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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Number of People Using the Green Space

The number of people using green space is a quantitative indicator that measures the quality of life in an environment. The more people using urban green space, the better the quality of life is generally considered to be in that area. The number of people using green space is calculated by looking at the amount of green space in a city and the population of that city. The total number of people using green space is then divided by the population to get the percentage of people using green space. This percentage is usually expressed as a whole number, but it can also be expressed as a decimal if desired. For example, if a city has 100 acres of green space and a population of 1,000, then the number of people using green space would be 10%.1

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

Data can be collected through surveys, questionnaires, and observation. This involves counting the number of people using the space over a period of time. Additionally, green space usage can be monitored using technology such as CCTV cameras or sensors. This data can then be used to understand patterns of usage and identify areas that are popular with users. Data on green space usage can also be collected from secondary sources, such as local authority records or surveys conducted by other organizations. This type of data can provide valuable insights into how people use green spaces in particular areas.2

Examples

World Health Organization Study on Green Space Initiatives

A thorough analysis of the available data on green-space initiatives was done through a World Health Organization (WHO) study. According to the study, there is substantial evidence that various intervention types may produce various outcomes regarding health, society, and the environment. Smaller green spaces like street trees and community gardens are included, as well as bigger, more connected places like parks and greenways. This shows that it is important to go beyond the standard urban park when contemplating how to address the need for green space among expanding urban populations. Another result of the analysis was that improvements to urban green spaces tend to work best when combined with social involvement.

https://www.who.int/europe/home?v=welcome

1. Newman, A. Live longer: How green space can make you healthier [Internet]. Doctors Health Press - Daily Free Health Articles and Natural Health Advice. 2017 [cited 2022 Aug 4]. Available from: https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-articles/live-longer-green-space/
2. Green space, public health and location data [Internet]. UKAuthority. [cited 2022 Aug 17]. Available from: https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/green-space-public-health-and-location-data/