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Mapping urban greenspace use from mobile phone GPS data
Meghann Mears1, Paul Brindley1, Paul Barrows2
1Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|July 7, 2021
Summary
This study used mobile phone GPS data to track urban greenspace usage in Sheffield, UK. Findings reveal usage patterns vary by demographics, with most visits being incidental, highlighting the need to consider social factors for equitable health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Urban planning and public health
- Environmental psychology
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mobile sensing
Background:
- Urban greenspace is vital for resident health and well-being.
- Previous research focused on greenspace availability, not actual usage.
- Mobile phone GPS data offers a novel method for tracking greenspace utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for processing raw GPS data into usable trip information.
- To investigate the characteristics of urban greenspace trips among residents.
- To explore how demographic and social factors influence greenspace usage patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized GPS data from a mobile phone app to track user movements.
- Developed algorithms to clean raw GPS data and identify individual trips.
- Analyzed trip characteristics (frequency, duration, distance) in relation to user demographics.
Main Results:
- Sheffield residents using the app averaged one hour per week in greenspaces across approximately seven trips.
- Trip characteristics differed significantly by demographics: ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and childhood outdoor exposure.
- A substantial portion of greenspace visits appeared incidental (transit) rather than destinations.
Conclusions:
- Current urban greenspace usage may offer some health benefits but may not be sufficient for maximal impact.
- Social and cultural factors significantly shape greenspace access and utilization.
- Future urban planning should integrate usage data and social considerations for equitable health outcomes.
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