Spatial Accessibility Analysis Research Articles

Spatial Inequity of Multi-Level Healthcare Services in a Rapid Expanding Immigrant City of China: A Case Study of Shenzhen.

Since the onset of reform and opening up in China, large cities in the nation have been experiencing problems related to limited medical resources. These resource limitations are due to rapid population growth and urban expansion. As the country’s fastest growing city, Shenzhen has experienced a substantial misalignment between the supply and the demand of healthcare services. Numerous researchers have analyzed spatial inequity in healthcare services by focusing on the spatial accessibility of medical facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and community health service centers (CHSCs). However, the issue of inequity in healthcare services for vulnerable groups has largely been ignored. We chose general hospitals (GHs) and CHSCs, which provide direct healthcare services to residents, as the study objects. By performing spatial accessibility analysis using the gravity model and the two-step floating catchment area method, we investigated healthcare services inequity for vulnerable groups based on four dimensions: residential type, age, education level, and occupation. We found that the services provided by GHs cannot meet the demand in Shenzhen. This inadequacy is characterized by spatial centralization and neglect of those who reside in urban villages, who have low education levels, and who are employed in the manufacturing industry. In contrast, CHSCs generally serve a relatively broad population. This phenomenon is related to differences in the land and capital needs between GHs and CHSCs. Our study reveals that an appropriate adjustment of GH location could significantly improve healthcare services inequity. Therefore, to alleviate this inequity, it is particularly necessary to increase the number of GHs in the peripheral circle and in areas with large vulnerable populations, accelerate the implementation of the hierarchical medical system, and promote the transfer of medical resources to grassroot institutes through CHSCs. This study helps improve our understanding of healthcare services inequity in rapid expanding cities, which is of substantial significance for improving the planning and construction of medical facilities, facilitating scientific decision-making, and promoting social equity.

Applying space syntax for surface rapid transit planning

This paper presents a technique aimed to assist in planning of surface rapid transit alignment in a metropolitan area by applying space syntax configurational approach. The technique proposed in this study was applied to the proposed surface rapid transit network for the Metropolitan Area of Tel Aviv. For this research a bi-modal model of the spatial structure, which includes the street network as well as the planned rapid transit routes, was analyzed. The results show that that a substantial share of the network’s alignment can be described solely by measuring through-movement potentials. This finding demonstrates the significant role of spatial accessibility analysis in transit planning. Consequently, this study provides a reproducible methodology for identifying the routes which hold the highest potential to serve as strategic movement corridors at a metropolitan scale, thus improving current RTS (Rapid Transit System) planning practice.

Beyond Circular Thinking: Geographies of Transit‐Oriented Development

AbstractTransit‐oriented development (TOD) plays a significant role within contemporary planning policies for ‘smart growth’ and sustainable development, particularly in Europe and North America. As a well‐rehearsed practice, this planning model is due for critical assessment and improvement in terms of its ability to incorporate dynamic and heterogeneous socio‐spatial processes as matters of concern. Analyses of the conditions for ‘making TOD work’ in the scholarly and professional literatures tend to focus on the ‘node’ and ‘place’ qualities. While elaborations on node analysis (primarily based on accessibility measurements) abound within empirical research, discussions of place‐specific assets are limited in scope and often spatially bounded by the circle defined by a 10‐minute walk. This essay examines the use of this generic ‘circle’ model, and how it normatively frames how place is understood in TOD studies. We argue that the circle enhances a Euclidean understanding of the site, which favours a static and homogeneous spatial analysis of accessibility and density rather than (other) place qualities relating to dynamic socio‐spatial processes. Finally, we argue that relational geography can facilitate an analysis of place qualities beyond the circle—one in which both the continuities and shifting settings of the wider context are meaningfully taken into consideration.

Using hexagonal grids and network analysis for spatial accessibility assessment in urban environments – a case study of public amenities in Toruń

Abstract Spatial accessibility is one of fundamental problems of geography, and transport geography in particular. It is one of the key factors affecting the ability to use certain services by the residents of a given area. Therefore, it is important to develop appropriate methods for the analysis of spatial accessibility. This paper describes a methodology for analyzing spatial accessibility in urban areas using a hexagonal grid combined with a network analysis. The proposed methodology is applied to the city of Toruń, Poland. Spatial distribution of accessibility to selected public amenities is analyzed and areas of high and low accessibility are identified. Finally, a prototype of a novel web-based system is proposed to allow citizens and city officials to perform custom analysis based on individual preferences.

Mapping supply and demand of a provisioning ecosystem service across Europe

Abstract Human welfare is dependent on the availability of ecosystem services (ESs). There is an urgent need to explore the balance between ES production and consumption areas to ensure the sustainable use of the natural capital. Here, we present a spatial accessibility analysis to explicitly evaluate the balance between ES supply and demand across Europe. We used a central food product (crop) as an example of provisioning ES, where transportation is required to satisfy the demand. Our results show large differences in a country’s ability to produce food in relation to its demand, leading to significant risks of over- and underproduction on a regional scale. An ecosystem’s capacity to provide services exceeded especially in the middle of Europe. The majority of the countries would benefit significantly by balancing the supply and demand at international level, even at close distances. Our results demonstrate how the situation in Europe can change if the international distribution of the food ES is prevented. By using a state-of-the-art accessibility method instead of commonly used overlay analysis, it is possible to identify where to invest in transportation and enhance natural capacity to respond to the possible changes in food production or the growing demand of food energy.

Analyzing collective accessibility using average space-time prisms

The space-time prism (STP) is the envelope of all possible travel paths in space and time between two anchor locations and times, measuring accessibility for an individual given a designated travel and activity episode. Although the STP provides a powerful measure of individual accessibility, transportation researchers often need to analyze accessibility at collective-levels for planning and policy analysis. Deriving a representative STP of a set of individual STPs would provide a general idea of how collective members’ accessibility is performing. However, there is no analytical time geographic method to calculate a collective-level representative STP that is consistent with individual STPs. To fill this gap, this research develops the concept of average space-time prism (ASTP). The ASTP is a representative STP of a group of individual STPs with respect to size, shape, and location. We develop methods for calculating an ASTP using analytical time geography and elliptic Fourier shape analysis techniques. The ASTP provides a geometric and visual summary of collective accessibility: it can be used to generate representative STPs for aggregate geographic units such as neighborhoods and cities based on individual-level data. A possible application of the ASTP is the spatial equity analysis of accessibility. The ASTP can be located at individuals’ anchor locations and overlaid with opportunities, enabling in-situ comparisons between individual versus collective accessibility and accessibility equity analysis considering geographic contexts. We illustrate this ASTP’s capability when measuring the impacts of new transit service on healthcare access equity in a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

English

Education is the most powerful instrument to transform socioeconomic status of given society. However, education will be only more effective when its quality is sustained. Education without quality is a gun without bullet. In developing countries there are number of factors that affect education quality. However, little is known about those factors. Therefore, this study seeks to identify spatial and non-spatial factors affecting quality of primary education in in Emerging Regions of Ethiopia. As methodology, descriptive survey design was used as the research strategy. Key informant interview, focus group discussion and field observation were used to collect primary data. Secondary data were also collected from reports, policy documents and research outputs. Efforts have been made to triangulate the collected facts. In order to interpret spatial analysis of accessibility and service area coverage, maps were prepared using Geographical Information System (GIS). Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis, this study found that low teachers’ qualification, low teachers’ motivation, limited teachers’ building capacity, ineffective school leadership, low participation of parents, lack of adequate school facilities, overcrowded classes, low quality of classrooms, high pupil teacher ratio, and lack of instructional materials were some of the non-spatial factors that lower education quality. The study further asserted that from the total area of the city, 32% was well accessible, 20% was moderately accessible, 5% fairly accessible and the rest 43% was not accessible at all. Based on all findings, it can be said that the Ethiopian government has a long way to go to deliver quality education to its citizens. Based on the results, it was recommended that to improve education quality efforts must be doubled on developing national and particularly regional educational system that are responsive to existing multiple challenges. Institutional, administrative and leadership reforms are mandatory to escape from this devastating situation. Key words: Distribution, emerging region, elementary, Gambela, quality, schoo, service area.

Spatial accessibility analysis of healthcare service centers in Gamo Gofa Zone, Ethiopia through Geospatial technique

The population of Ethiopia has been facing a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Most of the people live in rural areas where healthcare service is detrimental and very poor and their accessibility to these services is abysmally low. Spatial healthcare accessibility is determined by the availability and location of healthcare facilities as well as the location of people. It can be measured by distance traveled and traveling time. This study was carried out to analyze the distribution and spatial accessibility of healthcare service centers by using Geospatial technologies in Gamo Gofa zone of SNNP (Southern Nations and Nationalities People) region, Ethiopia. Satellite data, DEM (Digital Elevation Model), road network, population data and healthcare service centers location data was used for further analysis by using AccessMod extension 4.0 to Arc GIS 9.3.1 software. 30- and 60-min traveling time were considered to analyze the accessibility by means of walking and motor vehicle as the mode of transportation. It was found that 12.62%, 36.60%, 29.10% and 59% peoples of the total population were able to access the healthcare service centers by means of 30-min walking, 60-min walking, 30-min walking and motor vehicle and 60-min walking and motor vehicle respectively. Health and disease management is key to social, cultural and economic development of any society so this approach offers considerable benefit.

Spatial Analysis and Visualization of Geographic Access to Food in the Capital Area of Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan Province

Recently, food security becomes a priority for many governments particularly in developing countries. Food security has four dimensions i.e. availability, accessibility, stability, and utilization. This study examined food accessibility in term of geographic access i.e. the contribution of the geographic environment to food choices and consumption. The study located in Tanjung Selor Subdistrict, the capital region of Bulungan Regency as well as North Kalimantan Province. Geographic access to food was analyzed based on spatial distribution of food stores, settlement, and availability of transportation network. Spatial analysis, i.e. coverage, density, and network analysis, as well as the spatial visualization were performed using tools available in GIS software. This study revealed some circumstance related to geographical access to food in the study area. Geographical access to food for non-motorized people is limited. Non-motorized people have to walk more than 1 km to the nearest food store. Access to food for motorized people is somewhat different. Their geographical access, in general, were categorized as easy to moderate. This situation indicates that the availability of public transport or vehicle ownership is necessary to improve access to food.

2385 - Incorporating Community Voices on Infrastructure Barriers to a Spatial Analysis of Accessibility to Food Outlets: A Mixed-Method Approach

Background Providing adequate access to healthy and affordable food is one critical criterion for planning healthy communities. One of the main approaches to assessing accessibility to food in a community is mapping out the availability of food outlets (supermarkets, corner stores, fast food etc.) based on density and proximity to these outlets. However, common spatial analyses of access to food outlets often fall short of accounting for infrastructure barriers related to the journey to reach them. Our study employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative accounts by community members about the challenges in travelling to food outlets, and examined how spatial distribution of these challenges reveal a more realistic understanding of existing accessibility. Methods We first assessed population coverage by nearest grocery stores and bus stops within a walking distance in an urban community in Nova Scotia, Canada. A network analysis function within a Geographic Information System was used to estimate population coverage. Second, from a previously conducted photo voice study, we extracted some of the most frequently voiced challenges in traveling to food outlets: 1) steepness of the road; 2) lack of side walks; and 3) inadequate snow clearance in winter. Then, we mapped these factors using elevation and municipal service data and evaluated how they reduce the estimate of the population initially identified as having good access to a food outlet. Results About 60% of the community population was covered by at least one grocery store and about 90% had a bus stop within a 500 m distance from their residence. However, once roads with steep slope, side walks and priority rankings of snow clearance services by road are overlaid with the coverage map, the proportion the population coverage was reduced to 50%. About 37% of the populations in the area identified as not having adequate accessibility were found to be living in low income neighbourhoods. Conclusions Seemingly innocuous factors for those who have cars—i.e., hilliness of the roads, absence of sidewalks, and road maintenance—can significantly hinder some residents from obtaining sufficient and nutritious food even if the distance to food and public transit services may suggest a higher degree of accessibility. Our study demonstrates a benefit in incorporating the voices of community members who are likely most vulnerable to the barriers in traveling to food, which will allow planners to better understand the needs to improve the infrastructure of transportation from health and equity perspectives.

3.10-P26“When vulnerabilities are located together” spatial analysis of access to healthcare centres for immigrants after the 2014 earthquake in Pisagua, Chile

3.10-P26“When vulnerabilities are located together” spatial analysis of access to healthcare centres for immigrants after the 2014 earthquake in Pisagua, Chile

Measuring spatial disparity in accessibility with a multi-mode method based on park green spaces classification in Wuhan, China

Limited accessibility measurements of park green spaces (PGSs) have given an account of multiple transportations when people enjoy the services. Considering the varying types and functions of PGSs, this study proposed a multi-mode method that is based on the traditional two-step floating catchment area method and relied on PGS classification to estimate spatial disparity between the supply of PGSs services and residents' demands in accessibility. Choosing the urban center of Wuhan as the study area, comparative analysis of space and statistics were conducted in accessibility between the traditional single-mode and the multi-mode methods. After a sensitive analysis of accessibility with varying travel time thresholds, underserved areas in the urban center were identified on a community level based on the PGS groups. Results indicated that the estimated accessibility average and standard deviation values by single-mode method were slimly higher than that of the multi-mode method. The average and standard deviation values of the accessibility among five time thresholds exhibited slight difference and an increasing trend. The further examination analysis of spatial accessibility in 25-min threshold demonstrated that accessibility presented spatial polarization and that most underserved areas distributed in the eastern and southwestern of the urban center in Wuhan. The findings may provide a more realistic estimation and further the knowledge of access to green spaces to help decision makers developing equal and effective planning policies and strategies.

Spatial Differentiation and Influencing Mechanism of Medical Care Accessibility in Beijing: A Migrant Equality Perspective

Spatial equality of access to basic public services, especially medical care services which are directly related to life safety, is the first step to achieve the goal of equalization of basic public services for all the people proposed by central government of China. Using the spatial analysis and the statistical analysis, this study evaluates the spatial differentiation of medical care facilities accessibility by constructing STT (Shortest Travel-Time) and SAI (Spatial Accessibility Index). And then this study explores the neighborhood effects on the medical care facilities accessibility in Beijing, with a particular focus on the effect of neighborhood migrant proportion by constructing spatial dependent regression model. The spatial accessibility analysis of medical care facilities show that the spatial distribution of medical care facilities was basically consistent with administrative regions but not with population demands. Bivariate LISA cluster maps identify that suburban areas are the overlapped clusters of high percent of migrants and limited medical care services. This is associated with the public service allocation rule in China, which stresses equality within urban areas and within rural areas but overlooks equality between urban areas and rural areas; and stresses local resident demands but overlooks migrant demands. To estimate the effects on medical care accessibility of neighborhood migrant proportion, spatial dependence models are applied due to spatial dependence of accessibility of medical care facilities. The regression results show that neighborhoods with high percent of migrants, even conditioning on neighborhood SES, are related to limited spatial accessibility of medical care services. Besides neighborhood characteristics, another important factor influencing spatial accessibility of medical care services is the process of spatial spillover effects. This indicates that the attenuate accessibility of medical care services for migrants is not only because of their own constraints but also because of their proximity to other disadvantaged neighborhoods. Therefore, it is urgently needed to increase the medical facilities in the suburban areas, to take into account migrants’ demands and to reduce residential segregation between local residents and migrants for local governments to achieve the goal of equalization of medical care service.

Suitability Analysis of Water Pan Sites for Pastoralists: A Case Study of Kajiado County in Kenya

The paper looks into the analysis of water spatial accessibility by pastoralists in Kajiado County. Since it's a pastoralist area, the demand for water is essential, but due to climate change, the area experiences erratic rains, extreme temperatures and cyclic and prolonged droughts. The need to access improved water supply is considered to boost economic development poverty alleviation. With inadequate water harvesting structures, integrated journal positions the need to excavate more water pans which require a systematic study to come up with the suitable positions where excavation will occur. To come up with a commendable finding and analysis, the paper gives a methodology for data collection identifying relevant factors affecting citing of water. The factors incorporated in questionnaires were slope, soils, location of pastures, villages, existing water points and grazing routes. Therefore, both critical and descriptive discussion of the field's issues is warranted. From the suitability analysis, of the county's land mass 3.06% is in very highly suitable, 28.67% is highly suitable, 67.98% is moderately suitable and 0.29% is not suitable. The comparative analysis shows that the new water pans are established in moderately suitable area. The study concludes by crediting the need to attributed GIS analysis and spatial modeling for the purpose of helping the County Government effort to provide sustainable water pans to its people.

Spatial Analysis of Park and Ride Users' Dynamic Accessibility to Train Station: A Case Study in Perth

Spatial Analysis of Park and Ride Users' Dynamic Accessibility to Train Station: A Case Study in Perth

Geographic Information System–Based Spatial and Statistical Analysis of Severe Crash Hotspot Accessibility to Hospitals

Previous studies have examined hospital accessibility issues, and other work has exhaustively investigated several aspects of roadway crashes, such as their severity and frequency, possible causal factors, and their clustering on networks. However, the nature of the relationship between them, in the accessibility of severe crash hotspots to hospitals with emergency services, is relatively unexplored. Looking at both elements simultaneously is especially critical, given the need to provide the necessary aid to crash victims in a timely manner to help reduce roadway deaths. To the authors’ knowledge, such an assessment has not been attempted before. The objective of this study was twofold. First, the study investigated accessibility through the use of geographic information systems and statistical analysis to detect high-risk locations. Second, the study used hierarchical multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine several environmental, traffic, and human factors to identify the determinants of the crashes that constitute hotspots. The results show that several roadway segments portend an elevated threat of injury and fatalities for drivers and passengers, not only due to a higher probability of being severely injured, but also because of the low accessibility to hospitals having emergency services. The results suggest that particular spatial, traffic, and roadway factors, such as intersection presence or speed limits, substantially imperil traffic safety. The knowledge gained from this study can help agencies and officials pinpoint and investigate high-risk locations to enhance the safety of roadway users.

Locating Urban Heat Stress Vulnerability: A GIS-based Spatial Cluster Analysis of Urban Heat Load, the Elderly and Accessibility of Urban Green Spaces

Locating Urban Heat Stress Vulnerability: A GIS-based Spatial Cluster Analysis of Urban Heat Load, the Elderly and Accessibility of Urban Green Spaces

Assessment of solid waste management systems in Ibadan North, Oyo State using geo-spatial techniques

Solid waste management has been part of human activities right from time. Effort by the Oyo State Government in managing the collection and disposal of waste generated in Ibadan is seen in the provision of Skip bins at specific locations across the city. However, despite the provisions made by the government, an emerging trend is the dumping of refuse along the median of some major and collector roads in the city. This study aims at emphasizing a planning framework for the location of solid waste disposal infrastructure (Skip bins) through the adoption of planning standard. The aim of this study was achieved by identifying the existing skip bins within Ibadan North. More so, a spatial analysis of skip bins and resident's access to solid waste facilities within Ibadan North was deduced. Geospatial techniques were used for this study; data from primary and secondary source were also used to corroborate the geospatial findings. The study identified a total of 37 skip bins located within Ibadan North Local Government, serving the entire Ibadan North. Spatial analysis of the skip bins revealed a clustered distribution which is consequential to indiscriminate solid waste disposal within Ibadan North. The study recommends adequate provision and location of skip bins to contribute to a cleaner and safer environment and a design blue print for Ibadan North was proposed.Keywords: GIS, Median, Nearest Neighbour Analysis (NNA), Skip Bins

Assessment of solid waste management systems in Ibadan North, Oyo State using geo-spatial techniques

Solid waste management has been part of human activities right from time. Effort by the Oyo State Government in managing the collection and disposal of waste generated in Ibadan is seen in the provision of Skip bins at specific locations across the city. However, despite the provisions made by the government, an emerging trend is the dumping of refuse along the median of some major and collector roads in the city. This study aims at emphasizing a planning framework for the location of solid waste disposal infrastructure (Skip bins) through the adoption of planning standard. The aim of this study was achieved by identifying the existing skip bins within Ibadan North. More so, a spatial analysis of skip bins and resident's access to solid waste facilities within Ibadan North was deduced. Geospatial techniques were used for this study; data from primary and secondary source were also used to corroborate the geospatial findings. The study identified a total of 37 skip bins located within Ibadan North Local Government, serving the entire Ibadan North. Spatial analysis of the skip bins revealed a clustered distribution which is consequential to indiscriminate solid waste disposal within Ibadan North. The study recommends adequate provision and location of skip bins to contribute to a cleaner and safer environment and a design blue print for Ibadan North was proposed. Keywords: GIS, Median, Nearest Neighbour Analysis (NNA), Skip Bins

Dental service disparities in Canada: A Saskatoon, Saskatchewan case study

Key Messages This intra‐urban analysis of spatial accessibility to dental services highlights poorly served municipalities. The dental access score is found to be associated with the following socio‐economic variables: lone parent, home ownership, and dwellings needing major repairs.