Access to urban green spaces in Hannover: An exploration considering age groups, recreational nature qualities and potential demand

authored by: Raphael Weber, Annegret Haase, Christian Albert
Abstract: City dwellers' accessibility of urban green spaces (UGS) has recently gained immense interest in research and policy. Related scientific studies thus far have focused primarily on spatial distances, largely missing considerations of UGS qualities. We analysed the entire UGS setting of Hannover considering the recreational nature quality and potential demands to identify age-appropriate green spaces by applying a geographic information system analysis of several data sets. Additionally, we assessed the accessibility of UGS for different age groups, varying recreational nature qualities, and potential demands. Results indicate that children and elderly people have poor access to UGS that offers age-related requirements to enable unrestricted nature-based recreation. Nature quality and age-related requirements play a significant role in the assessment of UGS for recreation and accessibility. We conclude that detected vulnerabilities regarding age-related recreation in cities are anchors to mainstream the issue and enhance future planning practices and research.
External Organisation(s): Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Type: Article
Journal: AMBIO
Volume: 52
Pages: 631-646
No. of pages: 16
ISSN: 0044-7447
Publication date: 03.2023
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Geography, Planning and Development, Ecology, Environmental Chemistry
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01808-x (Access: Open)