Green Spaces, Health, and Social Equity in the City of Copenhagen

This paper formulates policy recommendations for urban development in Copenhagen based on
analysis of the distribution of green spaces and urban greenery in view of the official targets set by the City of Copenhagen to promote equitable access to green spaces for all citizens. Accessibility to green spaces is analyzed in relation to urban density, population density and the socio-economic profile of the population. One of the main goals of the Copenhagen Municipal Plan 2019 is that new green areas and open spaces for new construction contribute towards making the city greener for the benefit of the citizens' quality of life, towards enhancing biodiversity and towards promoting climate adaptation. In this context, a political ambition and one of the main goals in the municipal plan is the definition of a maximum walking distance threshold between residences and the nearest,
publicly accessible green area. The study presented in this paper – through a comprehensive mapping of the distribution of green spaces (including location of major green spaces and parks, location, and radius of individual trees and NDVI index) and mapping of demographic and built density in relation to socio-economic status – aims to provide a more detailed documentation and discussion about accessibility to green spaces in view of environmental justice and social equity. The
paper is based on an ongoing research collaboration between the Royal Danish Academy, School of Architecture and the City of Copenhagen focusing on densification, population growth, and the consequences of that development for accessibility to green spaces. One of the main conclusions from the analysis is that differences in urban typology, population density as well as household conditions and socio-economic data should be key considerations in the formulation of green space
policy.