How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicization
Abstract The integration of green infrastructure, such as green roofs (GR), in urban centres is considered crucial for climate change adaptation, and improving environmental quality. Previous research highlights the benefits of GR, including urban heat island mitigation, energy efficiency, biodivers...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Discover Cities |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44327-025-00073-3 |
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| author | Rima Almalla Jani Vuolteenaho Jukka Käyhkö |
| author_facet | Rima Almalla Jani Vuolteenaho Jukka Käyhkö |
| author_sort | Rima Almalla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The integration of green infrastructure, such as green roofs (GR), in urban centres is considered crucial for climate change adaptation, and improving environmental quality. Previous research highlights the benefits of GR, including urban heat island mitigation, energy efficiency, biodiversity enhancement, and stormwater management. However, it also addresses the challenges, particularly in cold climates, where seasonal variations affect GR performance. Furthermore, barriers such as policy constraints, financial limitations, and cognitive challenges can hinder the mainstreaming of vegetated roofs. This study examines the political and policy dynamics surrounding GR implementation through a case study of a planning conflict in Turku, Finland. It employs a mixed-method approach, analyzing planning documents, municipal decision-making data, media reports, and stakeholder interviews. Findings reveal that the politicization of GR in Turku was driven by conflicting interests among stakeholders, including a local affordable housing developer. The introduction of the Blue-Green Factor (BGF) planning tool in 2021 facilitated the depoliticization of GR by providing a flexible framework for enhancing urban greenness and stormwater management. This case underscores the importance of adaptive policy frameworks in overcoming local conflicts and advancing urban sustainability goals. The study also contributes to the broader discourse on urban political ecology and critical planning studies, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive approaches to green infrastructure implementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5a469d4c7eb04ae69367ccdc0b55e4ba |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 3004-8311 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Cities |
| spelling | doaj-art-5a469d4c7eb04ae69367ccdc0b55e4ba2025-08-20T01:53:07ZengSpringerDiscover Cities3004-83112025-04-012111610.1007/s44327-025-00073-3How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicizationRima Almalla0Jani Vuolteenaho1Jukka Käyhkö2Department of Geography and Geology, University of TurkuDepartment of Geosciences and Geography, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Geography and Geology, University of TurkuAbstract The integration of green infrastructure, such as green roofs (GR), in urban centres is considered crucial for climate change adaptation, and improving environmental quality. Previous research highlights the benefits of GR, including urban heat island mitigation, energy efficiency, biodiversity enhancement, and stormwater management. However, it also addresses the challenges, particularly in cold climates, where seasonal variations affect GR performance. Furthermore, barriers such as policy constraints, financial limitations, and cognitive challenges can hinder the mainstreaming of vegetated roofs. This study examines the political and policy dynamics surrounding GR implementation through a case study of a planning conflict in Turku, Finland. It employs a mixed-method approach, analyzing planning documents, municipal decision-making data, media reports, and stakeholder interviews. Findings reveal that the politicization of GR in Turku was driven by conflicting interests among stakeholders, including a local affordable housing developer. The introduction of the Blue-Green Factor (BGF) planning tool in 2021 facilitated the depoliticization of GR by providing a flexible framework for enhancing urban greenness and stormwater management. This case underscores the importance of adaptive policy frameworks in overcoming local conflicts and advancing urban sustainability goals. The study also contributes to the broader discourse on urban political ecology and critical planning studies, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive approaches to green infrastructure implementation.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44327-025-00073-3Green roofsStormwater managementClimate change adaptationUrban planningBlue-green factorPolicy barriers |
| spellingShingle | Rima Almalla Jani Vuolteenaho Jukka Käyhkö How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicization Discover Cities Green roofs Stormwater management Climate change adaptation Urban planning Blue-green factor Policy barriers |
| title | How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicization |
| title_full | How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicization |
| title_fullStr | How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicization |
| title_full_unstemmed | How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicization |
| title_short | How to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions? A green roof planning dispute between politicization and de-politicization |
| title_sort | how to overcome local policy conflicts that hinder climate actions a green roof planning dispute between politicization and de politicization |
| topic | Green roofs Stormwater management Climate change adaptation Urban planning Blue-green factor Policy barriers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44327-025-00073-3 |
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