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More than just green: The role of bottom-up initiatives for socially just urban green development

Heeg, Paulina Maria LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
In response to growing social injustices in cities, bottom-up initiatives are increasingly recognised as sites of resistance and experimentation. I examine how the PARKS project in Hamburg, a temporary, collectively governed green space, challenges neoliberal urban development and envisions socially just green spaces. Adopting a case study approach, I draw on semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Theoretically, my research is grounded in urban environmental justice, the right to the city, and urban commons literature. The analysis shows how such initiatives create actually existing commons through practices of care, participation, shared governance and advances justice by addressing barriers faced by... (More)
In response to growing social injustices in cities, bottom-up initiatives are increasingly recognised as sites of resistance and experimentation. I examine how the PARKS project in Hamburg, a temporary, collectively governed green space, challenges neoliberal urban development and envisions socially just green spaces. Adopting a case study approach, I draw on semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Theoretically, my research is grounded in urban environmental justice, the right to the city, and urban commons literature. The analysis shows how such initiatives create actually existing commons through practices of care, participation, shared governance and advances justice by addressing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups. Yet, it reveals limitations, including risks of co-optation through green branding which, without complementary anti-displacement measures, can fuel green gentrification, as well as risks of domestication via institutionalisation, lack of ownership and barriers to participation. These findings illustrate deep-seated tensions between bottom-up engagement and broader urbanisation dynamics. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Heeg, Paulina Maria LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
bottom-up initiatives, urban greening, environmental justice, urban commons, right to the city, Hamburg, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:042
language
English
id
9197372
date added to LUP
2025-06-12 15:31:40
date last changed
2025-06-18 09:02:02
@misc{9197372,
  abstract     = {{In response to growing social injustices in cities, bottom-up initiatives are increasingly recognised as sites of resistance and experimentation. I examine how the PARKS project in Hamburg, a temporary, collectively governed green space, challenges neoliberal urban development and envisions socially just green spaces. Adopting a case study approach, I draw on semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Theoretically, my research is grounded in urban environmental justice, the right to the city, and urban commons literature. The analysis shows how such initiatives create actually existing commons through practices of care, participation, shared governance and advances justice by addressing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups. Yet, it reveals limitations, including risks of co-optation through green branding which, without complementary anti-displacement measures, can fuel green gentrification, as well as risks of domestication via institutionalisation, lack of ownership and barriers to participation. These findings illustrate deep-seated tensions between bottom-up engagement and broader urbanisation dynamics.}},
  author       = {{Heeg, Paulina Maria}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{More than just green: The role of bottom-up initiatives for socially just urban green development}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}