Multi-level barriers and opportunities for urban greening and depaving initiatives as climate change adaptation measures: Quebec City case study

Abstract

Urban greening and depaving initiatives are increasingly recognized as climate change adaptation strategies in cities worldwide. However, several individual and institutional barriers, including social acceptability, can hinder the successful implementation of these initiatives. This study aims to understand the decision-making processes and citizen perceptions associated with urban greening and depaving initiatives in Quebec City. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted detailed interviews with 18 stakeholders and a questionnaire-based survey of 770 residents in the city. Our findings show that these initiatives could be characterized into five project types, comprising community-supported projects and projects led by different city departments, including engineering, urban planning, and mobility, with smaller contributions from departments such as recreation park services. While a horizontal structure between these departments fostered collaboration, a top-down approach to the decision-making process limited the implementation of such initiatives. In addition, economic, technical, and organizational barriers were limiting factors, particularly the perceived lack of citizen support for these initiatives. Nevertheless, the survey results revealed strong support from citizens, with more than 80 % of participants expressing moderate to high levels of support. In addition, while nearly half of the survey participants (47 %) identified private car use as their preferred mode of transport, the participants showed a willingness to reduce parking spaces to support depaving initiatives. To overcome the barriers to and promote the successful implementation of urban greening and depaving initiatives, greater collaboration between decisionmakers, professionals, and the community in Quebec City is needed. Our results have significant implications for advancing such initiatives beyond Quebec City. By examining stakeholders’ perceptions, our findings can inform decision-making processes and promote the adoption of public policies to support these initiatives in city planning agendas.