Accessibility and Equity of Park Green Spaces: Considering Differences in Walking Speeds Across Age Groups

Weicong Luo, Huan Chen (), Zihan Yang and Jinhao Liu
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Weicong Luo: College of Public Administration, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Huan Chen: School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
Zihan Yang: College of Public Administration, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Jinhao Liu: College of Public Administration, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-19

Abstract: Previous studies on measuring the accessibility and equity of park green spaces (PGSs) often overlook differences in walking speeds across age groups, which may lead to research results that deviate from actual conditions. This study expands the current literature by investigating whether ignoring age-related differences in walking speeds affects the measurement of PGS accessibility and equity. The Gaussian Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (G2SFCA) method, along with the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient are used to measure and evaluate the accessibility and equity of PGSs in Wuhan, China, taking into account both average walking speed and variations in walking speed across different age groups. This empirical study reveals significant spatial disparities in walking speeds across Wuhan’s districts, ranging from 77.2 to 78.55 m per minute (m/min), with urban areas having faster walking speeds than suburban areas. This study finds that ignoring variations in walking speed across age groups leads to an overestimation of PGS accessibility and equity in Wuhan. Furthermore, regardless of whether average walking speeds or age-specific walking speeds are considered, spatial disparities in PGS accessibility remain evident, with urban areas demonstrating significantly better accessibility compared to suburban areas. Additionally, small changes in walking speed differences between age groups (−3% to 3%) have minimal impact on accessibility and equity results, demonstrating low sensitivity to variations in speed differences among groups. Overall, scholars and policymakers should consider differences in walking speeds among various populations when planning public facilities such as PGSs to ensure stronger policy support for vulnerable groups and achieve the goal of social equity.

Keywords: park green spaces; spatial accessibility; equity; age groups; walking speeds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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