Abstract
Different types of urban green spaces provide diverse benefits for human health and environmental sustainability, but most studies on access to green space focus on neighborhood parks, with less work on smaller or larger green spaces. In this study, we examined sociodemographic differences in access to green spaces of different sizes for 14,385 census block groups in 12 U.S. cities using a ‘just sustainabilities’ framework. We classified green spaces into street-level greenery (XS), neighborhood parks (S–L; walking and cycling access), and large parks (XL; walking, cycling, and driving access). We ran spatial filtering models at the census block group level using different thresholds based on transportation modes. We uncovered a complex picture of inequality, with consistent injustices for XS green space, and fewer injustices for S–L and XL green space based on socioeconomic status and age, and some instances of just distributions for S–L and XL green space based on race/ethnicity. Our findings present a concerning picture for ‘just sustainabilities’: the green space type that is most often part of sustainability and climate adaptation strategies—street greenery—is unjustly distributed, likely as a result of structural racism in U.S. institutions. By examining multimodal access to green spaces of different sizes, this study helps urban greening professionals develop more just and sustainable strategies.
Highlights
We evaluated green space accessibility in 12 urban areas in the U.S based on the ‘just sustainabilities’ framework
We distinguished three types of urban nature (XS, street greenery; S–L, neighborhood parks; and XL, large parks), measured six different green space accessibility variables defined by three travel modes, and examined whether access to those green spaces is environmentally just, using neighborhoods’ racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and age characteristics as indicators for potential just or unjust access
Our results from spatial filtering models across the 12 urban areas show that significantly less street greenery (XS) is available to racial/ethnic minority groups (e.g., Black, Asian, and Latino/a) and low-income residents, as is consistent with earlier studies [24,25,27]
Summary
Urban green space is a central element of sustainable cities, providing multiple health, environmental, social and economic benefits [1,2]. A growing body of literature suggests that the type and magnitude of such benefits may vary by the size of green spaces. The smallest type of green spaces (XS), such as street-level greenery, improve thermal comfort and aesthetic value in daily living environments, increase abutting property values, and bolster ecological functions [3,4,5,6]. Green spaces of different sizes have unique benefits for environmental sustainability and human health, and they can serve complementary functions to improve urban residents’ quality of life [19,20]
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