Towards attaining green sustainability goals of cities through social transitions: Comparing stakeholders’ knowledge and perceptions between two Chesapeake Bay watersheds, USA

Abstract

Clean water is a significant challenge for the sustainability of expanding cities worldwide. The United Nations recognizes the importance of urban green space to improve sustainability and has proposed Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. Political jurisdictions have their own sustainability goals and are instituting various policies to achieve them, but struggle to do so due to underlying socio-cultural, environmental, economic/financial, and other challenges. Utilizing a Community Based Participatory Research approach involving multi-stakeholders and transition management theory to frame different spheres of governance, this multi-disciplinary study aims to understand best management practices, sense of perceived responsibility, barriers, and future of Green Infrastructure (GI) in two Chesapeake Bay watersheds. We analyzed data from 42 in-depth interviews as well as GI policies. We identified five categories of perceived barriers, socio-cultural being the dominant category. More meaningful outreach activities are needed to build trust with residents, which can be achieved through modern channels of communications including smartphone applications and social media. This trust will increase the GI adoption rates and improve water quality in the USA and elsewhere. This can be achieved through an integrated governance approach.