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Metrogreen. Connecting open space in North American cities

Metrogreen aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on open space networks in North American city regions. The author draws on landscape ecology and human ecology. Ecosystems and landscapes are connected as well as people and elements of the built environment. The interconnectedness of different components, entities and scales shows the complex and hybrid nature of urban open space networks. Erickson goes far beyond the statement that open space connectivity in metropolitan areas is worth pursuing. She analyses open space networks here and now. How do they manifest themselves already in real-life political, spatial and social contexts? Not the planning but the outcomes of open space planning are at the front. Therefore, 10 city open space stories in the northern United States and southern Canada form the heart of the book. The holistic and dynamic approach of the book fits with a multiple case study, based on qualitative methodology. In each case (a city region) written documents and spatial data are studied next to interviews with key informants. The 10 city regions, each time forming a pair, explicate five interrelated functional themes for connected open space. Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Ottawa, Ontario help to illustrate trends and tensions inherent in recreation as a reason for connected open space. The existing historic framework in both cities is an asset on which to build contemporary open-space corridors. In Calgary, Alberta and Denver, Colorado a central motive for connecting open space lands is enabling the movement of people through the landscape. Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland, Oregon illustrate that the process of building greenways and other open space connections can be a powerful catalyst for creating a stronger sense of community. Although these three pairs are structured around a specific theme, the analysis immediately puts it back into a broader ecological framework. Within each comparison the author presents expanded and more up-to-date concepts concerning recreation, transportation and community. The broader themes are presented in two other pairs. The pair Toronto, Ontario andChicago, Illinois shows that ecology is a thrust for connectivity. Cleveland,Ohio and the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota explore comprehensive objectives that move open space planning toward green infrastructure objectives. The most important keys to successfully accomplishing open space networks are commitment and leadership. First, the critical conceptual phase requires leaders to inspire people about a vision or what could be achieved. Second, the implementation phase requires the determination and motivation of a political leader for getting things done. A number of partnerships, for example, public-private partnerships, are a necessity at subsequent stages. A long list of co-operators from school boards to business groups and birdwatchers need to participate. Participation can be temporary or on a more permanent base and can differ in intensity and directness. Involving individual citizens is critical where one is actively soliciting the public’s opinion. Capitalising on historic elements is Journal of Environmental Planning and Management Vol. 51, No. 2, March 2008, 319–323