How Green Became Good: Urbanized Nature and the Making of Cities and Citizens

Cities around the world are investing in urban greening projects, such as the High Line in Manhattan, the 606 in Chicago, eco-cities in China, and tree-planting efforts in Ethiopia. Hillary Angelo's book "How Green Became Good" explores the origins and meanings of the enduring appeal of urban green space, showing that city planners have long believed that creating green spaces would lead to social improvement. She examines three moments in the Ruhr Valley's urban history that inspired the creation of new green spaces, revealing that the impulse to bring nature into urban life has persisted as a response to social changes. However, she finds that the creation of urban green space is more about how we imagine social life than about the good it imparts.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 264 pages
\n Publication date: 03 February 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
\n

Cities worldwide are investing substantial resources in urban greening initiatives, as exemplified by projects such as Manhattan's High Line, Chicago's 606, China's eco-cities, and Ethiopia's tree-planting efforts. These projects have transformed formerly neglected urban spaces and new high-end developments into popular attractions, drawing large crowds. The efforts of city governments have played a significant role in promoting these greening initiatives. However, the question arises: why are these projects widely embraced, and what benefits do they bring? In her book "How Green Became Good," Hillary Angelo delves into the origins and meanings of the enduring appeal of urban green space. She demonstrates that city planners have long believed that creating green spaces would lead to social improvement.

To illustrate this point, Angelo turns to Germany's Ruhr Valley, a region with ample open space that was greened through the addition of official parks and gardens. She argues that greening is not merely a physical process but also a social one. Throughout the book, Angelo examines three key moments in the Ruhr Valley's urban history that inspired the creation of new green spaces: industrialization in the late 19th century, postwar democratic ideals of the 1960s, and industrial decline and economic renewal in the early 1990s.

Through these historical lenses, Angelo reveals that the impulse to bring nature into urban life has arisen as a response to various social changes. She highlights an enduring belief that green space can transform us into ideal inhabitants of ideal cities. However, Angelo's research ultimately suggests that the creation of urban green space is more about how we imagine social life than about the tangible benefits it imparts. While green spaces offer numerous advantages, such as improving air quality, reducing stress, and promoting biodiversity, they also shape our perceptions and expectations of urban environments. They contribute to the creation of specific social identities and spaces, and can influence social interactions and behaviors.

In conclusion, cities around the world are investing heavily in urban greening initiatives, driven by the belief that green spaces can bring about social improvement. While these projects have numerous benefits, it is important to recognize that they are also shaped by our social perceptions and imaginations. Understanding the origins and meanings of the enduring appeal of urban green space can help us design more effective and inclusive green spaces that serve the needs and aspirations of all city residents.

\n Weight: 536g\n
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226738994\n \n