GIS-based mappings of park accessibility at multiple spatial scales: a research framework with the case of Izmir (Turkey)


Senol F., Kaya İ.

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, vol.26, no.11, pp.1379-1397, 2021 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 26 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/13549839.2021.1983793
  • Journal Name: LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, PASCAL, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Geobase, Index Islamicus, PAIS International, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.1379-1397
  • Keywords: Park accessibility, geographic information systems, neighbourhood parks, social needs, spatial equity, spatial scales, PUBLIC OPEN SPACES, URBAN GREEN SPACE, EQUITY, ACCESS, DISPARITIES, PROVISION, BENEFITS, FEATURES, CITY
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

With a concern of social needs in the redistribution of benefits of parks, recent research assesses park accessibility but usually at one spatial scale (e.g. city, neighbourhood, or park). As a case in Izmir (Turkey), this study explores how to develop research with a multi-scalar focus on park accessibility. It proposes a framework with the research stages deploying GIS-based tools. The first stage identifies "park-rich", "park-moderate" and "park-poor" neighbourhoods. The second and third stages evolve in three park-rich neighbourhoods and at 112 local parks. All stages deal with preparing various socio-spatial data from online sources and field observations and assess the data according to a list of themes about "accessibility" and "diversity". The results highlight that regardless of their high park coverages per person, park-rich neighbourhoods have multiple blocks, buildings, and parks with the features hindering park accessibility for some local groups with different walking capacities and needs. The GIS-based mappings of these features can provide decision-making tools about local parks and neighbourhood interventions.