A Multi-Dimensional Framework for Assessing Urban Green Infrastructure Accessibility for Children
(2024) AGU — Location: Washington (2024)
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A Multi-Dimensional Framework for Assessing Urban Green Infrastructure Accessibility for Children.pdf
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- The extensive benefits of Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) on children's physical, mental, and social well-being are well-documented. However, children as a vulnerable group in urban settings often face limited access to UGI, especially those residing in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. The unequal distribution of green spaces combined with inequities in funding policies for the implementation and maintenance of UGI, exacerbates environmental disparities affecting children. Therefore, prioritizing UGI planning is crucial to offer children more chances to connect with nature. However, without the appropriate methods to assess UGI accessibility for children, urban planning, and investment strategies might lack support or misallocate funds. Previous literature has explored specific aspects of UGI accessibility for the general population including i) physical (i.e., proximity to green spaces), ii) perceived (i.e., barrier-free), and iii) sensory/environmental accessibilities (i.e., thermal, visual, and olfactory aspects). Yet, previous literature has generally overlooked the prioritization of the aspects of accessibility in UGI evaluations for children. This paper identifies the gaps in UGI accessibility assessments focused on children and proposes a framework that compiles applicable methods to assess the various dimensions of children's accessibility to UGI. This framework classifies the methods for UGI accessibility assessments into environmental data analyses (i.e., distance-based analysis) and participant data analyses (i.e., questionnaires and interviews). It advocates for integrating both in children's land use such as school environments (built areas within and around schools) to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how children access UGI. This framework aims to guide future planning efforts, ensuring more equitable access to UGI for all children, particularly those residing in low socioeconomic neighborhoods. This study emphasizes the importance of inclusive environmental decision-making in UGI accessibility assessments. It aims to inform urban planners and policymakers, promoting equitable distribution of green infrastructure and fostering practices that enhance children's access to green spaces, thereby improving their overall well-being.
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Irajpour, A., & Llaguno, M. (2024). A Multi-Dimensional Framework for Assessing Urban Green Infrastructure Accessibility for Children. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. Published. AGU, Washington. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/278587 (Original work published 2024)