Sustainable by action: Cultivating Creative Engagement in Urban Greenspaces

Walker, Sarah (2024) Sustainable by action: Cultivating Creative Engagement in Urban Greenspaces. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

This research investigates how creative engagement can encourage sustainable environmental action and enhance informed decision-making within urban greenspaces. Recent literature indicates an increasing disconnection between people and the natural environment, a situation worsened by urban development that threatens these critical spaces. Urban greenspaces are essential for improving citizens' quality of life and mitigating climate change across the UK, yet decisions about them are often inequitable. This research reveals that, despite these challenges, environmental action within urban greenspaces in Manchester is often overlooked and unrecognised by decision-makers. Aiming to promote collaborative and informed decision-making, this research seeks to bridge design thinking with urban planning to investigate the dynamics among environmental volunteers, social enterprises, organisations, and institutions. Through interviews, focus groups, and co-production, the research engages in a reflective and open dialogue to uncover motivations, perceptions, and connections between people and urban nature. Research through Design provided a flexible and iterative approach to knowledge generation, helping to develop an in-depth narrative of environmental action and where creative engagement can address the barriers to engagement in urban greenspace decision-making. This research identifies the key variables, drivers, and considerations of environmental action, helping to co-produce a Creative Engagement Framework. Central to this framework are the MASCO drivers: Motivation, Access, Support, Communication, and Openness. These drivers systematically address how to enhance engagement, and decision-making in urban greenspaces, forging stronger connections between people and place. The Creative Engagement Framework is designed to nurture and strengthen the relationships between individuals and organisers of environmental action dedicated to creative engagement or the stewardship of urban greenspaces. By bridging the gap between these varied stakeholders, this research lays the groundwork for a nuanced understanding of the limitations and approaches of creative public engagement within urban greenspaces, underscoring its potential for decision-making. This holistic investigation incorporates multiple perspectives to craft a narrative on environmental action in Manchester. It builds an inclusive, transparent evidence base which emphasises the profound connection between communities and their environments. This approach not only highlights the significance of this relationship but also champions the collaborative approach essential for fostering meaningful interactions with urban greenspaces.