Accessibility Analysis of Green Spaces in Two Neighborhoods with Diverse Socio-Economic Status (SES) in Istanbul

Abstract

Access to urban green spaces is an important issue that has been studied by different disciplines for a long time, especially in the fields of economy, environment, and urban studies. Urban green spaces contribute to the increase in the quality of urban life for individuals and have an important place in the relationship between space and healthy life. Access to urban green spaces, on the other hand, is not the same for all segments of society and may vary due to social and economic inequalities in neighborhoods. In addition, the distribution and accessibility of urban green spaces within the city may not be of the same standard for every neighborhood. This inequality has become more visible, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores whether there is a relationship between socio-economic status (SES) level and accessibility to urban green spaces. Bakırköy and Bağcılar districts of İstanbul were chosen as sample areas because they are close to each other in terms of location, they are similar in terms of area and population, but their inhabitants' SES is different. Accessibility to green areas in these districts was evaluated according to the following indicators: a) the ratio of the amount of green area to the neighborhood area, b) the green area per capita, c) the average size of the green area and d) the ratio of the coverage of walking distance to the green space to the neighborhood. Scatter Plot Diagrams and GIS Buffer Analysis were used as analysis methods for the article. The findings reveal that there is a link between the SES index of the neighborhoods and the level of access to existing urban green spaces.Urban green spaces are critical because they have a significant impact on the quality of life of urban residents in terms of social, environmental, and health factors. However, the size, adequacy, and efficiency of the use of green spaces are as critical as the existence of urban green spaces. In this way, the accessibility and geographical extent of urban green spaces are a common concern shared by multiple disciplines such as urban planning, landscape architecture, sociology, psychology, and health sciences. Common places such as open and green spaces, particularly during the pandemic period, have become increasingly essential in comparison to the pre-pandemic period since the worldwide pandemic periods restrictions (for example, coronavirus lockdown, time restrictions, and capacity reductions in public spaces) and the risk of virus transmission have made citizens' needs for urban open and green spaces more apparent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people are focused on recovering urban green spaces in their surroundings. As a result, urban green areas in surrounding residential neighborhoods emerged as a topic that has to be reconsidered and reviewed.In a study on the access of groups from different socio-economic levels to urban green spaces, it is easier for population groups with high SES to live in low-density residential areas in the city, while access to urban green spaces is...