Access to Areas of Open Space

Indicator Rationale 

A public space is an area where anyone has a right to come without being excluded because of economic or social conditions, although this may not always be the case in practice.  Having access to a public space relates to the geographic proximity of the public space, and also to how a person feels within that space. How easy is it to get to? Who is most welcome in that space? It can refer to a social, physical or emotional level of access. The factors affecting access to public space can include: distance to services, isolation, social exclusion from certain places, and anti-social behaviour. The use of and interactions in public space affects anyone in the community that use these shared places. Challenges in accessing public space physically or socially can arise from conflicting ideas about how free and democratic space should be utilised. 

In general, there is no expectation of privacy in a public space.  Public spaces are also attractive for budget tourists, residents of apartment blocks, and homeless people.  Whilst it is generally considered that everyone has a right to access and use public space, as opposed to private space which may have restrictions, there has been some academic interest in how public spaces are managed to exclude certain groups - specifically homeless people and young people.  Measures are taken to make the public space less attractive to these groups, including the removal or design of benches to restrict their use for sleeping and resting and restricting access to public space at certain times by locking indoor and enclosed areas. Police forces are sometimes involved in moving 'unwanted' members of the public from public spaces.  Also, when not being provided with suitable access, disabled people are excluded from some spaces.

Data Source 

Data source to be explored further.

Measure

Percentage of people that live within 3km of a public open space.

Reference

Malone, K. "Children, Youth and Sustainable Cities". Local Environment 6 (1), 2004.