Toward a Healthy Urban Living Environment: Assessing 15-Minute Green-Blue Space Accessibility

Dong Liu, Mei-Po Kwan (), Zihan Kan and Jianying Wang
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Dong Liu: Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Mei-Po Kwan: Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Zihan Kan: Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Jianying Wang: Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 24, 1-12

Abstract: Exposure to green-blue space has been shown to be associated with better physical and mental health outcomes. The advent of COVID-19 has underlined the importance for people to have access to green-blue spaces in proximity to their residences due to pandemic-related restrictions on activity space. The implementation of the 15-min concept, which advocates that people should be able to reach locations of essential functions like green-blue spaces within 15 min of active travel, can bring green-blue spaces nearer to where people live. Nonetheless, there is still a lack of understanding of the social and spatial (in)equality in 15-min green-blue space accessibility by active travel in cities seeking to embrace the concept, such as Hong Kong. This study explores 15-min green-blue space accessibility by walking and cycling in Hong Kong to reveal the distribution of disadvantaged neighborhoods. The results show that neighborhoods in Kowloon’s districts are the most disadvantaged in accessing green-blue spaces within 15 min of active travel. Our study provides policymakers with valuable insights and knowledge conducive to formulating policies aimed at reducing inequality in 15-min accessibility.

Keywords: 15-min city; green-blue space; accessibility; Hong Kong (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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