MOTIVATIONS OF CITIZENS AND ENVIRONMENTAL NGOS: Co‐Producing Urban Greenspaces in Beijing

The global governance of urban greenspaces increasingly recognizes the importance of citizen and NGO involvement, since top‐down management often fails to address non‐governmental stakeholders’ diverse perceptions, preferences and demands. Research on public service co‐production and environmental stewardship emphasizes the role of internal and extrinsic motivations in facilitating co‐production, but overlooks value‐driven and organizational motivations. This article explores why and how citizens and NGOs develop a sense of commonality and co‐produce urban greenspaces. Data were gathered through in‐depth interviews with engaged citizens, NGOs and government representatives in Beijing, China. The findings reveal that NGOs and citizens were motivated by the interplay of value‐based and agency‐based factors. Altruistic and biospheric values, attachments to greenspaces and a sense of responsibility enhanced the perceived salience of these issues and motivated citizens and NGOs to co‐produce. In addition, NGOs viewed co‐production as a strategy to achieve environmental management goals requiring government support and agreement. Low efficacy did not deter participation; instead, citizens and NGOs sought greater resources, power and influence in decision‐making related to greenspace planning and management through co‐production. These findings suggest that policy innovations should foster environmental values and a sense of responsibility, empower citizens to increase efficacy, and integrate environmentally‐oriented perspectives into greenspace planning and management.