Spatial structure and accessibility of urban parks: A multi-scale integration of GIS and space syntax in Xi'an

Urban parks are critical for ecological sustainability, residents' well-being, and spatial equity. Using Xi'an, China, as a case study, this paper integrates park POI, census, and street network data within a GIS platform and applies space syntax theory to build a multi-scale segment model. Kernel density estimation, standard deviation ellipse, and syntactic indicators—Integration (NAIN), Choice (NACH), and Synergy, were employed to evaluate the spatial distribution and accessibility of municipal, district, and community parks across walking, cycling, and driving scales. Results reveal a “central agglomeration-peripheral sparsity” pattern, with clear differences across park hierarchies: municipal parks align with high-choice arterial axes, district parks cluster at medium-integration nodes, and community parks are embedded within locally integrated neighbourhoods. However, some corridors with high movement potential remain underserved, while peripheral areas show service gaps. To address these disparities, the study proposes an optimisation strategy of “arterial linkage-green core radiation-nodal coverage,” coupling the hierarchical park system with the city's intrinsic spatial logic. The findings demonstrate the value of space syntax in green infrastructure planning and equity assessment, advancing theoretical understanding of urban spatial governance while offering practical guidance for building resilient and inclusive green space networks.