Overview
Evidence shows that living close to an accessible public greenspace supports population wellbeing and reduces inequality, and that those who are more disadvantaged receive greater benefits from greenspace. Our Health and Nature Subgroup group wanted to understand the equity of access to greenspace, in terms of quality as well as quantity and distribution across the county, to help prioritise effort and funding.
What we’re doing
The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, part of Oxford University, funded a research project to explore this with support from a steering group of partners including OLNP.
The project identified neighbourhoods that are relatively deprived according to socio-economic measures and lack access to greenspace on several metrics. These neighbourhoods, predominantly in urban areas, are presented as priority areas for greenspace funding and effort. Although it is often virtually impossible to create new greenspaces in densely populated urban environments, existing greenspaces can be improved and protected from development, and innovative ways of increasing green infrastructure can be considered, such as greening active travel routes and pocket parks.
The report’s recommendations were developed with local government officers and NGOs with responsibilities and/or interest in the subject. Of note, the report highlights the importance of engaging and consulting local communities in decision making. Recommendations are now being incorporated into policy and strategy development across the partnership.
Related publications
Recognitional equity in access to and planning of urban green spaces
This research by Mattia Troiano looks at how fair access to parks and green spaces in Oxford is influenced by income and community backgrounds. It finds that poorer communities often struggle to have their voices heard in decisions about these spaces, making it harder for them to shape their local environment. Even when efforts are made to include them, a lack of trust and practical barriers can stop them from taking part. Without recognizing these challenges, attempts to improve access and involvement in planning may not work as intended and could even make inequalities worse.
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