Fostering small urban green spaces: Public–private partnerships as a synergistic approach to forming new public life in Taipei City

Abstract

This article investigates the production of small green spaces through public–private partnerships in Taipei, focussing on spatial and social aspects in the context of infrastructure studies. Infrastructure is deeply intertwined with everyday life; although it is not always noticed, it is integrated with various social and structural systems. The densely populated city of Taipei in East Asia relies heavily on green spaces of all types for public life, with small green spaces particularly essential for urban dwellers. This research aims to clarify the relationship between small green spaces and the daily life that takes place within green urban governance. Additionally, it examines how they are connected through the appropriation of both formal public spaces and informal participation. By researching 14 small green spaces produced by public–private partnerships in Taipei, this article analyses both spatial and social dimensions. This includes investigating aspects such as time, space, land use, and the diverse range of experiences that occur within small green spaces. The findings indicate that small green spaces reflect the multifaceted groupings of urban infrastructure, serving as ecological and social complements to larger infrastructural elements. Public–private partnerships, particularly in Taipei City, which has faced unforeseen problems such as epidemics and rapid expansion, provide increased flexibility and social benefits that extend beyond the physical boundaries of the spaces.