Green Spaces and Environmental Justice: Measuring the Accessibility and Fair Distribution of Public Green Spaces in the Town of Al-Mughayyer

Abstract

Access to green spaces in urban environments promotes social equity and improves the quality of life. In this context, the public good emphasizes the importance of accessibility and the possibility of walking to a public green space for a variety of leisure options. Many researchers focus only on quantitative methods to measure environmental justice. But for more accurate results, a multimethod approach must be used that also integrates qualitative data to get a fuller assessment. No previous research exists on this topic in the Jordanian context. This paper examines environmental justice by measuring the accessibility and fair distribution of public green spaces (active and passive) in Al-Mughayyer town to determine the area served by the existing green open spaces and examine injustice aspects and where they exist. The research questions addressed equitable distribution and accessibility. Using GIS network analysis, the research focused on qualitative data from Al-Mughayyer residents using interviews. The interviews focused on residents’ demands for green open spaces, accessibility, availability, and arising problems. The results detected the unfairness of urban public green space distribution in terms of active recreation, while passive recreation provided by natural green spaces is accessible and distributed equally to all. This necessitated carrying out a suitability analysis to find the best places for new green public spaces. The suitable locations for future green open spaces might support and benefit government officials, developers, and urban planners in determining the requirements for green open spaces, public demands, and accessibility issues.