Nature in Cities A Comparison of Greenways Carolyn Sedgwick December 2009 CRP 3840—Green CitiesSedgwick 2 Introduction to the Greenway Concept As the world’s population continues to grow and cities become increasingly urbanized, many have emphasized the importance of preserving green space within cities (Jim 2004). The “greening of cities” can manifest itself in several forms but numerous cities have adopted the greenway concept as both a means of cultural and environmental well-being. Greenways are linear open spaces serving to connect parks, nature reserves, other protected lands, cultural areas, historic sites, and areas of interest (Tan 2006; Hunt 2008). The landscape surrounding greenway trails can vary from unique wetland habitat (Metro Regional Government 2009), to more developed areas with cultivated vegetation. By functioning as recreational areas, wildlife habitat, and transportation routes, greenways are beneficial in a number of ways for both humans and the environment. Human uses of greenways include walking, running, cycling, bird watching, nature study, educational venues, community gathering spots, and fishing (City of Raleigh 2009). Environmental benefits may include the creation of wildlife corridors and habitat, protection of biodiversity, water quality protection, reduced runoff from storms, floodplain management, reduction of energy use (when trails are used as a means of transportation), and improved air quality (City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department 2009; Metro Regional Government 2009). Thus, greenways promote a beneficial coexistence between humans and the environment. In this paper, I will first look at the contexts of three different greenways. Given these three introduced greenway cities, I am going to explore how they are similar and/or different according to three criteria. The three selected criteria for comparison are (1) how land was acquired for each greenway; (2) how birds and other wildlife have responded to the green spaces provided by greenways; and (3) whether the management bodies of each greenway provideSedgwick 3 additional amenities or sources of attraction for public involvement beyond the established greenway trails. It is important to examine methods of land acquisition because this one of the greatest hindrances to the preservation of green space in urban areas. The second theme for comparison—dealing with how wildlife actually uses greenway—is also key to consider. Many greenway proponents claim that providing habitat is a significant motive for implementing greenway systems (Hunt 1988, Metro Regional Government 2003, City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department 2004). The three case studies examined here all specify the creation of wildlife habitat as part of their goals, but it is fundamental to analyze whether habitat is actually provided by these greenways. Lastly, I have chosen to include the third theme about public involvement because greenway managers want people to actually make use of these green spaces; it is critical to understand what extra steps might encourage increased public involvement. I will then finish by offering the conclusions I have reached about the differences and similarities found among these greenway systems. Background on Selected Case Studies Greenways exist around the world in a variety of forms and sizes. I am going to focus on three well-established greenway systems in very different contexts and explore how they compare and differ regarding the themes introduced above, but first I will provide background on the cities in which these greenways are located. The examined greenways are the Park Connector Network in Singapore, the Capital Are Greenway of Raleigh, and the Willamette River Greenway in the Portland metropolitan region.Sedgwick 4 Singapore The city-state of Singapore is an island covering an area of fewer than 700 square kilometers in Southeast Asia. Despite this relatively small land area, Singapore has a booming population of over 4.9 million people (Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts 2009). Singapore’s extensive greenway plan, known as the Park Connector Network, was approved in December of 1991, and will consist of approximately 360 kilometers across the entire island when completed by the National Parks Board of Singapore (Tan 2006). The National Parks Board aims to adjoin all of the city parks and native habitats in Singapore through this greenway system (Sodhi et al. 1999). Its objectives are to provide a connected network that allow the public to more easily reach parkland, and to provide natural wildlife corridors to enhance biodiversity in highly urbanized Singapore (Hunt 1988; Tan 2006). As of 2006, 51.8 kilometers of the greenway network had been completed in Singapore (Tan 2006), and the National Parks Board aims to have the entire network completed within the next 20-30 years (Sodhi et al. 1999; Tan 2006). Portland Metropolitan Area Although the Portland metropolitan area encompasses many cities, its population density is not nearly that of Singapore’s. While much of Oregon’s Willamette River Greenway is within the city of Portland, Oregon, the greenway extends northwest of Vancouver, Washington (but does not cross into Washington) and 20 miles south of Portland to the town of Wilsonville (Metro Regional Government 2009), making it part of the greater Portland metropolitan area. All encompassing, the metropolitan area of Portland and Vancouver withholds a population of over two million people. Founded in 1967 by the Oregon Legislature, the Willamette River GreenwaySedgwick 5 will provide access to 40 miles of the Willamette River from the Multnomah Channel to Wilsonville (Metro Regional Government 2003). According to the Metro Council of Oregon (2003), the goal of this 40-mile greenway is to “protect fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, scenic resources and improve public access to the river along the greenway.” The Greenway is managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which is in charge of coordinating the management and development of natural areas and state parks along the Willamette River (Oregon parks and Recreation Department 2005). Currently, over 1,000 acres have been acquired and protected for the greenway but several sections of the greenway trails remain unconnected. Raleigh The Capital Area Greenway of Raleigh, North Carolina exists in a context that varies significantly