In the MUST project, we have two international case study areas besides Finland: Tangerang in Indonesia and Cardiff in Wales. Over the past few months, MUST researchers at Aberystwyth University have conducted a series of highly engaging online workshops with Welsh stakeholders.
In the workshops we have developed a shared vision for multispecies justice in Cardiff’s green and blue spaces with representatives from Natural Resources Wales and Cardiff City Council.
The MUST project will test these ideas through a series of empirical case studies conducted in Cardiff, three cities in Finland and Tangerang, Indonesia. The ultimate goal of our research is to provide guidance on incorporating multispecies justice considerations into urban planning in Cardiff, ultimately contributing to Welsh and international policies aimed at protecting nature for the benefit of people and nature.
During the Welsh workshops, stakeholders were asked to consider the implications of addressing multispecies justice for the way they manage urban green and blue spaces. Specifically, the discussions focused on best ways to engage Welsh stakeholders in the MUST project and harmonise research objectives for the Cardiff green space case study with the goals and activities of the MUST project, as well as solutions for applying multispecies justice principles in local policy contexts, and identifying data or evidence gaps that the MUST project could fill.
Key findings from the workshop included:
Comprehensive Data Collection
Stakeholders identified a wide range of data to support Cardiff’s vision for green and blue spaces, adhering to the principles of multispecies justice. This includes ecosystem profiles, area statements, and data evaluating the biodiversity of green infrastructure.
Data Gaps and Holistic Urban Planning
The identified data gaps highlight the need for a holistic approach to urban planning that incorporates economic, ecological, and social dimensions to create green spaces beneficial for all species.
Policy Deficiencies
A significant deficiency in current policy is the lack of protections for non-designated habitats, especially in urban areas where natural features like hedgerows and street trees are disappearing.
Valuing Diverse Perspectives
The discussions highlighted a shift towards valuing diverse perspectives and the cultural context of decision-making bodies. Organisational culture and leadership were seen as crucial in driving change, with an emphasis on incorporating nature’s values into decisions and being open to a broader range of values and viewpoints.
Collaborative Conservation Efforts
Stakeholders emphasised the importance of collaborative conservation efforts to enhance urban environments. They debated the most effective approach to selecting green spaces that promote social equity, with some advocating for affluent areas and others suggesting a mix of deprived and wealthy areas.
Our next step will be to hold focus group meetings with people in Cardiff to explore their views regarding multispecies justice. This information will then be used to develop, administer, and analyse a participatory GIS (PPGIS) survey that will spatially evaluate different policy options to enhance multispecies justice in Cardiff.
Saman Sobhani, Aberystwyth University
Picture: Photograph of Cardiff, Wales (Shutterstock)
