The path to just urban green spaces

Abstract

As cities in the Netherlands continue to densify, the availability and fair distribution of urban green spaces face pressure. While these green spaces play a crucial role in advancing socially sustainable urban development, their spatial justice remains underexplored in Dutch planning practices. Although municipal (policy) documents do increasingly address social inclusion, the extent to which these ambitions reflect in the lived experiences of residents is still unclear. Without a better understanding of this relationship, there is a risk that densification may worsen existing spatial injustices.

This study investigated how spatial justice is addressed at the municipal policy level, and how this is translated into residents’ experiences with urban green spaces through a case study design in the municipality of Maastricht. A mixed-methods approach was employed. First, the three dimensions of spatial justice were used to analyse relevant (policy) documents from the municipality of Maastricht. Second, a primarily quantitative survey captured residents’ experiences with spatial justice in relation to a specific urban green space, along with their usage of and satisfaction with this space. These two components were then compared to assess how there was alignment between policy intent and lived reality. Based on this analysis, the study offers recommendations to the municipality for improving the management of urban green spaces at the municipal (policy) level with regards to spatial justice.

The research ultimately sought to answer: “To what extent can urban green spaces be managed at the municipal level to ensure spatial justice within the built environment, thereby stimulating socially sustainable urban development?”

Through answering this research question, the thesis aimed to promote spatial justice as a core principle in urban green space management, supporting broader social sustainability goals.