State-reinforced self-governance of community-managed open spaces in Chicago, IL and Louisville, KY.

state-reinforced self-governance;self-governance;community-managed open space;community gardens;Chicago;Louisville

Willow Sequoia Dietsch

University:University of Louisville

Department:Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies

关键词: state-reinforced self-governance;    self-governance;    community-managed open space;    community gardens;    Chicago;    Louisville;   

Others  :  https://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4081&context=etd

美国|英语

来源: The Universite of Louisville's Institutional Repository

【 摘 要 】

As urban populations rise, small greenspaces, like gardens, are increasingly important to well-being of communities, and urban sustainability as a whole. However, past development, and current political and economic challenges encumber many cities in providing adequate greenspace. Cities like Chicago, IL and Louisville, KY have turned to the communities to manage greenspaces with help from partner organizations. This thesis examines these arrangements, and compares them in terms of several potential factors, (i.e. legal authority, responsibility, and support). Semi-structured interviews of important community greenspace stakeholders, and archival sources including original documents, news articles, and government reports, were used to understand the context of these cases. Results indicate that Chicago’s NeighborSpace program, a government-supported non-profit land trust, strongly exhibits the hypothesized factors. Whereas, Louisville’s reliance on the Jefferson County Cooperative Service, with insufficient authority or support, is less effective and does not empower communities. NeighborSpace may serve as a model for Louisville.