Finding Recourse for Public Sector Urban Green Infrastructure Uptake in the City of Tshwane and Beyond

Globally, researchers have been advocating urban green infrastructure as an infrastructure-related approach to mitigate the impacts of climate change while bene fi ing socio-ecological health amidst rapid urbanization. Yet, socio-economic urgencies and political agendas dwarf green infrastructure opportunities in SubSaharan Africa. This paper considers the uptake of green infrastructure in the City of Tshwane, South Africa, as a case study of the challenges and opportunities metro offi cials face in the subcontinent. We considered potential green infrastructure solutions and their uptake. First, we reviewed twenty-eight selected spatial planning policy documents. Then, a collaborative process of eighteen semistructured interviews of metro offi cials, a cross-sectoral workshop with twenty-three participants, and five feedback and clari fication discussions followed. The findings illustrate that limited local planning policies promote green infrastructure uptake. Complex challenges include poor intergovernmental collaboration, con flicting policies, scarce resources, land invasions, and a lack of appreciation of green infrastructure services. Opportunities reside in improving the land development process, incentivizing green infrastructure inclusion in development, enabling cross-sectoral partnerships to raise funding, and promoting green infrastructure value. We illustrate how the uptake of green infrastructure manifests with contextual diff erences on the subcontinent. Understanding the enabling circumstances and potential pitfalls can assist other cities in increasing sustainability, protection and local bene fits of green infrastructure. The study advocates that despite contextspeci fic barriers, inclusive and adaptive approaches could open-up much-needed funding and co-management alternatives that provide residents access to green infrastructure as a civic resource.