Exploring the spatial distribution of urban greenery in small and medium-sized Canadian cities through a spatial equality lens

Abstract

Urban greenery (UG) supports healthier and more sustainable cities. Therefore, it is important to study how UG is distributed among different population groups. Although much progress has been made, key gaps remain. Most studies focus on large cities, leaving small and medium-sized cities understudied. Many also rely on a single spatial scale and treat UG as an aggregated variable, despite different UG types offering varying benefits. Additionally, access to UG has received less attention than availability. To address these gaps, I used the St. John’s Census Metropolitan Area, NL, Canada, as a case study. Data were collected from various sources, including Sentinel-2 imagery and the Canadian Census. A combination of spatial and aspatial methods were used to examine how tree and grass cover were distributed among population groups at two spatial scales: Census Tract and Dissemination Area. Accessibility to urban parks was also assessed using two methods—one considering road network and one not. The results demonstrated notable inequalities in UG distribution and park accessibility. These patterns varied by UG type, spatial scale, and assessment method. The findings advance knowledge of UG distribution and offer practical guidance for urban planning and policymaking towards creating more sustainable, resilient, and equitable cities.