A GIS-Based Method to Assess Inequities in Urban Green Areas Accessibility by Sustainable Modes of Transport

Much research highlighted that urban planners face significant challenges in realizing equitable urban green areas (UGAs), especially in areas characterized by rapid urban expansion. Therefore, environmental justice analysis based on UGA accessibility patterns is necessary to provide an efficient and high-quality UGA service, which is crucial for sustainable urban development. The proposed study focuses on assessing UGA accessibility disparities by alternative sustainable modes of transport, such as walking and cycling. The authors conducted the multimodal accessibility geospatial analysis by employing the isochrone calculation feature of the open-source pgRouting adopted as a routing engine. The authors applied the proposed method to an Italian case study to assess its validity. The results demonstrate how such analysis could help decision-makers evaluate the provision of active travel routes to reach UGAs, a crucial aspect of promoting the citizens’ physical and mental health, and define UGAs’ planning strategies by considering multiple sustainable transport options.