People in low-income areas less likely to use local parks

Simply living near a park doesn’t mean people will actually use it – especially in more deprived neighbourhoods, according to new research.

The international study, led by University of Auckland researchers including Dr I Ting Chuang (School of Architecture and Planning), Dr William Cheung (Business School), Dr Katarzyna Sila-Nowicka (School of Environment) and international co-authors, used anonymised mobile phone data to track real world visits to parks in Auckland, Hong Kong and Taipei.

The researchers examined whether people visit their nearest local park or travel further afield, and how this behaviour varies across different socio economic contexts.

Urban designers and planners, says Chuang, typically rely on measures such as proximity to the nearest park or the number of parks in a neighbourhood when assessing green space provision.

“Our findings show being close to a park doesn’t necessarily translate into using it, especially in more deprived areas.”

This mismatch between access and use is what the researchers call the ‘green gap’.

In Auckland, the team found that people living in more deprived areas are less likely to visit their nearest park. While they’re yet to investigate why this is happening, they say a number of factors could be influencing people’s movements.

“Park quality, overcrowding, poor maintenance, safety, or a lack of appealing features may be reasons people travel further,” says Cheung.

In contrast, park use in Taipei was strongly tied to proximity, with residents more likely to use the closest park, especially in central urban areas.

In Hong Kong, residents in dense urban areas frequently use local parks but often bypass the nearest ones in favour of parks perceived as safer, less crowded, or better maintained.

Although Auckland shows the highest level of ‘deprivation sensitivity’ compared to Taipei and Hong Kong, the researchers say that overall, Aucklanders visit both local and more distant parks in a relatively balanced way.

They say urban designers and planners should go beyond simple measures like distance and the number of people in relation to parks when it comes to making decisions about green space investment. Instead, they should consider park quality, safety, maintenance, and local needs.

“If councils want to develop green areas, they need to be really aware of the people aspect, because even if you put a lot of parks in a neighbourhood, it doesn't mean people will use them; you need to understand and take into account people's behaviour in that community,” says Cheung.

The study also highlights the importance of context-specific planning: what works in one city may not work in another. Rather than a one size fits all approach, the findings suggest planners combine quantitative mobility data with local knowledge and research to understand residents’ needs, preferences and any safety concerns.

Cheung and Chuang say investment in maintenance, community activities, and features that reflect local needs, especially in disadvantaged areas, are also key elements in making parks feel safe, welcoming, and worth using.