An Improved Multi-Mode Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method for Measuring Accessibility of Urban Park in Tianjin, China

Abstract

Parks, as a major infrastructure that provide public service for urban residents, play a vital role in promoting urban livability and public health. Under the framework of spatial equity, more sophisticated accessibility methods were used on measuring urban park accessibility such as multi-mode 2SFCA. However, the accessibility of residential areas near parks was seriously underestimated by using the multi-mode 2SFCA method. Thus, this study aimed to propose an improved multi-mode 2SFCA method to measure urban park accessibility with a more appropriate approach, by taking residential areas of Tianjin central city as the spatial unit. The results indicate that all residential areas can obtain urban park accessibility, but the spatial distribution of urban park accessibility is heterogeneous. The numerical value of urban park accessibility decreases as the travel time from residential areas to urban parks increases; it is shown that the proposed method can provide a more realistic evaluation compared to the traditional multi-mode 2SFCA method. This study provides a comprehensive and realistic insight into acquainting with urban park accessibility and helps urban planners formulate effective policies and strategies to ease spatial imbalance.