Visions for development and management of urban green and blue infrastructure: a citizen's perspective

As cities like Leipzig experience rapid population growth and densification, the pressure on urban green and blue infrastructure (GBI) increases. This study analyzes responses from an online survey conducted during the development of Leipzig's Master Plan Green. The researchers categorized 3,808 ideas and 2,917 suggestions from 3,559 participants to understand how citizens envision the future of their urban environment. The analysis links these citizen perspectives to five core planning themes: biodiversity, climate adaptation, environmental justice, health, and sustainable mobility.

The most frequent requests from citizens were surprisingly practical: improved waste management (more rubbish bins) and the preservation of existing green spaces and trees. While planners often focus on high-level strategic goals, citizens are primarily concerned with the daily usability, safety, and quality of their local parks.

Conflicts emerged regarding the use of GBI, particularly between those seeking quiet, nature-oriented recreation and those desiring active, social spaces for sports or gatherings. Citizens frequently suggested spatial separation of these activities and increased regulatory presence to manage conflicts. Furthermore, while the five guiding themes of the Master Plan Green cover many citizen concerns, the study identifies a clear demand for increasing the overall quantity of green space, which is often overlooked in favor of quality-focused management.

Integrating citizen perspectives into GBI planning is essential for creating resilient and inclusive cities. By identifying the mismatch between top-down planning objectives and bottom-up citizen demands, this research provides a roadmap for local authorities to improve the social and ecological resilience of urban spaces. Addressing basic maintenance and quality issues can increase public acceptance of broader sustainability initiatives, such as climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.