A supply-demand evaluation framework for uncovering age and gender inequities in urban green space cooling- A case study of Fuzhou

Rapid urbanization and intensified urban heat island effects have increased the need for effective, equitable cooling strategies. Urban green spaces (UGS), as nature-based solutions, provide critical cooling benefits that support thermal comfort and enhance urban resilience. However, disparities in cooling needs and access persist across gender and age, with vulnerable populations often facing unequal access to UGS resources. Despite growing attention to UGS equity, methods for quantifying demographic-specific mismatches between cooling supply and population demand remain underdeveloped. To address this gap, we developed a supply–demand evaluation framework to examine spatial equity and age- and gender-related environmental injustices in UGS cooling benefits in Fuzhou, China. The results show: 1) UGS cooling benefits supply and demand exhibit broadly similar spatial patterns across demographic groups but divergent patterns between the urban center and periphery. 2) Fuzhou’s main urban area faces pronounced supply–demand mismatches, with elderly and female populations more affected by uneven resource distribution. 3) Significant disparities (p < 0.001) exist across age and gender groups, with children and middle-aged adults experiencing greater mismatches, while men face more severe supply deficits. Although UGS spatially favors vulnerable groups, substantial inequities in cooling access remain. Notably, targeted planning and management strategies were proposed for urban and green space systems, tailored to different population groups and types of supply–demand mismatch. This study highlights the urgent need for age- and gender-responsive UGS planning and offers a transferable approach to reduce cooling inequalities, supporting more equitable and climate-resilient urban environments. • A supply-demand evaluation framework for UGS cooling equity. • Age- and gender-based disparities in access to UGS cooling benefits were identified. • Children, middle-aged adults, and men experience major supply-demand mismatches. • UGS resources in Fuzhou’s main urban area tend to favor vulnerable groups. • Transferable strategies are proposed to support equitable planning.