URBAN GREEN SPACES MANAGEMENT: PROSPECTS FOR ACCOUNTING FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (BASED ON EXPERT INTERVIEWS)

Abstract

Accounting for the ecosystem services (ES) of green spaces is essential for sustainable urban development. This article presents the results of a study aimed at identifying the specifics of incorporating ecosystem services into urban planning and management of urban green spaces in Russia. The authors conducted a series of 30 interviews with experts from several Russian cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Apatity, Rostov-on-Don, and others) representing various professional fields (public administration, urban planning, landscape engineering, science, public organizations, and others). The results demonstrate that the ES of urban green spaces are insufficiently reflected in practice and decision-making processes. They are not included in strategic urban planning, nor in landscape and urban development projects. At the same time, the scientific community faces pressing challenges in resolving a significant number of disagreements related to the lack of uniform terminology, typology, and methods for assessing ES. Experts see the potential for incorporating environmental stewardship in practice and decision-making processes, and are raising the demand for the development of methodological materials and the implementation of other tools and approaches. The study generated a list of proposals for possible ways to incorporate environmental stewardship into the professional community's practices and into the management of urban green spaces.