Understanding the Political Ecology of Urban Green Space Accessibility : A case study of Borås

Sammanfattning

Urban green spaces (UGS) are a central part of sustainable urban development and have been recognised for its health-related, social, and ecological benefits. Accessing UGS is nevertheless a political issue, as these environments are affected by governance and decision-making processes in which conflicting sustainability targets may result in urbanisation and densification projects being prioritised over the socio-ecological values of UGS. This study examines UGS accessibility in the Swedish city of Borås from a political ecology and environmental justice perspective, with particular focus on how residents can access UGS on foot. A political ecology perspective enables an understanding of UGS accessibility as something more than a spatial phenomenon, and instead highlights the socio-ecological dynamics that shape such access. The study conducts a GIS-based network analysis, qualitative interviews with an urban planner working for the city and residents living in the city district of Sjöbo, and draws on relevant municipal policy documents of the city. Together, these components address environmental configurations, governance and planning practice, as well as residents’ experiences of accessing UGS. The results show that pedestrian UGS accessibility in Borås is shaped through an interplay of socio-ecological dynamics and highlight how this relates to environmental justice, as well as what implications such a perspective may have for sustainable urban development. The study thereby contributes to research within the field of UGS through a deeper understanding of the importance of promoting access to these environments.