Peer Review
How we recognise National Park Cities
To become a National Park City, cities follow and interpret the 10 steps set out in the National Park City Journey Book, in a way that reflects the particular qualities, values, and ambitions of that place and landscape.
Once a city campaign has registered its interest in becoming a National Park City, it begins its journey working through the steps at its own pace, towards the submission of its portfolio of evidence which sets out the city’s case for why it should be a National Park City against 23 assessed criteria.
The assessment process is undertaken by peer review, coordinated by the International Steering Group of the National Park City Foundation.
The peer review process is open, transparent and participatory, undertaken in a collaborative way and fully involving the city campaign, along with representatives of National Park City Foundation, Salzburg Global, World Urban Parks, and individual representatives from the wider National Park City community and external peers and colleagues.
There are five stages in the National Park City application process. All nominated National Park Cities must go through this process in order to join the National Park City family and become an officially recognised National Park City.
Stage 1: Portfolio submission
Submission of a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates that the city is ready to become a National Park City.
Stage 2: Desk review
The assessment team will complete an initial desk review to ensure all documents are in place.
Stage 3: Peer review
Peers from established and emerging National Park Cities, as well as experts from the National Park City Foundation, World Urban Parks and Salzburg Global will review the initial application and provide feedback on where additional activity or evidence might be required against 23 National Park City criteria.
Stage 4: In-person visit and independent research
Representatives of the Peer Review team will visit the city to meet with community groups, members of the city government, civil society, and ordinary citizens. This will be supported with independent research to check the validity of the application and gather additional evidence, along with monitoring the media and social media.
Stage 5: Invitation
Following stages 1-4 being completed successfully, the National Park City Foundation in partnership with World Urban Parks and Salzburg Global will formally invite the City to agree to the National Park City commitments, join the family and become an established National Park City.
How we assess a city’s application
We’re not looking for perfect scores across the application. We want to hear about the ambitions, plans and progress of each candidate National Park City. Each peer reviewer will look at the overall approach each city is taking and will make an informed judgement on whether each urban area is ready to become a full National Park City.
Across the application portfolio, peer interviews and independent research, the assessment team will want to have seen enough evidence to be confident that the ‘right mix’ of criteria were sufficiently met.
To aid this process each of the peer review team will score each of the assessment criteria as either:
Green Evidence is present and satisfactory – Score 1
Orange More evidence or activity is required – Score 0.5
Red No evidence or Significant Concerns – Score 0
Reviewers will be looking for evidence that your initiative is suitable and ready. The examples of evidence in the table are not exhaustive. The scoring process is used to support conversations and decide where more evidence or activity may be required. It was also used to identify areas of concern.
We’re still a young movement and as more cities become National Park Cities, we’ll continue to provide more examples of learning and good practice. We welcome using a creative approach when you present your portfolio. This will largely be written, but could include photography, film, audio, virtual reality and art.
Our peer reviewers will look at the overall picture of what you are doing and make a professional judgement on whether your urban area is ready to join the National Park City Family.
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