Advancing green space equity via policy change: A scoping review and research agenda
In a new article for Environmental Science & Policy (Volume 157, July 2024, 103765), a group of researchers— including Jennifer Ito, ERI Research Director — explore policies aimed at addressing inequitable distribution of urban green spaces, synthesizing current knowledge and proposing a research agenda.
Despite health benefits, underserved communities often lack access to parks and vegetation. The agenda examines policy impacts, power dynamics influencing change, gentrification risks, health equity, and climate change implications. Findings can guide policymaking to ensure equitable green space access across cities.
Highlights
- Limited research has examined policies to advance green space equity.
- Researchers developed a research agenda on green space equity policy based on a scoping review and a workshop.
- In the review, researchers identified research on green space equity policies, processes to adopt them, and their effectiveness.
- Agenda themes include policy evaluation, power building, green gentrification, and health equity and climate change.
- Research on green space equity policy speaks to global challenges such as health inequities and climate change.