Insee Première · April 2025 · n° 2049

Unequal access to green spaces in major urban centres

Public green spaces, such as parks, gardens, and forests, play an essential role in the quality of life of city dwellers, providing places for relaxation and leisure in the heart of the cities. However, in major urban centres, one in two residents does not have access to a public green space within a five-minute walk from their home. This access is heavily dependent upon a territory’s morphology. The coverage and availability of green spaces indeed vary according to urban planning, geographic specificities, and population density. Thus, the proportion of public forests tends to decrease as population and density increase, while more densely populated cities have more parks and gardens, which are generally more accessible on foot.