Toward green equity: An extensive study on urban form and green space equity for shrinking cities

Abstract

Urban Green Spaces (UGSs) provide a wide range of ecosystem services to cities. However, many cities suffer from the uneven spatial distribution of UGSs. This phenomenon can occur not only in cities with growing populations, but also in those with shrinking populations. Today, many cities around the world are continuously shrinking due to population decline. However, there is still a lack of information on urban forms and the distribution of UGSs. Therefore, this study analyzes the relationship between urban form and UGS equity in shrinking cities by mapping and measuring urban form indicators and UGS equity indicators in 147 shrinking cities in seven regions of Japan for the first time. The results show that 1) partial Japanese urban shrinkage affects equitable development of UGSs; 2) cities with compact populations facilitate equitable urban development; 3) the shape and continuity of urban patches affect the distribution of UGSs in shrinking cities in all regions; 4) urban size, centrality, compactness of urban patches, and urban patch fragmentation affect the distribution of UGSs in shrinking cities in local regions. The results of this study can provide city managers with reliable urban development strategies to promote equitable distribution of UGSs in shrinking cities.