Mosaic governance for urban verge greening: Engaging property owners and addressing socio-spatial inequities

Urban street vegetation is a vital component of a city’s greening infrastructure, offering significant environmental, social, and health benefits. However, achieving its full potential requires active engagement from households, particularly in the context of road verge greening, where responsibilities often fall at the intersection of public and private ownership. This study explores the potential of a mosaic governance model for urban verge greening, emphasising its potential to reconcile socio-spatial diversity and foster equitable participation. Drawing on a mixed-methods survey of property owners in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, the research examines the motivations, barriers, and socio-spatial factors influencing residents’ participation in verge greening. The findings highlight that while mosaic governance holds promise for encouraging collaboration and addressing urban greening complexities, it must account for the diverse socio-spatial characteristics, motivations, and challenges of residents. Communication, resource provision, and public education are essential to overcoming barriers such as limited knowledge and access to resources. The study makes conceptual and empirical contributions by extending the mosaic governance model to incorporate socio-spatial characteristics of place and stakeholders, stressing the importance of equitable participation in urban greening.