Political and socioeconomic drivers of urban green space management: Insights from a case study in a Metropolitan Region of an Emerging Economy

Abstract

Urban green spaces (UGS) are essential for enhancing the quality of life in cities. However, managing these spaces in rapidly urbanizing metropolitan regions, particularly in emerging economies, presents significant challenges. While there is growing literature on UGS management in developing countries and emerging economies, further research is needed to better understand the political, economic, and social impacts on UGS management in contexts like Brazil. Although many studies address UGS in these settings, there remains a need for more detailed analyses of how specific factors, such as public policy and community engagement, influence outcomes under different constraints. This study provides preliminary insights into the impact of public policies, investment priorities, and community engagement on the management of UGS in cities of the metropolitan region of São Paulo (MRSP). The study aims to explore the potential correlation between investment priorities and quality of life, analyze the perceived effectiveness of public policies, examine the possible benefits of integrating green space policies with broader urban development plans, and assess the impact of community engagement on public satisfaction. A structured survey was distributed to environmental departments across 39 cities in the MRSP. The survey included questions on the number of inhabitants, priority given to UGS, policy implementation, impact on quality of life, and public satisfaction. Chi-square tests were employed to analyze the association between city size and the identified challenges and strategies. The study suggests that investment in UGS may significantly improve the quality of life. However, merely having public policies for UGS management does not reduce challenges, highlighting the importance of effective implementation. Integrating UGS policies with broader urban development plans and active community engagement may enhance UGS management and public satisfaction. Further research should conduct comparative studies across multiple metropolitan regions in different countries to provide a more comprehensive understanding of UGS management globally.