A novel spatiotemporal framework for accessing green space accessibility change in adequacy and equity: Evidence from a rapidly urbanizing Chinese City in 2012–2021

Understanding whether urban green space (UGS) provision becomes more adequate and equal is a global issue. Proposing a spatiotemporal lens, this study investigates the development of UGS provision at the city scale from supply-demand perspective. By using an improved n-step floating catchment area method, we calculate the supply and supply-and-demand ratio of UGS accessibility for UGS provisions that are accessible and actually enjoyed by residents in residential locations from 2012 to 2021 in Shanghai, China. We assess these changes with a Mann–Kendall test, and evaluate the changes of quantitative equity with the environment concentration index (ECI) and the spatial disparity of UGS provision using spatiotemporal statistics. Findings show UGS provisions that are accessible and actually enjoyed by residents in residential areas in Shanghai, has become more adequate and equal during the last 10 years. UGS provision for residential areas in the central city area is more equal on the ECI and displays more significant heterogeneity than in other areas. Areas of high UGS provisions that are accessible for residents in residential areas are clustered in built-up district areas, whereas areas of high UGS provision actually enjoyed by residents are clustered in residential areas in old town areas.