Policy and Planning Tools for Urban Green Justice: Fighting displacement and gentrification and improving accessibility and inclusiveness to green amenities

Barcelona Laboratory for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability (BCNUEJ) has published this report on different tools and policies to prevent displacement and gentrification, while also improving accessibility and inclusiveness of green amenities and green spaces in urban contexts. The publication is one of a series of reports produced as part of the GreenLULU Horizon 2020 and ERC-funded project. The aim of "Policy and Planning Tools for Urban Green Justice: Fighting displacement and gentrification and improving accessibility and inclusiveness to green amenities" is to offer a global library of 50 different tools and policies used in many different contexts in the Global North (United States, Canada, and Western Europe) to promote housing stability and affordability, while increasing the presence and accessibility of green public space in the urban fabric. In addition, the report includes a novel comparative analysis through place-based simulations that illuminate best practices and implementation methods to achieve green equitable development in European context. The report highlights that despite urban planners having a good understanding of the potential benefits that 'greening' can offer to the city and citizens, it is also important to recognize that greening can happen in an unfair way and enhance gentrification. Greening may cause neighborhood change in the form of displacement of residents when rent costs increase, property taxes are inflated, and everyday living costs rise.

One of the report's global recommendations highlights the need to "improve climate change mitigation and adaptation through environmental development tools such as the designation of Eco-District zoning, employment of green bonds, or conservation areas to preserve green spaces, while also considering the social impacts of such measures".