Daniel Sax

Daniel Sax - square

Daniel Sax

PhD Candidate

he/him

Daniel is a PhD candidate researching at the intersection of urban forestry, planning, and environmental justice. Following an undergraduate degree in Sociology and some time working as an arborist and horticulturist, Daniel joined the UBC Forestry community hoping to learn more about the relationships between greening, urban planning, and urban development. His Master's research investigated the presence of green gentrification in Vancouver and its impact on residents' engagement with urban agriculture and trends in large-scale redevelopment. His current research questions practices urban greening and the extent to which novel methods of community engagement and co-creation may lead to more equitable and just outcomes for communities. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys living communally, contra dancing, and playing ultimate frisbee.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Environmental justice, urban greening, Co-production, Participatory action research

RESEARCH

Greening the gentrification process: Insights and engagements from practitioners

Green gentrification implicates urban greening as a driver of neighbourhood ‘upgrading’ and subsequent displacement. However, it is unclear whether the concept resonates with, or supports the work of, those responsible for much of the greening occurring in cities – urban green planners/practitioners. We interviewed 33 planners/practitioners in Canada to refine our understanding of the relationships…

Greening practitioners worry about green gentrification but many don’t address it in their work

As cities attempt to ameliorate urban green inequities, a potential challenge has emerged in the form of green gentrification. Although practitioners are central to urban greening and associated gentrification, there has yet to be an exploration of practitioner perspectives on the phenomenon. We fill this gap with an online survey of 51 urban greening practitioners…

Improvement, not displacement: A framework for urban green gentrification research and practice

As researchers have continued to expand the bounds of green gentrification scholarship, understanding of what green gentrification is and how to identify the phenomenon on the ground has grown obscured. In an attempt to bring clarity to this conversation, our research presents an urban green gentrification framework, based on findings from a scoping review and…

Expelled from the garden? Understanding the dynamics of green gentrification in Vancouver, British Columbia

There is substantial evidence detailing the ecological and social benefits provided through urban greening. However, research in the field of urban green equity has revealed that these benefits are not enjoyed equitably by all residents; existing disparities in the distribution, accessibility, and experience of urban greening disproportionately affect historically marginalized communities and residents. Furthermore, green…

How well do we know green gentrification? A systematic review of the methods

This systematic literature review identifies and critiques methodological trends in green gentrification research (focusing on studies of vegetative greening) and provides suggestions for advancing this field. Findings reveal (1) research has largely focused on U.S. case studies; (2) early work employed qualitative methods but quantitative analyses have become more common; (3) little attention has been…

Governing for diversity: An exploration of practitioners’ urban forest preferences and implications for equitable governance

Urban forests are increasingly acknowledged as sources of multiple benefits and central to climate resilience and human well-being. Given these diverse and significant benefits, it is important to govern urban forests so as to ensure that all residents have equitable access and enjoyment. Understanding urban forest preferences, and including them in planning and management, is…

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