Toward equitable green welfare: Integrating biodiversity and accessibility in the development of urban green space networks

Existing studies on urban green space (UGS) network development have focused on identifying potential corridors, with their spatial extent frequently defined through subjective assessments, while human needs have rarely been considered. This study developed a framework for constructing UGS networks that delineates corridor spatial extent and leverages the synergy between ecological and accessible aspects. The proposed framework was applied to develop a UGS network in Suwon City, South Korea. Corridor spatial extent was identified through a weighted overlay analysis considering the quality of current corridors in terms of biodiversity and UGS provision. Forty-four pinch points and eight barrier points were determined representing strategic points for conservation and restoration, respectively. Spatial characteristic analysis revealed that residential, roadside greening and arable land were the primary UGS types with restoration potential. The proposed method provides a new approach to UGS network development by integrating the accessible aspect with spatial guidance for corridor implementation, helping cities achieve both biodiversity conservation and equitable UGS distribution.