An evolutionary governance framework for the sustainable management of urban wetlands: integrating theoretical perspectives and practical applications

Urban wetlands are critical for ecological balance and ecosystem service provision. However, their governance faces increasing pressure from rapid urbanisation, climate change and competing land-use demands. This paper proposes a novel governance framework grounded in Evolutionary Governance Theory to address these complex challenges. Through a systematic literature review, key concepts and approaches, including Sustainable Development, Social-Ecological Systems, Ecosystem Services, Adaptive Management and Nature-Based Solutions, are examined. Three persistent governance challenges have been identified: (i) cross-scale governance and value integration, (ii) the need for long-term dynamic research and innovation and (iii) the disconnect between theoretical integration and practical application. The proposed framework comprises four interconnected components: (i) Evolutionary Multi-level Adaptive Network, (ii) Knowledge-Power-Action Co-evolution System, (iii) Dynamic Evaluation and Transformative Learning Mechanism and (iv) Evolutionary Nature-based Solutions Integration Mechanism. It introduces a co-evolutionary, adaptive and integrative governance framework that evolves alongside institutional, epistemic and ecological dynamics. Unlike existing concepts and approaches, such as Social-Ecological Systems or Nature-based Solutions, Evolutionary Governance Theory provides a more flexible and scalable pathway to operationalise in practice, adapting continuously to changing wetland systems. This paper elaborates on the framework’s core principles and implementation pathway, demonstrating how it enhances governance effectiveness and addresses current gaps. It offers a strategic tool for policymakers to integrate multi-level strategies and stakeholder engagement with broad applicability across urban contexts. Future research should focus on empirical validation, development of operational tools and theoretical refinement. By adopting this framework, cities can build more resilient urban wetlands and contribute meaningfully to sustainable urban development.