A GIS-based analysis of the urban green space accessibility Case Study: Administrative Area No.6, Tirana, Albania

Abstract

Urban green spaces such as parks, recreational areas as well as urban forest represent a fundamen- tal component of urban ecosystems. In terms of urban planning, it is important to focus on the urban green spaces open to the public, especially analyzing the availability and accessibility of all urban residents to these areas. Managing and ensuring access to these green areas within urban landscapes poses distinct challenges. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become an in- dispensable tool for researchers aiming to analyze urban green space accessibility. Albania currently lacks specific nationwide standards for green space per capita, and such stand- ards vary between countries, shaped by urban planning policies, population density, and environ- mental considerations. This study situated in Administrative Area No. 6, Tirana, Albania, compre- hensively assesses the general accessibility and deficiencies in urban green spaces. It also explores the interaction between green space density and population density within the area. Using GIS, this study aims to seek the relationship between green space accessibility, and deficien- cy of urban green spaces into the given area. The number and location of the green spaces within the area are correlated with the population density in order to analyze the accessibility to green areas based on walking distance between the access points of the green spaces and the residential areas. It also seeks to guide local decision-makers in identifying areas requiring additional green space development in new residential zones and older urban areas. Results highlight the distribution of green spaces, emphasizing disparities in accessibility and de- ficiency within the area.