Sustainability is a tool used by governments and developers to promote green initiatives in cities.[8] Sustainability emerged as a global proposal at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, following the promotion of sustainable development in developing countries. In theory, sustainability can be achieved through a balance of the economy, the environment and social equity.[9]​ Still, in practice, this presents a challenge.[10]​.

Those sustainability advocates dedicated to social equity are concerned with the ability to empower local communities and ensure that they benefit from development projects that occur within them.[10] Public participation aims to ensure that these local concerns and needs are met. The development of vacant areas and abandoned industrial lands have become the basis for large-scale urban greening. These sites are typical of old industrial landscapes and are generally located near downtowns and coastlines, often requiring environmental fixes.[11] Environmental redevelopment often promotes sustainability through urban planning mechanisms, such as New Urbanism, which promotes the construction of walkable cities that improve quality of life[12][8].

Cities and their individuals are responding to the ecological crisis through environmentally friendly actions and planning. The United Nations estimates that approximately 54% of the world's inhabitants live in cities, expecting this to increase to 66% by 2050.[13] In many ways, the city behaves like an organism, extracting and using resources in space and time. Therefore, the study of the urban environment can often reveal positions of power within a space.[14]​ For example, in the United States there is a negative correlation between the provision of urban green spaces and African American and Hispanic populations.[15]​ The spaces provided to these populations tend to lack municipal care and policing.[16]​ Additionally, green spaces in wealthy neighborhoods promote activities for wealthy citizens, which helps maintain social order. specific.[17]​.

Environmental gentrification is an issue that intersects with environmental justice. Areas that are redeveloped with the goal of adding more environmentally friendly parks and green spaces are generally selected because land that has been neglected can be acquired at a lower cost.[18]​ The intention to renovate and fix up these properties for eventual monetary benefit is made clear by the purchase of cheap properties and land. These properties are often located in areas where predominantly racial and ethnic minority people live, which were strategically located in more susceptible areas and close to toxic waste disposal sites as well as other types of pollution.[18] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also does not appear to prioritize interventions in these situations, despite the negative effects of these problems. trends, such as an increase in the number of people with more financial resources and a higher level of education moving into the redeveloped neighborhood.[19] As people with more financial resources move into these neighborhoods, previous residents are slowly displaced due to gradually increasing costs of living. Typically, these neighborhoods end up with a higher proportion of white residents.[20]​ And as neighborhoods become inhabited by a greater number of white people, instances of citizen surveillance increase, which includes not only profiling, but also unsubstantiated requests to law enforcement, especially towards people of color.[20]​ It has been found that, in larger area development plans, there is a heavy reliance on nonprofit organizations that focus on the development of parks and spaces. green areas, and due to their lack of specialization in infrastructure development, the consequences of gentrification, such as the lack of affordable housing, have been ignored as these green areas have been built.[21]​.

"Urban green areas") are areas that are located in open spaces that look like natural environments, with vegetation and, sometimes, water sources. Green spaces provide a pleasant aesthetic appearance as well as a space for physical activity for community residents, which promotes physical and mental well-being.[22] Green gentrification is applied to these green spaces, depending on the accessibility of these improvements. Green spaces, such as parks and fields, are usually located in wealthy neighborhoods, where there are areas with little or no no vegetation,[23]​ while in low-income neighborhoods, communities struggle with financial issues.[24]​.

The promotion of green areas has a positive effect on communities, and the imbalance in the presence of vegetation between high- and low-income areas demonstrates environmental injustice. Some studies have shown that green spaces in urban areas have an effect on the microclimate and health risks, as they decrease local temperature and improve air quality.[25]​.

Barcelona

A study that was carried out between 1990 and 2005 examined the social impacts of improvements made to urban green spaces throughout the city of Barcelona. During the 1990s and 2000s, 18 new urban green parks were added to the city's urban planning agenda.[26]​.

Firstly, when Barcelona was chosen to host the 1992 Olympic Games, the city prepared for the event through numerous urban developments that influenced a transformation of public spaces.[27] Previously, there was already concern about providing urban parks to facilitate socialization and exercise. However, as the date of the Olympics approached, urban planners and local governments took the opportunity to develop green spaces for mega events.[28]​ These new types of spaces prioritized the aesthetics of green spaces to attract tourists and offer great landscapes.[29]​ The result can be seen in three parks: the Parc del Port Olimpic, the Parc del Poblenou and the Parc de Diagnol Mar. These parks have changed the demographics. of the neighborhoods towards opulence.[28]​.

The city of Barcelona launched the Barcelona 2020 Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Plan, a plan for sustainability. This plan, nor its documents, contain plans for the provision of affordable housing nor the social impacts that would arise from large-scale development.[10]​ The Diagnol Mar project is a great example of green initiatives and large-scale urban redevelopment on a vacant site. Historically, the area has been an industrial port located near the Mediterranean Sea. The Diagonal Mar project includes luxury condominiums, three hotels, three office buildings and a shopping center located within an urban green space. The project has been criticized for not considering local opinion in its planning, as there are no spaces suitable for social interaction of citizens.[2][29]​.

Studies suggest that green gentrification has occurred at the same time as park development in the Sant Marti district "San Martín District (Barcelona)"). The authors of the studies suggest that the demographic-economic change in the period 1990-2005 in this district has been alarming. In addition, the areas surrounding the parks have presented clear indicators of these changes, as the number of residents with high school degrees, from the north of the globe, with higher household income and a general increase in the population of residents aged 65 and older who live alone has increased.[28]​.

New York City

The High Line "High Line (New York)") is a 1.45-mile (2.33 km) high-rise public park that was built on a freight line along the west side of Manhattan in New York. Prior to its development, the High Line was the symbol of the city's deteriorating industry: the neighborhood located next to the High Line, Chelsea, had high crime rates. Since the 1980s, the local government attempted to demolish it, and in response, activists promoted the idea that the High Line could be returned to the community as a public asset. When the High Line was acquired by CSX Transportation in 1999, community meetings provided an avenue for proposals for alternative uses. Around the same time, Joshua David and Robert Hammond formed a nonprofit organization called Friends of the High Line. (Friends of the High Line) "High Line (New York)") whose main objective was to acquire public and private funds to save the bridge from demolition. Notable celebrities, such as Edward Norton, Martha Stewart, and Kevin Tocino, provided financial support to the project.[33]​ The Friends of the High Line presented a development strategy to the Bloomberg administration, touting that the bridge could be converted into a public park and that this would provide economic benefits to the surrounding neighborhood and generate substantial tax revenue.[34]​ The Bloomberg administration accepted the initiative and Mayor Bloomberg gave a statement of support, stating “The committee's decision has been a great victory for all New Yorkers. It allows us to implement plans to preserve this historic and valuable resource, create highly sought-after open public space, and strengthen our city's economy."[35]​.

Evidence can be seen that this project has initiated a process of gentrification through the sharp rise in real estate prices, as well as the types of activities that have been established around the High Line (New York) and its surrounding areas. In just two years, there has been $2 billion in real estate construction, contributing an additional $900 million in taxes.[34] Additionally, the relocation of the Whitney Museum of American Art sheds clues about the park's popularity.

On the High Line "High Line (New York)"), although it is presented as a public park, certain users and activities are privileged.[32]​ The Friends of the High Line "High Line (New York)") only allow the presence of some types of vendors as well as providing private security guards. Visitors to the High Line can enjoy locally brewed food and beer and browse art booths. The promotion of economic growth and certain types of consumption, associated with surveillance, results in the neoliberalization of these public spaces.[32]​ Despite being an icon of the city, the High Line does not provide a public space and benefits that all citizens can use and enjoy.[32]​ Instead, it is much more similar to a space for the 'privileged', where claims to use public space are dominated by upper-class citizens.[36]​.

At the same time, in 2007, the Bloomberg administration launched the PlaNYC 2030: A Bigger, Greener New York plan, which aims to combat climate change by expanding sustainability through 132 initiatives. One objective highlights the social pillar of sustainability, by establishing a goal in which each citizen will have a green space 10 minutes away from their home.

vancouver

The traditional urban design of Vancouver was reminiscent of that of a small city: a hypodamic layout of the streets, full of family homes, with businesses established along the main streets and industry concentrated on the coasts and inlets. The 1960s were accompanied by an increase in population concentration due to the construction of tall residential buildings in the city center. In the 1980s, due to the holding of the Montreal World's Fair (1967), a development of vacant sites (previously industrial areas) for condominium construction occurred in the False Creek region. The site was acquired by Hong Kong millionaire Li Ka-Shing for USD$320 million, after which luxury buildings were built.[38] These developments promoted a tone of sustainability that was supported through documents such as the Livable Region Strategic Planning published in 1996. Urban planning strategies such as Smart Growth insisted that environmental objectives could be achieved through the provision of urban areas. walkable and mixed-use, which would reduce urban sprawl.[39] Criticism of Smart Growth highlights the overlooked equity aspects of the strategy, often ignoring low-income residents.[40] Housing affordability became an issue between 2001 and 2007 when the price for a two-bedroom home on Vancouver's west side rose from $260,000 to $260,000. USD$650,000.[41]​ In 2008, the city council accepted EcoDensity" as the solution to housing affordability, which further promoted the densification of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, being a solution to affordability rather than the provision of social housing. Several towers were built in the east side of Vancouver, displacing approximately 4,000 low-income residents between June 2007 and January 2008.[41]​ Criticisms of EcoDensity are based on the fact that the strategy does not take into account the opinion of citizens in planning measures.[42]​.

Vancouver has become one of the most popular cities to live in the world, offering great mountain views and multiple access to beaches. When Vancouver was selected to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, this led to the development of "Millennium Water" along the southeastern portion of False Creek, which became the site for the Vancouver Olympic Village. This project boasted European-style sidewalks, green roofs, and sustainability features.[43]There was no provision for low-income housing, and the minimum price for one-bedroom homes started at US$500,000.[43]In an effort to reduce ecological impacts, the project promoted a habitat restoration project" whereby leftover land not used in construction was used to create an island for birds to nest. locals.[8]​ In 2006, water squatters, people who live on boats in the waters of False Creek, were evicted in an effort to clean up the area.[8]​ The development of False Creek was advertised as a natural park for new residents and tourists, and promoted spaces for leisure.[44]​ Some authors suggest that there is a disconnect between the promotion of environmental discourses and equity issues, resulting in a spatial class conflict in the city.[41]​[8]​ Although Vancouver is a highly desirable place to live, promoting sustainability through policy ignores the need for affordable housing provision.

Sustainability is a tool used by governments and developers to promote green initiatives in cities.[8] Sustainability emerged as a global proposal at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, following the promotion of sustainable development in developing countries. In theory, sustainability can be achieved through a balance of the economy, the environment and social equity.[9]​ Still, in practice, this presents a challenge.[10]​.

Those sustainability advocates dedicated to social equity are concerned with the ability to empower local communities and ensure that they benefit from development projects that occur within them.[10] Public participation aims to ensure that these local concerns and needs are met. The development of vacant areas and abandoned industrial lands have become the basis for large-scale urban greening. These sites are typical of old industrial landscapes and are generally located near downtowns and coastlines, often requiring environmental fixes.[11] Environmental redevelopment often promotes sustainability through urban planning mechanisms, such as New Urbanism, which promotes the construction of walkable cities that improve quality of life[12][8].

Cities and their individuals are responding to the ecological crisis through environmentally friendly actions and planning. The United Nations estimates that approximately 54% of the world's inhabitants live in cities, expecting this to increase to 66% by 2050.[13] In many ways, the city behaves like an organism, extracting and using resources in space and time. Therefore, the study of the urban environment can often reveal positions of power within a space.[14]​ For example, in the United States there is a negative correlation between the provision of urban green spaces and African American and Hispanic populations.[15]​ The spaces provided to these populations tend to lack municipal care and policing.[16]​ Additionally, green spaces in wealthy neighborhoods promote activities for wealthy citizens, which helps maintain social order. specific.[17]​.

Environmental gentrification is an issue that intersects with environmental justice. Areas that are redeveloped with the goal of adding more environmentally friendly parks and green spaces are generally selected because land that has been neglected can be acquired at a lower cost.[18]​ The intention to renovate and fix up these properties for eventual monetary benefit is made clear by the purchase of cheap properties and land. These properties are often located in areas where predominantly racial and ethnic minority people live, which were strategically located in more susceptible areas and close to toxic waste disposal sites as well as other types of pollution.[18] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also does not appear to prioritize interventions in these situations, despite the negative effects of these problems. trends, such as an increase in the number of people with more financial resources and a higher level of education moving into the redeveloped neighborhood.[19] As people with more financial resources move into these neighborhoods, previous residents are slowly displaced due to gradually increasing costs of living. Typically, these neighborhoods end up with a higher proportion of white residents.[20]​ And as neighborhoods become inhabited by a greater number of white people, instances of citizen surveillance increase, which includes not only profiling, but also unsubstantiated requests to law enforcement, especially towards people of color.[20]​ It has been found that, in larger area development plans, there is a heavy reliance on nonprofit organizations that focus on the development of parks and spaces. green areas, and due to their lack of specialization in infrastructure development, the consequences of gentrification, such as the lack of affordable housing, have been ignored as these green areas have been built.[21]​.

"Urban green areas") are areas that are located in open spaces that look like natural environments, with vegetation and, sometimes, water sources. Green spaces provide a pleasant aesthetic appearance as well as a space for physical activity for community residents, which promotes physical and mental well-being.[22] Green gentrification is applied to these green spaces, depending on the accessibility of these improvements. Green spaces, such as parks and fields, are usually located in wealthy neighborhoods, where there are areas with little or no no vegetation,[23]​ while in low-income neighborhoods, communities struggle with financial issues.[24]​.

The promotion of green areas has a positive effect on communities, and the imbalance in the presence of vegetation between high- and low-income areas demonstrates environmental injustice. Some studies have shown that green spaces in urban areas have an effect on the microclimate and health risks, as they decrease local temperature and improve air quality.[25]​.

Barcelona

A study that was carried out between 1990 and 2005 examined the social impacts of improvements made to urban green spaces throughout the city of Barcelona. During the 1990s and 2000s, 18 new urban green parks were added to the city's urban planning agenda.[26]​.

Firstly, when Barcelona was chosen to host the 1992 Olympic Games, the city prepared for the event through numerous urban developments that influenced a transformation of public spaces.[27] Previously, there was already concern about providing urban parks to facilitate socialization and exercise. However, as the date of the Olympics approached, urban planners and local governments took the opportunity to develop green spaces for mega events.[28]​ These new types of spaces prioritized the aesthetics of green spaces to attract tourists and offer great landscapes.[29]​ The result can be seen in three parks: the Parc del Port Olimpic, the Parc del Poblenou and the Parc de Diagnol Mar. These parks have changed the demographics. of the neighborhoods towards opulence.[28]​.

The city of Barcelona launched the Barcelona 2020 Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Plan, a plan for sustainability. This plan, nor its documents, contain plans for the provision of affordable housing nor the social impacts that would arise from large-scale development.[10]​ The Diagnol Mar project is a great example of green initiatives and large-scale urban redevelopment on a vacant site. Historically, the area has been an industrial port located near the Mediterranean Sea. The Diagonal Mar project includes luxury condominiums, three hotels, three office buildings and a shopping center located within an urban green space. The project has been criticized for not considering local opinion in its planning, as there are no spaces suitable for social interaction of citizens.[2][29]​.

Studies suggest that green gentrification has occurred at the same time as park development in the Sant Marti district "San Martín District (Barcelona)"). The authors of the studies suggest that the demographic-economic change in the period 1990-2005 in this district has been alarming. In addition, the areas surrounding the parks have presented clear indicators of these changes, as the number of residents with high school degrees, from the north of the globe, with higher household income and a general increase in the population of residents aged 65 and older who live alone has increased.[28]​.

New York City

The High Line "High Line (New York)") is a 1.45-mile (2.33 km) high-rise public park that was built on a freight line along the west side of Manhattan in New York. Prior to its development, the High Line was the symbol of the city's deteriorating industry: the neighborhood located next to the High Line, Chelsea, had high crime rates. Since the 1980s, the local government attempted to demolish it, and in response, activists promoted the idea that the High Line could be returned to the community as a public asset. When the High Line was acquired by CSX Transportation in 1999, community meetings provided an avenue for proposals for alternative uses. Around the same time, Joshua David and Robert Hammond formed a nonprofit organization called Friends of the High Line. (Friends of the High Line) "High Line (New York)") whose main objective was to acquire public and private funds to save the bridge from demolition. Notable celebrities, such as Edward Norton, Martha Stewart, and Kevin Tocino, provided financial support to the project.[33]​ The Friends of the High Line presented a development strategy to the Bloomberg administration, touting that the bridge could be converted into a public park and that this would provide economic benefits to the surrounding neighborhood and generate substantial tax revenue.[34]​ The Bloomberg administration accepted the initiative and Mayor Bloomberg gave a statement of support, stating “The committee's decision has been a great victory for all New Yorkers. It allows us to implement plans to preserve this historic and valuable resource, create highly sought-after open public space, and strengthen our city's economy."[35]​.

Evidence can be seen that this project has initiated a process of gentrification through the sharp rise in real estate prices, as well as the types of activities that have been established around the High Line (New York) and its surrounding areas. In just two years, there has been $2 billion in real estate construction, contributing an additional $900 million in taxes.[34] Additionally, the relocation of the Whitney Museum of American Art sheds clues about the park's popularity.

On the High Line "High Line (New York)"), although it is presented as a public park, certain users and activities are privileged.[32]​ The Friends of the High Line "High Line (New York)") only allow the presence of some types of vendors as well as providing private security guards. Visitors to the High Line can enjoy locally brewed food and beer and browse art booths. The promotion of economic growth and certain types of consumption, associated with surveillance, results in the neoliberalization of these public spaces.[32]​ Despite being an icon of the city, the High Line does not provide a public space and benefits that all citizens can use and enjoy.[32]​ Instead, it is much more similar to a space for the 'privileged', where claims to use public space are dominated by upper-class citizens.[36]​.

At the same time, in 2007, the Bloomberg administration launched the PlaNYC 2030: A Bigger, Greener New York plan, which aims to combat climate change by expanding sustainability through 132 initiatives. One objective highlights the social pillar of sustainability, by establishing a goal in which each citizen will have a green space 10 minutes away from their home.

vancouver

The traditional urban design of Vancouver was reminiscent of that of a small city: a hypodamic layout of the streets, full of family homes, with businesses established along the main streets and industry concentrated on the coasts and inlets. The 1960s were accompanied by an increase in population concentration due to the construction of tall residential buildings in the city center. In the 1980s, due to the holding of the Montreal World's Fair (1967), a development of vacant sites (previously industrial areas) for condominium construction occurred in the False Creek region. The site was acquired by Hong Kong millionaire Li Ka-Shing for USD$320 million, after which luxury buildings were built.[38] These developments promoted a tone of sustainability that was supported through documents such as the Livable Region Strategic Planning published in 1996. Urban planning strategies such as Smart Growth insisted that environmental objectives could be achieved through the provision of urban areas. walkable and mixed-use, which would reduce urban sprawl.[39] Criticism of Smart Growth highlights the overlooked equity aspects of the strategy, often ignoring low-income residents.[40] Housing affordability became an issue between 2001 and 2007 when the price for a two-bedroom home on Vancouver's west side rose from $260,000 to $260,000. USD$650,000.[41]​ In 2008, the city council accepted EcoDensity" as the solution to housing affordability, which further promoted the densification of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, being a solution to affordability rather than the provision of social housing. Several towers were built in the east side of Vancouver, displacing approximately 4,000 low-income residents between June 2007 and January 2008.[41]​ Criticisms of EcoDensity are based on the fact that the strategy does not take into account the opinion of citizens in planning measures.[42]​.

Vancouver has become one of the most popular cities to live in the world, offering great mountain views and multiple access to beaches. When Vancouver was selected to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, this led to the development of "Millennium Water" along the southeastern portion of False Creek, which became the site for the Vancouver Olympic Village. This project boasted European-style sidewalks, green roofs, and sustainability features.[43]There was no provision for low-income housing, and the minimum price for one-bedroom homes started at US$500,000.[43]In an effort to reduce ecological impacts, the project promoted a habitat restoration project" whereby leftover land not used in construction was used to create an island for birds to nest. locals.[8]​ In 2006, water squatters, people who live on boats in the waters of False Creek, were evicted in an effort to clean up the area.[8]​ The development of False Creek was advertised as a natural park for new residents and tourists, and promoted spaces for leisure.[44]​ Some authors suggest that there is a disconnect between the promotion of environmental discourses and equity issues, resulting in a spatial class conflict in the city.[41]​[8]​ Although Vancouver is a highly desirable place to live, promoting sustainability through policy ignores the need for affordable housing provision.