How do we perceive green spaces? Trait-based citizen science to support the monitoring and management of nature-based solutions

Idea and objectives: Urban citizens are key beneficiaries of benefits delivered by urban green-blue infrastructure as nature-based solutions. However, the delivery as well as the utilization of ecosystem services is tied to local context and therefore, depending, e.g., on the types of locally relevant societal or environmental issues, urban morphology, socio-demographic characteristics of potential beneficiaries and resulting demands for ecosystem services, or conditions of urban nature inclusive of the state of health of green elements. In this regard, citizens may not only act as beneficiaries of benefits provided by nature, but also as knowledge holders regarding local conditions in the broadest sense. Tapping into this body of knowledge, e.g., through citizen science and/or participatory mapping approaches, is considered crucial for achieving resilient, sustainable, and locally relevant as well as more widely accepted nature-based solutions that promote human health and well-being. From a set of diverse cases, the application of a trait-based framework showcases how citizen science and participatory mapping may support urban planning and the promotion, management and/or monitoring of urban green-blue infrastructure as nature-based solutions at the local level.

Background: Traits are understood as aggregate features of individual elements of the green-blue infrastructure, including, e.g., spatial, structural, functional, sensory, institutional or contextual qualities. In line with the social-ecological traits concept, these characteristics are seen to shape human experiences, knowledge and affordances, thus linking qualities of urban nature with ecosystem services and therefore, potential (co-)benefits. However, traits may also help to uncover local social-environmental issues including potentials and concerns, thus challenging urban policy-making. The implemented citizen science framework that is being presented adopts social-ecological traits as research theme-related boundary objects, e.g., to explore citizens’ awareness, perceptions and ideas of locally-specific traits. In so-doing, first, potential feedback loops that may shape compatibility of urban green-blue infrastructure elements for specific purposes, uses, and/or users may be uncovered. Second, potential pathways for local action may be identified to support a more holistic and more inclusive management and planning of nature-based solutions.