Urban green commons for socially sustainable cities and communities

ABSTRACT

In these times of global pandemics and climate crisis, social sustainability has become a crucial issue within diverse sectors and disciplines. This article aims to broaden the discussions on social sustainability in general, and in relation to community work within professional social work in particular. By means of a cross-disciplinary bricolage approach –

with a focus on the commons – we aim to construct a holistic view of urban social sustainability. Beginning with the Anthropocene concept, which recognizes the human impact on the Earth’s natural systems and hence highlights the need to include the natural environment as a determinant of good and fair living conditions for all, we remix arguments and examples relating to social sustainability with environmental and spatial dimensions to develop an urban green commons. Our cross-disciplinary perspective extends beyond contemporary social policy by bringing together natural resource management, public health, and spiritual aspects of the commons. In order to fit the plurality of urban contexts across the planet, further critical deliberations are needed, focusing on social sustainability and collective action for sustainable change in each context.

KEYWORDS:

• Community work
• life philosophy
• natural resource management and urban green commons
• public health
• social policy and social work

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the two anonymous reviewers for their insightful and constructive criticism.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stephan Barthel

Stephan Barthel, Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainability Science, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden

Johan Colding

Johan Colding, Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainability Science, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden

Anne-Sofie Hiswåls

Anne-Sofie Hiswåls, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Public Health and Sport Science, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden

Peder Thalén

Peder Thalén, Faculty for Education and Business Studies, Department of Humanities, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden

Päivi Turunen

Päivi Turunen, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Social Work and Criminology, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden, University of Gävle.