dc.description.abstract |
Effective sustainable management of urban green spaces can cushion the shocks associated with their depletion and the accomplishment of SDG 11.7, particularly in countries in the Global South that are rapidly urbanising. Gweru was selected as the study's focus point because it parallels the dilemma of urban green space demise in Zimbabwe. The purpose of this research was to provide both practical and theoretical contributions to the sustainable management of green areas to make Gweru a more liveable City. The study's ontological and axiological perspectives are constructivist and value-laden, respectively, while its epistemological viewpoint is interpretivist. This research employed a combined methodological approach to obtain insight into the spatial dynamics, drivers, negative consequences, involvement of stakeholders, and sustainable management of green spaces in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Geospatial technology, direct observation, questionnaires (n=1990), and interviews (face-to-face interview) (n=5) were employed as data-gathering approaches to accomplish this. The Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework was utilised to give both theoretical and practical answers for the sustainable management of Gweru City's green areas. The findings indicated that urban green areas are being depleted at an alarming rate. The primary causes of such decline spanned from administrative shortcomings to geological impact, while the negative consequences ranged from ecological to environmental damage. The findings also suggested that stakeholders like citizens, churches, and civic organisations, among others, should be engaged in the long-term maintenance of green areas in Gweru City. Finally, this study suggested additional research on the green planning approach, which improves the sustainable management of green areas in Gweru. |
en |