From intention to action in youth sustainable landscape engagement within urban residential communities

Abstract

Abstract Sustainable landscape practices in urban residential communities increasingly connect ecological governance, spatial renewal, and residents’ everyday lives in the context of globalization, urbanization, and post-pandemic urban change. However, youth participation at this micro-level remains limited. This study examines the low-participation of young residents aged 19–34 in sustainable community landscape practices in different types of urban residential communities in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. Drawing on a qualitative research design, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 young residents who had engaged only minimally or had almost no involvement in such practices, and interpreted the data through reflexive thematic analysis. The findings suggest that young people’s low-participation does not simply stem from insufficient environmental awareness, but rather from the combined influence of multiple daily contextual factors. The study further shows that relational and responsibility-based motivations, together with experiential and belonging-based support, may activate participation intentions when community conditions are enabling. By situating youth engagement within everyday residential contexts, this study provides a micro-level explanation for the gap between sustainability awareness and action, and offers implications for youth-friendly sustainable community development.