Injustice in Urban Greening and Green Gentrification

This chapter examines the process of green gentrification, through which urban greening projects aimed at improving environmental and social equity often lead to displacement and exclusion of vulnerable communities. It argues that the integration of urban redevelopment and greening creates paradoxical outcomes, providing benefits like ecological restoration and improved health while deepening socio-spatial inequities. Drawing from North American, European, and Global South cities, the chapter explores historic inequities in green space access and the growing trends of displacement and segregation linked to contemporary greening interventions. The chapter also highlights community-driven resistance to green gentrification and examines policy and planning tools such as rent control, inclusionary zoning, and community land trusts to address these challenges. It calls for a repoliticization of urban greening practices to centre equity and prevent further marginalization. Ultimately, the chapter advocates for transformative planning that prioritizes social and racial justice, ensuring green spaces become inclusive and accessible for all residents.