Barriers to sustainable urban green space development: A case study of Chengdu, China

Abstract

This study aims to identify the key obstacles impacting the sustainable development of urban green spaces (UGS) in China, using Park City Chengdu as a case study. The research employs the entropy-weight method and the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) to assess the relationship between UGS development and economic growth. The obstacle degree model identified the key barriers, while interviews with university researchers, registered urban planners, landscape architects, government officials, and UGS management staff, along with policy document analysis, provide additional insights. Results show an upward trend in UGS and economic development with indirect, reinforcing effects. The degree of coordination has gradually improved, indicating better UGS sustainability. Key obstacles include pressure on UGS, maintenance challenges, land use conflicts, and spatial distribution imbalances. To address these issues, this study recommends several strategies, including enhancing policy coherence and interdepartmental collaboration, strengthening pollution control, and optimizing the distribution and quality of green spaces, introducing diverse funding sources, facilitating value transformation, ensuring adequate green space construction and maintenance funding, and integrating new technologies to improve management efficiency for long-term sustainability. This research highlights the urgent need for empirical research on sustainable UGS development in rapidly urbanizing areas and provides actionable strategies for local policymakers and supports global urban sustainability.