With the process comes the progress: A systematic review to support governance assessment of urban nature-based solutions

Alexander P.N. van der Jagt, Arjen Buijs, Cynnamon Dobbs, Martina van Lierop, Stephan Pauleit, Thomas B. Randrup, Andrea Skiba, Tom Wild (2023). “With the process comes the progress: A systematic review to support governance assessment of urban nature-based solutions.” Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 87, 128067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128067

Abstract: The last decade has seen a profound increase in the development of assessment frameworks for ecosystem services, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions (NBS). This has improved understanding of NBS impact assessment, including processual aspects related to participatory planning and governance. We argue that, although representing a move in the right direction, NBS assessment frameworks would benefit from a broader framing of governance, including the role of government-led laws, policies and regulations along with community-led and collaborative multi-stakeholder initiatives. The consideration of marginalised communities and environmental justice should also be strengthened. To ensure a feasible and comprehensive approach to NBS governance assessment, we carried out a systematic literature review on the topic of urban NBS governance. Using thematic analysis, we developed a framework of five themes encompassing nine governance dimensions, of which some are further broken down into sub-dimensions. To assess the different NBS governance dimensions, we developed a tool in the format of a survey for urban decision-makers and other stakeholders, encompassing nine urban NBS governance indicators corresponding with the identified dimensions.