Exploring the Impacts of Green Space and Healthcare Accessibility on Small for Gestational Age

Although it is well-established that urban green infrastructure is essential to improve the population’s wellbeing, in many developed countries, the availability of green spaces is limited or its distribution around the city is uneven. Some minority groups may have less access or are deprived of access to green spaces when compared with the rest of the population. The availability of public green spaces may also be directly related to the geographical location of the city within Europe. In addition, current planning for urban regeneration and the creation of new high-quality recreational public green spaces sometimes results in projects that reinforce the paradox of green gentrification. The aim of this study was to explore the concept of environmental justice in the distribution of the public green spaces in two contrasting cities, Tartu, Estonia; and Faro, Portugal. Quantitative indicators of public green space were calculated in districts in each city. The accessibility of those spaces was measured using the “walkability” distance and grid methods. The results revealed that there was more availability and accessibility to public green spaces in Tartu than in Faro. However, inequalities were observed in Soviet-era housing block districts in Tartu, where most of the Russian minority live, while Roma communities in Faro were located in districts without access to public green space. The availability of public green spaces varied from 1.22 to 31.44 m2/inhabitant in the districts of Faro, and 1.04 to 164.07 m2/inhabitant in the districts of Tartu. In both cities, 45% of the inhabitants had accessible public green spaces within 500 m of their residence. The development of targeted new green infrastructure could increase access to 88% of the population for the city of Faro and 86% for Tartu, delivering environmental justice without provoking green gentrification. The outcome of this study provides advice to urban planners on how to balance green space distribution within city neighbourhoods.

Objectives:In spite of the importance of green space for reducing obesity-related problems, there has been little exploration of whether access to green space (e.g., parks and recreational facilities) influences the obesity rate of adults in the United States. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships among accessibility of green space, obesity rates, and socioeconomic and demographic variables among adults living in the State of Indiana, United States.Methods:We conducted a secondary data analysis to investigate the relationships among accessibility to green space, obesity rates, and socio-demographic variables with employing Geographic Information System in order to measure the accessibility of green space. Results:This study found that accessibility of green space served as a strong predictor of reduced obesity rates among adults (β=-2.478; p<0.10). In addition, adults with higher education levels, as well as better access to green space, were found to have even lower obesity rates (β=-0.188; p<0.05). Other control variables such as unemployment rates, food security, and physical inactivity are additional factors that influence obesity rates among adults. Conclusions:Accessibility of green space may play an important role in facilitating physical activity participation and reducing obesity rates.

Jednym z celów zrównoważonego rozwoju propagowanych przez ONZ, a także wielu dokumentów i deklaracji innych międzynarodowych organizacji (WHO, Unia Europejska) jest zapewnienie powszechnego dostępu do bezpiecznych, ogólnie dostępnych zielonych przestrzeni publicznych. Celem artykułu jest prezentacja i omówienie wybranych wskaźników dostępności i atrakcyjności miejskich terenów zieleni (szczególnie tych formalnych i publicznie dostępnych). Uwzględnione zostaną zarówno wskaźniki konstruowane w celach badawczych, jak i tworzone na potrzeby planistyczne w miastach. W literaturze pojawia się wiele wskaźników związanych z dostępem do terenów zieleni. Uwzględniają one zwłaszcza aspekty związane z odległością, powierzchnią terenu zieleni oraz wielkością terenu przypadającą na jedną osobę. Takie wskaźniki są bardzo ogólne, nie odzwierciedlają stanu danego terenu zieleni, są stosowane najczęściej na potrzeby planistyczne. Niekiedy rozszerzane są o zagadnienia ściśle związane z dostępnością, takie jak kwestie własności, godzin otwarcia oraz fizycznych barier (np. ruchliwe drogi lub rzeki, które znacznie utrudniają drogę dojścia do danego terenu zieleni). Ponadto wskaźniki te są czasem zestawiane z dodatkowymi cechami terenów zieleni, świadczącymi o ich atrakcyjności (czystość, wyposażenie, liczba użytkowników, bioróżnorodność). Dopiero kompleksowe przeanalizowanie dostępności i atrakcyjności pozwala na uchwycenie faktycznego stanu rzeczy i wspiera procesy decyzyjne zmierzające do zapewnienia dostępu do bezpiecznych i atrakcyjnych miejskich terenów zieleni. Artykuł ma charakter przeglądowy: prezentuje i ocenia powszechnie wykorzystywane wskaźniki, a także syntetyzuje dotychczasową wiedzę związaną z szeroko pojętą dostępnością i atrakcyjnością miejskich terenów zieleni.

Access to urban green spaces and environmental inequalities are increasingly on the agenda in contemporary cities due to increasing density of people, widening social inequalities, and limited access to Urban Green Spaces (UGS). This is even so in post-socialist cities where recent urban sprawl and suburbanisation could be strongly linked to the scarcity of adequate green spaces in the inner-parts of cities. This paper examines the provision and accessibility of public green spaces in Debrecen, a second tier city in post-socialist Hungary, with applying a walking distance approach. Using GIS technology and socio-demographic data of residents the study assesses the availability and accessibility of green spaces in the city, and their social equity. According to research results the geographical distribution of UGS is very uneven in the city, some neighbourhoods lack public green spaces, while others are well-supplied. This is partly due to the natural environment and the post-WWII development of the city. Research findings show that the quality of residential green spaces is generally poor or very poor. Research also confirmed the widening environmental inequalities within the local society. New upmarket residential areas, where the wealthiest section of population reside are rich in high-quality (private) green spaces. Other lower-status neighbourhoods, including some of the socialist housing estates, suffer from the lack of good quality green spaces. Authors argue that environmental justice should be a core concept of city-planning considering not only the officially designated public green spaces, but also other forms of urban green (institutional, private etc.).

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of death in Bangladesh, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Green spaces, defined as natural or semi-natural areas with vegetation, have been recognized for their potential to promote health and prevent NCDs. However, limited research exists on the relationship between green space and NCDs in urban areas of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between green space and NCD risk in urban residents of Dhaka City, focusing on the amount and distribution of green spaces, their effectiveness in reducing NCD risk, and recommendations for policymakers and urban planners. The findings could have significant implications for public health interventions, such as advocating for increased availability and accessibility of green spaces, improving their quality, and promoting activities that encourage their use. The study may also identify areas with inadequate access to green spaces, informing targeted interventions for equitable access. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms through which green spaces influence NCD risk, such as physical activity, social interaction, air quality, and stress reduction, could lead to evidence-based interventions. The findings could be used to advocate for policy changes and urban planning strategies that prioritize green spaces as an important component of public health promotion and NCD prevention in urban areas. Collaborative efforts between health authorities, urban planners, policymakers, and community stakeholders may be necessary to implement strategies that increase the availability, accessibility, and quality of green spaces in Dhaka City. In conclusion, this study has the potential to contribute valuable knowledge to the literature on green space and health in urban areas of Bangladesh, with implications for public health policy and planning.

城市绿色空间可达性与居民分布的空间匹配与影响因素

Urban green space is an essential form of infrastructure for cities, providing a significant spatial guarantee for sustainable urban development, an essential ecological, social, and cultural function, and an important symbol of urban modernisation and civilisation. However, with the development of cities, urban problems are becoming more serious, such as the increase in impervious surfaces and urban heat islands and the decrease in urban green space and liveability. Therefore, this study integrates the theories and methods of landscape ecology and spatial syntax with GIS technology to construct a comprehensive model for examining the spatial accessibility of green spaces based on remote images and landscape pattern indices, using Fuzhou City as the study area. The study then incorporates demographic variables to explore the characteristics of an equitable distribution of urban green space at the street scale. The results show that the accessibility of green space in the urban areas of Fuzhou decreases from the centre to the periphery. From north to south, there is a trend of ‘low-high-low’, with the northern region exhibiting the lowest accessibility, followed by the southeastern region, and then the western region. In terms of spatial equity in green space, Fuzhou has a more significant share of surplus green space provision, both in terms of the number of streets and area. This shows that the surplus of green space in Fuzhou is greater than the deficit and that the distribution of space is fair. We hope this study will not only help people gain a deeper understanding of green space but also provide a reference for their rational planning and management, thereby improving the accessibility and equity of urban green space as well as their quality and configuration. We also expect it to provide valuable theoretical and technical support for the planning of ecological functions and sustainable development.

Urban green space has environmental benefits of purifying the air, reducing the heat island effect and providing the social and economic benefits of rest places and social platforms. An integrated and organized green space system is important for fully realizing the positive functions of an urban ecosystem. Previous studies have considered green space supply and demand, but few studies have examined large-scale, diverse and small-scale systems, making it difficult to conduct a comparative study of urban green space accessibility and equity under the same conditions (such as data sources and calculation methods). Using the two-step floating catchment area method, this study evaluates the equity of 254 urban green spaces in China within four ranges of accessibility: 1 km, 2.5 km, 5 km and 10 km. The study also considers urban house price in the research. The results show the following: (1) There are large differences in the accessibility of green space between different cities in China. Within the accessibility threshold of 10 km, the city with the most accessible urban green spaces has an accessibility level that is 27,813 times that of the city with the lowest accessibility. (2) Within the range of walking/cycling, there are significant inequalities in green space access in the 254 cities; the inequality of green space accessibility in most of the studied cities is at the “dangerous” level. (3) The two-step floating catchment area method indicates that the social superiority (high social class) represented by high housing prices is associated with a greater opportunity to access urban green space services. This paper highlights the main problems associated with the accessibility of urban green space in China and proposes targeted development recommendations. These recommendations provide a reference for urban managers to develop effective green space development policies and realize the optimal allocation of urban green space.

Urban green space availability in European cities

The availability of green spaces is an important issue for urban populations worldwide, given the benefits that the green spaces provide for health, well-being, and quality of life. But urban green spaces are not always distributed equally for different population groups within cities. Latin America is the second most urbanized region of the world, but there are few published studies analysing the green space availability for different urban population groups, and less so analysing the long-term trends. This work presents an analysis of long-term availability of urban green spaces by different socioeconomic status population groups in Medellin city, Colombia, using open geospatial data and open software tools. The results indicate that disparities between different groups have been decreasing in the last years, but there are still efforts to do. Showing this kind of analysis based on open data and tools is essential as it opens the possibility for replicating it in other cities with scarce budgets.

Abstract. The availability of green spaces is an important issue for urban populations worldwide, given the benefits that the green spaces provide for health, well-being, and quality of life. But urban green spaces are not always distributed equally for different population groups within cities. Latin America is the second most urbanized region of the world, but there are few published studies analysing the green space availability for different urban population groups, and less so analysing the long-term trends. This work presents an analysis of long-term availability of urban green spaces by different socioeconomic status population groups in Medellin city, Colombia, using open geospatial data and open software tools. The results indicate that disparities between different groups have been decreasing in the last years, but there are still efforts to do. Showing this kind of analysis based on open data and tools is essential as it opens the possibility for replicating it in other cities with scarce budgets.

Sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease etc., independently of level of physical activity. Availability of recreational green space is associated with physical activity, but is unknown in relation to sedentary behaviour. The aim of this study is to examine the association between availability of green space and sedentary leisure time in a Danish population. The study was based on a random sample of 49,806 adults aged 16 + who answered a questionnaire in 2010, including sedentary leisure time. Objective measures of density green were calculated for each respondent using Geographical Information System (GIS). A multilevel regression analysis, taking neighbourhood and individual factors into account, was performed. 65% of the respondents were sedentary in leisure time for more than 3h/day. We found that poor availability of forest and recreational facilities in the neighbourhood is associated with more sedentary leisure time; OR: 1.11 (95% CL: 1.04-1.19), after adjusting for individual, and neighbourhood, level characteristics. Among adult inhabitants, sedentary leisure time of more than 3h/day was more frequent in neighbourhoods with less green surroundings. Intervention efforts may benefit from emphasising the importance of having recreations options in residential areas to provide alternatives to sedentary activities.

Based on the ArcGIS platform, we took the parks and green spaces of the improved potential model to analyze the spatial accessibility of local parks and green spaces in Weifang prefecture-level city via combining traffic and population distribution with the distribution of parks, and cuckoo search algorithm to optimize the site selection of park green space. According to the results of the accessibility analysis. The results show that: (1) the distribution of population and green spaces is not balanced. Parks are mainly distributed in the downtown, while they are fewer in the township. (2) The spatial accessibility of the park green space is significantly different between areas, and the southeastern and northwestern areas are higher than other parts. (3) We optimize the location of green spaces to achieve fairness in areas with low accessibility of parks and green spaces. The article intuitively reveals the different accessibility of parks and green spaces in various streets of Weifang prefecture-level city, effectively distinguishes their scarcity, and provides a scientific basis for the space allocation and optimization of park green spaces.

BackgroundAn inequitable distribution of parks and other ‘green spaces’ could exacerbate health inequalities if people on lower incomes, who are already at greater risk of preventable diseases, have poorer access.MethodsThe availability of green space within 1 kilometre of a Statistical Area 1 (SA1) was linked to data from the 2011 Australian census for Sydney (n = 4.6 M residents); Melbourne (n = 4.2 M); Brisbane (n = 2.2 M); Perth (n = 1.8 M); and Adelaide (n = 1.3 M). Socioeconomic circumstances were measured via the percentage population of each SA1 living on < $21,000 per annum. Negative binomial and logit regression models were used to investigate association between the availability of green space in relation to neighbourhood socioeconomic circumstances, adjusting for city and population density.ResultsGreen space availability was substantively lower in SA1s with a higher percentage of low income residents (e.g. an incidence rate ratio of 0.82 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.75, 0.89) was observed for SA1s containing ≥20% versus 0-1% low income residents). This association varied between cities (p < 0.001). Adelaide reported the least equitable distribution of green space, with approximately 20% greenery in the most affluent areas versus 12% availability in the least affluent. Although Melbourne had a smaller proportion of SA1s in the top quintile of green space availability (13.8%), the distribution of greenery was the most equitable of all the cities, with only a 0.5% difference in the availability of green space between SA1s containing 0-1% low income households versus those with ≥20%. Inequity of access, however, was reported across all cities when using logit regression to examine the availability of at least 20% (odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.59, 0.93) or 40% (0.45, 0.29, 0.69) green space availability in the more disadvantaged versus affluent neighbourhoods.ConclusionAffirmative action on green space planning is required to redress the socioeconomic inequity of access to this important public health resource.

BackgroundUrban green spaces have been linked to different health benefits, but longitudinal studies on the effect of green spaces on mental health are sparse and evidence often inconclusive. Our objective...