Greening dominates greenspace exposure inequality in Chinese cities

Urban greenspaces are vital for human health, providing multiple ecosystem services, yet their distribution often fails to align with population needs, resulting in disparities in exposure and associated benefits. Despite increasing research on greenspace exposure, the role, mechanisms, and future trends of urban greening in exacerbating or mitigating these inequalities remain poorly understood. Here, we developed a novel model to evaluate the impact of urban greening on greenspace exposure inequality (GEI) in China, spanning the period from 2000 and 2020 to projections for 2100. Our findings reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity in GEI, with newly developed urban areas showing more equitable greenspace exposure than established areas. We provide a pioneering analysis identifying the greening process as the predominant driver of GEI, accounting for 54% of the observed disparities. Future projections under various Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) highlight the enduring influence of greening in shaping GEI. These insights advance our understanding of greenspace inequality and provide a robust foundation for formulating equitable urban greening strategies, ensuring that urban development fosters environmental justice and enhances urban well-being.