Contrasting inequality in human exposure to greenspace between cities of Global North and Global South

Bin Chen (), Shengbiao Wu, Yimeng Song, Chris Webster, Bing Xu () and Peng Gong ()
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Bin Chen: The University of Hong Kong
Shengbiao Wu: The University of Hong Kong
Yimeng Song: Yale University
Chris Webster: The University of Hong Kong
Bing Xu: Tsinghua University
Peng Gong: The University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The United Nations specified the need for “providing universal access to greenspace for urban residents” in the 11th Sustainable Development Goal. Yet, how far we are from this goal remains unclear. Here, we develop a methodology incorporating fine-resolution population and greenspace mappings and use the results for 2020 to elucidate global differences in human exposure to greenspace. We identify a contrasting difference of greenspace exposure between Global South and North cities. Global South cities experience only one third of the greenspace exposure level of Global North cities. Greenspace exposure inequality (Gini: 0.47) in Global South cities is nearly twice that of Global North cities (Gini: 0.27). We quantify that 22% of the spatial disparity is associated with greenspace provision, and 53% is associated with joint effects of greenspace provision and spatial configuration. These findings highlight the need for prioritizing greening policies to mitigate environmental disparity and achieve sustainable development goals.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32258-4

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