Healthy cities: equitable access to urban parks as health promotion

Abstract

The research analyzed urban parks in two Brazilian capitals – Belém-PA and Recife-PE – based on the pattern of distribution and service to the population through the identification, dimensions and estimation of their reach areas. Regarding location, it was observed that most of the urban parks, in both cities, are concentrated in central areas far from peripheral neighborhoods with low-income population. As for the percentage of service area, it was found that the number of access points to the parks had a greater influence than the total area covered by parks in the city. The study points to the importance of an efficient planning for the population's access, in an equitable way, to the ecosystem benefits provided by these spaces aiming at improving the quality of life in cities.