
Voices of JUSTGREEN:
The growing rate of global warming is heightening the need for urgent action. Cities must align climate plans with social goals to avoid worsening inequalities. Low-income areas often lack green spaces, linked to poorer health. Prioritizing “just greening” can mitigate climate impacts on vulnerable groups while involving them in policy decisions.
The JUSTGREEN Interreg project focuses on the improvement of climate adaptation policies in seven European cities (Rotterdam, Burgas, Ghent, Katowice, Murcia, Tallinn and the Region of Attica). Despite their geographical differences, these cities share a common commitment to exchanging and developing valuable knowledge on how to improve climate adaptation strategies that prioritize the inclusion of marginalized voices. In this project, the Resilient Delta initiative through the Erasmus University Rotterdam offers project partners scientific methods, such as the Transferability Matrix and the GLUON-procedure, that will stimulate exchange and learning among the partners. Beitske Boonstra, Chuma Mbambo-Lado and Anne Bruggen give us an insight in the project and their involvement.
What is your role and expertise in JUSTGREEN?
Beitske Boonstra, Assistant professor Governance and Pluralism at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences: “In my research, I study the collaboration between local communities and local authorities on issues such as urban greening. INTERREG (a European grant scheme for spatial and regional development) allows for an academic partner to support a methodology for this, which aligns well with my connection to Resilient Delta. We use the new concept of GLUON concept to enhance collaboration and make more progress.”
Chuma Mbambo, GLUON Researcher, Resilient Delta: ” I have a background in urban equality research and city policy making, and combined with my current role as a GLUON researcher, we focus on the various methodologies that cities will use to learn and exchange knowledge within the project. The methodology helps us combine different perspectives into transdisciplinary knowledge that each city can utilize to make their green policies more inclusive””
Anne Bruggen, GLUON Researcher, Resilient Delta: “My background is in landscape architecture, blending social and landscape elements. For JUSTGREEN, we ensure that every voice is heard and tailor procedures to include all perspectives.”
The transferability matrix is a tool for exchange, as it helps to compare the contexts in which the policies are being made, and supports in translating good practices from one city to the other
What is the process of the JUSTGREEN project?
In the JUSTGREEN project, each partner city has identified specific policies they want to improve, and through collaboration and exchange with other cities, they will generate practical solutions for improving their greening policy and practices. The project runs for four years: the first three focus on active collaboration and exchange, while the fourth is dedicated to evaluating, testing, and formalizing the policies. By the end, each city will implement improved inclusive greening policies tailored to its unique context.
Procedurally, the project unfolds in three phases, each representing a specific dimension of urban justices: Recognition, Procedure, and Distribution. Currently, JUSTGREEN project is in the recognition phase where cities are required to reflect on their processes, assessing whether different perspectives on urban greening are heard. The project involves stakeholder meetings in each city, where local authorities collaborate with urban development actors, civic groups, universities, and different corporations and greening organizations. These engagements will be consistent throughout the project duration.
Beitske: “The transferability matrix is a tool for exchange, as it helps to compare the contexts in which the policies are being made, and supports in translating good practices from one city to the other.”
We meet in different cities every six months to review projects tackling social and climate challenges. Monthly online meetings track progress, while local stakeholder meetings assess policy changes in their cities, using the transferability matrix. We also survey local community satisfaction with these changes.
You are working with the JUSTGREENscorecard and the transferability matrix. What are they?
The JUSTGREENscorecard is a tool that helps cities evaluate their progress on inclusive greening. The scorecard is designed and led by consultant and policy advisor Eddy Adams, with whom we work closely together on the methodology of JUSTGREEN. Each city uses the scorecard to self-assess how well they are doing. We’ve found that cities approach this differently. Some are more open about their challenges and areas where they see learning opportunities, while others focus more on their successes, which may highlight the cultural differences . However, each city wants to create openings to further improve their policies.
The transferability matrix helps us understand how policies and practices work in specific contexts and what needs to be done to adapt and translate them to other cities. For example, cities with a long history of collaboration between local communities and governments might find certain methods easy to implement. In contrast, cities with more tension between local authorities and communities may require different approaches. Cities differ in climate, ecozones, and development. While two may address water challenges, one focuses on heat mitigation, while the other tackles heavy rainfall and flooding. The matrix helps identify and bridge these contextual differences, allowing cities to apply successful practices from elsewhere while addressing local challenges.
In essence, the Transferability Matrix facilitates mutual inspiration and supports the adaptation of best practices from one city to another. The Gluon Procedure, on the other hand, fosters collective learning by bringing cities together around a shared research question or common ambition. This approach represents the highest form of collaborative learning within the project, driving innovation and joint progress.
I really hope that the valuing of green becomes a more common practice and that adequate funding will be systematically allocated for this in the future
What do you hope will be the outcome of this project?
The expected outcomes of JUSTGREEN are broad. While we aim to assist in the implementation of more inclusive greening policies, a key goal is raising awareness among public administrations about the challenges of inclusively greening. We want people to be more aware of the effort required and the significant benefits, especially in terms of climate resilience. When cities fully recognize this, we believe they will see transformative results.
Beitske: “I really hope that the valuing of green becomes a more common practice and that adequate funding will be systematically allocated for this in the future.”
We also hope to learn more about and raise wareness on the financial aspects of greening, which have not been fully explored yet. Inclusive greening requires adequate funding, and cities need to allocate sufficient resources. Through this project, we aim to examine how different cities finance these initiatives and encourage a common practice of valuing and funding green spaces. Ultimately, greening policies are linked to financial decisions made by local governments and we hope to contribute to equity in future policy-design on this matter.