Assessment of spatial disparity of neighborhoods greenspace availability using integrated greenspace exposure indicators in an arid city

Al-Kofahi, Salman D. , Al-Khlaief, Aida

2025-01-01 URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2025   103(卷), null(期), (null页)

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The rapid population growth, intensive use of natural resources, and inadequate planning for sustainable cities have diminished people's access to the natural environment. This has resulted in insufficient greenspace provision and increased exposure inequity in neighborhoods, particularly in arid regions. This study aimed to map urban greenspaces (UGS) in Greater Zarqa Municipality (GZM) and innovatively combine multiple greenspace exposure indicators to identify neighborhoods that are deprived of greenspace. A random forest classification algorithm, utilizing sentinel-2 images and vegetation indices, were used to classify the GZM land into built-up, greenspace, and undeveloped lands. Per capita greenspace, greenspace density, mitigation, restoration, and instoration exposure indicators were calculated and mapped for GZM neighborhoods. The suitability modeler technique was then applied to create an integrated UGS exposure indicator, identifying urban neighborhoods deprived of greenspace. The classification achieved an overall accuracy of 96 % and revealed a very poor urban greenspace density of 2.1 % that is unequally distributed among neighborhoods. The Zarqa Qasabah and Russeifa were poorly vegetated compared to the Hashemyiah district. UGS exposure indicators showed that over 80 % (97 out of 121) of neighborhoods did not meet the minimum per capita greenspace, 10 % greenspace density, or acceptable potential for mitigation, restoration and instoration of greenspace exposure. The combined UGS exposure indicator ranked 4 % of GZM neighborhoods (covering 5 % of GZM land) as high UGS exposure areas, containing only 0.2 % of the built-up area and housing 0.5 % of population. In contrast, the majority of neighborhoods (56 %) were classified as having poor UGS exposure, encompassing 56 % of the built-up area and accommodating 67 % of the GZM population. This integrated indicator approach effectively assessed UGS exposure and provided an unbiased estimation for identifying greenspace-deprived neighborhoods. The findings can guide decision-makers and urban planners in promoting greenspace exposure equity and developing new UGSs in underserved areas.