Four City Ideals: Perspectives on Protecting and Integrating Green Space at the Rural–Urban Fringe

Urban expansion is a major cause of the loss of fertile soil, biodiversity and ecosystem services at the rural–urban fringe. Different patterns of urban development need to be considered to protect and integrate a green space that supports these functions. The Compact City has become the paradigmatic counterpoint to urban sprawl, but many critics highlight the challenges of integrating green space within the densifying city, as well as protecting green space outside the city. This research uses a qualitative case study to explore perspectives on the protection and integration of green space at the rural–urban fringe. Using theorisations of urban spatial form to interpret public submissions and semi-structured interviews, four city ideals are conceptualised: Arcadian City, Compact Green City, Neoliberal City, and Biophilic City. While there is no consensus on a preferred model, pathways towards the protection and integration of green space for food production and ecological function are explored.