Regreening suburbia: An analysis of urban greening approaches in U.S. sprawl retrofitting projects

Abstract

Urban sprawl negatively impacts public health, societal well-being, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Sprawl retrofitting projects aim to mitigate these issues by increasing density, diversifying land uses and housing options, and enhancing walkability and environmental amenities, with green space provision being vital to their success. But empirical evidence regarding the achievement of ‘regreening’ objectives is limited, with some studies showing considerable green space reduction during suburban densification. This study analyzes regreening strategies in 18 suburban sprawl retrofitting projects completed between 2008 and 2018 in the United States. Using a quasi-experimental approach, I first contrast vegetation changes in these projects to those in adjacent areas. Next, we examine the cases based on six regreening principles derived from the literature: 1) urban nature quality and quantity, 2) multi-modal access and walkability, 3) inclusive and authentic public spaces and programming, 4) local and regional green space connectivity, 5) environmental performance and ecological design, and 6) initial public sector leadership and investment. The findings show no significant pre- and post-project differences in vegetation levels for either project sites or control groups, indicating inconsistent regreening outcomes. Analysis of regreening principles reveals challenges and opportunities in sprawl retrofitting projects. The study emphasized the need for concerted efforts to ensure socially equitable and ecologically functional green spaces in suburban retrofitting projects.