Identifying Key Factors Associated with Green Justice in Accessibility: A Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Analysis

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Aug 19;19(16):10357. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191610357.

Abstract

Park green space (PGS) provides numerous environmental and health benefits for urban residents, and raises the issue of green justice for its uneven distribution in cities. Previous studies focus more on the measurements of spatial equity in accessibility, but are limited in exploring its impacts-especially the nonlinear influence. This study first measures accessibility and equity in two traffic modes, and then explores the nonlinear influence of multidimensional factors by using the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) model across the central urban area of Wuhan. The results show significant spatial disparities in spatial accessibility and equity by walking and driving within 15 min. Multidimensional factors-including characteristics of PGS, the built environment, and socioeconomic factors-present stronger nonlinear influences on spatial accessibility and equity, and the nonlinear influence indicates that the contributions of the built environment and socioeconomic factors are greater than those of park characteristics, accounting for at least 79.76%. The key variables affecting the accessibility and equity are not completely consistent, leading to synergistic and heterogeneous effects, which may provide policy implications for streets where accessibility and equity are mismatched. These findings could provide guidance for PGS planning by decision-makers to improve the living environment and urban health.

Keywords: Wuhan; accessibility and equity; gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT); green justice; nonlinear influence; park green space (PGS).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cities
  • Decision Trees
  • Parks, Recreational*
  • Social Justice*
  • Urban Health

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Ministry of Education, Humanities, and Social Science Fund of China, grant number 21YJCZH185; and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, grant number 2020CFB483.