Social inequalities in green exposure in small- and medium-sized U.S. cities: A mobility-based approach

IF 3.2 2区社会学 Q1 SOCIOLOGY

Social Science Research Pub Date : 2025-01-28 DOI:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2025.103142

Kee Moon Jang , Junghwan Kim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Green space exposure has been considered essential for people's physical and mental health. Researchers have investigated uneven exposure to green space based on individuals' home locations, which may exacerbate health disparities. A mobility-based approach enables a more accurate assessment of green exposure in daily activity patterns. In addition, social inequalities may vary by geographical context and should be examined to address environmental justice concerns.

Objective

Study objectives are twofold: to address methodological challenges in exposure assessment studies through mobility-based assessment of green exposure; and to explore whether mobility-based approach can better assess green exposure inequality than home-based measurement.

Methods

We selected 25 small- and medium-sized U.S. cities as study sites, from which street-view images were collected along 50,823 walk-based commute trajectories. We applied a semantic segmentation technique to street-view images to estimate individual home- and mobility-based green exposure levels.

Results

Results revealed that mobility-based green exposure significantly differs from home-based green exposure. Globally, wealthier individuals and non-minority groups experience significantly greater exposure to green space through both home- and mobility-based approaches compared to their counterparts. Locally, we found more nuanced pictures of green space inequalities when compared at the county level, suggesting locally varying relationships.

Significance

This study suggests empirical evidence on how mobility-based measurements could help us assess inequality problems in exposure to urban green elements.

Impact

Creating urban green corridors that comply with locally varying contexts can contribute to achieving equitable provision of green infrastructure for low-income and racially disadvantaged populations who have undesirable green exposure in their residential locations.

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来源期刊

Social Science Research SOCIOLOGY-

CiteScore

4.30

自引率

4.00%

发文量

审稿时长

65 days

期刊介绍： Social Science Research publishes papers devoted to quantitative social science research and methodology. The journal features articles that illustrate the use of quantitative methods in the empirical solution of substantive problems, and emphasizes those concerned with issues or methods that cut across traditional disciplinary lines. Special attention is given to methods that have been used by only one particular social science discipline, but that may have application to a broader range of areas.