Enriching co-governance with artistic expression: the potential of art-based approaches for the collaborative development of urban nature-based solutions

Abstract

Environmental value systems are dynamic and diverse among urban nature-based solutions (NBS) stakeholders, who often need to work in interdisciplinary co-governance arrangements to develop new multifunctional projects. Because value systems are not usually discussed explicitly, miscommunication, power imbalances, and professional bias arise and affect partnership discussions and agreements. This investigation explores the potential of art-based approaches (ABA) to address these governance challenges, enhancing knowledge sharing and the collective understanding of different or conflicting value systems surrounding urban nature’s functionality. ABA are spaces of governance and possibility, where knowledge and imagination are shared, and the beliefs and values of participants become explicit through artistic and creative expression and reception. Drawing on the case study of Utrecht (The Netherlands), the potential contribution of ABA to inform NBS co-governance processes is investigated, and a guiding framework for such implementation of ABA is designed. The investigation unfolds with the development of a theoretical framework, followed by interviews with a range of NBS stakeholders and a document analysis. This data is in turn compared with additional literature to develop conclusive practical and theoretical implications. The thesis reveals that urban nature professionals not only have diverse value systems, but these are also in internal conflict at the level of single individuals, when comparing their personal and professional standpoints. This confirms the potential of ABA for an improved understanding and explication of different ways of understanding urban nature among co-governing stakeholders. Another important contribution of this thesis is a guiding framework for the effective implementation of ABA in NBS co-governance, which takes into account the risks and dangers that come with this ‘out of the comfort zone’ strategy. Further research can build upon these findings, experimenting on the field with such framework and seeking other practical strategies to raise awareness and openness among professional stakeholders in order to integrate personal experiences and emotions into their professional structure of values, value orientations, and beliefs.