of decreasing green spaces and biodiversity loss, municipalities and local and regional governments may come together to actively take measures for the protection of urban ecosystems. These ecosystems could be demarcated and managed for their best use, both for long-term sustainability by protecting the ecosystem and its species, and for immediate social needs (i.e. recreation and health) of the local people (Q10).

What potential policies and laws can support the cause?

The formation of a natural park in a highly dense city can be shaped and supported by some national and EU policies e.g. NATURA 2000 (Q18). It can be further upheld by the constitutional rights of citizens (to a healthy environment) and the responsibilities of governments at multiple scales to provide those services for the citizens (Q19).

How critical is balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders engaged in project management?

For the successful implementation of the intervention, the formation of a governance body comprised of multi-level government agencies and scientific, advisory, and consultative groups (engaging the members of civil society, research institutes, NGOs, and academia) would be crucial (Q9). Yet, striking a balance between different stakeholder visions for the park, particularly, biodiversity protection (for next generations/long term outcome) and social benefits (recreation and green space for present generation) could be a great challenge. It is possible that one vision overshadows the other due to exclusion of some actors at various stages of the park’s management planning process. As in many cases, park managers or other main stakeholders may avoid local citizens’ participation, fearing further complexity of the planning process. However, to avoid exclusion and to promote legitimacy and equality, effective, non-tokenistic participation of all stakeholders during all stages of the park’s management planning should be ensured (Q23).

What methods can ensure effective and productive stakeholders engagement throughout the process?

The park management team may maintain continuous communication about the park’s affairs by holding meetings and workshops, ensuring that the content is comprehensible for all stakeholders. For better decision-making, park authorities can create a network for learning and knowledge exchange between parks within and across regions/urban contexts. Further, learning and knowledge exchange across parks in Europe may help to overcome challenges and adopt more inclusive planning methods to achieve long-term sustainability and short-term social justice goals (Q25).

How could this reality be created in your city? What obstacles would have to be overcome?

Do you want to learn more about this scenario?

The scenario is based on a Peri-urban Natural Park of Collserola (Serra de Collserola Natural Park) in Barcelona. Barcelona is a highly populated and dense city with relatively few available green spaces. The intervention aims to protect Barcelona's fragile Peri-Urban ecosystems for both social and ecological functions while preserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services to nearby residents. Specifically, the challenge being addressed here is maintaining a balance between the use of the park for short-term social needs such as recreation and long-term sustainability needs such as biodiversity protection. If you are interested in how obstacles have been overcome in this case, see Q24. To learn more, check out their website (https://www.catalunya.com/en/catalunya-convention-bureau-ccb) and a study conducted by Naturvation (https://naturvation.eu/nbs/barcelona/peri-urban-natural-park-collserola).

This scenario relates to an enabling governance arrangement:

  • 3) Build bridges between separate stakeholder groups: Constant coordination and collaboration between municipalities and regional bodies including scientific and consultative committees were very important to the success of the Collserola Natural Park - for instance, in overcoming differences in interests of biodiversity protection vs. recreational activities.

This scenario fits under the approach:

It addresses some drivers of injustice:

What do you think about this scenario? Was it helpful to you? Do you find our approach problematic? Send us an email to Philipp Spaeth.

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