Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, China

Urban green spaces are essential for public health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of their equitable distribution in urban development. Despite efforts to expand green spaces, however, significant disparities persist between their spatial and social allocation. This study classified urba...

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Main Authors: Shuqi Du, Yangyang Sun, Hao Yang, Miaoyan Liu, Jianuan Tang, Guang Hu, Yuan Tian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1183
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author Shuqi Du
Yangyang Sun
Hao Yang
Miaoyan Liu
Jianuan Tang
Guang Hu
Yuan Tian
author_facet Shuqi Du
Yangyang Sun
Hao Yang
Miaoyan Liu
Jianuan Tang
Guang Hu
Yuan Tian
author_sort Shuqi Du
collection DOAJ
description Urban green spaces are essential for public health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of their equitable distribution in urban development. Despite efforts to expand green spaces, however, significant disparities persist between their spatial and social allocation. This study classified urban green spaces into community parks, urban parks, and country parks, and examined the relationship of their green coverage and park accessibility to neighborhood property prices in Hangzhou. We then assessed the urban green space equity using <i>Gini</i> coefficients. We found that (1) urban green space inequities occurred in both green coverage and accessibility; (2) high-priced neighborhoods occupied more green resources, especially green coverage and community park accessibility, but exhibited less green equity; and (3) low-priced neighborhoods and urban villages had the lowest green resources but more equity for country parks. This study highlights the relationship between property price (as a proxy for income) and urban green space equity at the neighborhood scale. The results offer guidance for policymakers and planners aiming to promote green equity and sustainable development in cities.
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spelling doaj-art-e0cfb51a04824bd4b11f10d780a9eae42025-06-25T14:04:32ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-05-01146118310.3390/land14061183Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, ChinaShuqi Du0Yangyang Sun1Hao Yang2Miaoyan Liu3Jianuan Tang4Guang Hu5Yuan Tian6School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaZhejiang Neusense Smart Science and Technology Ltd., Hangzhou 310012, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaZhejiang Neusense Smart Science and Technology Ltd., Hangzhou 310012, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaZhejiang Neusense Smart Science and Technology Ltd., Hangzhou 310012, ChinaUrban green spaces are essential for public health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of their equitable distribution in urban development. Despite efforts to expand green spaces, however, significant disparities persist between their spatial and social allocation. This study classified urban green spaces into community parks, urban parks, and country parks, and examined the relationship of their green coverage and park accessibility to neighborhood property prices in Hangzhou. We then assessed the urban green space equity using <i>Gini</i> coefficients. We found that (1) urban green space inequities occurred in both green coverage and accessibility; (2) high-priced neighborhoods occupied more green resources, especially green coverage and community park accessibility, but exhibited less green equity; and (3) low-priced neighborhoods and urban villages had the lowest green resources but more equity for country parks. This study highlights the relationship between property price (as a proxy for income) and urban green space equity at the neighborhood scale. The results offer guidance for policymakers and planners aiming to promote green equity and sustainable development in cities.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1183social equityspatial equityurban parksgreen coveragepark accessibility
spellingShingle Shuqi Du
Yangyang Sun
Hao Yang
Miaoyan Liu
Jianuan Tang
Guang Hu
Yuan Tian
Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, China
Land
social equity
spatial equity
urban parks
green coverage
park accessibility
title Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, China
title_full Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, China
title_fullStr Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, China
title_full_unstemmed Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, China
title_short Is Green Space More Equitable in High-Income Areas? A Case Study of Hangzhou, China
title_sort is green space more equitable in high income areas a case study of hangzhou china
topic social equity
spatial equity
urban parks
green coverage
park accessibility
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1183
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