Green spaces are vital for urban health and quality of life, promoting social cohesiveness and interpersonal dynamics. However, 56% of the world’s population lives in cities without green spaces, affecting their health and psychological well-being. The limited number of neighborhood parks highlights the need to consider accessibility and its relationship with social cohesiveness. Social cohesion is crucial for community well-being and is linked to public spaces, especially in urban areas. Neighborhood green spaces promote social connections, reduce inequalities, and enhance community health. This research acknowledges the connection between accessibility and urban green spaces, but does not directly evaluate its impact. This systematic literature review aims to understand the factors of accessibility to neighborhood green spaces that contribute to social cohesion and their impact on physical and mental well-being, highlighting the lack of research on the interdependencies between these variables and their combined impact. The study utilized a keyword search on databases like Scopus, Research Gate, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Lens.org, and PubMed to identify 123 empirical research studies published between 2013 and 2022, conducted by 213 authors in 5 countries and 66 journals. The findings explore the factors influencing social cohesion, including socio-demographics, physical characteristics, non-physical variables, environmental perceptions, and usage patterns. It uses Vos viewer keyword co-occurrences analysis to create clusters, proposes a model to understand how these factors are linked to accessibility and directly influence social cohesion and provides insights into the relationship between these factors. Understanding these factors is essential for urban planning and policy-making.

neighborhood green spaces; parks; social cohesion; human health; wellbeing physical characteristics; environmental perceptions and accessibility

Berdejo-Espinola, V., Zahnow, R., Suárez-Castro, A. F., et al. (2022). Changes in Green Space Use During a COVID-19 Lockdown Are Associated With Both Individual and Green Space Characteristics. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.804443

Błaszczyk, M., Suchocka, M., Wojnowska-Heciak, M., et al. (2020). Quality of urban parks in the perception of city residents with mobility difficulties. PeerJ, 8, e10570. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10570

Cerin, E., Conway, T. L., Adams, M. A., et al. (2018). Objectively-assessed neighbourhood destination accessibility and physical activity in adults from 10 countries: An analysis of moderators and perceptions as mediators. Social Science & Medicine, 211, 282–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.06.034

Chen, Q., Wang, C., Lou, G., et al. (2019). Measurement of Urban Park Accessibility from the Quasi-Public Goods Perspective. Sustainability, 11(17), 4573. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11174573

Chen, Y., Yue, W., & La Rosa, D. (2020). Which communities have better accessibility to green space? An investigation into environmental inequality using big data. Landscape and Urban Planning, 204, 103919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103919

Fasihi, H. (2019). Urban Parks and Their Accessibility in Tehran, Iran. Environmental Justice, 12(6), 242–249. https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2019.0014

Firdaus, M. K., Sumabrata, J., Tampi, D. M., et al. (2019). Public Open Space in Realizing Sustainable Urban Development (Study: Environmental Park in East Jakarta, Indonesia). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 264, 012005. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/264/1/012005

Guo, M., Liu, B., Tian, Y., et al. (2020). Equity to Urban Parks for Elderly Residents: Perspectives of Balance between Supply and Demand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(22), 8506. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228506

Halkos, G., Leonti, A., & Sardianou, E. (2021). Activities, motivations and satisfaction of urban parks visitors: A structural equation modeling analysis. Economic Analysis and Policy, 70, 502–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2021.04.005

He, H., Lin, X., Yang, Y., et al. (2020). Association of street greenery and physical activity in older adults: A novel study using pedestrian-centered photographs. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 55, 126789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126789

Heo, S., Nori-Sarma, A., Kim, S., et al. (2021). Do persons with low socioeconomic status have less access to greenspace? Application of accessibility index to urban parks in Seoul, South Korea. Environmental Research Letters, 16(8), 084027. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac12f1

Jennings, V., & Bamkole, O. (2019). The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space: An Avenue for Health Promotion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030452

Karuppannan, S., & Sivam, A. (2012). Comparative analysis of utilisation of open space at neighbourhood level in three Asian cities: Singapore, Delhi and Kuala Lumpur. URBAN DESIGN International, 18(2), 145–164. https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2012.34

Kaźmierczak, A. (2013). The contribution of local parks to neighbourhood social ties. Landscape and Urban Planning, 109(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.05.007

Ki, D., & Lee, S. (2021). Analyzing the effects of Green View Index of neighborhood streets on walking time using Google Street View and deep learning. Landscape and Urban Planning, 205, 103920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103920

Kothencz, G., Kolcsár, R., Cabrera-Barona, P., et al. (2017). Urban Green Space Perception and Its Contribution to Well-Being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(7), 766. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14070766

Krzywnicka, I., & Jankowska, P. (2021). accessibility of public urban green space. A case study of Białystok city. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 20(3), 203–214. https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.6794

Lak, A., Aghamolaei, R., Baradaran, H. R., et al. (2020). A Framework for Elder-Friendly Public Open Spaces from the Iranian Older Adults’ perspectives: A Mixed-Method Study. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 56, 126857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126857

Liang, X., Tian, H., Li, X., et al. (2021). Modeling the dynamics and walking accessibility of urban open spaces under various policy scenarios. Landscape and Urban Planning, 207, 103993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103993

Lin, Y., Zhou, Y., Lin, M., et al. (2021). Exploring the disparities in park accessibility through mobile phone data: Evidence from Fuzhou of China. Journal of Environmental Management, 281, 111849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111849

Liu, S., & Wang, X. (2021). Reexamine the value of urban pocket parks under the impact of the COVID-19. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 64, 127294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127294

Liu, Z., Kemperman, A., & Timmermans, H. (2021). Correlates of frequency of outdoor activities of older adults: Empirical evidence from Dalian, China. Travel Behaviour and Society, 22, 108–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2020.09.003

Malek, N. A., Mariapan, M., & Shariff, M. K. M. (2012). The Making of a Quality Neighbourhood Park: A Path Model Approach. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 49, 202–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.07.019

Mohammadi Tahroodi, F., & Ujang, N. (2021). Engaging in social interaction: relationships between the accessibility of path structure and intensity of passive social interaction in urban parks. Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 16(1), 112–133. https://doi.org/10.1108/arch-04-2021-0100

Moulay, A., Ujang, N., & Said, I. (2017). Legibility of neighborhood parks as a predicator for enhanced social interaction towards social sustainability. Cities, 61, 58–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2016.11.007

Nam, J., & Kim, H. (2014). The Correlation Between Spatial Characteristics and Utilization of City Parks: A Focus on Neighborhood Parks in Seoul, Korea. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 13(2), 515–522. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.13.515

Peters, K., Elands, B., & Buijs, A. (2010). Social interactions in urban parks: Stimulating social cohesion? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 9(2), 93–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2009.11.003

Pietilä, M. (2017). Do Visitor Experiences Differ Across Recreation Settings? Using Geographical Information Systems to Study the Setting-Experience Relationship. Visitor Studies, 20(2), 187–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/10645578.2017.1404350

Priess, J., Pinto, L. V., Misiune, I., et al. (2021). Ecosystem Service Use and the Motivations for Use in Central Parks in Three European Cities. Land, 10(2), 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10020154

Rahimi, A., Tarashkar, M., & Jahantab, B. (2021). Contribution of Design Indicators in Perception of Social Capital, and Interference of Socio-Demographic Information in the Process. Sustainability, 13(7), 3589. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073589

Rasidi, M. H., Jamirsah, N., & Said, I. (2012). Urban Green Space Design Affects Urban Residents’ Social Interaction. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 68, 464–480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.242

Rigolon, A., Browning, M. H. E. M., McAnirlin, O., et al. (Violet). (2021). Green Space and Health Equity: A Systematic Review on the Potential of Green Space to Reduce Health Disparities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2563. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052563

Sanesi, G., & Chiarello, F. (2006). Residents and urban green spaces: The case of Bari. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 4(3–4), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2005.12.001

Schipperijn, J., Bentsen, P., Troelsen, J., et al. (2013). Associations between physical activity and characteristics of urban green space. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 12(1), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2012.12.002

Skaržauskienė, A., & Mačiulienė, M. (2019). Assessment of Digital Co-Creation for Public Open Spaces: Methodological Guidelines. Informatics, 6(3), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics6030039

Sreetheran, M. (2017). Exploring the urban park use, preference and behaviours among the residents of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 25, 85–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2017.05.003

Sundevall, E. P., & Jansson, M. (2020). Inclusive Parks across Ages: Multifunction and Urban Open Space Management for Children, Adolescents, and the Elderly. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9357. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249357

Talal, M. L., & Santelmann, M. V. (2021). Visitor access, use, and desired improvements in urban parks. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 63, 127216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127216

Tian, Y., Jim, C., & Liu, Y. (2017). Using a Spatial Interaction Model to Assess the Accessibility of District Parks in Hong Kong. Sustainability, 9(11), 1924. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9111924

Turna, N., & Bhandari, H. (2022). Role of Parks as Recreational Spaces at Neighborhood Level in Indian Cities. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 8685–8694. https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.8685ecst

Uchiyama, Y., & Kohsaka, R. (2020). Access and Use of Green Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Green Infrastructure Management in the “New Normal.” Sustainability, 12(23), 9842. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239842

Ujang, N., Kozlowski, M., & Maulan, S. (2018). Linking place attachment and social interaction: towards meaningful public places. Journal of Place Management and Development, 11(1), 115–129. https://doi.org/10.1108/jpmd-01-2017-0012

Vallée, J., Shareck, M., Le Roux, G., et al. (2020). Is accessibility in the eye of the beholder? Social inequalities in spatial accessibility to health-related resources in Montréal, Canada. Social Science & Medicine, 245, 112702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112702

Wan, C., Shen, G. Q., & Choi, S. (2021). Underlying relationships between public urban green spaces and social cohesion: A systematic literature review. City, Culture and Society, 24, 100383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccs.2021.100383

Wang, P., Zhou, B., Han, L., et al. (2021). The motivation and factors influencing visits to small urban parks in Shanghai, China. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 60, 127086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127086

Wood, L., Hooper, P., Foster, S., et al. (2017). Public green spaces and positive mental health – investigating the relationship between access, quantity and types of parks and mental wellbeing. Health & Place, 48, 63–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.09.002

Zhai, Y., Li, D., Wu, C., et al. (2021). Urban park facility use and intensity of seniors’ physical activity – An examination combining accelerometer and GPS tracking. Landscape and Urban Planning, 205, 103950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103950

Zhang, J., Cheng, Y., & Zhao, B. (2021). How to accurately identify the underserved areas of peri-urban parks? An integrated accessibility indicator. Ecological Indicators, 122, 107263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107263

Zhang, Y., Mavoa, S., Zhao, J., et al. (2020). The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6640. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186640

Zohrevandian, K., Bastami, A., Naderloo, H., et al. (2017). The Role of Environmental Features of Parks in Activation of Recreational Activities in Leisure Time. Annals of Applied Sport Science, 5(1), 89–95. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.aassjournal.5.1.89