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Dialogues@RU is published annually
by the
Writing Program at
Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey
Volume One
Spring 2002
The Commons
and Environmental Rights Issues
in Relation to Urban Open Spaces -
Page4
by Isaac B. Daniel
A plausible remedy for limited open space access lies with the type of space being preserved. Enhancing low-profile open spaces, like schoolyards, streets, and interspaces, can physically, ecologically, and socially enhance an area's desirability, as well as provide more viable accessibility. Like other more formal spaces, dynamic management practices provide the rudimentary basis for effectual open space.
The ecological, social, psychological, and economic benefits that arise provide relevance and viability to the preservation of open space. Thus, the urgency of open space preservation can be analyzed in these terms with a little help from Hardin and Collins-Chobanian. As mentioned at the start of this essay, there exists an 'urban ecology' within metropolitan regions composed of web-like relationships between various components in the landscape. Included in these, as examined in the earlier discussion of how open space is defined, are not only different types of spaces, but also people. Therefore this 'urban ecology' acts as a comprehensive frame by which one can view the balance between the environment, the urban landscape, and the people who interact with it. This interrelationship between variables explains the benefits that are conferred when open space is preserved. Nicol and Blake noted in their conclusion, "With neighbors both the premier supporters and critics of open space… it behoves us to better understand why neighborhood open space relationships matter" (Nicol and Blake 208). Thus a balance is struck between social, personal, and ecological principles through the interactions between them.
Furthermore, a number of conclusions can be reached as to why open space preservation should be an urgent priority of urban areas. Its urgency can be explained in a three-fold manner using notions of urban ecology, the 'tragedy of the commons' and environmental rights. First, as explored earlier, open space preservation is a means to avoid ensuing issues related to the depletion of common (land) resources, as explained by Garrett Hardin. Second, as seen from the discussion on environmental rights proposed by Shari Collins-Chobanian, the preservation of open space, coupled with efficacious management, is a means to promote environmental rights over a broad base of people. Finally, open space preservation, in the aforementioned context, can become a priority if notions of urban ecology are fully explored and adopted. Consequently, a feedback loop becomes apparent in the system. The feedback loop is such that the more urban ecology is explored, the more dynamic management is instilled, and the more open space is preserved, the more benefits will be received. In other words, the more urgent the priority of open space preservation becomes, the more common land can be put aside, the more environmental rights can be shared, and, most importantly, the more benefits will be shared by urban residents. These benefits, personal and impersonal, tangible and intangible, will produce a landscape that truly will make "…urban life more manageable and meaningful" (Gobster 199).
Works Cited
Collins-Chobanian, Shari. "Beyond Sax and Welfare Interest: A Case for Environmental Rights." Environmental Ethics. 22 (2000): 133-148.
Gobster, Paul. "Neighborhood Open Space Relationships in Metropolitan Planning: a look across four scales of concern." Local Environment 6.2 (2001): 199-212.
Hardin, Garrett. "The Tragedy of the Commons." Science. 162 (1968): 105-119.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ-DEP). Green Acres Program: State Park and Open Space Acquisition. By Michael McCann. 1 February 2002. <http://www.state.nj.us/dep/greenacres/>.
Nicol, Chris and Blake, Ron. "Classification and Use of Open Space in the Context of Increasing Urban Capacity." Planning Practice and Research. 15.3 (2000): 193-210.
Shomon, Joseph J. Open Land for Urban America: Acquisition, Safekeeping, and Use. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Press, 1974.
Vitullo-Martin, Julia. "The Private Sector Shows How to Run a City." The Wall Street Journal. 20 May 1998: A14.
Zukin, Sharon. "Whose Culture? Whose City?" The City Reader 2nd Edition. Ed. LeGates, Richard and Stout, Fredric. New York: Routledge, 2000. 131-142.