Stakeholders' perspectives on the operationalisation of the ecosystem service concept : Results from 27 case studies

The ecosystem service (ES) concept is becoming mainstream in policy and planning, but operational influence on practice is seldom reported. Here, we report the practitioners' perspectives on the practical implementation of the ES concept in 27 case studies. A standardised anonymous survey (n = 246), was used, focusing on the science-practice interaction process, perceived impact and expected use of the case study assessments. Operationalisation of the concept was shown to achieve a gradual change in practices: 13% of the case studies reported a change in action (e.g. management or policy change), and a further 40% anticipated that a change would result from the work. To a large extent the impact was attributed to a well conducted science-practice interaction process (>70%). The main reported advantages of the concept included: increased concept awareness and communication; enhanced participation and collaboration; production of comprehensive science-based knowledge; and production of spatially referenced knowledge for input to planning (91% indicated they had acquired new knowledge). The limitations were mostly case-specific and centred on methodology, data, and challenges with result implementation. The survey highlighted the crucial role of communication, participation and collaboration across different stakeholders, to implement the ES concept and enhance the democratisation of nature and landscape planning. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Offentlig grøntanleggsforvaltning i Norge : perspektiver på kvalitet i grøntanlegg

Threats such as urbanisation and climate change are addressed through the use of nature, with an emphasis on creating quality green spaces. Green spaces consist of a dynamic system that needs to be managed to make sure that its quality is ensured from a long-term perspective. However, there has been relatively little discussion about what quality entails and how quality might be translated into local management processes. Although, politicians might acknowledge benefits and services provided by quality green space, the attention given to quality green space does not correlate with the actual resources made available for managing them. In practice, the processes through which quality green spaces are enhanced, maintained and managed over the long term face many challenges. In this thesis, Norwegian green space management arrangements and the keeping of quality green space was explored. Making use of the Policy Arrangement Approach as overall theoretical framework, this thesis research utilised a mixed-method design, including both a quantitative and a qualitative strand. The first part of the quantitative strand characterised Norwegian green space management arrangements and the second part searched for the relation of Norwegian users’ quality perceptions and motivation to green space visits. The quantitative strand informed the qualitative strand, deepening the understanding of an initiative-based green space management arrangement in a case study approach. The synthesis of both strands findings revealed that merging planning and operations in tactical operational performances as well as open for decision-making based on the operational level were valuable strategies to keeping quality green space. The possibility to engage in such strategic performances relates in part to the organisational structure of the municipality and in part to a strong green space unit, uniting decision-making upon all green spaces in the municipality. Nevertheless, the relation to and the importance of the green space manager were repeatedly highlighted. The prioritisation and operationalisation of overall political aims as well as tactical performances seem to depend upon individuals within the organisation. Adapted practices and processes of management within the given organisational structures ensure quality green space in a long-term, considering five stories; (i) identify the bonds to the place for activating the local engagement; (ii) allow for the unforeseen – maybe even take a risk; (iii) find synergies between stakeholders, (iv) think in long-terms, and (v) as a management organisation – be actively engaged too. Following the development of quality from the early concept of quality, quality in evaluations and tools, quality as values and quality as abstracted. This thesis found that quality is not something to be pinpointed, is rather a space of thematising what quality ought to be in the specific green space and green space management arrangement.Trusler som urbanisering og klimaendringer håndteres gjennom bruk av naturen. Det legges spesielt vekt på å skape grøntområder av høy kvalitet. Grøntområder er dynamiske systemer som må forvaltes for å sikre god kvalitet i et langsiktig perspektiv. Det har imidlertid vært relativt lite diskusjon om hva kvalitet innebærer og hvordan kvalitet kan oversettes til lokale forvaltningsprosesser. Selv om politikere anerkjenner fordelene ved grøntområder med god kvalitet er det ikke direkte sammenheng mellom oppmerksomheten rundt grøntområder og de faktiske ressursene som gjøres tilgjengelige for å forvalte dem. I praksis er det mange utfordringer i prosessene der grøntområder vedlikeholdes, forbedres og forvaltes på lang sikt. I denne avhandlingen er grøntanleggsforvaltningen i Norge og den langsiktige utviklingen av grøntanlegg utforsket. Ved å benytte ‘Policy Arrangement Approach’ som et overgripende teoretisk rammeverk er denne avhandlingen basert på en blanding av metoder, en kvantitativ tråd og en kvalitativ tråd. Den første delen av den kvantitative tråden undersøkte hva som er karakteristisk for norsk grøntanleggsforvalting. Den andre delen søkte etter sammenhengen mellom norske brukeres kvalitetsoppfatning og motivasjon til å besøke grøntanlegg. Den kvantitative tråden informerte den kvalitative tråden, som gikk ut på å utdype forståelsen av initiativbasert forvaltning av et grøntområde gjennom en case-studie. Syntese av funnene fra begge trådene viste at sammenslåing av planlegging og drift i taktisk operasjonell utførelse samt åpning for beslutningstaking på operasjonelt nivå, var verdifulle strategier for å utvikle grøntområder med god kvalitet. Muligheten for å engasjere seg i denne formen for strategisk utførelse avhenger i stor grad av kommunens organisasjonsstruktur. En sterk enhet for grøntanleggsforvalting som forener beslutningsprosesser for alle grøntområder i kommunen er fordelaktig. Likevel ble betydningen av grøntanleggsforvalteren og dennes relasjoner gjentatte ganger fremhevet. Prioritering og iverksettelse av overordnede politiske mål samt taktiske utførelse i grøntområder synes å avhenge av interesserte enkeltpersoner i organisasjonen. Innenfor de gitte organisatoriske strukturene i forvaltningen kan tilpasset praksis og prosesser sikre god kvalitet i grøntområder på lang sikt når man tar hensyn til fem historier; (i) identifisere bånd til stedet for å aktivere lokalt engasjement, (ii) tillate det uforutsette – kanskje til og med ta en risiko, (iii) finne synergier mellom interessenter, (iv) tenke langsiktig og (v) som en forvaltningsorganisasjon – være aktivt engasjert. Denne avhandlingen viser at når man følger begrepet kvalitet fra de tidlige konseptene om kvalitet, kvalitet i evalueringer og verktøy til kvalitet som verdier og kvalitet som abstrahert, er kvalitet ikke noe presist. Det er snarere et rom for å tematisere hva kvalitet burde være i det enkelte grøntanlegg og i organiseringen av grøntanleggsforvaltnin

Identification of blue green structures and perceived values in public urban green spaces : a comparative case study of a natural and a constructed green space in Oslo

Population growth is increasing and further increase will occur in cities. This densification will effect and reduce urban green ecosystems. Urban ecosystems contribute to the quality of life of urban dwellers and the cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided are the focus of the present thesis. The non-existence of a common framework for assessing CES and the insufficient attention towards CES is leading to the use of two recently developed tools within this thesis: the Blue Green Factor, developed by Oslo and Bærum municipality, and the Structural Diversity Tool, developed by Voigt et al. (2014). The aim of this thesis is to compare a park and a natural green space in Oslo using those tools and to assess the perceived values of the green spaces. Further the connection of those values, on the basis of the CES concept, to the blue green structures assessed, is discussed. The theoretical basis of the research relies on the concepts of cultural ecosystem services, the aesthetics of the pleasant and the experience of nature. Results show an immense difference of the blue green factor scores. The natural green space achieves a score that is five times higher than the score of the park. The structural diversity tool revealed similar result, the natural space scores however slightly higher. The observations and the interviews in the natural green space demonstrate that the green space is perceived as a restorative environment, but only during the day. The social environment in the evening was perceived as not pleasant and no activities were carried out at this time. The interviews demonstrated that accessibility, safety, tidiness and maintenance were of importance whilst deciding about a visit of the green space, nevertheless the aspects of compatibility, nature, the feeling of being away, extent of the space and the fascination elements were decisive for a visit. The observations within the park however revealed a picture of little use and no respondents were willing to participate in the interview study. The research identified five CES subservices in the natural green space: recreational services (stress relief), social interactions, educational services, the feeling of being away and aesthetical services. Some of these services can be connected to the provision of basic blue green settings, however abiotic side conditions have to be taken into consideration

Identification of blue green structures and perceived values in public urban green spaces : a comparative case study of a natural and constructed green space in Oslo

Population growth is increasing and further increase will occur in cities. This densification will effect and reduce urban green ecosystems. Urban ecosystems contribute to the quality of life of urban dwellers and the cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided are the focus of the present thesis. The non-existence of a common framework for assessing CES and the insufficient attention towards CES is leading to the use of two recently developed tools within this thesis: the Blue Green Factor, developed by Oslo and Bærum municipality, and the Structural Diversity Tool, developed by Voigt et al. (2014). The aim of this thesis is to compare a park and a natural green space in Oslo using those tools and to assess the perceived values of the green spaces. Further the connection of those values, on the basis of the CES concept, to the blue green structures assessed, is discussed. The theoretical basis of the research relies on the concepts of cultural ecosystem services, the aesthetics of the pleasant and the experience of nature. Results show an immense difference of the blue green factor scores. The natural green space achieves a score that is five times higher than the score of the park. The structural diversity tool revealed similar result, the natural space scores however slightly higher. The observations and the interviews in the natural green space demonstrate that the green space is perceived as a restorative environment, but only during the day. The social environment in the evening was perceived as not pleasant and no activities were carried out at this time. The interviews demonstrated that accessibility, safety, tidiness and maintenance were of importance whilst deciding about a visit of the green space, nevertheless the aspects of compatibility, nature, the feeling of being away, extent of the space and the fascination elements were decisive for a visit. The observations within the park however revealed a picture of little use and no respondents were willing to participate in the interview study. The research identified five CES subservices in the natural green space: recreational services (stress relief), social interactions, educational services, the feeling of being away and aesthetical services. Some of these services can be connected to the provision of basic blue green settings, however abiotic side conditions have to be taken into consideration. Key words: Urban green space, Blue green factor (BGF); Structural Diversity Tool, Cultural ecosystem services, Restorative environment, Oslo, Norwa

Public Urban Green Space Management in Norwegian Municipalities, 2017

A national survey concerning the norwegian green spaces. The following questions were examined: What is the structure of urban green space management in Norwegian municipalities, as described by administrators and what are the differences among them? The survey was based on the term “place-keeping”, and focuses on the dimensions of (1) maintenance, (2) partnership, (3) evaluation, (4) strategies, (5) funding and background questions, focusing on the administrators' point of view and their understanding of quality in green spaces

Identification of blue green structures and perceived values in public urban green spaces : a comparative case study of a natural and constructed green space in Oslo

Population growth is increasing and further increase will occur in cities. This densification will effect and reduce urban green ecosystems. Urban ecosystems contribute to the quality of life of urban dwellers and the cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided are the focus of the present thesis. The non-existence of a common framework for assessing CES and the insufficient attention towards CES is leading to the use of two recently developed tools within this thesis: the Blue Green Factor, developed by Oslo and Bærum municipality, and the Structural Diversity Tool, developed by Voigt et al. (2014). The aim of this thesis is to compare a park and a natural green space in Oslo using those tools and to assess the perceived values of the green spaces. Further the connection of those values, on the basis of the CES concept, to the blue green structures assessed, is discussed. The theoretical basis of the research relies on the concepts of cultural ecosystem services, the aesthetics of the pleasant and the experience of nature. Results show an immense difference of the blue green factor scores. The natural green space achieves a score that is five times higher than the score of the park. The structural diversity tool revealed similar result, the natural space scores however slightly higher. The observations and the interviews in the natural green space demonstrate that the green space is perceived as a restorative environment, but only during the day. The social environment in the evening was perceived as not pleasant and no activities were carried out at this time. The interviews demonstrated that accessibility, safety, tidiness and maintenance were of importance whilst deciding about a visit of the green space, nevertheless the aspects of compatibility, nature, the feeling of being away, extent of the space and the fascination elements were decisive for a visit. The observations within the park however revealed a picture of little use and no respondents were willing to participate in the interview study. The research identified five CES subservices in the natural green space: recreational services (stress relief), social interactions, educational services, the feeling of being away and aesthetical services. Some of these services can be connected to the provision of basic blue green settings, however abiotic side conditions have to be taken into consideration. Key words: Urban green space, Blue green factor (BGF); Structural Diversity Tool, Cultural ecosystem services, Restorative environment, Oslo, Norwa

Characteristics of Norwegian Green Space Management : Managers’ perspectives on place-keeping. Data Report

This report is prepared in the context of the PhD project of Claudia Fongar at the School of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Landscape and Society at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).This data report presents data produced as part of the PhD project of Claudia Fongar. The aim of this study is to establish a baseline for green space management in Norwegian municipalities by describing managers’ perspectives on place-keeping. The key research questions addressed are: (1) What are the characteristics of Norwegian place-keeping? (2) How does place-keeping differ across Norwegian municipalities? This data report is based on the analysis of a survey that has been sent out to all Norwegian municipalities (425) in October 2017. The questions of the survey are based on the concept of place-keeping (Dempsey et al., 2014), which was used to conceptualise management. Questions contained are directed towards seven dimensions of place keeping: I. Organisation, II. Maintenance, III. Partnerships, IV. Evaluation, V. Strategies, VI. Funding, VII. Quality as a result of place-keeping processes. Survey data DOI: 10.18712/NSD-NSD2623-V

Public urban green space management in Norwegian municipalities: A managers? perspective on place-keeping

This study establishes a baseline for green space management in Norwegian municipalities. The aim of a comprehensive survey sent to all Norwegian municipalities in 2017, was to describe green space management and compare municipal differences in terms of place-keeping. Place-keeping, the responsive long-term managementofpublicspaces,isusedasananalyticalframeworktocharacterisethefactorsthatinfluenceNorwegian municipal green space management. The survey assessed place-keeping in terms of policies and strategies, funding, evaluations, management and maintenance as well as partnerships. Although Norwegian green space managers expect budgets to remain stable, they foresee an increase in tasks, more green spaces to manage and more visitors. To maintain the quality of green spaces, managers face difficulties such as incalculable financial challenges and a lack of techniques for evaluating and measuring the quality of green space. Norwegian green space management seems to be largely operational in nature, with limited focus on a tactical level. This is reinforced by a lack of municipal strategies for managing green spaces, potentially based on tactical and operational expertise. Only one in three managers reported having a strategy to maintain green spaces, despite the fact that in the survey, the quality of green spaces was rated more highly when a strategy was in place. Strategic management is suggested as a possible way to ensure quality green space. Individual managers appear to play a key role in the initiation of green space strategies, in reaching out to the political–administrative interface for acquiring sufficient funding, and to facilitate long-term place-keeping partnerships.publishedVersio

Characteristics of Norwegian Green Space Management : Managers’ perspectives on place-keeping. Data Report

This data report presents data produced as part of the PhD project of Claudia Fongar. The aim of this study is to establish a baseline for green space management in Norwegian municipalities by describing managers’ perspectives on place-keeping. The key research questions addressed are: (1) What are the characteristics of Norwegian place-keeping? (2) How does place-keeping differ across Norwegian municipalities? This data report is based on the analysis of a survey that has been sent out to all Norwegian municipalities (425) in October 2017. The questions of the survey are based on the concept of place-keeping (Dempsey et al., 2014), which was used to conceptualise management. Questions contained are directed towards seven dimensions of place keeping: I. Organisation, II. Maintenance, III. Partnerships, IV. Evaluation, V. Strategies, VI. Funding, VII. Quality as a result of place-keeping processes. Survey data DOI: 10.18712/NSD-NSD2623-V

Public urban green space management in Norwegian municipalities: A managers? perspective on place-keeping

This study establishes a baseline for green space management in Norwegian municipalities. The aim of a comprehensive survey sent to all Norwegian municipalities in 2017, was to describe green space management and compare municipal differences in terms of place-keeping. Place-keeping, the responsive long-term managementofpublicspaces,isusedasananalyticalframeworktocharacterisethefactorsthatinfluenceNorwegian municipal green space management. The survey assessed place-keeping in terms of policies and strategies, funding, evaluations, management and maintenance as well as partnerships. Although Norwegian green space managers expect budgets to remain stable, they foresee an increase in tasks, more green spaces to manage and more visitors. To maintain the quality of green spaces, managers face difficulties such as incalculable financial challenges and a lack of techniques for evaluating and measuring the quality of green space. Norwegian green space management seems to be largely operational in nature, with limited focus on a tactical level. This is reinforced by a lack of municipal strategies for managing green spaces, potentially based on tactical and operational expertise. Only one in three managers reported having a strategy to maintain green spaces, despite the fact that in the survey, the quality of green spaces was rated more highly when a strategy was in place. Strategic management is suggested as a possible way to ensure quality green space. Individual managers appear to play a key role in the initiation of green space strategies, in reaching out to the political–administrative interface for acquiring sufficient funding, and to facilitate long-term place-keeping partnerships