Program

Friday, 29 November 2024, 10:30-12:00

Please find the abstracts of the mentioned talks below.

Aligning history and design with function - rethinking the role of Green Infrastructure in complex east and Southeast Asian cities

Speaker: Prof. Ian Mell

Climate change, health inequalities, and economic growth are all significant issues impacting upon east and south-east Asian cities. They are further constrained by the complex politics of urban development meaning that although commonalties in approach to growth can be identified that a corresponding nuance is visible in how landscape history and ecological design shape urban form. The talk discusses examples from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea to reflect on the barriers and opportunities afforded to planners to design nature into cities. Through an analysis of environmental policy alongside the dominant development objectives of different cities the talk argues that climate-resilient, economically prosperous, and liveable cities are grounded in the delivery of high-quality green infrastructure. Examples from across the region are used to highlight how climate, health, urban renewal, and economic agendas can work collectively to future-proof cities. This is not though without its limitations, as political will, finance and urban density all constrain what can and is being developed. The talk will conclude that urban development is a complex amalgam of the historical and contemporary that when effectively managed can support sustainable growth. However, it will also argue that the socio-cultural, economic and ecological factors influencing this process can, and do, lead to diverse and often negative outcomes.

Exploring the development of Community Parks in Urban-Rural Fringe Areas in China: Stakeholder Perspectives and Strategies for Sustainable Planning

Speaker: Ke Wang

Community Parks (CP), as a key category of urban public parks (UPP) in Chinese planning, play a vital role in improving residents’ quality of life and well-being, enhancing the liveability and ecology of the regional environment, and promoting sustainable urban development for cities in China. Consequently, CPs are considered by many to be integral components of the ‘community’. The ongoing process of urbanization and the rapid expansion of city form has promoted an increasing number of people to relocate to Urban-rural Fringe Areas (URFAs), leading to extensive new development and increased pressure on ecosystems in these locations. Real estate construction thus remains a primary development objective within China, and the impact on the physical environment of URFA will be extensive.Through a literature review and field research, this paper explores the development of socio-economic and ecological values associated with CP investments in URFAs in China. It assesses diverse stakeholder perspectives, including governmental officials, experts, and residents, regarding the concept and function of CPs and analyses factors affecting their planning and construction. The research highlights how varied stakeholder understandings of CP directly impact design, development and management. To promote the construction of multi-functional CPs in URFAs, we propose a series of characteristics that must be considered in future developments. These insights offer an evidence-based reference for decision-makers, aiming to meet the requirements of residents better and support the development of urban sustainability.

Understanding policy challenges and trade-offs in improving accessibility to urban green space for cultural ecosystem services provision in Jakarta 

Speaker: Irvanu Rahman

Sufficient access to urban green spaces (UGS) is vital in enhancing people’s quality of life through a cultural ecosystem services provision. UGS provides cultural benefits, such as recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, and spiritual enrichment, that people obtain through interaction with nature. Attainment of these cultural services is critical in a rapidly urbanizing city like Jakarta, as a healthy population is an essential capital for its service-driven economy. These benefits, however, are hardly recognized due to their intangible natures and structural barriers that hinder effective ecosystem services governance and policy implementation. Key factors such as the complex nature of the land-use system in a sprawling urban setting, multiple stakeholder involvement, and development trade-offs that require a balanced priority between promoting economic growth, social well-being, and maintaining environmental carrying capacity simultaneously. These factors are often poorly conveyed at the planning stage, thus limiting the policy outcomes from reaching desired outcomes. This presentation aims to fill in this knowledge gap by conceptualizing trade-offs and challenges in improving UGS accessibility and exploring its contributions to improving the health and well-being of the citizens using a qualitative approach to systems dynamics modeling. Results from spatial analysis provide additional benefits for better model articulation and further development.

Centralized vs. Decentralized Approaches to Urban Green Spaces: Lessons from Korea and Germany

Speaker: Jaewon Son

Urban green spaces (UGS) serve as critical nature-based solutions (NbS), providing diverse ecosystem services contributing to urban biodiversity, physical and psychological health, and climate resilience. Despite the emphasis on international agreements and frameworks, UGS implementation faces various challenges across different socio-cultural contexts. This study examines Korea and Germany’s distinct management approaches and policies to explore cross-cultural insights. 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 professionals from academia, government, and industry in both countries, using purposive, theoretical, and snowball sampling. Interviews focused on UGS planning and management, societal resilience, and ecosystem enhancement. Data were analyzed with MAXQDA software, categorizing policies and identifying barriers and enablers. Korea’s centralized UGS implementation contrasts with Germany’s decentralized approach, which aligns more with EU regulations. Both countries face communication and stakeholder engagement challenges. Korean interviewees highlighted the need for intermediary park managers and long-term policy value demonstration, while Germans noted inadequate post-implementation evaluations. Each country recognized strengths in the other’s approach. The study concludes that Korea’s centralized system enables rapid implementation but struggles with comprehensive consideration and long-term value demonstration. Germany’s decentralized system allows tailored local regulations but faces prolonged discussions and broader action understanding. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are critical in both contexts, with resource securing as a common challenge. This study underscores the need for collaborative efforts to create resilient urban environments, leveraging both centralized and decentralized strengths.

Contact

If you have questions please contact Meike Hebich (meike.hebich∂kit.edu).
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