Policies for Equity in Access to Urban Green Space: A Spatial Perspective of the Chinese National Forest City Policy

Abstract

The development of China’s high-density urbanisation process has made people aware of the widespread injustice in urban green space (UGS) as a means to improving residents’ well-being. The Chinese National Forest City (NFCC) policy is one of China’s construction models that aims to develop urban greening and reduce the inequality of residents’ well-being. This study used a combination of qualitative research and index quantification to explore the relationship between the spatial distribution of NFCCs and the factors affecting inequality in green space allocation and their impacts. The results of the study show that changes in indicators in NFCC policy reflect the national government’s decision-making orientation towards achieving environmental equity, and that the main factors affecting the unequal spatial distribution of NFCCs are highly correlated with inequality in UGS resources. This study analysed the NFCC policy from a new perspective and provides useful information for the development of national forest policy in order to ensure sufficient green space in China and the elimination of environmental inequity.

Strategic Planning of Urban Green Space at Large Spatiotemporal Scales

“…With urbanization, the equity and efficiency of these services have garnered significant attention. Zhang et al [9] reveals that the Chinese National Forest City (NFCC) policy indicators reflect the national government's commitment to achieving environmental equity. The unequal distribution of NFCCs is closely linked to disparities in urban green space resources, offering valuable insights for national policy formulation and implementation to promote the elimination of environmental inequities.…”