Age Distribution and Accessibility to Green Areas in the City of Copenhagen

This paper presents an analysis of the distribution of urban spaces, parks, and other green areas in the City of Copenhagen in relation to demographic indicators, notably concerning population density and the spatial concentration of different age groups. The broad health benefits provided by urban greenery to urban dwellers are well documented in urban studies. The aim of this paper is to further contribute to this scholarship through the analysis of accessibility to green spaces by different age groups and in this way to shed light on their opportunities for health enhancing physical activity in the urban environment. The analysis is part of an ongoing study of urban density mapping based on a collaboration with the City of Copenhagen. The analysis of distribution of green spaces is based on several datasets, including location of major green spaces and parks, location, and radius of individual trees and NDVI index. The Copenhagen Municipal Plan 2019 proposes to increase social equity through physical and mental health-promoting urban planning and through provision of good quality green public spaces. The analysis shows that vulnerable groups such as the older population (≥ 65-year-olds) are not particularly challenged in terms of accessibility to green spaces. Based on this analysis, the authors formulate urban policy recommendations for meeting the targets for healthy living set by the City of Copenhagen.