The green gap: Socio-economic disparities in the utilisation of urban green spaces in Auckland, Hong Kong, and Taipei

Source abstract

Urban green spaces are widely recognised for their critical role in enhancing urban liveability, promoting public health, and fostering social cohesion. However, a persistent gap exists between groups. This study shifts the focus from the spatial distribution of green spaces to patterns of utilisation. By leveraging geolocated mobile phone data, the research provides a detailed analysis of visitation trends to green spaces in diverse urban contexts. A comparative approach across three cities highlights disparities in usage patterns, revealing inequities in engagement among different social groups and across diverse cultural and spatial contexts. This study identifies distinct patterns of green space visitation across cities and social groups, revealing that spatial proximity alone does not guarantee use. These findings call for a shift in both research and planning frameworks, from assessing access to understanding actual utilisation based on observed behaviours.