Speaker
Description
This study examines the governance dynamics of community-based street greening initiatives in Greater Sydney, Australia, focusing on the interactions between local governments and citizens in transforming public spaces into small-scale gardens. These urban gardening efforts, occurring in nature strips, verges, and footpaths, are often informal, community-driven projects that require innovative governance approaches to balance the needs of both public authorities and residents. The study explores the policy frameworks employed by local governments to regulate public urban gardening and investigates the day-to-day decision-making processes of policy officers and community members.
To investigate the complex dynamics between formal policy and informal, community-driven action, a novel, interdisciplinary governance framework has been developed, drawing on policy studies and systems theories. A qualitative analysis of policy documents across all thirty-three local governments in Greater Sydney reveals a broad spectrum of policy approaches—from restrictive measures to proactive support for public gardening initiatives. Interviews with council staff and community participants uncover the governance practices surrounding these initiatives, focusing on how policy decisions are implemented at the street level. By employing a participatory systems approach, the research highlights the diverse perspectives and values that shape policy outcomes, particularly in relation to risk management, biodiversity, and community benefits.
The study contributes to the discourse on governance by offering insights into how participatory and flexible governance models can enable adaptive urban planning processes. The findings are relevant for policymakers seeking to foster collaborative, community-led urban solutions that address pressing challenges such as climate adaptation, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.
| Keywords | systems thinking, community-led, nature-based solutions, collaborative governance, participatory methods |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
