THE ASSESSMENT OF PROXIMITY OF URBAN GREEN SPACES IN NIŠ: A GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The basic prerequisite for realizing the benefits of the implementation of urban green areas (UGS), such as physical and mental health, social cohesion, improving the quality of life, improving air quality, mitigating the effects of heat islands, biodiversity or storm water management, is the spatial proximity of the UGS, their physical availability and accessibility. Applying spatial analysis tools in a GIS environment, the study explores the relationship between the built environment and urban parks in Niš, where such planning tools are underutilized despite the strategic recognition of the importance of UGS in official planning documents. By evaluating the spatial distribution and availability of different types of parks, the research highlights the concept of the "15-minute city" in urban planning. The research includes 48 parks and 33662 buildings generated from the OpenStreetMaps database. The results indicate a low percentage of buildings in close proximity to parks, with significant disparities compared to European cities of similar size. Highlighting the potential of GIS in urban planning decision-making processes, this paper argues for the integration of spatial proximity analysis tools to improve the implementation of UGS and maximize their social benefits.