Assessing the Potential of E-Tools for Knowledge Sharing and Stewardship of Urban Green Infrastructure

Abstract

Background: People caring for urban green infrastructure, not least urban trees, play an important role in maintaining the quality of the urban environment. But what happens when information processing and knowledge generation become digitalized? This study examines digital tools developed to provide knowledge support and with ambitions of inciting stewardship. It asks what understanding they draw on, what information they broker, and how they approach uptake and use of the content they provide. Methods: We analyzed 6 different e-toolswithin the context of urban green infrastructure in New York City, New York, USA. We conducted semi-structured interviews with the tool creators and assessed the e-tools themselves. Results: Our findings indicate that most e-tools are designed to provide access to different types of information about urban social-ecological systems and, passively or more actively, stimulate learning. In addition to rich, complex, exploratory digital learning environments, many tools combine virtual experiences with in-person training, workshops, and coaching. Conclusion: The observed hybrid approaches harness the power of digital platforms to enable diverse usership and share large amounts of data while employing more traditional on-the-ground organizing techniques and thus offer a way forward in an age of increasing dominance of digital data. Future research on e-tool usership, hybrid learning approaches, and connections to stewardship outcomes could enrich the understanding of how e-tools operate as well as their social-ecological potential and impact.

Reinforcing nature-based solutions through tools providing social-ecological-technological integration

“…Therefore, approaches connecting those knowledge realms are needed (Olazabal et al 2021 ). Integrating specialised technical knowledge and making this actionable is a key challenge in current urban governance aiming towards greener and smarter city concepts (Plitt et al 2022 ). Engaging stakeholders across sectors and knowledge types could facilitate collaborative learning and help addressing symptoms and causes of vulnerability (Werners et al 2021 ; Kabisch et al 2022 ).…”

“…For technology to help arrive at fairer adaptation measures, it is critical that the tools have low access barriers and are complemented with off-line measures (Plitt et al 2022 ). Informative and understandable visualisation capabilities are needed for tools to serve as discussion bases (see “ Linking SETS dimensions to reinforce NbS ” section for details).…”

“…Informative and understandable visualisation capabilities are needed for tools to serve as discussion bases (see “ Linking SETS dimensions to reinforce NbS ” section for details). Tools can support visioning, scenario and target development incorporating diverse knowledge (Plitt et al 2022 ). One helpful tool is generic internet forum software providing discussion threads and private messages allowing creation of connections between previously unconnected stakeholders (Afzalan and Muller 2014 ).…”