Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Access to Urban Greenspace

Urbanization is increasing the proportion of people living in cities (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Driven by population pressure, urban development is often accompanied by environmental and human health burdens such as pollution, urban heat islands, and more frequent flooding (Byrne and Wolch, 2009; Wolch et al., 2014). Evidence demonstrates that the maintenance of urban green space can alleviate many of these burdens by providing an array of beneficial ecosystem services (Gobster, 2002; Byrne and Wolch, 2009; Dai, 2011; Wolch et al., 2014). However, historical race and class-based segregation have contributed to the unequal provision of green space within U.S. cities (Wolch et al., 2014). As a result, communities of color and low-income communities often face geographic, financial, and socio-cultural barriers that contribute to reduced green space accessibility in urban areas (Dai, 2011).

The term “urban green space” encompasses a broad variety of areas varying in features, ecology, and function. Areas classified as green space can be further categorized as public or private space (Dai, 2011). Public green spaces are typically administered by municipal governments or nonprofit organizations and are available to all of a neighborhood’s residents for a low fee or free of charge (Byrne and Wolch, 2009). Public spaces include parks, nature preserves, forests, and community gardens (Wolch et al., 2014). On the contrary, private green spaces, like backyards and golf courses (Dai, 2011),are available only to those who own the property or who can afford the high cost of access (Byrne and Wolch, 2009).

In urban areas, the combination of public and private green space provides ecosystem services that help maintain cities’ ecological integrity. Adverse environmental impacts generated by concentrated industrial activity and an extensive built environment – air pollution, urban heat islands, and poor stormwater drainage, for instance – can be mitigated by green space (Byrne and Wolch, 2009). Trees assist in the filtration of air pollutants and provide cool, shaded areas, while grassy groundcover efficiently absorbs excess rainwater (Wolch et al., 2014). Additionally, urban green space can support biodiversity by providing a habitat for plant and animal species that would otherwise be displaced by urban development (Newell et al., 2013).

Furthermore, access to green space can enhance the quality of life of people living in cities. Natural areas offer urban residents a reprieve from city life by providing a space for recreation and relaxation (Wolch et al., 2014). A longstanding body of literature has linked exposure to nature to enhanced mood and reduced feelings of stress and fatigue (Ulrich, 1981; Wolch et al., 2014). Similarly, research has established a connection between close proximity to a public park and increased levels of physical activity (Dai, 2011). Amenities desired by families, such as playgrounds and swimming pools, are often located in public parks and nature areas (Hamstead et al., 2018). In addition, public green space often provides land for community gardens that contribute to the provision of quality food in the inner-city (Byrne and Wolch, 2009).   

Causes of disparate green space accessibility

In the United States, urban green space accessibility reflects persistent racial and socioeconomic hierarchies (Wolch et al., 2014). The enduring influence of historical segregation and inequality is demonstrated by disparities in land development, financial status, and park design and administration (Byrne and Wolch, 2009). Consequently, low-income earners and racial minorities often face barriers to urban green space access.