Abstract As cities continue to expand rapidly, green spaces play an increasingly vital role in improving residents’ well-being, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing social cohesion. By conducting a multi-faceted methodology, this study aims to assess urban greening in Fez, Morocco, using the Remote Sensing-Based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and urban policy review. Quantitative analysis involves calculating the amount of green space available per person and per square kilometer in each administrative district of the city and computing NDVI derived from Copernicus Sentinel-2 A satellite imagery processed through Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. This approach allows for precise measurement and mapping of vegetation coverage and distribution within the city. The evaluation of green space coverage in Fez indicates substantial variation from one district to another that reflects issues of social equity within the city. These disparities underscore the need for more equitable urban planning to ensure fair distribution of green spaces and improve quality of life across all districts. This approach enables a comprehensive assessment of green spaces, considering both quantity and quality, to support evidence-based recommendations for their integration into urban planning strategies. The study provides insights for practitioners, policymakers, and local districts on how to emphasize the impact of availability and high-quality green spaces in promoting the overall well-being of citizens. It contributes to the limited body of case studies in literature, providing a foundation for further research in similar or different contexts to the city of Fez, with the intention of identifying the best practices suited to each urban setting.
Chahbi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.