Socio-Spatial Distribution Analysis of Urban Green Areas in the City of Rio Grande, Rs, Brazil

Abstract

Green spaces in cities are seen as beneficial to, for example, the microclimate, human health, and ecological networks. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between urban green areas (UGA) and the effectively urbanized area (EUA) in the city of Rio Grande, in the extreme south of Brazil. The following indicators were used: UGA per inhabitant and per 100,000 inhabitants, the percentage of UGA in the urban perimeter, and according to a radius of influence (buffers). Voronoi diagrams were also generated to verify the UGA concentration or dispersion, and the relationship with socioeconomic indicators (population density and average income). The results: 1) 59.82 Ha of UGA/100,000 inhab.; 2) 5.98 m² of UGA/inhabitant; 3) 2.45% UGA in the EUA; 4) 50.00% and 84.13% of the EUA covered by radii of influence of 300 m and 1200 m from the UGA; 5) and 67.59% of the EUA by radii of influence of 1 km of UGA > 1 Ha. These values are considered low but in line with the values found for other Brazilian cities or in other countries. Therefore, it is expected to contribute to the debate related to the theme and actions to improve the cities quality and distribution of green spaces.