Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age and persons with disabilities
Last updated on 1 February 2022
This indicator is currently classified as Tier II. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the Custodian agency for this indicator.
Unit of measure: Ratio of land allocated to public spaces and the total population with access to these spaces (%).
Why is this indicator important?
Cities work in a sustainable manner when private and public spaces have a symbiotic relationship. Public spaces are often seen as symbols of equality because they tend to be open and available to all members of the public regardless of sex, age, or disability. Yet these spaces have dwindled in urban areas in recent years.
Well-planned and managed public spaces have positive impacts, such as maintaining social inclusion, civic identity, quality of life, productivity, and environmental sustainability. However, the non-provision or privatization of public spaces has brought about increased exclusion and marginalization. City-wide policies and strategies should ensure proper planning, design and management of public spaces at different scales.
How is the indicator measured and monitored?
According to the metadata document, the area of public space is measured based on three steps: 1) spatial analysis to measure built-up areas that refer to urban/city area; 2) identification and estimation of the total area occupied by open public spaces and; 3) estimation of the total area allocated to streets. The data is disaggregated by quality of the open public space (in terms of safety, inclusivity, accessibility, greenness, and comfort), type of open space (e.g., green, blue) as well as age, gender, and disability status.
Most data is collected through urban land use plans, GIS data, or community mapping, in collaboration with national statistical authorities and other stakeholders working on this indicator. Existing data covers 712 cities with new cities being added constantly.
By Anne Hennings, peer-reviewed by Dennis Mwaniki, Spatial Data Expert at UN-Habitat’s Data and Analytics Unit.
Other related indicators on Land Portal
In addition to the official indicator data, the following indicators provide information on urban expansion and restrictions on urban land use and ownership.
| Indicator | Min-Max Number of years |
Countries / Obs | Min / Max Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process for urban expansion clear, public, respects rights | |||
| Restrictions on urban land use, ownership and transferability |
Voting on Open Space: An Analysis of the Decision to Hold a Referendum and of Referendum Results
A modified version of this article has been published in the May 2007 issue of the journal Ecological Economics.
Use of remote sensing and geographical information systems to estimate green space surface-temperature change as a result of urban expansion
A combined approach of remote sensing (RS) and geographical information systems (GIS) was used in this study to identify the impact on urban surface radiant temperature (SRT) of urban green-space change. Urban SRT increases as green-space area is converted into non-green-space area. Also, well preserved green space and newly connected green space contribute to a decrease of the SRT.
Culturing community development, neighborhood open space, and civic agriculture: The case of Latino community gardens in New York City
Institutional Options for the Protection of Open Space: Evidence from Poland
This paper seeks to contribute to the development of institutional options for the management of public goods in Central and Eastern Europe. It assesses the potential of different governance structures, including administrative hierarchies, market approaches, and efforts at local non-market co-ordination.
Capitalization of Open Spaces into Housing Values and the Residential Property Tax Revenue Impacts of Agricultural Easement Programs
Using a unique spatial database, a hedonic model is developed to estimate the value to nearby residents of open space purchased through agricultural preservation programs in three Maryland counties.
By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
Indicator details
The indicator is conceptually clear, has an internationally established methodology and standards are available, but data is not regularly produced by countries.
Key dates:
