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Promoting Green Transformations through Smart Engagement: An Assessment of 100 Citizen-Led Urban Greening Projects

Author

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  • Eleni Oikonomaki

    (URENIO Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Ilektra Papadaki

    (URENIO Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Christina Kakderi

    (URENIO Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

In the face of challenges like heatwaves, flooding, other extreme events, as well as increasing pollution and declining quality of life in cities, there is a growing demand for the preservation and expansion of urban green spaces, often driven by citizen-led transformations. This paper examines 100 urban greening projects initiated or supported by citizens globally, categorizing them according to the type of greenery, the stakeholders involved, the mode of implementation, and the use of smart technologies incorporated. We notice variations in green endeavors based on the stakeholders orchestrating them; most of the entirely citizen-led initiatives being aimed at the creation of urban farms and food growing, demonstrating the pressing need to secure food and self-determination in communities. More than half of the assessed initiatives that managed to scale up and multiply had public authorities providing a framework or a type of support for their development or an NGO or other organization providing expertise and mobilizing citizens at various stages. In terms of technological use, we mostly found that websites and social media platforms ease participatory endeavors and knowledge sharing of best practices, accelerating scaling efforts, while there is low integration of more advanced digital technologies, which, if used, could enable real-time monitoring of green spaces, inform evidence-based decision-making, and streamline processes in scaling up green initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleni Oikonomaki & Ilektra Papadaki & Christina Kakderi, 2024. "Promoting Green Transformations through Smart Engagement: An Assessment of 100 Citizen-Led Urban Greening Projects," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:4:p:556-:d:1380159
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christina Kakderi & Eleni Oikonomaki & Ilektra Papadaki, 2021. "Smart and Resilient Urban Futures for Sustainability in the Post COVID-19 Era: A Review of Policy Responses on Urban Mobility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Nathan Fox & Victoria Campbell-Arvai & Mark Lindquist & Derek Van Berkel & Ramiro Serrano-Vergel, 2022. "Gamifying Decision Support Systems to Promote Inclusive and Engaged Urban Resilience Planning," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(2), pages 239-252.
    3. Soumya Balakrishnan & Suzanne Elayan & Martin Sykora & Marin Solter & Rob Feick & Christopher Hewitt & Yi Qiao Liu & Ketan Shankardass, 2023. "Sustainable Smart Cities—Social Media Platforms and Their Role in Community Neighborhood Resilience—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Liu, Hongxiao & Hamel, Perrine & Tardieu, Léa & Remme, Roy P. & Han, Baolong & Ren, Hai, 2022. "A geospatial model of nature-based recreation for urban planning: Case study of Paris, France," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    5. Viniece Jennings & Omoshalewa Bamkole, 2019. "The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space: An Avenue for Health Promotion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, February.
    6. Camps-Calvet, Marta & Langemeyer, Johannes & Calvet-Mir, Laura & Gómez-Baggethun, Erik, 2016. "Ecosystem services provided by urban gardens in Barcelona, Spain: Insights for policy and planning," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 14-23.
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    2. Michael Rudolph & Mashford Zenda, 2025. "The Contribution of Agroecology to Smart Cities and Different Settlement Contexts in South Africa—An Analytical Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Quadri Olatunbosun Taiwo & Vivek Shandas, 2025. "Towards an Explicit Understanding of Network Governance in Urban Forestry Management: A Case Study of Portland (OR), USA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-23, April.

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