From legislation to obligation: Re-thinking smart urban governance for multispecies justice

Abstract

Given the rise in Australia's biodiversity and habitat loss, in this paper we explore how smart urban governance—might move beyond its more anthropocentric focus on citizens, civic institutions, and the urban environment to address multispecies justice. Situated in Brisbane, Australia, our research contributes new knowledge (co)produced with stakeholders who identify four anthropocentric barriers within smart urban governance: (1) property ownership, (2) green spaces, (3) lobbying and donations, and (4) lack of environmental integration. Next, we position multispecies justice in Brisbane's smart urban governance as a shift from ownership to stewardship and from legislation to obligation: challenging human-centred urban typologies, and technological and institutional tools. In conclusion, we reflect on what stakes matter for Urban Governance to embrace the transition towards multispecies justice.