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In cities where green and open spaces are scarce, these areas serve multifunctional roles. Through effective governance, they provide benefits such as water management, improved public health, and support for sustainable transport, making them essential components of green infrastructure (Addo-Bankas et al., 2024; Ellicott, 2016). Local governments play a key role in managing these spaces, yet they often receive fewer resources than other infrastructure sectors like healthcare and transportation (Mell, 2020).
In the United Kingdom, green infrastructure planning is integrated at both national and local levels (Jones & Russo, 2024; Scott & Hislop, 2024). Decentralized governance has enhanced green space quality and accessibility (Mathers et al., 2015), but financial austerity has constrained development (Mell, 2020). To address funding gaps and public engagement needs, the UK public sector, exemplified by the Greater London Authority, has adopted governance models that involve private and third-sector organizations (CABE Space, 2009; LGSC, 2020; PFL, 2024). While cross-sector partnerships improve flexibility and efficiency, they still face political and organizational challenges requiring long-term institutional support (Dempsey et al., 2016).
Global policy transfer has influenced urban development in East Asia, where local governments increasingly integrate green infrastructure (Mabon, 2023). Mid-sized cities in the region must navigate urban density, financial constraints, and diverse public demands while also confronting challenges like climate change and aging population. Despite valuable lessons from the UK, Taiwan’s park governance remains hindered by a centralized administrative system and limited civic participation (Hsu & Juang, 2020). This study contributes to the discourse on green space governance by identifying adaptable strategies for mid-sized cities in Taiwan.
Urban parks are critical to city livability, yet governance challenges persist, particularly in managing neighborhood parks (Wu, 2020). Taiwan’s rapid urbanization and demographic shifts underscore the need for sustainable park management, but existing policies rely heavily on centralized planning and limited community involvement, leading to inefficiencies (Liu & Huang, 2011). In contrast, the UK’s diversified governance model, which integrates public, private, and community-led initiatives, offers a viable approach to improvement.
This study examines the case of Norwich, a mid-sized UK city with a population and urban structure comparable to Chiayi City, Taiwan. Norwich’s governance model emphasizes multi-stakeholder collaboration, participatory management, and sustainable funding mechanisms (NCC, 2024; GNLP, 2024; NCC, 2015), making it a relevant reference for alternative governance strategies. A comparative analysis of policies, stakeholder engagement, and financial models highlights governance approaches that enhance sustainability and efficiency in small-city parks. Findings suggest that decentralization, participatory governance, and cross-sector partnerships significantly improve park maintenance and user engagement.
Based on these insights, this study proposes policy recommendations for Taiwan, advocating for flexible funding models, community empowerment, and adaptive management strategies. By drawing lessons from Norwich’s governance approach, small Taiwanese cities can develop more resilient and community-oriented neighborhood parks, ultimately fostering urban livability and environmental sustainability.
References
Addo-Bankas, O., Wei, T., Zhao, Y., Bai, X., Núñez, A. E., Stefanakis, A. (2024) Revisiting the concept, urban practices, current advances, and future prospects of green infrastructure. Sci. Total Environ. 954, 176473.
Dempsey, N., Burton, M., Duncan, R. (2016) Evaluating the effectiveness of a cross-sector partnership for green space management: The case of Southey Owlerton, Sheffield, UK. Urban For. Urban Green. 15:155-164.
Jones, J., Russo, A. (2024) Exploring the role of public participation in delivering inclusive, quality, and resilient green infrastructure for climate adaptation in the UK. Cities148:104879.
Mabon, L. (2023) At the margins of the international community, but inside global knowledge and policy flows? How cities in Taiwan and Scotland position themselves within intergovernmental rhetoric on nature-based solutions. Nature-Based Solutions 4:100086.
Mathers, A., Dempsey, N., Molin, J.F. (2015) Place-keeping in action: Evaluating the capacity of green space partnerships in England. Landsc. Urban Plan. 139:126-136.
Mell, I. (2020) The impact of austerity on funding green infrastructure: A DPSIR evaluation of the Liverpool Green & Open Space Review, UK. Land Use Policy 91:104284.
Scott, A., Hislop, M. (2024) What does good green and blue infrastructure policy look like: A comparative assessment of UK national planning guidance. Urban For. Urban Green. 99:128440.
| Keywords | cross-case analysis; local greenspace governance; public participation; UK; East Asia |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
