The spatial distribution inequity and relationship between green surface area and green volume: a perspective from public and private green

Kurzfassung

Justice in the distribution of green space is vital for human well-being and the basis of green justice. Numerous studies on green space inequity were limited to 2-dimensional (2D) green and disregarded the ownership of that green. However, a few studies considered 3-dimensional (3D) green, but failed to reveal the spatial distribution inequity differences and relationships between 2D and 3D green. To close this gap, we integrated high-resolution spatial data of green surface area and green volume to examine the spatial distribution of inequity between 2D and 3D green and their relationship. Our results showed that: (1) Green space, both surface area and volume, was distributed evenly over Munich. (2) For surface area, there was more private (73.7%) than public green (26.3%), whereas for green volume, private and public make up about half of the total green. (3) Generally, green volume was less equally distributed in space than green surface area. Private green surface area was more equally distributed than private green volume (Gini private green surface area = 0.3754, Gini private green volume = 0.5038), but public green surface area and public green volume were similarly unequally distributed (Gini public green surface area = 0.7932, Gini public green volume = 0.8534). (4) Green surface area and green volume had a significantly positive relationship, and public (r=0.98) was stronger than private(r=0.42). We also analyze accessibility to public and private green based on socioeconomic data. Our study shows that considering the volume of vegetation rather than only the surface provided new insights into the green space provisioning for the residents.