https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2018-6338
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ABSTRACT
In the current era of climate breakdown, access to green space is not optional – it is vital. This study investigates the current disparities in urban green space access in five medium-sized European cities: Birmingham, Brussels, Milan, Prague and Stockholm. Through a GIS-based network analysis, we explore whether disparities in urban green space access (1) relate to income inequalities within cities and/or (2) are based on a city’s regional location within Europe. We find that Prague presents the highest green space accessibility, followed by Stockholm, Brussels, Birmingham, and finally Milan. Higher-income residents have more access to green space in Brussels, Milan, Prague, and Stockholm. In Birmingham, however, lower-income neighbourhoods presented higher green accessibility. Urban green spaces were distributed differently across the various European regions, each of which has a unique history and planning culture. Urban planners are challenged to redress these disparities – while considering the unique environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of each place.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 For the purposes of this study, ‘urban green space’ includes areas described in the Copernicus metadata as ‘public green areas predominantly used for recreation’. The other green land-use classes contained in the dataset, such as pastures, orchids, wetlands, and herbaceous vegetation associations were not included in the study (EC Citation2021).
2 Underpass footpaths with a motorway or railroad overpass were inaccurately aligned when motorways and railroads were removed. This was corrected by using the ‘fix geometries’ and ‘snapping’ tools.
3 According to Copernicus (Citation2012), ‘forests … are mapped as green urban areas when at least two sides are bordered by urban areas and structures, and traces of recreational use are visible’.