A protocol to evaluate urban green spaces accessibility using network analysis

Accessibility is fundamental for the distributional justice of Urban Green Spaces (emphasised in United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 11, advocating universal access to inclusive green spaces (target 11.7) and sustainable transport (target 11.2). Traditionally focused on walking access, the accessibility assessment for UGS increasingly considers different modes of transport, although it often remains city-specific. Few cross-country comparisons have been based on Euclidean distance, ignoring physical barriers. A more efficient - yet complex - method is network analysis, addressing, e.g., average speed per transport type and road network characteristics. In addition, walking speed varies, for example, with age, slope, or sidewalk conditions; motor vehicle speed depends on traffic intensity; and public transport accessibility is limited by bus line and bus stop distribution. This study presents a replicable protocol to assess 5- and 10-minute access (walking, biking, public, and private transport) and population coverage to support the above-mentioned SDG targets.•The protocol details a step-by-step approach to assess accessibility to UGS.•Equity is addressed through transport diversity, spatio-temporal barriers, and population coverage.•The protocol is designed to ensure replicability and comparison between different urban areas.