Green and blue spaces (e.g., parks, grasslands, playing fields, lakes, canals) are key natural resources within towns and cities. They offer opportunities to reconnect with nature, exercise (e.g., walk, cycle, play sports), and meet friends. A large literature has demonstrated their benefits for promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing. Their importance was further underlined during the COVID-19 pandemic especially during periods of restrictions as settings for social connection or getting outside for respite. The ways in which green and blue spaces are managed varies across different local and national contexts. At the local level, green and blue spaces rely on an intricate network of agencies, groups and local citizens to develop and maintain them. These networks are different in each place and, while they may share common features, success will take different forms in different places ranging from large scale interventions to small but well-run spaces. This may reflect the different ways areas are governed (e.g. Mayoral Combined Authorities, Unitary Authorities, County Councils etc), the political and policy choices of those providing the governing, the institutional capacity of other actors and agencies, or a mixture of some or all of these things. This work also often relies on national policy-making and in the UK the UK national government, alongside the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have developed their own policies to support how green and blue space Is delivered for, and enjoyed by the people who live near to it. This 3-year PhD project will explore those different networks and partnerships to explore how we can improve the ways in which we manage, develop and deliver new and existing green/blue spaces. During the course of the PhD project, you will build an understanding how those networks of actors are influenced and affected by their local contexts, and how they interact with national-level institutions in their respective national contexts. The approach and methodology will be developed by the student with supervisory input, but may include national policy surveys, supported by detailed case study work using techniques such as interviews with policymakers. Upon its conclusion, the PhD project will set out best practice for the governance and management of green/blue space, and provide transferrable policy lessons for policymakers in the UK and beyond.