Short answer

Incorporate green space development as a core strategy in urban planning to achieve environmental sustainability and socio-economic benefits, while proactively addressing potential land use and geological challenges.

Field
Sustainability
Source
International Journal of Global Sustainability (2017)
Method
Mixed-methods research
Sample
50 inhabitants
Evidence
Moderate effect

Integrating urban green spaces into city planning can address environmental degradation, enhance public health, and foster economic growth by creating jobs and preventing uncontrolled urban expansion. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in International Journal of Global Sustainability. Using Mixed-methods research with 50 inhabitants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate green space development as a core strategy in urban planning to achieve environmental sustainability and socio-economic benefits, while proactively addressing potential land use and geological challenges.

Study
SustainabilityHigh ImpactModerate effect

Urban greening initiatives can mitigate sprawl and create economic opportunities.

Integrating urban green spaces into city planning can address environmental degradation, enhance public health, and foster economic growth by creating jobs and preventing uncontrolled urban expansion.

International Journal of Global Sustainability · 2017

01

Key Findings

  • 01Urban greening initiatives present opportunities for employment generation.
  • 02These projects can generate revenue for city councils.
  • 03Green spaces can help prevent uncontrolled urban sprawl.
  • 04Challenges include unstable foothills prone to mass wasting and land use competition due to population growth and the need to relocate existing users.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate green space development as a core strategy in urban planning to achieve environmental sustainability and socio-economic benefits, while proactively addressing potential land use and geological challenges.

How to apply

When designing urban development plans, explicitly include the creation and preservation of green spaces, and conduct thorough site assessments that consider both environmental and social factors.

Project actions

  • 01When proposing a new product or service, consider its potential impact on urban green spaces and sprawl.
  • 02Research local environmental regulations and community needs before finalizing a design concept for urban applications.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing urban greening initiatives in rapidly developing cities?
MethodMixed-methods research
ProcedureThe study involved purposive sampling of inhabitants near a proposed green space, interviews with council authorities and stakeholders, and the collection of secondary data from the city council to assess the prospects of an urban greening project.
Sample50 inhabitants
ContextUrban planning and environmental sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Variables

IVImplementation of urban greening initiatives.
DVUrban sprawl, employment rates, revenue generation, environmental quality.
CVPopulation growth, existing land use, geological stability of the area.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Combines qualitative and quantitative data sources.
  • +Addresses a critical contemporary urban planning issue.

Limitations

The findings are specific to Bamenda and may not directly apply to cities with different geographical, economic, or political contexts. The study's scope did not allow for a detailed quantitative analysis of economic impacts.

Reliability & validity

The use of purposive sampling and interviews may introduce bias, limiting generalizability. Secondary data from the city council could be subject to institutional reporting standards. Triangulation of data from multiple sources enhances validity.

Think critically

To what extent can the success of urban greening initiatives be attributed to policy enforcement versus community buy-in?

05

Design Principles

"Integrate ecological considerations with socio-economic development goals in urban design."

This research highlights the dual benefits of urban greening: environmental protection and socio-economic development. Designers and planners can leverage these insights to create more resilient and livable urban environments that also offer tangible benefits to citizens.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making cities greener can help stop them from spreading too much and create jobs, but you have to be careful about where you build and who is already using the land.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of green infrastructure or sustainable urban solutions in your design project, highlighting potential economic and environmental benefits.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study by Kimengsi and Fogwe (2017) on urban green development in Bamenda demonstrates that integrating green spaces into urban planning offers significant opportunities for employment and revenue generation, while simultaneously acting as a crucial tool to prevent uncontrolled urban sprawl. However, challenges such as unstable terrain and land use competition necessitate careful policy application and stakeholder engagement for successful implementation.

09

Source

International Journal of Global Sustainability

Urban Green Development Planning Opportunities and Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from Bamenda City, Cameroon

journal · 2017

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about urban greening initiatives can mitigate sprawl and create economic opportunities?
Incorporate green space development as a core strategy in urban planning to achieve environmental sustainability and socio-economic benefits, while proactively addressing potential land use and geological challenges. Evidence: International Journal of Global Sustainability (2017).
Why does "Urban greening initiatives can mitigate sprawl and create economic opportunities." matter for design?
This research highlights the dual benefits of urban greening: environmental protection and socio-economic development. Designers and planners can leverage these insights to create more resilient and livable urban environments that also offer tangible benefits to citizens.
How can designers apply this research?
Incorporate green space development as a core strategy in urban planning to achieve environmental sustainability and socio-economic benefits, while proactively addressing potential land use and geological challenges.
What were the main findings?
Urban greening initiatives present opportunities for employment generation.. These projects can generate revenue for city councils.. Green spaces can help prevent uncontrolled urban sprawl.. Challenges include unstable foothills prone to mass wasting and land use competition due to population growth and the need to relocate existing users.
What research method was used?
Mixed-methods research with 50 inhabitants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2017 journal from International Journal of Global Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing urban development plans, explicitly include the creation and preservation of green spaces, and conduct thorough site assessments that consider both environmental and social factors.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on a single city, and findings may not be universally applicable to all urban contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa. The assessment of 'uncontrolled city sprawl' and 'mass wasting processes' could benefit from more detailed quantitative data.