Land | Special Issue : Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces

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19 pages, 6438 KB

Open AccessArticle

Socio-Ecological Assessment of Elderly Primary Healthcare Accessibility in China Using the Vegetation Nighttime Condition Index and the Enhanced 2SFCA

by Yanan Wang, Jinglong Liu, Yongkang Du, Jie Ying, Xiaoyan Zheng and Yunjia Wang

Land 2026, 15(4), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040611 - 8 Apr 2026

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Abstract

China’s rapidly aging population poses a significant challenge to the equitable allocation of primary healthcare resources. Conventional accessibility assessments often rely solely on economic indicators, overlooking the ecological constraints that shape human settlement and service provision. To address this problem, this study proposes [...] Read more.

China’s rapidly aging population poses a significant challenge to the equitable allocation of primary healthcare resources. Conventional accessibility assessments often rely solely on economic indicators, overlooking the ecological constraints that shape human settlement and service provision. To address this problem, this study proposes a socio-ecological framework integrating remote sensing data with spatial accessibility modeling. This study employs the Vegetation Nighttime Condition Index (VNCI)—a fusion of VIIRS nighttime lights and MODIS NDVI—as a proxy for human activity intensity under ecological constraints. The spatial accessibility of primary healthcare for the elderly (aged 65+) is evaluated across 31 provinces in mainland China using the Enhanced Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) method. Furthermore, a coupling coordination model and the Relative Development Index (RDI) are applied to examine the relative alignment between healthcare accessibility and the socio-ecological development context represented by VNCI. Empirical results reveal a distinct East–West gradient. Eastern coastal regions exhibit high accessibility; however, the coupling analysis identifies that healthcare accessibility lags behind high socio-ecological development intensity (low RDI). Conversely, western and rural regions generally suffer from a “low-level trap,” characterized by both low accessibility and weak socio-ecological coordination. The findings demonstrate that satellite-derived indices like VNCI effectively capture fine-scale human-environment interactions, offering a basis for spatially differentiated healthcare planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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25 pages, 8866 KB

Open AccessArticle

Participatory Budgeting for the Management of Children’s Green Areas in Valencia: DecidimVLC and Its Impact on Citizen Participation

by Ana Portalés-Mañanós, David Urios-Mondéjar and Maria Emilia Casar-Furió

Land 2026, 15(2), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15020311 - 12 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Citizen participation has been fundamental in the design and management of public spaces in Valencia over the last decade, promoting spatial justice. Models such as co-creation through participatory budgeting, self-management and social mobilisation have proven their effectiveness. This article focuses on the study [...] Read more.

Citizen participation has been fundamental in the design and management of public spaces in Valencia over the last decade, promoting spatial justice. Models such as co-creation through participatory budgeting, self-management and social mobilisation have proven their effectiveness. This article focuses on the study of Valencia’s DecidimVLC digital platform, analysing its influence on participatory budgeting over ten years, since its launch in 2015. The research delves into a participatory project with high media coverage focused on the children’s area of Plaza del Cedro, a neighbourhood park with high community involvement. The results are structured in two sections. On the one hand, a general analysis of the DecidimVLC platform is carried out, examining the types of projects it has promoted. On the other, it provides a specific assessment of the results through the case study of the children’s green area, evaluating the impact of direct interaction with the administration on spatial justice and social cohesion. The study confirms that digital tools such as DecidimVLC are a key vehicle for citizen ‘empowerment’, promoting a more equitable and participatory vision of the city. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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27 pages, 703 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Active City Master Plans: A Methodology to Promote Active Behavior and Health via Urban Planning—Lessons from the Torrelodones (Spain) Pilot Study

by Carlos F. Lahoz Palacio, José Antonio Blasco Abad, Robert Bauer, Ainara Martínez Solano, Alfonso Arroyo Lorenzo and Alfonso Jiménez

Land 2026, 15(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15020289 - 10 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 580

Abstract

Cities play a central role in shaping opportunities for physical activity, health, and social well-being. However, municipalities often lack operational methodologies capable of translating active living and healthy urban environment strategies into coordinated, implementable, and evaluable local action. This study addresses this gap [...] Read more.

Cities play a central role in shaping opportunities for physical activity, health, and social well-being. However, municipalities often lack operational methodologies capable of translating active living and healthy urban environment strategies into coordinated, implementable, and evaluable local action. This study addresses this gap by proposing a methodology for creating Active City Master Plans, an integrative planning and governance framework designed to support municipalities in the systematic creation, implementation, and monitoring of local active living strategies. This structured approach integrates urban planning, public health, sport policy, and social development via a multi-phase planning process combining political anchoring, evidence-based diagnosis, participatory prioritization, project programming, and indicator-based monitoring. Emphasis is placed on intersectoral governance, institutional coordination, and the use of spatially locatable indicators to support decision-making and resource allocation. The methodology was developed through the synthesis of international active living and healthy urban planning frameworks. It is currently in the second stage of development, following refinement through pilot application in the medium-sized Spanish municipality of Torrelodones, which served as a methodological testing environment. While early results demonstrate feasibility and policy integration potential, further research is required to evaluate long-term population-level outcomes and transferability across diverse urban contexts. By providing a transferable methodology rather than a predefined plan model, municipalities—particularly small and medium-sized cities—can develop context-adapted Active City Master Plans aligned with sustainability, equity, and public health objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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14 pages, 2253 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Particle Number Concentrations Between Small and Large Urban Green Spaces During a PM Pollution Episode in Seoul, South Korea

by Sumin Choi, Taehee Kim and Chan-Ryul Park

Land 2026, 15(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010103 - 5 Jan 2026

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Abstract

We analyzed the effect of reducing particulate matter in a forest by comparing concentrations and particle number concentrations (PNCs) between urban and background forest areas with the use of aerodynamic particle sizers. PM was observed at forest and urban sites during the high [...] Read more.

We analyzed the effect of reducing particulate matter in a forest by comparing concentrations and particle number concentrations (PNCs) between urban and background forest areas with the use of aerodynamic particle sizers. PM was observed at forest and urban sites during the high particulate matter events from 22 to 30 April 2019. Comparing the PM concentrations measured, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were 61.6 μg/m³ and 36.9 μg/m³, respectively, in the urban site, while PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were 53.9 μg/m³ and 31.8 μg/m³, respectively, in the forest site. Most PNCs at both sites ranged in particle size from less than 0.5 μm (99%). During high-concentration events, the mass concentration of PM10 was not significantly different, but PNCs of the accumulation mode particles (≤0.5 µm) and coarse mode particles (>0.5 µm) were differed between two sites. The re-duction rate of coarse mode particles (>0.5 µm) was lower 20% at large urban green space. A large urban green space showed the high slope value of decrease at the relationship between aerodynamic diameter and PNC at all times. These results indicate that not only mass concentration but PNC could support to understand the PM traits at large urban green space during the PM pollution of episode. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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23 pages, 6130 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Housing to the City: A Design Methodology for an Inter-Scale Analysis Tool with a Gender Perspective

by Irene Ros Martín, Lucila Urda Peña and Lucía Martín López

Land 2026, 15(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010025 - 22 Dec 2025

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Abstract

This article outlines the development of an inter-scale analytical tool designed to evaluate urban, intermediate, and domestic spaces from a gender perspective. Framed within feminist urbanism and ecofeminist theory, the study addresses the need to foster inclusive and equitable environments by incorporating gender-sensitive [...] Read more.

This article outlines the development of an inter-scale analytical tool designed to evaluate urban, intermediate, and domestic spaces from a gender perspective. Framed within feminist urbanism and ecofeminist theory, the study addresses the need to foster inclusive and equitable environments by incorporating gender-sensitive criteria into spatial planning processes. The methodology employed consists of a six-stage process: (1) a review of the existing literature; (2) the definition of scales of approach; (3) the formulation of indicators; (4) the establishment of evaluation criteria; (5) the design of data collection instruments; and (6) the refinement of the tool through field testing. The tool uses both qualitative and quantitative indicators across three spatial scales—neighbourhood, inter-block, and housing—organised into dimensions such as safety, accessibility, diversity, vitality, and representativeness. The evaluation process employs direct observation, graphic analysis, interviews, and participatory focus groups to provide a nuanced and multidimensional understanding of the built environment. The results confirm that both urban and domestic spaces have historically been designed from an androcentric perspective. They also highlight the potential of using gender-based evaluations to identify spatial inequalities and guide transformative interventions. The tool is replicable, adaptable, and scalable, and can therefore offer a robust framework for future research and public policy-making aimed at fostering gender equity in urban contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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23 pages, 3752 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Relationship Between 15 Minute Access and Life Satisfaction

by Hamza Yasin, Inmaculada Mohíno and José Carpio-Pinedo

Land 2025, 14(11), 2259; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112259 - 14 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1362

Abstract

The 15 min city concept seeks to promote health, well-being, and quality of life by ensuring that essential services are located within a 15 min walking or cycling distance from housing and are accessible through sustainable modes of transportation. This study aims to [...] Read more.

The 15 min city concept seeks to promote health, well-being, and quality of life by ensuring that essential services are located within a 15 min walking or cycling distance from housing and are accessible through sustainable modes of transportation. This study aims to evaluate the compliance of this concept in a developing country context and provide supporting evidence by examining if residing within the 15 min reach to basic services affects perceived health, perceived accessibility, and life satisfaction. To assess pedestrian accessibility in Lahore, Pakistan, we adapted the NEXT proximity index—originally developed as part of the Landscape Metropolis Project in Italy—which scores 15 min access using open data sources. A network analysis was conducted to determine the shortest travel times to various points of interest, including education, transportation, healthcare, shops, restaurants, leisure spaces, places of worship, and financial services. Each hexagonal unit in the study area was assigned an access score proportional to its proximity to these facilities. These access scores were then analyzed using multiple regression models, based on survey data collected from 519 university students regarding their perceived health, perceived accessibility, and life satisfaction. According to the network analysis conducted using WorldPop estimates of Lahore’s population, only up to 30% of the population resides in areas that qualify as a 15 min city for each facility type. Moreover, access to bus stops significantly enhances both perceived accessibility and life satisfaction, while proximity to healthcare services shows the strongest positive association with life satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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18 pages, 1640 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Equity in Access to Urban Parks via Public Transit: A Centrality-Driven Assessment of Mexico City

by Ana María Durán-Pérez, Juan Manuel Núñez and Célida Gómez Gámez

Land 2025, 14(9), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091773 - 31 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2427

Abstract

Urban parks play a crucial role in promoting physical and mental health by providing green spaces for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction. However, access to these spaces is often constrained by the structure and performance of public transportation networks—particularly in megacities marked by [...] Read more.

Urban parks play a crucial role in promoting physical and mental health by providing green spaces for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction. However, access to these spaces is often constrained by the structure and performance of public transportation networks—particularly in megacities marked by spatial and social inequalities. This study evaluates equitable access to urban parks in Mexico City through the public transit system, using centrality-based metrics within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network analysis framework. Parks are categorized by size (small: 0.3–1 ha; medium: 1–4.5 ha; large: >4.5 ha), and three centrality measures—reach, gravity, and closeness—are applied to assess their accessibility via different transport modes: Metro, bus rapid transit (BRT), trolleybuses, public buses, and concessioned services. Results show that Metro stations are more connected to large parks, while BRT and trolleybus lines improve access to small and medium parks. Concessioned services, however, present fragmented and uneven coverage, reinforcing socio-spatial disparities in access to green infrastructure. The findings underscore the importance of integrated, multimodal transportation planning to enhance equitable access to parks—an essential component of urban health and well-being. By highlighting the spatial patterns of accessibility, this study contributes to designing healthier and more inclusive public spaces in the city, supporting policy frameworks that advance health equity and urban sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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Review

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27 pages, 2100 KB

Open AccessReview

Categorizing the School Neighbourhood Built Environment and Its Associations with Physical Health Among Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

by Iris Díaz-Carrasco, Sergio Campos-Sánchez, Javier Molina-García and Palma Chillón

Land 2026, 15(4), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040589 - 3 Apr 2026

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Abstract

The aim of this scoping review is to categorize and examine the relationships between school neighbourhood built environment categories and the physical health of children and adolescents worldwide. The search strategy initially found 8837 studies in four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, SportDiscus [...] Read more.

The aim of this scoping review is to categorize and examine the relationships between school neighbourhood built environment categories and the physical health of children and adolescents worldwide. The search strategy initially found 8837 studies in four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, SportDiscus and Transportation Research Board) and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria 55 articles were included. The findings report on seven school neighbourhood built environment categories: building, connectivity and network, food environment, greenness, land use, safety and other variables. Interestingly, the connectivity and network category comprises 32 variables. Likewise, this category, together with the food environment, shows a clear predominance, with both categories accounting for 71.04% of all significant associations. The greenness category stands out due to its association density similarly to the predominant categories. The physical health categories were body composition, mode of commuting, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and weight status. Complementary weighted cross-tabulation analyses showed that when associations were weighted by participant sample size and school sample size, the food environment–weight status relationship became the most prominent, whereas connectivity-related associations became less dominant. The findings indicate preferential links between school neighbourhood built environment and physical health domains, with the connectivity and network category mainly associated with commuting mode and physical activity, and the food environment was primarily linked to weight status and dietary intake. Consequently, special attention must be given to urban planning and policies in the school neighbourhood built environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy and Inclusive Urban Public Spaces)

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