Assessing socio-ecological benefits of small-scale urban greening projects

The organization, GRAME (Groupe de recommandations et d’actions pour un meilleur environnement), is a Montreal-based environmental NGO leading participatory greening projects through its VIVRE (Ville Inclusive, Verte, Résiliente et Équitable) initiative. GRAME aims to mitigate climate vulnerability and environmental injustices in marginalized neighbourhoods by reducing urban heat islands, enhancing biodiversity, improving stormwater management, and increasing community cohesion. However, despite years of impactful interventions, GRAME lacks a robust, scalable protocol to assess the environmental and social outcomes of its projects in a structured, evidence-based manner. This is emblematic of a larger problem, where despite significant implementation of greening interventions in urban environments, social and ecological outcomes of such projects are typically assumed rather than assessed. This project investigates how participatory urban greening interventions affect both environmental resilience and the social well-being of vulnerable urban populations. Specifically, it asks: What measurable environmental and social impacts result from GRAME’s VIVRE interventions, and how can they be evaluated and improved?

Faculty Supervisor:

Carly Ziter

Student:

Partner:

Groupe de recommandations et d’actions pour un meilleur environnement

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Concordia University

Program: