Green regeneration for more justice? An analysis of the purpose, implementation, and impacts of greening policies from a justice perspective in Łódź Stare Polesie (Poland) and Leipzig's inner east (Germany). Issue 136 (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haase, Annegret; Koprowska, Karolina; Borgström, Sara
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 136(2022)
• Page Start: 726
• Page End: 737
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Green regeneration -- Justice -- Nature-based solutions -- Greening policies -- Urban neighbourhoods -- Lódz -- Leipzig; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Abstract: Greening and green regeneration have been developed as a major strategy for improving quality of life in cities and neighbourhoods. Greening policies and projects are being applied at both the citywide and the neighbourhood level for various reasons, such as adaptation to climate change and the improvement of housing and living conditions as well as wellbeing and health. Urban policies, plans, and programmes have increasingly employed greening strategies to make urban neighbourhoods more attractive, to improve quality of life, and to provide residents with recreational space. At the same time, greening is increasingly "exploited" by market-oriented regeneration and construction strategies. The new critical debates on eco-gentrification—or distributional, procedural, and interactional injustices—are discussing emerging conflicts or trade-offs between green regeneration and the social or housing market impacts, as well as analysing the role of greening and green regeneration with respect to the (re)production of socio-spatial inequalities and injustices. Set against this background, our paper provides a comparative analysis of two cases—Łódź Stare Polesie (Poland) and Leipzig's inner east (Germany)—and has a threefold purpose: first, it seeks to analyse interconnections between greening policies and justice concerns. To operationalise the aforementioned interconnections, we will, second, develop an operational model that looks at interconnections as a process and applies a justice perspective that focuses on a multidimensional, intersectional, relational, and context- and policy-sensitive understanding of justice. Third, the paper seeks to detect how a contrasting comparison can help us to come to a better and more comprehensive understanding of the interconnections between green regeneration and justice. The study itself builds on primary research about the two cases from earlier projects. Highlights: Greening and green regeneration have been developed as a major strategy for improving quality of life in cities and neighbourhoods. At the same time, greening is increasingly "exploited" by market-oriented regeneration and construction strategies. Set against this background, our paper provides a comparative analysis of two cases—Łódź Stare Polesie (Poland) and Leipzig's inner east (Germany). Set against this background, our paper provides a comparative analysis of two cases—Łódź Stare Polesie (Poland) and Leipzig's inner east (Germany). It analyses interconnections between greening policies and justice concerns. It develops an operational model that looks at interconnections as a process and applies a justice perspective that focuses on a multidimensional, intersectional, relational, and context- and policy-sensitive understanding of justice.