A GIS-based model proposal for determining the urban green space accessibility: Ankara, Çankaya district

Green accessibility -as the availability of green space that is accessible within certain distance- shows the distribution and organization of green space that may meet demands for green spaces in a city. Therefore, to measure urban green space accessibility, defining urban green spaces, distance measures, and methods make all the difference. The question is how to measure urban green space accessibility and what affects access? This study aims to evaluate an analysis method to determine green accessibility through physical components for pedestrians. Urban forests, parks, playgrounds, sports areas, and informal green spaces are considered as urban green spaces. Physical barriers to green access (slope, road connectivity, and green connectivity) are analyzed by gravity-based measures through GIS in the study area, Ankara Çankaya district. The findings are reclassified by mean values at neighborhood-level to create distribution maps. The urban green space accessibility index is determined via logistic regression. As a result, strong correlation between green accessibility and slope-corrected service area (r=0.80) and green connectivity (r=0.60) is found while road connectivity is found not significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, this index can be useful for local governments' green strategies.