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Empirical research has long shown positive connections between urban green spaces and their users’ wellbeing. But compelling evidence does not always lead to appropriate investment. In a study of the contribution of urban nature to mental wellbeing in Sheffield, UK, the authors identified greenspace investments that could lead to improved wellbeing and discussed their implementation with local stakeholders. However, this qualitative study also revealed a series of reasons why stakeholders in Sheffield would not proceed with such investments. Using the concept of ‘logics of inaction’ to examine stakeholders’ reasoning, this paper considers why such logics arise. It finds a mismatch between available evidence and the evidence practitioners say they need to justify investments. One consequence is that practitioners’ capacity to act on new knowledge is reduced, limiting innovation and potential benefits.
Julian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. Known but not done: how logics of inaction limit the benefits of urban green spaces. Landscape Research 2021, 46, 390 -402.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson, Nicola Dempsey. Known but not done: how logics of inaction limit the benefits of urban green spaces. Landscape Research. 2021; 46 (3):390-402.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. 2021. "Known but not done: how logics of inaction limit the benefits of urban green spaces." Landscape Research 46, no. 3: 390-402.
There is already a plethora of research which amply demonstrates multiple benefits of urban nature for health and wellbeing, culture and identity, biodiversity and a sense of place. Alongside this, political rhetoric and planning strategies make well-meaning and eloquent statements about how important urban green space is, but this is not followed up by meaningful action. This chapter posits the global and local challenges that we face around urban nature and health and outlines how the book contributes to the gap between what we know and what we do, by investigating and challenging the logics and decision-making processes at work. This chapter – like the rest in the book – aims to address an overarching question: Why is there a misalignment between what we know about green space and what we do in practice? This chapter outlines the book’s aim to understand how the wellbeing benefits of urban nature are analysed and valued and why they are interpreted and translated into action or inaction, into ‘success’ and/or ‘failure’. It sets out why we propose to abandon the problem-intervention-solution mindset that prioritises seeking out what works well to produce policy fixes. The book will explore the validity of the assumptions that such policy fixes are not only available but also effective in improving the wellbeing of urban citizens and the natural environments they inhabit and encounter. We show how and why attention must be paid not only to policies but also to the discursive, complicated and messy contexts in which policy is shaped.
Julian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. Why Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect. Ecoregional Green Roofs 2020, 1 -7.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson, Nicola Dempsey. Why Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect. Ecoregional Green Roofs. 2020; ():1-7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. 2020. "Why Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect." Ecoregional Green Roofs , no. : 1-7.
This chapter addresses questions of the decision-making processes concerning investment in urban green spaces. It considers how evidence is deployed in processes of governance, and how nuanced understandings of costs and wellbeing benefits are backgrounded as evidence becomes a bargaining chip in a struggle for resources. Calling on empirical research conducted in the city of Sheffield, this chapter examines these issues through the lens of the everyday work of practitioners and professionals. The chapter highlights the importance of logics of action and inaction, revealing the effects of stakeholders’ reasons for choosing not to take actions that strengthen the links between green spaces and mental wellbeing.
Julian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. Mind the Gap: Does What We Know About Greenspace and Wellbeing Change What We Do? Ecoregional Green Roofs 2020, 143 -165.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson, Nicola Dempsey. Mind the Gap: Does What We Know About Greenspace and Wellbeing Change What We Do? Ecoregional Green Roofs. 2020; ():143-165.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. 2020. "Mind the Gap: Does What We Know About Greenspace and Wellbeing Change What We Do?" Ecoregional Green Roofs , no. : 143-165.
Nicola Dempsey; Julian Dobson. Planning for sociable green spaces after COVID-19. Town Planning Review 2020, ahead-of-p, 1 -9.
AMA StyleNicola Dempsey, Julian Dobson. Planning for sociable green spaces after COVID-19. Town Planning Review. 2020; ahead-of-p ():1-9.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNicola Dempsey; Julian Dobson. 2020. "Planning for sociable green spaces after COVID-19." Town Planning Review ahead-of-p, no. : 1-9.
The role of the third sector in promoting action on carbon reduction is often that of a third party, lobbying and working from the sidelines and occupying ‘green niches’ (Seyfang, 2010) without direct access to levers of power. This article examines how visions of low-carbon futures promoted by third sector actors are both integrated and marginalised at a wider institutional scale. Focusing on efforts to encourage environmental sustainability by organisations within three northern English cities, it highlights how a process of ‘integrative marginalisation’ may be observed, in which radical visions of a low-carbon future are simultaneously embraced and excluded at an institutional scale. Integrative marginalisation displays four salient features: initial welcome and acceptance; relatively small investments of support; the exclusion of substantial changes from mainstream decision making; and the assertion of institutional priorities that limit potential action. Integrative marginalisation thus raises questions about the conditions required to prompt more fundamental change.
Julian Dobson. A part and yet apart: how third sector visions of carbon reduction are both welcomed and marginalised. Voluntary Sector Review 2020, 11, 193 -210.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson. A part and yet apart: how third sector visions of carbon reduction are both welcomed and marginalised. Voluntary Sector Review. 2020; 11 (2):193-210.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson. 2020. "A part and yet apart: how third sector visions of carbon reduction are both welcomed and marginalised." Voluntary Sector Review 11, no. 2: 193-210.
The climate emergency and crisis of biodiversity loss show that the human–nature relationship is failing. This paper introduces the psychological construct of nature connectedness as a measurable target for improving the human–nature relationship, and therefore helping tackle the warming climate and loss of wildlife. The ‘pathways to nature connectedness’ (sensory contact, emotion, meaning, beauty and compassion) provide an important and flexible framework to help improve the human–nature relationship. Research evidence and practical examples are given from organisations using the pathways (e.g. National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust). This illustrates how the pathways provide a new methodological approach for improving human–nature relationships. A systems perspective is taken to consider wider application of the pathways framework. The societal relevance of the pathways approach is proposed, and the application of nature connectedness is considered across a range of leverage points relevant across multiple societal scales (from individuals to societies). Recommendations are given for specific pathways informed interventions to improve the human–nature relationship. These interventions focus on cultural programmes and urban design to increase sensory, meaningful and emotional engagement with nature. The interventions based on the pathways framework engage with leverage points around system goals, design, feedback and parameters across policy areas such as education, health, housing, arts, health and transport. This shows that the pathways to nature connectedness have a large scale of societal relevance and the potential to provide solutions across a range of leverage points to foster closer human–nature relationships across society.
M. Richardson; J. Dobson; D. J. Abson; R. Lumber; A. Hunt; R. Young; B. Moorhouse. Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: a leverage points perspective. Ecosystems and People 2020, 16, 387 -401.
AMA StyleM. Richardson, J. Dobson, D. J. Abson, R. Lumber, A. Hunt, R. Young, B. Moorhouse. Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: a leverage points perspective. Ecosystems and People. 2020; 16 (1):387-401.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Richardson; J. Dobson; D. J. Abson; R. Lumber; A. Hunt; R. Young; B. Moorhouse. 2020. "Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: a leverage points perspective." Ecosystems and People 16, no. 1: 387-401.
Policymakers and practitioners working in urban greenspace management want to know what kind of interventions are effective in promoting mental wellbeing. In practice, however, they rely on multiple forms of knowledge, often in unwritten form. This paper considers how such knowledge is interpreted and used by a range of stakeholders to identify greenspace interventions to support residents’ health and wellbeing in one UK city. It examines the interface between academic research, policy and practice, drawing on the findings of a three-year study in Sheffield, UK. The Improving Wellbeing through the Urban Nature project investigated the links between ‘urban nature’ and mental health. One strand of the research sought to influence policy and practice, and this article presents findings and reflects on some of the processes of this exercise. It highlights the role of tacit knowledge in practice and its influence on practitioners’ choice of greenspace interventions and the challenges in drawing on such knowledge to influence policy. The findings affirm practice-based knowledge as socially situated, interpretively fashioned and politically weighted. This paper concludes by demonstrating the importance of considering the local context when devising policy prescriptions for greenspace provision and management.
Julian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. Working out What Works: The Role of Tacit Knowledge Where Urban Greenspace Research, Policy and Practice Intersect. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5029 .
AMA StyleJulian Dobson, Nicola Dempsey. Working out What Works: The Role of Tacit Knowledge Where Urban Greenspace Research, Policy and Practice Intersect. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (18):5029.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson; Nicola Dempsey. 2019. "Working out What Works: The Role of Tacit Knowledge Where Urban Greenspace Research, Policy and Practice Intersect." Sustainability 11, no. 18: 5029.
People, Place and Policy, 12 (2), 72-83 First published: 14 December 2018 DOI: 10.3351/ppp.2018.3824435278 Summary The role of urban green spaces in
Julian Dobson; University Of Sheffield. From contest to context: urban green space and public policy. People, Place and Policy Online 2018, 12, 72 -83.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson, University Of Sheffield. From contest to context: urban green space and public policy. People, Place and Policy Online. 2018; 12 (2):72-83.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson; University Of Sheffield. 2018. "From contest to context: urban green space and public policy." People, Place and Policy Online 12, no. 2: 72-83.
Long term urban resilience demands a transition to a low-carbon society but poses a dilemma: the institutions that stabilise and perpetuate sociotechnical systems must become agents of radical change. The possibility of alternative futures challenges the logics and values central to institutional identity. ‘Sustainability transitions’ thus raise questions of institutional reinterpretation. The extent of such reinterpretation hinges on the everyday ‘institutional work’ of actors who bring diverse understandings to bear on their roles and responsibilities. These understandings derive not only from actors’ professional roles but also from their engagement in wider epistemic networks. Based on case studies of three urban organisations in northern England, this paper examines the impact and influence of epistemic networks in validating or challenging approaches to sustainability transitions. The research found such networking a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for institutional reinterpretation. Epistemic networks serve five functions: they inspire, legitimise and facilitate potential transitions, and challenge slow progress - but they can also limit transitions. From these findings, it is argued that epistemic networks are central to the identification and development of nascent ‘transition arenas’ (Loorbach, 2010) where more sustainable, and ultimately more resilient, futures may be tested and trialled.
Julian Dobson. Reinterpreting urban institutions for sustainability: How epistemic networks shape knowledge and logics. Environmental Science & Policy 2018, 92, 133 -140.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson. Reinterpreting urban institutions for sustainability: How epistemic networks shape knowledge and logics. Environmental Science & Policy. 2018; 92 ():133-140.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson. 2018. "Reinterpreting urban institutions for sustainability: How epistemic networks shape knowledge and logics." Environmental Science & Policy 92, no. : 133-140.
Richard Blyth; David Kingman; Sebastian Dembski; Julian Dobson. Book Reviews. Town Planning Review 2018, 89, 199 -205.
AMA StyleRichard Blyth, David Kingman, Sebastian Dembski, Julian Dobson. Book Reviews. Town Planning Review. 2018; 89 (2):199-205.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Blyth; David Kingman; Sebastian Dembski; Julian Dobson. 2018. "Book Reviews." Town Planning Review 89, no. 2: 199-205.
Julian Dobson. From ‘me towns’ to ‘we towns’: activist citizenship in UK town centres. Citizenship Studies 2017, 21, 1015 -1033.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson. From ‘me towns’ to ‘we towns’: activist citizenship in UK town centres. Citizenship Studies. 2017; 21 (8):1015-1033.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson. 2017. "From ‘me towns’ to ‘we towns’: activist citizenship in UK town centres." Citizenship Studies 21, no. 8: 1015-1033.
Chandrima Mukhopadhyay; Tony Champion; Julian Dobson. Book Reviews. Town Planning Review 2017, 88, 377 -382.
AMA StyleChandrima Mukhopadhyay, Tony Champion, Julian Dobson. Book Reviews. Town Planning Review. 2017; 88 (3):377-382.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChandrima Mukhopadhyay; Tony Champion; Julian Dobson. 2017. "Book Reviews." Town Planning Review 88, no. 3: 377-382.
Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2013, 288 pages, £21.21, Hb ISBN 978 08 1572 151 2 Opening his epic study
Julian Dobson; Urban Pollinators Ltd. Book Review - The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy. People, Place and Policy Online 2016, 10, 257 -259.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson, Urban Pollinators Ltd. Book Review - The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy. People, Place and Policy Online. 2016; 10 (3):257-259.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson; Urban Pollinators Ltd. 2016. "Book Review - The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy." People, Place and Policy Online 10, no. 3: 257-259.
The ‘place or people?’ dilemma is a recurring refrain in local economic development. The contested question of the future of Britain’s high streets and town centres both transcends this binary and locates it in the broader question of what kind of economic development is required to revitalise struggling places and who benefits from it. Drawing on research underpinning the recently published How to Save Our Town Centres, this article argues that questions of equitable economic development cannot be separated from the question of land ownership, access and management. It concludes by arguing that rather than couching the debate about town centre economies in terms of ‘resilience’, questions of transition to alternative futures could provide a sharper focus for academic and policy discussion.
Julian Dobson. Rethinking town centre economies: Beyond the ‘place or people’ binary. Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit 2016, 31, 335 -343.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson. Rethinking town centre economies: Beyond the ‘place or people’ binary. Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit. 2016; 31 (3):335-343.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson. 2016. "Rethinking town centre economies: Beyond the ‘place or people’ binary." Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit 31, no. 3: 335-343.
Julian Dobson. What Happens to the Best-laid Plans? Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit 2008, 23, 261 -266.
AMA StyleJulian Dobson. What Happens to the Best-laid Plans? Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit. 2008; 23 (4):261-266.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulian Dobson. 2008. "What Happens to the Best-laid Plans?" Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit 23, no. 4: 261-266.