Green Space Infrastructure Research Articles

Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation

AbstractIncreasing population size and economic dependence on the coastal zone, coupled with the growing need for residential, agricultural, industrial, commercial and green space infrastructure, are key drivers of land reclamation. Until now, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the global distribution of land use on reclaimed space at the coast. Here, we analyze Landsat satellite imagery from 2000 to 2020 to quantify the spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation for 135 cities with populations in excess of 1 million. Findings indicate that 78% (106/135) of these major coastal cities have resorted to reclamation as a source of new ground, contributing a total 253,000 ha of additional land to the Earth's surface in the 21st century, equivalent to an area the size of Luxembourg. Reclamation is especially prominent in East Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, followed by Western Europe and West Africa. The most common land uses on reclaimed spaces are port extension (>70 cities), followed by residential/commercial (30 cities) and industrial (19 cities). While increased global trade and the rapid urbanization have driven these uses, we argue that a city's prestigious place‐making effort to gain global reputation is emerging as another major driver underlying recent reclamation projects to create tourist and green spaces Meanwhile, the study suggests that 70% of recent reclamation has occurred in areas identified as potentially exposed to extreme sea level rise (SLR) by 2100 and this presents a significant challenge to sustainable development at the coast.

Observed physical activity among Latinx and White men and women on a new urban trail.

Despite efforts to increase physical activity through new green space infrastructure such as trails, disparities in physical activity may persist. The current study compared observed vigorous physical activity (VPA) engagement among White and Latinx men and women on a new urban trail, and whether engagement varied over time. We used a modified System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) methodology to determine observed race/ethnicity, gender, and physical activity level of trail users (n=15,109). Logistic regression analyses revealed the odds of engaging in VPA were lower for Latina women than all other population subgroups (vs. White men: OR 0.19, CI 0.17-0.22; vs. White women: OR 0.48, CI 0.42-0.54, vs. Latino men: OR 0.23, CI 0.19-0.26). VPA engagement by White and Latina women increased across the study years (OR 1.31, CI 1.17-1.46; OR 1.36, CI 1.08-1.71, respectively) but did not differ significantly by year for White and Latino men. Future efforts to address racial/ethnic-gender disparities in VPA should take an intersectional approach to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable population subgroups are properly accounted for.

Danger on the track? Tick densities near recreation infrastructures in forests

The risk of tick-borne disease in humans depends on the exposure to pathogen-infected ticks, which in turn is driven by local tick population densities, pathogen prevalence and human activity. Variation in tick densities and pathogen prevalence between green spaces differing in habitat characteristics, location and geography has been well documented. In contrast, variation within green spaces, although vital for management and prevention of disease risk, remains poorly understood. Studying this variation may lead to a better understanding of the drivers of small-scale tick distribution and reveal priority locations for tick management. We sampled ticks within green spaces at three location types representing different green space infrastructures and levels of human activity: (1) a structural element (e.g. bench); (2) the ecotone 40 m further along the adjacent trail and; (3) the interior of the associated forest stand, 20 m perpendicular to the trail, between (1) and (2). Drag sampling took place in 2018 and 2019 at 36 locations in 10 green spaces located in the Campine region of Flanders, Belgium. The density of questing nymphs (DON) was lowest at structural elements and slightly higher adjacent to trails. The highest tick densities were recorded in the forest interior. DON was higher in deciduous than in coniferous forests as well as in stands with a more developed shrub layer. This was true for all location types, as we observed a strong correlation of DON between location types within forest stands. This enables the prediction of DON within forest stands, thus enabling the prediction of DON near infrastructure based on the associated forest stand characteristics. Prevention and management efforts should be focused on infrastructure in or adjacent to deciduous, structure-rich forest stands, although large variation in DON at all location types indicates overall, factual risk while using green space infrastructure.

Socio-economic and Regional Differences in Walkability and Greenspace Around Primary Schools: A Census of Australian Primary School Neighbourhoods.

Socio-economic inequality in the physical activity environment surrounding primary schools may contribute to socio-economic gradients in physical activity and childhood obesity levels. Using a cross-sectional study design, ordinary least squares and logistic regressions were fitted to assess variation in walkability and greenspace within 1km of primary schools (n = 7133) according to area-level socio-economic position (SEP) and remoteness. Effect modification by school location (major cities or regional/remote) was assessed through stratified analyses. Walkability scores significantly increased from low to high school neighbourhood SEP (p < 0.01) and from remote/very remote to major city locations (p < 0.01). Greenspace area (hectares) in the school neighbourhood was greater in highest compared to lowest SEP areas (β = 18.75, 95%CI 6.63, 30.87) and less in major cities compared to remote/very remote locations (β = -23.9, 95%CI -39.7, -8.1). Schools in highest SEP areas and major cities had higher odds of having any greenspace in their neighbourhood, compared to those in lowest SEP and remote/very remote locations (OR 5.93, (95% CI 4.50, 7.05), OR 20.19, (95% CI 16.05, 25.39) respectively). Stratified results (major cities or regional/remote locations) found the highest SEP school neighbourhoods had higher walkability scores and more greenspace compared to lowest SEP school neighbourhoods in both strata, although overall SEP gradient in walkability and greenspace area only remained in major cities. Walkability and greenspace infrastructure in the school neighbourhood could be improved in areas of lower SEP so that all school children have the opportunity for physical activity.

Greenspace Governance: Statutory Solutions from Scotland?

The environmental, social and economic benefits provided by greenspace are well-documented, and the closure of other types of Third Place has popularised them further. Yet, public sector funding cuts have necessitated local authorities prioritising other facilities that they are statutorily obliged to provide, resulting in a facilities-hierarchy which leaves financially-neglected greenspaces facing a vicious circle of decline. The Big Society agenda has seen local authorities increasingly rely on the voluntary sector to help plug the funding gap, yet there are concerns that such groups are not immune from the effects of austerity themselves which limit their panacean abilities. In exploring whether statute could provide any answers to these greenspace governance challenges, this article considers the lessons to be learned from the approach adopted in Scotland, underpinned by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 ('the 2003 Act'). In particular, the 2003 Act establishes public rights of access over most greenspace, a local authority duty to uphold these rights and local authority powers to take remedial action. Whilst there have been some issues in implementation, this article explores the potential for adopting a similar model in England & Wales to help secure the future of its greenspace infrastructure.