Urban Green Infrastructure for Poverty Alleviation: Evidence Synthesis and Conceptual Considerations

Abstract

The multiple benefits of urban green infrastructure (UGI) that support sustainable cities are increasingly acknowledged, and yet the bulk of research over the past decade or so has focused on only a small subset of the numerous benefits, notably recreation, physical and mental health, and regulating services. In contrast, there is very little information on the contribution of UGI to several of the other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in particular SDG 1 of reducing poverty, despite the pervasiveness of poverty globally. This paper considers the diverse direct and indirect ways in which UGI can contribute to poverty alleviation, drawing on the limited evidence from various regions of the world. The direct links between UGI and poverty alleviation is via three means, namely provision of (1) consumptive or provisioning goods such as wild foods and firewood, (2) employment in UGI development, maintenance, and restoration, and (3) land for urban agriculture, income generation and dwelling. There are also a number of indirect links such as cash savings, improved physical and mental health, improved social networks, improved educational outcomes, and regulation of potential natural disasters. However, the commonly unequal distribution of UGI within and between cities means that the poverty alleviation potential and benefits are inequitably distributed, often against those who are most in need of them, i.e., the urban poor. This demands greater attention to promoting the equitable distribution and quality of UGI and mainstreaming of UGI into poverty reduction strategies and programmes and vice versa, as well as greater examination of the links between UGI and poverty alleviation in a greater range of contexts.

Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure Development in a Sub-Saharan Country: The Case of Friendship Square Park, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…To date, the analyses of UGI reported by several authors [22][23][24][25][26] revealed that UGIs have multiple benefits, such as recreation, improving physical and mental health, and regulating services. However, less reports have been found on the reduction of unemployment and economic benefits of UGI that serve as a smokeless industry (urban tourism), which has a significant role in poverty alleviation of developing countries, such as Ethiopia.…”

“…However, less reports have been found on the reduction of unemployment and economic benefits of UGI that serve as a smokeless industry (urban tourism), which has a significant role in poverty alleviation of developing countries, such as Ethiopia. In addition, many UGIs lack appropriate planning and urban infrastructure networks, and do not focus on preventing human induced climate changes and lately emerged social health concerns, such as the COVID-19 pandemic [23][24][25][26]. Out of 171 reports on UGI, the vast majority of the research was from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.…”

Environmental worldviews and attitudes of public-sector urban planners in shaping sustainable urban development: the case of South Africa

“…Provisioning services were the least mentioned, which is at odds with the widespread collection of wild foods, traditional medicines, firewood and flowers for home use or income generation from formal and informal PUGS in South African cities (Garekae and Shackleton, 2020;Sardeshpande and Shackleton, 2023), as well as urban agriculture in public and private spaces (Kanosvamhira, 2023). Such provisioning services are especially important for the urban poor (Shackleton, 2021), although increasingly threatened by urban growth and densification (Lindley et al, 2018). For example, Kaoma and Shackleton (2015) found that, on average, 20% of income (cash and non-cash) amongst low-income urban households (and 30% for the poorest) was from products collected from urban trees and bushes.…”

Urban green infrastructure and its role in sustainable cities: A comprehensive review

“…This may involve creating universally accessible pathways, incorporating culturally relevant design elements, and implementing policies that prioritize access for marginalized groups. Inclusive access to UGI benefits ensures that the positive social impacts, such as improved health and community engagement, are experienced by the entire urban population (Shackleton, 2021).…”