Participatory Approaches to Landscape Planning in Urban Fringe Areas: A Systematic Review of Community Co-Design and Institutional Governance Frameworks

Abstract

This paper provides a systematic review of participatory landscape planning in urban fringe areas, focusing on community co-design and institutional governance frameworks. Urban fringes are regions where urban expansion intersects with rural and agricultural systems. These areas present complex challenges due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the complexity of ecological networks. The review evaluates the effectiveness and applicability of methods such as participatory rural appraisal (PRA), participatory geographic information systems (GIS), landscape design workshops, and participatory scenario modeling. These methods promote community participation and generate planning outcomes related to local environments and sustainability. The review reveals a surge in global interest in participatory planning practices since 2010, particularly in Europe, East Asia, and Latin America. Additionally, the findings indicate that forms of participatory governance, such as collaborative and co-governance models, are crucial for success in these dynamic landscapes. The study underscores the importance of integrating local knowledge and institutional prerequisites into future urban fringe area planning. This review deepens our understanding of the role of community co-design in landscape planning and offers insights for strengthening more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient governance in urban fringe regions.