Mapping Equity Access to Green Spaces Across The University of British Columbia Vancouver Campus

This study examines the spatial distribution of green space coverage across the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus to identify areas with limited access, termed Equity Initiative Zones (EIZs).

A Geographic Information System (GIS)-based methodology was employed, integrating Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, green space data, a pedestrian walkway dataset, and a hexagonal grid framework to analyze pedestrian accessibility to green spaces using service area analysis, and to identify green space diversity and spatial equity disparities through statistical analysis. Results revealed that while the UBC campus has an average of 37.8% green space and 46.7% tree canopy coverage, approximately 6% of the campus falls within EIZs, primarily in northeast areas near academic buildings and parking lots—with mean green space coverage of approximately 1.8%.