Constructing a multi-functional small urban green space network for green space equity in urban built-up areas: A case study of Harbin, China

Mingjie He; Yuanxiang Wu; Xiaoguang Liu; Bing Wu; Hongpeng Fu

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21671

Constructing a multi-functional small urban green space network for green space equity in urban built-up areas: A case study of Harbin, China

Heliyon. 2023 Oct 28;9(11):e21671. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21671. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Mingjie He¹, Yuanxiang Wu¹, Xiaoguang Liu¹, Bing Wu¹, Hongpeng Fu^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Key Laboratory of National Territory Spatial Planning and Ecological Restoration in Cold Regions, Ministry of Natural Resources, Harbin, 150000, China.
² College of Architecture and Landscape. Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
³ Khoury College of Computer Science, Northeastern University, Seattle, 98122, USA.

Abstract

Ensuring equitable access to green spaces in urban built-up areas is not only vital for fostering environmental justice but also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is a noticeable gap in the current body of research regarding the role of small urban green spaces, especially their multifunctionality from an ecosystem services perspective. Taking the urban built-up area of Harbin as an example, this study first applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process to classify the supply and demand of green space into three types. Then, the article further analyzes the potential functional positioning of the newly added green spaces, including ecological and social functions, using Minimum Cumulative Resistance and Point of Interest. Finally, multi-criteria decision models are used to explore the priority and functional positioning of green space and construct a multi-functional and highly-efficient small urban green space network. The results indicate a significant imbalance in green space supply and demand, with severe and medium mismatch areas accounting for 30.17 % and 48.50 %, respectively. By assessing the multifunctionality of small green spaces, we propose guidelines that include five types of areas: Concentrated Development (85.85 km², 16.94 %), Backup Development (70.74 km², 14.31 %), Maintenance (304.49 km², 61.51 %), Protection (14.94 km², 3.02 %), and Optimization (20.89 km², 4.22 %). Finally, the article proposes a 277.60 km multifunctional small urban green space network. By examining small urban green spaces, this study crafts a pivotal framework for enhancing green space equity in urban built-up environments, providing valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners. The approach has significant implications for developing multifunctional green networks in varied urban contexts and offers a model for wider application, serving as a reference for achieving green space equity in developing countries globally.

Keywords: Ecosystem services; Environmental justice; Green infrastructure; Green space equity; Urban green planning.