Greening the gentrification process

Insights and engagements from practitioners

Bibliographic Data

ID4464569
AuthorsJessica Quinton (0000-0002-6931-7984, University of British Columbia, corresponding author), Lydia Nesbitt (0000-0002-4018-1825, University of British Columbia), David Sax (0000-0001-6475-0722, University of British Columbia), L Harris (0000-0002-1700-1902, University of British Columbia)
Year2024
Volume7
Issue4
Pages1893-1917
Publication date2024-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning E Nature and Space (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2514-8486 • E-ISSN: 2514-8494
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/25148486241236281
OpenAlexW4392593391
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited64

Green gentrification implicates urban greening as a driver of neighbourhood 'upgrading' and subsequent displacement. However, it is unclear whether the concept resonates with, or supports the work of, those responsible for much of the greening occurring in cities - urban green planners/practitioners. We interviewed 33 planners/practitioners in Canada to refine our understanding of the relationships between urban greening and gentrification. We found that greening is closely tied to development, with funding/space for greening often provided through development requirements/incentives. Thus, rather than greening causing gentrification (as described in current literature), here greening is often a requirement and direct outcome of new development - contributing to what we describe as a broader greening of the gentrification process that is facilitated by various political-economic factors. Many interviewees stated that their current work focuses on addressing existing inequities rather than strategizing to limit future gentrification. However, they had mixed opinions about whether knowledge of green gentrification as a concept can help them promote equitable urban greening due to their lack of power over where/how urban greening occurs, along with the finding that greening is not causing gentrification. The uneven power dynamics between urban green practitioners/planners, developers, and elected officials also influenced views on whether gentrification is an intended outcome of greening. We conclude that relying on new development to provide urban greening is antithetical to addressing existing green inequities and is likely to exacerbate inequities through associating greening with gentrification. Recent measures to improve housing affordability (i.e. the removal of developer greening requirements) will disrupt the current development-greening relationship but are unlikely to address the issue of inequitable greening. Increased and ongoing collaboration between those working in urban greening, housing, and planning is paramount and should focus on affordability and equity across urban systems - attending to the interplay between greening, housing, affordability, and sustainability

Civil engineering · Gentrification · Greening · Political science · Process (computing · Sociology · Urban greening · Computer Science · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Engineering · Law · Urban Design and Spatial Analysis · Urban Green Space and Health

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