Understanding the spatially heterogeneous relationships between urban green amenities and residential dynamics: Evidence from Wuhan, China

Abstract

Urban green turn has gained global momentum, with cities worldwide actively developing urban green amenities (UGAs). While considerable attention has been given to how expanding UGAs impact residential dynamics, the role of space in shaping these relationships has been underexplored. Employing global and local regression models, we investigate the associations between UGA characteristics, property prices and sales transactions, using data from 443 neighborhoods in Wuhan, China. Our findings reveal that at the city-wide level, larger UGAs are associated with gentrification trends marked by rising property prices and population shifts. High-quality UGAs are linked to higher risks of gentrification but do not significantly indicate direct displacement. Meanwhile, substantial bodies of water are associated with mitigating the effects of increased property prices and population shifts. At the local scale, these relationships show spatial heterogeneity, particularly between old inner-city areas and traditional industrial zones. Additionally, we analyze the roles of the state and real estate developers in influencing UGA development and the associated social ramifications in China. This study enhances our understanding of UGAs and their impacts on residential dynamics in a non-Western context, enriching the discourse on the social implications of urban green movements and ecological initiatives.