The Green Divide: Investigating Possible Socioeconomic Inequities in Public Green Space Quality in Lisbon, Portugal

Public green spaces are an essential element of urban design, providing numerous environmental, social, and health-related benefits to urban populations. This study assesses the quality of public green spaces across four neighborhoods of varying socioeconomic status in Lisbon, Portugal, asking ‘Are socioeconomic inequities in park quality present in Lisbon?’ While previous studies have assessed the spatial distribution of urban green space in Lisbon, this study focuses on the quality of Lisbon’s green spaces, as quality determines to what extent a green space benefits the community in which it is located. Four Lisbon parishes were selected based on their median gross income per taxable person – Marvila and Beato, two of Lisbon’s lowest income parishes, alongside Belém and Parque das Nações, two of Lisbon’s highest income parishes. A sampling of public green spaces from each neighborhood was scored for quality using the PUGSI (Public Urban Green Space Index) quality assessment system. Findings show no clear correlation between the income level of a neighborhood and its average overall green space quality score. However, a correlation between a neighborhood’s income level and the average accessibility score of its green spaces was discovered. Findings highlight a need for accessibility improvements in Lisbon green spaces, especially in lower-income neighborhoods. Green space development projects utilizing participatory methods can address the concerns found in this study, allowing communities to benefit to the fullest possible extent from high-quality urban green space.