Original Research Paper
The role of local government greening policies in the transition towards nature-based cities

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2020.01.015Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • As cities increase in size, density and population green spaces are increasingly important for sustainability.

  • This paper analyses the role of local government policies in provision of urban green spaces in Melbourne, Australia.

  • The key policy success factors, related to Transition Management’s four spheres of activity, are identified.

  • The ‘splintered narratives’ of urban green space functions and benefits slows the transition to nature-based cities.

Abstract

As urban areas increase in size, density and population, green spaces become increasingly important for sustainability and liveability. Yet urbanisation processes, compounded in many cases by climate change impacts, are placing increasing pressure on retention of urban vegetation. This paper aims to analyse the role of local government policies in provision of urban green spaces.

The research focuses on policies of three neighbouring local governments in Melbourne Australia, representing inner, middle and outer urban contexts. The paper applies Transition Management’s four spheres, strategic, tactical, operational and reflexive, to structure the analysis.

The research identified key policy success factors and related these to the four spheres of analysis. The research found that a key limitation to a consistent or unified approach to green space provision is the ‘splintered’ or competing narratives that are applied to the functions, benefits and characteristics of urban green spaces. This fragmentation slows transition to nature-based cities.

Keywords

Melbourne, Australia
Transition management
Nature-based solutions
Local government
Policy perspectives
Sustainability transitions

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