Access To Urban Green Spaces Research Articles

Socio-economic gradients in urban green space access and respiratory health

Abstract Background This study investigates social disparities as one of the drivers influencing the access to green spaces and exposure to natural environments, potentially exacerbating disparities in respiratory health in children. Methods Longitudinal ELSPAC birth cohort study data included 4384 complete case participants born in cities of Brno and Znojmo, examined throughout the years 1990-2010. Estimates on socio-economic status (SES) scores of children’s parents and their education were used as socio-economical predictors. Tree cover density (TCD) calculated as mean canopy closure percentage in the individual walking distance neighbourhoods and the ownership and accessibility of a garden were used as indicators of green space accessibility. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to estimate odds ratios for predictors of respiratory health outcomes, controlling for several confounders. Results Parents’ SES was found to be positively associated with neighbourhood TCD, and this effect was even more pronounced for garden owners. Higher tree cover was then significantly negatively associated with development of acute bronchitis (OR 0.88, CI 95 % 0.84-0.94 for 1 SD of tree cover), while not having a garden (OR 1.81, CI 95 % 1.42-2.33) and living in area with lower tree cover (OR continuously decreasing from 1.88 to 1.68 for lowest and highest quartile respectively) was significantly associated with progression of acute bronchitis into chronic bronchitis in a fully adjusted model. Vice versa, higher tree cover was statistically significantly positively associated with development of allergic rhinitis (OR 1.09, CI 95 % 1.03-1.15), suggesting viability of the novel method of estimation of individual neighbourhood greenness. Conclusions The results suggest protective effect of access to urban green spaces against adverse respiratory outcomes in children. The socially uneven distribution of access emphasizes the importance of urban policies in promoting urban health. #NGEU Key messages • There is a significant protective effect of access to green spaces against respiratory diseases and their progression. • There’s an unequal, but varied distribution of access to green spaces, and social gradient in health, highlighting the importance of urban green space distributive politics.

Exposure to green and blue spaces and depression among older adults from the EPIPorto cohort: examining environmental, social, and behavioral mediators and varied space types

ABSTRACT This study investigated the associations between exposure to different types of natural spaces and depression among urban older adults and explored the potential mediators. We used data on 631 participants aged ≥60 from the EPIPorto cohort (Porto, Portugal). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. We assessed greenness in residential surroundings using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and evaluated accessibility to green and blue spaces. Metrics were calculated separately for agricultural, natural, and urban green spaces. We used logistic regression to estimate associations and mediation analysis to examine the mediating effects of air pollution, temperature, physical exercise, social support, and social activities. Living near urban green spaces was associated with lower odds of depression (OR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.03–0.74). Contrastingly, natural and agricultural green spaces were associated with higher odds of depression (OR = 1.69, 1.02–2.79 and OR = 1.80, 1.23–2.64, respectively). No associations were found for NDVI, accessibility to blue spaces, or green space size. Social support explained a significant proportion (33.9%, p = 0.044) of the total effect between the type of nearest green space and depression. These findings suggest that enhancing the accessibility of urban green spaces holds promise as a strategy for mitigating depression among older adults.

HOUSING PRICES AS PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF URBAN GREEN SPACES: CASE STUDY IN KYIV

The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of the availability of urban green spaces (UGS) and air quality on the cost of residential real estate in Kyiv. Additionally, it seeks to identify the level of awareness among city residents regarding the advantages of living close to UGSs in areas with relatively clean air and their willingness to pay a higher price for such housing. The QGIS software was employed to assess the pedestrian and time accessibility levels of recreational green spaces, and the results are depicted on the corresponding map. The least accessible for everyday recreation is the UGS in the central districts of the city, which traditionally have the highest population density and the most expensive residential real estate. The article analyzes the priority criteria for determining the housing cost, depending on the spatial localization relative to the city center and the comfort class of real estate. The distribution of housing across different tiers and the price range for the apartments in new constructions in Kyiv during 2015–2021 were also examined. To identify the correlation between the cost of residential real estate in the capital’s new buildings and the availability of green spaces nearby, we investigated the spatial distribution of prices in the largest residential complexes in the city. The results of spatial visualization obtained through Voronoi diagrams or Delaunay triangulation indicate significant disparities in the cost of housing located in the center of Kyiv or on the periphery. Logically, residential complexes with the highest apartment prices are located in the central districts of Kyiv and near the metro stations. However, most of these locations lack accessible green areas suitable for everyday recreation. Therefore, there is no positive correlation between housing prices and the presence of UGSs nearby. To achieve the research goal, we also conducted a sociological survey among Kyiv residents in various districts of the city. The survey results indicate that most Kyiv residents do not have the desire or are not currently willing to pay a higher price for the opportunity to live near a park or forest and breathe clean air, i.e., to enjoy the ecosystem services provided by UGSs fully. The scientific novelty of the research lies in determining the pedestrian and time accessibility of recreational green spaces in Kyiv, identifying trends in spatial clustering of the most expensive residential real estate in central city areas, and demonstrating the lack of a positive impact of the availability of green areas on the per square meter cost of housing in new developments. Additionally, the study reveals a remarkably low willingness of the city residents to pay a higher price for the opportunity to receive ecosystem services from available UGSs.

Urban green space disparities: Implications of environmental injustice for public health

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) offer extensive benefits, yet their distribution reveals significant socioeconomic disparities. Despite the growing body of research, there is a gap in understanding the spatial equity of greenspace, especially in the Global South. This gap extends to the association between UGS and public health in the context of low-income countries. This study delves into the socioeconomic-green relationships within the Brazilian metropolitan areas’ context. The research comprised a survey of 2597 participants, assessing their sociodemographic profiles, accessibility and suitability of UGS, frequency and duration of visits to UGS, and the impact on their mental well-being (via DASS-21). Welch's ANOVA and Pearson's χ² tests revealed significant sociodemographic disparities in UGS accessibility and in well-being. Gender, age, and marital status were associated with mental health. The study found that proximity and suitability of UGS significantly impacted mental health, with well-maintained spaces linked to lower mental distress. No direct correlation was found between income levels and proximity to UGS, however, disparities in access to suitable green spaces were evident. Findings highlight the need for tailored urban planning and policies ensuring equitable access to quality UGS. Strategies should consider the characteristics of neighborhoods and involve community participation to address environmental justice effectively.

Exploring walking choices in urban green streetscapes through the lens of the theory of planned behavior

This study employed the theory of planned behavior to examine how green urban spaces influence walking behaviors, with a focus on Chongqing’s Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. Using structural equation modelling to analyse survey data from 401 respondents, this study assessed the relationships between attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, walking intentions, and actions. The results revealed that attitudes toward walking (β = 0.335, p < 0.001) and subjective norms (β = 0.221, p < 0.001) significantly predict walking intentions, which strongly determine actual walking behavior (β = 0.379, p < 0.001). Moreover, perceived behavioral control exerts a direct significant impact on walking actions (β = 0.332, p < 0.001), illustrating that both environmental and social factors are crucial in promoting pedestrian activity. These findings suggest that enhancing the appeal and accessibility of urban green spaces can significantly encourage walking, providing valuable insights for urban planning and public health policy. This study can guide city planners and health professionals in creating more walkable and health-conducive urban environments.

Multiple Roles of Green Space in the Resilience, Sustainability and Equity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Cities

Green space is needed in urban areas to increase resilience to climate change and other shocks, as well as for human health and wellbeing. Urban green space (UGS) is increasingly considered as green infrastructure and highly complementary to engineered urban infrastructure, such as water and transport networks. The needs for resilient, sustainable and equitable future wellbeing require strategic planning, designing and upgrading of UGS, especially in areas where it has been underprovided. We explore the implications of these needs for urban development through a detailed review of cited UGS analyses conducted on the larger cities in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). There are important differences in UGS availability (i.e., quantity), accessibility and quality within and between cities. Some of these differences stem from ad hoc patterns of development, as well as topography. They contribute to apparently growing inequities in the availability and accessibility of UGS. Broader health and wellbeing considerations, encompassing Indigenous and community values, should be at the heart of UGS design and decisionmaking. Most of AoNZ’s cities aim (at least to some extent) at densification and decarbonisation to accommodate a growing population without costly sprawl; however, to date, sprawl continues. Our findings indicate a clear need for the design and provision of high-quality, well-integrated UGS within and servicing areas of denser housing, which are typically areas in cities with a demonstrable UGS deficiency.

Urban green space availability and change patterns (a case study of Tbilisi, Georgia)

Aim: This research aimed to determine the distribution of different types of Urban green spaces (UGS) in Tbilisi districts, the distribution of access zones, the number of people who have access to UGSs, how current active housing construction affects UGSs and where reduction hotspots are located. Methodology: A 500-m buffer was set around UGSs. UGS changes were detected based on the NDVI from the 2017 and 2023 (June-August) PlanetScope imagery. The NDVI classification thresholds were -1 to 0.19 (nonvegetation), 0.19 to 0.5 (shrubs), and 0.5 or greater (trees). Thereafter, UGS patterns and reduction hotspots were determined in the district. Results: The percentage of access zones was lowest for Didube (5.4%) and highest for Nadzaladevi (14.7%). Chughureti (8.3%), Mtatsminda (8.8%), Isani (9.3%), and Gldani (9.9%) had similar numbers. The worst situation was observed in Samgori (8.9%) whereas the best situation was in Didube (69.8%). UGS degradation was high in Saburtalo (35.3%), and only a 0.6% decrease was found in Chughureti. Interpretation: UGSs are better distributed spatially and available to more people in "old" districts (Mtatsminda, Chughureti) and territories that were developed in the 1970s. The urban green spaces were neglected by contemporary urban sprawl. Though legislation has helped to preserve urban green spaces with status, but locations without status are victims of active development. Key words: Hotspots, Image analysis, Land use and land cover, Normalized difference vegetation index, Tbilisi, Urban green spaces

Exploring the Nexus between Green Space Availability, Connection with Nature, and Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Urban Landscape

The correlation between connecting with nature and fostering pro-environmental behavior is essential to attaining sustainability targets. However, understanding how this connection is cultivated, particularly in the urban settings of the Global South, remains limited. This study delves into the impact of urban green space (UGS) availability on perceived connection with nature (CN) and its subsequent influence on pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among urban residents, focusing on Nagpur city. Employing a digital survey tool, data were collected from 2414 participants across ten administrative zones. Descriptive and exploratory analyses alongside multinomial logistic regression were conducted to assess variable associations using R programming. The results revealed that 91% of respondents frequented UGSs, while a smaller fraction cited time constraints for not visiting. Notably, respondents’ perceived CN demonstrated significant associations with both UGS availability and PEB. A regression analysis underscored stronger PEB among those reporting a deeper connection with nature. Furthermore, demographic factors such as gender, age, and education were linked to variations in PEB. This study advocates for leveraging UGSs to bolster CN and PEB among urban populations, emphasizing the pivotal role of urban planning in nurturing human–nature connections. Future research should explore specific nature contact modalities conducive to fostering connectedness, especially in rapidly urbanizing locales.

Study on the Contribution of Informal Green Space to Urban Green Space Accessibility in Qingdao

With the continuous improvement of China’s urbanization, the upgrading of the living environment and consumption demand by residents has stimulated the development of green urban spaces. To truly benefit the green ecology of residents and promote the ecologically sustainable development of the city, the investigation of this study found that only focusing on formal green space is not effective enough, and informal green space with high contact frequency and diversified types of green space are often ignored. This study sets up two scenarios of whether or not the informal green space system is considered in Qingdao city, and obtains accessibility under two scenarios by constructing a transportation network through ArcGIS. The results show that the accessibility distribution of urban green space is more uniform when informal green space is considered when compared with no consideration for informal green space, which reveals and emphasizes the contribution of informal green space in improving the accessibility of urban green space.

Effective or useless? Assessing the impact of park entrance addition policy on green space services from the 15-min city perspective

This study investigates an innovative approach to enhance urban green space access by adding new park entrances rather than expanding the green space itself, aiming for sustainable urban development. Taking Shenzhen as a case study, we first developed a universal framework to identify potential locations for new entrances and used network analysis in ArcGIS to quantify green service improvements. Then, under the 15-min city concept, the impact on green accessibility and equity was assessed using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method and Gini coefficient analysis. Results indicate that (1) new entrances enabled 21.10% of residents to access parks with an average reduced travel distance of 214.71 m, and increased the population within a 15-min walk to parks by 7.34%. (2) This strategy proved cost-effective, serving 27.66% of residents at 1/38 the cost of creating new green spaces. (3) Furthermore, the accessible green area within a 15-min walking or cycling increased by 0.18 km2 and 1.42 km2, respectively, without affecting green equity. Our findings support the policy of adding park entrances as a feasible and efficient urban strategy, supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 11, and the policy can be implemented across almost cities.

Green or grain? Impact of green space expansion on grain production in Chinese cities and its implications for national urban greening schemes

ContextExpansion of urban green space (UGS) enhances greenery and its benefits in cities. However, the impacts of such expansions on regional landscape sustainability and their spatiotemporal traits across the national scale remain unclear.ObjectivesThis study uncovers a trade-off between agricultural ecosystem services and urban human well-being—the loss of grain production due to UGS expansion consuming cropland—in China from 2000 to 2020. It proposes a safety boundary for UGS expansion to minimize the costs of grain production while addressing the escalating demand for UGS exposure.MethodsUGS expansion and cropland loss are quantified using land cover products, with statistical data contributing to the established relationship between grain loss and UGS coverage. UGS expansion scenarios for 2040 are simulated through bottom-up modeling.ResultsQuadrupled UGS area growth contributed approximately one-third to urban expansion during 2000–2020 in China. Despite improvements in per capita UGS area implying enhanced UGS exposure during rapid urbanization, UGS expansion resulted in a national grain production loss of 4.2 ± 1.4 million t from 2000 to 2020, accelerating post-2010. This loss is equivalent to the annual food intake of 9.3 million Chinese people. We propose a 30.87% UGS coverage target in China by 2040 to preserve UGS access while minimizing grain loss under future urbanization.ConclusionsAcknowledging the critical role of UGS expansion in the issue of cropland loss to urbanization is imperative. Our results offer insights into ensuring human well-being and ecosystem services through landscape and urban planning.

Urban green space access, social cohesion, and mental health outcomes before and during Covid-19

Physical activity offers significant mental health and social wellbeing benefits but social distancing and quarantine requirements during the pandemic along with disparities in access to parks and other urban green spaces limited the ability of some to pursue outdoor activities like recreational walking, jogging, or hiking. This paper asks: (1) how access to different types of urban green space varies by race and income, (2) how green space usage changed, and (3) how greenspace usage impacted mental health during the early phase of the pandemic. Using data from a household survey as well as anonymized GPS data generated by mobile devices, we explore these question in Richmond, Virginia. At the pandemic's onset, visits to green spaces declined regionally, but increased for low-income groups as a proportion of all visits. Structural equation modeling results suggest that mental health was directly influenced by social cohesion and race, with evidence of an indirect effect of greenspace usage on mental health through its impact on social cohesion. Social cohesion's effect on mental health was positive while respondents who identified as White were less likely to report positive mental health. We also find a strong, positive effect of greenspace use and satisfaction on social cohesion.

Is ward-level calculation of urban green space availability important?—A case study on Vellore city, India, using the histogram-based spectral discrimination approach

How much green space is available for individuals is a major question that city planners are generally interested in, and the present study aimed to address this issue in the context of Vellore, India, through two approaches, namely, the per capita and the geographical area approach. In existing studies, urban green space (UGS) was only calculated at the macro level, i.e., for the city as a whole. Micro-or ward-level analysis was not attempted before, and the present study carried out the same to get a clear picture of the amount of greenery available in each ward of a city. For this purpose, a two-step approach was proposed where the histograms of Google Earth (GE) images were analyzed first to check whether the green cover types such as trees, shrubs/grassland, and cropland were spectrally different. Then, classification techniques such as ISODATA, maximum likelihood, support vector machine (SVM), and object-based methods were applied to the GE images. It was found that SVM performed well in extracting different green cover types with the highest overall accuracy of 93% and Kappa coefficient of 0.881. It was found that when considering the city as a whole, the amount of UGS available is 42% of the total area, which is more than the recommended range of 20–40%. Similarly, the available UGS per person is 97.84 m2, which is far above the recommended 12 m2/person. However, the micro-level analysis revealed that some of the wards have not satisfied the criteria of per capita and percentage area, though the city as a whole has satisfied both the criteria. Thus, the results indicate the importance of calculating the urban green space availability at the ward level rather than the city level as the former gives a closer look at the surplus and deficit areas. The results of terrestrial LiDAR survey at individual tree level revealed that if trees are located adjacent to buildings or roads, it results in fewer heat islands compared to the case where there are no trees.

Environmental Justice in the Context of Access to Urban Green Spaces for Refugee Children

Accessible and high-quality urban green space (UGS) can provide significant benefits to refugee children for their development, health, and well-being. However, few studies have examined the actual accessibility of UGS from refugee children’s perspectives (i.e., with restricted walking radius, particular vulnerability towards barriers such as traffic infrastructures and disconnected road forms) and related them with other environmental or social burdens under the context of environmental justice. It is necessary to explore related evidence and investigate the underlying causes since refugee facilities are primarily located in areas with restricted social and environmental resources strongly related to attributes of environmental justice. This paper investigated (1) availability, accessibility, and attractiveness of UGS in 30 refugee accommodation locations in Berlin using GIS and Space Syntax, (2) environmental burdens using the Berlin Atlas of Environmental Justice, and (3) neighbourhood characteristics. Findings indicate that 63% of refugee accommodations have availability of green space that is above average official standards, but from refugee children’s perspectives, 60% of the locations have limited access to UGS, lower attractive green spaces, and most locations face multi-environmental burdens. Currently, little guidance focuses on ensuring equal access to and the usability of UGS for specific socioeconomic and demographic groups, such as refugee children. Therefore, this paper has contributed empirical materials to begin such research and develop inclusive decision-making strategies in environmental and health policy to ensure the provision and high quality of UGS for refugee children who need it.

Multi-method analysis of urban green space accessibility: Influences of land use, greenery types, and individual characteristics factors

Urban green spaces (UGS) are an important foundation for supporting sustainable urban development and benefiting the well-being of residents. However, access to green spaces is a complex and dynamic process. Existing studies have mainly used a single method to assess UGS accessibility, and research on influencing factors has less focused on a multi-variable perspective. In this study, we innovatively integrated four methods—Container, Distance, Gravity, and 2SFCA—to assess UGS accessibility at the LSOA level in Inner London. We examined the impact of urban land use patterns, green space types, and individual characteristics on UGS accessibility. Then, Spearman's correlation analysis and the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model were used to check the relationship between multiple variables with UGS accessibility. The main findings are as follows: (1) The UGS accessibility results based on the multi-method reflect the variation in the distribution of UGS in Inner London, with more than 80% of LSOAs having below-average UGS accessibility; (2) UGS accessibility is significantly influenced by multiple factors, particularly race, income, education, crime, office, residential, and non-park (multiple green space types beyond parks). This study highlights inequalities in UGS accessibility and suggests strategies for policymakers to improve the integration of UGS in urban planning.

Assessing Inequality in Urban Green Spaces with Consideration for Physical Activity Promotion: Utilizing Spatial Analysis Techniques Supported by Multisource Data

Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a significant role in promoting public health by facilitating outdoor activities, but issues of spatial and socioeconomic inequality within UGSs have drawn increasing attention. However, current methods for assessing UGS inequality still face challenges such as data acquisition difficulties and low identification accuracy. Taking Harbin as a case study, this research employs various advanced technologies, including Python data scraping, drone imagery collection, and Amap API, to gather a diverse range of data on UGSs, including photos, high-resolution images, and AOI boundaries. Firstly, elements related to physical activity within UGSs are integrated into a supply adjustment index (SAI), based on which UGSs are classified into three categories. Then, a supply–demand improved two-step floating catchment area (SD2SFCA) method is employed to more accurately measure the accessibility of these three types of UGSs. Finally, using multiple linear regression analysis and Mann–Whitney U tests, socioeconomic inequalities in UGS accessibility are explored. The results indicate that (1) significant differentiation exists in the types of UGS services available in various urban areas, with a severe lack of small-scale, low-supply UGSs; (2) accessibility of all types of UGSs is significantly positively associated with housing prices, with higher-priced areas demonstrating notably higher accessibility compared to lower-priced ones; (3) children may be at a disadvantage in accessing UGSs with medium-supply levels. Future planning efforts need to enhance attention to vulnerable groups. This study underscores the importance of considering different types of UGSs in inequality assessments and proposes a method that could serve as a valuable tool for accurately assessing UGS inequality.

Supply and demand of ecosystem services of urban green spaces in deprived areas: Perceptions from Kumasi, Ghana

Urban green spaces (UGS) contribute to human health and wellbeing. However, few studies have focused on cities in the Global South, mainly examining them on a citywide scale without considering deprived areas where residents lack basic facilities and sufficient income. Consequently, there is limited understanding of the relationship between the availability of UGS and associated ecosystem services (ES), and what is actually demanded for by residents in such deprived areas. Therefore, this study aims to assess (i) the perceived supply and (ii) the perceived demand for ES of UGS in selected deprived urban areas; and (iii) to determine the potential gap(s) between these perceived supply and demand aspects. A mixed-method approach was adopted for the study, incorporating GIS methods, household surveys, and key informant interviews. As case studies, the study was conducted in two deprived areas in Kumasi, Ghana – Dakodwom and Ayigya Zongo. The findings reveal that land scarcity and encroachment have led to a limited supply of UGS in these areas. Nevertheless, residents appreciate the few available UGS and ES, demonstrating adaptation to their limited resources. They particularly highlighted the cultural ES provided by these UGS. The high demand for these services, surpassing their supply, shows significant gaps, emphasising the need for comprehensive urban planning and management decisions. Such decisions should involve all stakeholders and be underpinned by effective legislative support.

Measuring spatial inequality of urban park accessibility and utilisation: A case study of public housing developments in Auckland, New Zealand

Poor spatial accessibility of urban green spaces affects disadvantaged populations, who are at greater risk of socioeconomic related health inequalities. We analyse mobile phone locational data from the Auckland Region of New Zealand to connect a user's 'home' location to nearby urban parks, specifically focusing on public housing tenants - a highly vulnerable group at greater risk of health inequalities.We use a number of traditional accessibility measures and four new park utilisation analyses to explore the relationship between accessibility to urban parks, neighbourhood area deprivation, and user's patterns of actual park usage. We develop four new metrics to assist in understanding the actual utilisation of green spaces available to residents: distance between closest park available and visited (DAT), used park opportunities (UPO), locality of park visits (LPV), and nearest park visitation rate (NPVR).We found that neighbourhoods with the most public housing tend to have a lower number of parks accessible, and those that are accessible are smaller in size. Additionally, people living in these areas tend to travel farther to access urban parks compared to areas with no public housing. More deprived neighbourhoods were revealed to have lower accessibility to urban greens in Auckland, highlighting the urgency to address the emerging divisions in accessibility and opportunities for these neighbourhoods. Our findings have important implications for policy-makers and urban planners. Furthermore, the use of mobile phone locational data can reveal insights into the mobility behaviour of users and can be applied to other locations and population groups.

Inequalities in urban green space distribution across priority population groups: Evidence from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

Growing evidence has shown that urban green space (UGS) in neighbourhoods can substantially enhance residents' well-being. This study focuses on the possible inequitable UGS distribution among priority population groups of city-dwellers in the region of Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand. UGS availability was calculated using coverage ratio of service area and Overlap/cumulative opportunity. UGS accessibility was measured using Gaussian-based two-step floating catchment area. Bivariate analysis, spatial regression, ordinary least squares estimation, and Moran's I were employed to explore the potential inequality between UGS distribution and priority population groups. The results revealed that most deprived neighbourhoods tended to have more UGS availability but less accessibility. Children, adolescents and elderly were likely to have less potential opportunity to choose different UGS to visit. Areas with a higher proportion of Māori had less UGS availability and Pacific populations had less accessibility. Neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of Asian people had more UGS availability but less accessibility. This study adds new evidence to UGS inequality in priority population groups by contributing a regional investigation in a developed country. The results can inform policy makers and planners on where and how to implement UGS and on which groups to focus on to prevent further disparities.

The inequity of urban green space availability between urban villages and residential quarters: An empirical study in Shenzhen, China

During the rapid urbanization process, the unequal distribution of green spaces (GS) has become a prominent topic in academic discussions due to its implications for social justice. Nonetheless, the equity of GS availability among different types of residential neighborhoods remains unclear, posing a challenge to achieving environmental justice in urban greening practices. This study, taking Shenzhen as a case study, examines the equity of GS availability between urban villages (UV) and residential quarters (RQ), two common residential neighborhood types in Chinese cities. We initially categorized both inner-GS and outer-GS based on their location inside or outside the boundary of residential neighborhoods and assessed GS availability at various accessible distances. Subsequently, the Theil index was applied to evaluate the inequity of GS availability, encompassing both the inequities within and between UV and RQ. Our findings reveal that UV exhibited higher GS inequity than RQ across all accessible distances. Furthermore, within UV, GS inequity decreased as the accessible distance increased, while the opposite trend was observed for RQ. Notably, although significant inequities existed in inner-GS availability between UV and RQ, outer-GS played a crucial role in mitigating this imbalance. These results provide valuable insights into GS equity across different residential neighborhood types and offer recommendations for enhancing/balancing the equity of GS availability in Shenzhen.