Urban green spaces, well being and equity: unpacking the dynamics of environmental justice in the city of Rotterdam
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2024-08-12
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
Urban green spaces are becoming increasingly recognised as critical components as part of
sustainable cities, contributing to residents’ health, well-being and overall quality of life.
However, equitable distribution and quality of these spaces often remain pressing concerns.
This thesis explores disparities in the distribution and quality of green spaces through an
environmental justice framework in two different neighbourhoods, Hillegersberg-Schiebroek
and Feijenoord. Hillegersberg-Schiebroek, a neighbourhood with relatively high
socio-economic status and a lower percentage of residents with a migration background.
And Feijenoord as a striking contrast being a neighbourhood with relatively low
socio-economic status and a high percentage of residents with migration background.
The study applies a qualitative approach combining a data analysis, semi-structured
interviews and observations to gain insights in the disparities in green space distribution,
quality and the mechanisms, policies and actors influencing them. The data-analysis and the
observations indeed revealed differences between the two neighbourhoods. The availability
and quality of green space generally being higher in Hillegersberg-Schiebroek and lower in
Feijenoord. The results of the observations show that green spaces in Feijenoord were
generally more polluted, had more noise disturbances, were less biodiverse, smaller in size
but had more recreational amenities.
The interviews underscore previous policy approaches, problems with community
engagement, capacity, spatial constraints and crossing interests as factors currently
influencing and shaping the disparities of green spaces in Rotterdam. This study highlights
the need for collaboration and further implementation of environmental justice in existing
policy approaches, to pursue the goal of creating equitable green space for everyone.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen