Exploring informal urban greenspace in Brisbane and Sapporo

Christoph RupprechtURP 2013 Gold Coast Seminar Series, Griffith University

• What is informal greenspace?

• How did I study it?

• Exploring informal greenspace

• Flâneur – walking the citySource: Del Tredici

How people describe informal greenspace

What is informal greenspace?

• Not recognised or managed by owner as– recreational space– agricultural space– conservation space

• Previously modified• Spontaneous vegetation

IGS TypologyBasic types: 1. Verge 2. Lot3. Gap4. Brownfield 5. Powerline 6. Railway7. Waterside8. Structural9. Microsite

Study locationsBrisbane Sapporo

Founded 1824, city status 1902 1868, city status 1922

Population 1,07 mil. (2010) 1,3 mil. (2031) 1,9 mil. (2011) 1,8 mil. (2030)

Pop. density 770/km2 (peak >5,000/km2) 1,700/km2 (peak >8,000/km2)

Local parks 32m2 per person 12m2 per person

Source: Google Maps Source: Google Maps

Data collection

1. Spatial, GIS and IGS attribute data• IGS proportion & type• Accessibility• Human use

2. Ecological data • vegetation structure • bird species occurrence

3. Social data: • Resident survey on IGS use, attitude

and urban nature attitude• central planning policy documents

(Sapporo Green Plan, Brisbane City Plan)

Source: Sapporo City

Source: Sapporo

Sampling

IGS1km

10km

sampling site

50m

10m

bird point count location example on edge of site, chosen for max. field of sight

100500

10x10km grid with 121 sampling sites

City centre

% IGS cover

Street verges: ecology

Succession without high energy/labour maintenance

Street verges: use

Street verges: use & modification

Gaps: ecology

Gaps: use

Lots: ecology

Lots: use(able?) Source: Hayashi 1999

Lots: use

Railway: ecology

Railway: use

Railway: re-use

Waterside: ecology

Waterside: use

IGS impressions & residents’ voices:Brisbane

“It’s REAL,

not FAKE

like a park”

Feelings

Use / non-use

Children

Negative comments

Philosophy

IGS impressions & residents’ voices:Sapporo

“Green only in

designated

spaces?That’sunnatural.”

Feelings

Use

Children

Don’t enter!No playing!

Negative comments

Philosophy

Flâneur – walking the city

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