How can cities integrate green spaces without displacing established communities?

1 Green Retrofitting

Urban planners can transform underutilized areas, such as abandoned lots or derelict buildings, into green spaces. This method, known as green retrofitting, avoids the need to clear residential areas for new parks. By repurposing these neglected spaces, you can bring nature back into the urban environment while preserving the existing community structure. Moreover, these projects can often be managed with local input, ensuring that the new green spaces serve the needs and desires of the residents they are designed to benefit.

3 Community Gardens

Community gardens are a participatory green space solution that empowers residents to play an active role in the creation and maintenance of urban greenery. These gardens can be established on small plots of land within neighborhoods, often on land that is unsuitable for development. By involving local residents in the garden's cultivation, you foster a sense of ownership and community while providing access to fresh produce and a communal space for social interaction.

6 Engaged Planning

Engaged planning involves direct collaboration between city planners, local governments, and communities. By actively engaging with residents throughout the planning process, you can ensure that green space projects reflect the needs and wishes of those who will be most affected by them. This approach not only builds trust between stakeholders but also leads to more successful and sustainable urban environments where green spaces and communities thrive together.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?