Colloquium

Spatial inequalities of urban green space provision

Organised by Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing
Date

Wed 15 January 2025 11:45 to 12:15

Venue Gaia, building number 101
Droevendaalsesteeg 3
101
6708 PB Wageningen
+31 (0) 317 - 48 17 00
Room 2

By Tuur Smeets

Abstract
The correlation between accessibility of urban green spaces and socio-economic status of residents has been extensively documented throughout literature. This study sought to evaluate this relationship and whether it extends to the quality of urban green spaces as well. A systematic literature review was conducted to establish the relevant indicators for accessibility and quality. This review found a walking distance of 300m as a suitable indicator for accessibility and found a methodology to assess the quality of urban green spaces based on the naturalness and biodiversity, quietness, and spaciousness. A GIS-based model was developed to assess the accessibility and quality of urban green spaces based on these indicators. The model was subsequently applied to the case study of the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and the results were compared to the socio-economic status of the population by means of a logistic regression and linear regression analysis. The results show a significant and substantial correlation between accessibility and the economic status and housing status of residents. Some significant correlations were found between economic status, housing status, and migration status, and the quality of accessible urban green spaces. However, these socio-economic metrics were found to have a weak effect on quality. Thus, the inequalities in accessibility are not greatly exacerbated when considering the quality of urban green spaces. Future research should conduct similar analyses on different urban areas to compare these dynamics. Additionally, better models for the assessment of quality of urban green spaces based on empirical results should be developed.