Actor and power analysis in urban forests and green spaces management. Insights from the Garden City of West Africa

Abstract

The significance of urban forests and green spaces is unquestionable, yet their maintenance is frequently hindered by the conflicting interests of various actors and power imbalances. Unfortunately, despite the vast recognition by many scholars that power is central to resource management, the subject has not received deserving attention in urban forestry and green spaces studies. This paper bridges this knowledge gap. It explores the actors, interest and power in urban forest and green spaces management as well as the sources of power of the various actors and what mechanisms do actors use to exert power and influence on the management of urban forest and green spaces. Relying on the actor-centered power (ACP) framework and a case study design, about 32 key informants and 396 urban residents were interviewed in the study. The research findings of the paper unveiled that various actors have interest in urban forest and green spaces for the ecosystem services and the problems they bestow on humanity. However, power is not uniformly distributed among the various actors who exert influence through a variety of mechanisms, including coercion and dominant information from which power is observed. The resultant effects were conflicting managerial roles and responsibilities for green spaces management affecting the sustainability of such space. By recognizing that power is dynamic but not solely concentrated within formal institutions but distributed among various actors with diverse interests and capacities, we recommend a more inclusive approach to urban forests and green spaces management. It necessitates the need for inclusive and transparent governance structure that consider the needs and dynamics of actors to ensure sustainable and equitable urban forest and green space management.