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Accessibility to and Availability of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) to Support Health and Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic—The Case of Bologna

Author

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  • Claudia De Luca

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40100 Bologna, Italy)

  • Andrea Libetta

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40100 Bologna, Italy)

  • Elisa Conticelli

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40100 Bologna, Italy)

  • Simona Tondelli

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40100 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

In accordance with SDG N11.7, each city should work on providing “by 2030, universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities”. This target became even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This paper presents and discuss a method for (i) assessing the current distribution and accessibility of urban green spaces (UGSs) in a city using hierarchical network distances; and (ii) quantifying the per capita values of accessible UGSs, also in light of the restrictions in place, namely social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The methods have been tested in the city of Bologna, and the results highlight urban areas that suffer from a scarcity of accessible UGSs and identify potentially overcrowded UGSs, assessing residents’ pressure over diverse UGSs of the city in question. Based on our results, this work allows for the identification of priorities of intervention to overcome these issues, while also considering temporary solutions for facing the eventual scarce provision of UGSs and related health and wellbeing benefits in periods of movement restrictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia De Luca & Andrea Libetta & Elisa Conticelli & Simona Tondelli, 2021. "Accessibility to and Availability of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) to Support Health and Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic—The Case of Bologna," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:11054-:d:650720
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    Cited by:

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    2. Monica Pantaloni & Giovanni Marinelli & Rodolfo Santilocchi & Alberto Minelli & Davide Neri, 2022. "Sustainable Management Practices for Urban Green Spaces to Support Green Infrastructure: An Italian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Sebastian Bernat & Karolina Trykacz & Jakub Skibiński, 2022. "Landscape Perception and the Importance of Recreation Areas for Students during the Pandemic Time," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-22, August.
    4. Saba Alnusairat & Zahra Al-Shatnawi & Yara Ayyad & Ala’ Alwaked & Nasser Abuanzeh, 2022. "Rethinking Outdoor Courtyard Spaces on University Campuses to Enhance Health and Wellbeing: The Anti-Virus Built Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-32, May.
    5. Nazmul Haque, Md. & Sharifi, Ayyoob, 2024. "Justice in access to urban ecosystem services: A critical review of the literature," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    6. Carmela Gargiulo & Floriana Zucaro, 2023. "A Method Proposal to Adapt Urban Open-Built and Green Spaces to Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-29, May.
    7. Jiwon Kim & Youngjin Ko & Whijin Kim & Gaeun Kim & Jeongmin Lee & Olebogeng Thelma G. Eyman & Sarwat Chowdhury & Julie Adiwal & Yowhan Son & Woo-Kyun Lee, 2023. "Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perception and Use of Urban Green Spaces in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.

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