Wealthy, educated, and… non-millennial? Variable patterns of distributional inequity in 31 Canadian cities

Abstract

This article assesses the distribution of urban vegetation in 31 Canadian cities to determine whether certain social-economic/demographic factors are associated with increased proximity to greenness. Using spatial lag models, Canadian census data, and urban ‘greenness fractions’ derived from Landsat imagery, we find diversity between cities in the factors associated with increased urban vegetation. This makes it difficult to establish a single overarching narrative about the state of environmental justice and green equity as it pertains to proximity to vegetation in Canadian cities. Factors such as greater household income and educational attainment were positively associated with proximity to vegetation in numerous cities, while the proportion of millennials was often negatively associated. Variables including the proportion of visible minorities, Indigenous people, and recent immigrants infrequently had significant associations with urban vegetation. These results highlight the need for planning and management actions tailored to individual Canadian cities to improve green equity for marginalized and underserved groups. We discuss the need for funding for greening initiatives and maintenance; democratic participation, engagement, and education opportunities for residents; urban planning that considers the challenge of greening dense environments; and consideration of potential negative outcomes of greening, such as gentrification, to improve green equity in Canadian cities.