Countering the effects of urban green gentrification through nature-based solutions: A scoping review

Statement of problem

Green gentrification is an emerging issue, where Urban green space (UGS) upgrades lead to higher living costs, displacing lower-income residents, raising concerns about accessibility, sustainability, and equity. This phenomena challenges the inclusive and equitable development of urban environments.

Purpose

Through an integrative analysis of existing literature, this study aims to address a significant gap in current research by exploring how Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can more effectively counteract the adverse effects of UGS gentrification.

Method

Utilizing a scoping literature review, the research analyzes articles from 2015 to 2024 to synthesize insights for a more equitable urban development.

Results

Findings reveal diverse lessons learned and strategies for countering green gentrification across different urban settings worldwide. However, a significant number of studies predominantly focus on the Global North, primarily in Europe and North America, which may lead to a regional bias.

Practical implications

The results provide insights for policymakers, urban planners, and communities, guiding the creation of more inclusive and sustainable urban green spaces.

Future directions

Further research should focus on developing quantitative metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of NbS in mitigating urban gentrification and expanding the geographic focus to include more underrepresented regions.