Beyond the trees. Benefits of a participatory-led renaturalisation in a marginalised neighbourhood

Source abstract

Urban greening is often unequally distributed, and marginalised neighbourhoods are frequently excluded from top-down reforestation strategies, while the green areas they do have are of low ecological and aesthetic quality. In such environments, bottom-up greening strategies may better match local needs and improve stewardship and appropriation of newly allocated areas. To examine this possibility, we designed and implemented a neighbourhood-led renaturalisation project in Las Palmeras, Córdoba, Spain, based on a participatory action research framework and participatory greening process. We applied a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design to assess ecological, social, and health and well-being outcomes through baseline (2023) and follow-up (2025) surveys in the intervention area and two comparison neighbourhoods. Additionally, we conducted a census of tree planting and survival and held focus groups with core participants. Adjusted models indicated improvements in nature-relatedness, outdoor time in natural settings, exercise in green areas, awareness of nature during activities, and neighbourhood image in the intervention area relative to the comparison areas. In contrast, population-level mental health indicators (WHO-5, K6, self-rated health and life satisfaction) did not show significant changes over the two-year period. Focus groups indicated increases in neighbourhood pride, social ties, and sense of ownership among participants. In contrast, health and well-being gains arising from ecosystem services such as cooling, shade, and biodiversity are likely to take several years to emerge as trees mature. Whereas social benefits such as participation, achievement, and belonging may arise during the process, bottom-up approaches encourage their achievement. Community-led greening in underserved areas should therefore receive political support as a pathway to implement immediate social benefits and future ecological co-benefits.