Integrated evaluation of service efficacy of the urban open space system in Nanjing, China: A system structure perspective

• Developed a structural model to assess the service efficacy of the UOS system. • Quantified and characterized the relationships between subsystems. • Identified and determined the weighting of indicators for subsystem analysis. • Integrated Evaluation of Service Efficacy in the UOS System. • Service efficacy of UOS in the central districts of Nanjing: Overall moderate but in need of improvement. This study assessed the service efficacy of Nanjing’s urban open space (UOS) system, emphasizing the complex structural characteristics of UOS services, specifically, the impact of interactions between different subsystems on the overall service efficacy of the UOS system. The objective was to understand whether and how a UOS system can effectively and efficiently meet urban needs under constrained conditions. The dimensions of UOS services and the interrelationships between services offered by different subsystems were examined, and a structural model for assessing the service efficacy of the UOS system was developed. A multidimensional analytical approach was applied to quantify and characterize the relationships between subsystems and identify and determine the weighting of subsystem analysis indicators. The findings indicate that subsystems and their respective indicators differ in importance across dimensions, influence each other, and collectively form the overall service efficacy of a UOS system. Furthermore, while service efficacy across different administrative districts in Nanjing’s main urban areas generally remains moderate, significant differences in evaluation values exist among districts and subsystems, offering direction for future urban planning and resource allocation. This study offers detailed insights into the efficiency and optimization of UOS services, helping urban planners improve UOSs globally.