Perspectives on Urban Greenspace: Progress, Failures and Ways Ahead

This article introduces the thematic issue, which examines recent advances and persistent challenges in urban greening, with a focus on green infrastructure (GI) and nature-based solutions (NbS) amid accelerating global urbanisation. Bringing together perspectives from Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, alongside a global review, it compares shared obstacles—such as governance fragmentation, inequitable greenspace access and limited institutional capacities—with locally specific responses and innovations. The contributions illustrate the adaptability of GI and NbS across diverse contexts, while highlighting enduring barriers linked to social and environmental justice, long-term stewardship and competing land-use demands. Looking forward, the issue calls for systemic governance change, stronger political commitment and more inclusive co-production processes to realise the transformative potential of urban greenspaces for sustainability and resilience.