UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Romolini, Michele
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2013
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
More than ever, we exist in a human-dominated, rapidly changing world, in which scientists, policy-makers, planners, and other leaders are seeking sustainable ways to address complex environmental, economic, and social issues. As a result, sustainability policies are being formulated and implemented in cities throughout the country and the world. These policies often require organizations from the public, private, and non-profit sectors to collaborate and coordinate through networks. This represents a paradigm shift in approach to governance and management of natural resources and urban systems. The first generation of environmental governance emphasized centralized, top-down government management of natural resources, and the second generation incorporated decentralized, bottom-up management practices. As 21st century cities address complex and rapidly changing social-ecological issues, sustainable systems may require adaptive management strategies best provided by a mixed-form, polycentric approach to governance. This approach may allow for greater adaptability in governance systems, allowing them to support and promote sustainability.
Researchers have begun to examine inter-organizational stewardship networks as examples of polycentric governance in urban systems. As new research in a developing interdisciplinary field, these studies draw upon a range of theories, and as emergent science, there are large gaps and research needs. Thus, the intent of this research is to contribute to a growing empirical and conceptual research body. This dissertation examines the environmental governance structures of two urban areas, Baltimore and Seattle, by evaluating their environmental stewardship networks. Specifically, the following three research questions were asked.
1. How do practitioners conceptualize "environmental stewardship" in each city?
2. What of organizations compose the stewardship networks in each city? What is the overall structure of the stewardship network in each city?
3. What is the relationship between stewardship networks and tree canopy in each city?
First, the results showed that urban stewardship is conceptualized in far more social than environmental terms in both cities, and that both are seen as driven by individual values; in Baltimore these values were often described in Christian terms, and in Seattle the terms used were more Preservationist and secular. Second, a large environmental stewardship network was identified in each city, with non-profits making up the majority of the network. Baltimore groups tended to have more social purposes and Baltimore's information network was more centralized. Seattle groups had more environmental purposes and a less centralized network.
In both cities, the most connected organizations were not always the most influential, and a majority of organizations were weakly connected to the network, with zero or one tie. Third, very little evidence was found for a relationship between tree canopy and networks in Seattle. However, in Baltimore the results provided evidence that tree canopy is higher in neighborhoods with more stewardship groups present; but lower in neighborhoods where stewardship groups have a large number of ties. These results contribute and help advance the theories, methods, and practices associate with urban environmental governance.
Researchers have begun to examine inter-organizational stewardship networks as examples of polycentric governance in urban systems. As new research in a developing interdisciplinary field, these studies draw upon a range of theories, and as emergent science, there are large gaps and research needs. Thus, the intent of this research is to contribute to a growing empirical and conceptual research body. This dissertation examines the environmental governance structures of two urban areas, Baltimore and Seattle, by evaluating their environmental stewardship networks. Specifically, the following three research questions were asked.
1. How do practitioners conceptualize "environmental stewardship" in each city?
2. What of organizations compose the stewardship networks in each city? What is the overall structure of the stewardship network in each city?
3. What is the relationship between stewardship networks and tree canopy in each city?
First, the results showed that urban stewardship is conceptualized in far more social than environmental terms in both cities, and that both are seen as driven by individual values; in Baltimore these values were often described in Christian terms, and in Seattle the terms used were more Preservationist and secular. Second, a large environmental stewardship network was identified in each city, with non-profits making up the majority of the network. Baltimore groups tended to have more social purposes and Baltimore's information network was more centralized. Seattle groups had more environmental purposes and a less centralized network.
In both cities, the most connected organizations were not always the most influential, and a majority of organizations were weakly connected to the network, with zero or one tie. Third, very little evidence was found for a relationship between tree canopy and networks in Seattle. However, in Baltimore the results provided evidence that tree canopy is higher in neighborhoods with more stewardship groups present; but lower in neighborhoods where stewardship groups have a large number of ties. These results contribute and help advance the theories, methods, and practices associate with urban environmental governance.