The Future of Urban Greening Strategies Between Planning, Shared Governance Models and Technologies

Urban greening strategies offer significant potential to enhance natural capital in cities, benefiting both the environment and inhabitants. However, transi-tioning from concrete-dominated landscapes to greener urban spaces poses multi-faceted challenges, requiring a paradigm shift to avoid “green gentrification” and achieve equitable outcomes. This chapter explores three key lenses to address pri-mary greening challenges in cities. Firstly, spatial challenges demand innovative solutions for planning and design-ing greening projects within limited urban space. Brownfield recovery, densification of green spaces, including nano-urban solutions, require special attention. In addi-tion, the increasing focus on urban biodiversity demands the implementation of greening solutions at various scales. Secondly, governing green spaces requires robust decision-making processes involving diverse stakeholders and competing interests. Building consensus and raising awareness about the value of urban greening is crucial. Scaling up Nature- based Solutions (NbS) while avoiding superficial “greenwashing” necessitates vigi-lant monitoring and support from local governments. Recognizing the agency of non-human entities and including them as stakeholders and right holders in decision- making processes safeguards nature’s rights and interests. Thirdly, technology plays a critical role in supporting nature in urban areas. Integrating engineering advancements into NbS and Green and Blue Infrastructure enhances their vigor and performance. Technology-driven approaches like the “Internet of Nature” and citizen science engage communities in preserving and monitoring green spaces. In conclusion, successfully addressing the challenges of urban greening demands comprehensive spatial planning, inclusive governance models, and deep technology integration for a transformative journey toward sustainable development, nurturing natural capital within a holistic urban health framework.