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Residents’ Perceptions of Urban Greenspace in a Shrinking City: Ecosystem Services and Environmental Justice

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Listed:
  • Sonja Wilhelm Stanis

    (School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

  • Emily Piontek

    (School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
    Renew Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA)

  • Shuangyu Xu

    (School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

  • Andrew Mallinak

    (School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, FL 32399, USA)

  • Charles Nilon

    (School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

  • Damon M. Hall

    (School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 01908, USA)

Abstract

Although urban greenspace enhances ecological functioning and human well-being through ecosystem services (ES), it is oftentimes inequitably distributed. Environmental justice (EJ) encompasses aspects of distributive, procedural, and interactive justice related to accessibility and allocation of environmental benefits. Vacant land in shrinking cities has the potential to address greenspace inequalities and provide ES. This study investigated the perceptions of residents regarding urban ES and EJ in their communities in St. Louis (MO, USA)—a shrinking city that was undergoing green development, through semi-structured interviews. Altogether, 27 residents were selected from socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods characterized by high levels of vacancy due to legacies of redlining and systemic racism. Interview analysis revealed four themes: green benefits (including recreation opportunities), green costs (e.g., concerns for increased crime and nuisance animals), injustice issues (e.g., access to community greenspaces), and changes in the community (e.g., higher property taxes). Results revealed that residents perceived ES as closely connected with EJ when it comes to urban greening projects in their city. This study helps inform the process of urban greening projects, particularly in shrinking cities at risk of inequities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonja Wilhelm Stanis & Emily Piontek & Shuangyu Xu & Andrew Mallinak & Charles Nilon & Damon M. Hall, 2024. "Residents’ Perceptions of Urban Greenspace in a Shrinking City: Ecosystem Services and Environmental Justice," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:10:p:1554-:d:1485223
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    References listed on IDEAS

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