Green Infrastructure and Green Governance: A Retrospective Analysis of Flood Mitigation at Adelaide’s Linear Park

Abstract

Water – the most precious of resources – presents many challenges in areas where both droughts and floods are, paradoxically, key aspects of water management. Green infrastructure provides the opportunity to conserve valuable water resources while managing the risk of flooding. Multi-functional linear parks present a dilemma in terms of governance, stakeholder politics and suitability to local communities. A few studies have captured the emergence of linear parks in sustainable urban development. However, they have placed little emphasis on cultural history, governance and flood mitigation impacts on local communities. This paper investigates the application of linear parks for water resources conservation and flood mitigation. Using the River Torrens Linear Park (RTLP) as a case study, the multifaceted interrelationships between the natural, physical, human and governance features are investigated. The RTLP is located in Adelaide, South Australia and connects Mount Lofty Ranges to the Gulf St. Vincent in the Coast. Its implementation was primarily influenced by almost a centenary experience of perennial floods in the winter and droughts in the summer. It has, however, developed into a multifunctional asset including recreation and transportation. Its governance has also changed over the years. As a reflection on the progress and the governance of the park, the overarching questions posed are: How do physical and human history influence the design and implementation of Linear Park initiatives? What attributes of collaboration are manifested in the design and implementation process? How do stakeholder interests, politics and perception affect the governance and sustainability of the initiative? A qualitative analysis involving historical review, field observation and interviews is used to answer these questions. With climate change, many cities both in the developing and developed world are facing the paradox between the need to eradicate droughts and manage the risk of flooding. This paper illustrates the RTLP as a long-term attempt to address such complex water management issues. The role played by attitudinal change and local conditions are highlighted. Moreover, it is argued that the multi-functional character and variations in stakeholder interests poses site-specific governance challenges. One of such challenges is the possible suppression of the core function – flood mitigation and water resource conservation for which the Linear Park is implemented. Finally, the key lessons emerging from this case study are emphasised. This will serve as a blueprint for contemporary and future cities towards sustainable urban development and water management.

Keywords: green infrastructure, linear park, flood management, water resource, collaborative governance, conservation