Influence of Spatial Accessibility and Environmental Quality on Youths’ Visit to Green Open Spaces (GOS) in Akure, Nigeria

Obinna Justice Ubani (), Micheal Oloyede Alabi, Emmanuel Ndukwe Chiemelu, Andrew Okosun and Chinwe Sam-Amobi
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Obinna Justice Ubani: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Enugu Campus, University of Nigeria, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
Micheal Oloyede Alabi: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Akure 340110, Nigeria
Emmanuel Ndukwe Chiemelu: Department of Geoinformatics and Surveying, Enugu Campus, University of Nigeria, Enugu 400102, Nigeria
Andrew Okosun: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Enugu Campus, University of Nigeria, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
Chinwe Sam-Amobi: Department of Architecture, Enugu Campus, University of Nigeria, Enugu 400102, Nigeria

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-21

Abstract: Although a regular visit to green open spaces has been recommended in curbing some sedentary lifestyle-associated health challenges, not much has been performed to uncover the factors that promote visits to such spaces in urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa. This research investigated the spatial accessibility and environmental quality factors that influence visits to green open spaces (GOS) by youths in the core area of Akure, Southwest Nigeria. The data were derived from a survey of 400 respondents aged between 18 and 35 years, ArcGIS software, v. Pro 20, and geographic information system (GIS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. The results revealed that the spatial accessibility predictors of visits to GOS among the youths were their age, street integration, social integration, and proximity of GOS to their homes, while the environmental quality predictors were the presence of a gymnasium in GOS and public facilities around such spaces. These findings are instructive in noting that to ensure social justice in access to GOS and the associated social and ecosystem services they offer, the planning, design, and management of green spaces should take cognizance of these predictors in meeting the needs of the youths who constitute a larger percentage of the urban population and thus encouraging them to regularly visit GOS in the study area and beyond.

Keywords: core area; green open space; environmental quality; spatial accessibility; social justice; urban areas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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