sustainability

Article
Accessibility and Street Network Characteristics of
Urban Public Facility Spaces: Equity Research on
Parks in Fuzhou City Based on GIS and Space
Syntax Model
Bo-Xun Huang 1,2, *, Shang-Chia Chiou 1 and Wen-Ying Li 1,3, *
1 Graduate School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan;
[email protected]
2 College of Arts College of Landscape Architecture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University,
Fuzhou 350118, China
3 College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou 350118, China
* Correspondence: [email protected] (B.-X.H.); [email protected] (W.-Y.L.)




Received: 30 March 2020; Accepted: 27 April 2020; Published: 30 April 2020


Abstract: Urban green spaces are conducive to people’s physical, mental, and social health; however,
in many cases, these benefits are unevenly distributed in cities. This study explored the equity
of urban green spaces in terms of accessibility and spatial morphology, specifically, (1) applied
the geographic information system (GIS) accessibility index to the equity of parks in Fuzhou City;
(2) discussed the accessibility of parks and the spatial morphological characteristics of streets from a
space syntax analysis; (3) examined the correlation between the accessibility of parks in Fuzhou City
and the spatial morphology of streets. The results provide a valuable reference for sustainable urban
design and planning.

Keywords: spatial equity; accessibility; street network; urban parks; sustainability

1. Introduction
Sustainable development has been studied from environmental, economic, and social aspects.
Numerous researches have defined the connotation of the three aspects and explored the ways to reach
a balance among the three aspects. Although many measures and evaluation methods have been
proposed on environmental protection and economic development, it is rather difficult to define the
scope of social equity. Moreover, the research related to social sustainability is not as diversified as the
research on the other two aspects [1].
Cities are spaces where most people live, thus, the tangible and quantifiable spatial characteristics
of cities contribute to defining the connotation of social sustainability [2]. Urban public green spaces
refer to public and service facilities, which are planned by the state and the government to provide
convenient services and to maintain good living quality. The spatial structure formed by location
and scale in an urban environment is a topic widely discussed in the field of urban planning. Similar
to wealth and resources, how public green spaces are fairly distributed to various groups affect the
operation of the entire society. Therefore, the spatial planning and strategy for making public green
spaces should be oriented towards realizing the social sustainability of cities.
Urbanization has now become one of the global development agendas. The United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals11 (SDG11) defined urbanization as the integration, protection,
robustness, and sustainability of urban communities and human settlements. The United Nations
expanded its SDG agencies to new urban management in 2016 [3], while the sustainability and

Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618; doi:10.3390/su12093618 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability

Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 2 of 19

inclusiveness of cities depend on different standards, such as planning, fair spatial allocation, ecological
services, urban management, green space quality, and socio-economic facilities. The social advantages
provided by urban green spaces help to increase the personal satisfaction of urban residents [4–6].
It is widely recognized that human health is related to the measurement, quality, and equity of green
spaces, and the environment requires that public places belonging to different social categories should
be featured by sustainability and fair accessibility. Accessibility methods are available in planning
documents and corporate verifiable records [7–11]. Accessibility is characterized by how the frame is
used and transported, allowing the public to exercise or gain energy from the transport mode [12,13].
Street networks are regarded as the skeleton of cities, as they link the geographical units in the
urban spaces. To a certain extent, the morphological structure of streets determines the connection
breadth and strength of different functional areas in the urban environment, which affects the flow
and operating efficiency of various resource elements and the urban spatial structure in cities [14–18].
There is a mutual promotional and restricting relationship between transportation networks and urban
public facilities. Complex network methods have been deployed in many researches to evaluate the
integrity and accessibility of street networks by analyzing their topological characteristics and spatial
distribution [19–23]. Although some emerging researches have explored the relationship between street
network characteristics and public facilities, most existing works focus on analyzing the accessibility of
public facilities. Furthermore, few researches have addressed the street network of cities from a global
perspective or studied whether the characteristics of urban morphological structures are related to the
development of urban public facilities.
In the past, the political and ethnical reasons for unfair facility distribution were discussed [24];
however, urban morphology was rarely addressed due to the differences in access or convenience to
public facilities in different areas, as generated by street and texture planning. In this regard, spatial
equity is an important standpoint in spatial planning to analyze the configuration and structure of
public facilities, as well as assess the distribution equity of public resources in spatial or territorial
terms [24]. Spatial equity emphasizes the relationship between equity and location, and suggests that
public services and resources should be made equally available to groups in different spaces. Spatial
inequality implies unfair spatial separation or spatial proximity between residents and public facilities,
and such separation or proximity is caused by the spatial morphology connected or blocked by the
buildings and roads in the urban environment. Therefore, in addition to the configuration of public
green spaces, the road networks also affect the convenience of residents to access public services as a
bridge between different activities. Therefore, the analysis of spatial equity should regard the road
network structure as the foundation of an urban environment system, which provides a fair starting
point for different groups in different areas to access public services.
Previous researches on the spatial equity of public facilities adopted accessibility as an
indicator [25,26], as accessibility provides a relatively complete grasp of the availability and spatial
location of facilities. Even in different methods, accessibility takes into consideration land use,
transportation, time, and personal factors to different degrees. Regarding the development of the
indicators, first, the simple measurements of the distance to the facilities were used to represent
accessibility, and then, the cumulative opportunity method was used to assess the number of facilities
accessible to each person or district within a certain range. Recently, the potential model, the facility
scale, and the characteristics that the facility benefits, which gradually decline over distance, have been
simultaneously considered. However, all previous researches divided the research area into many
spatial units, and then, calculated the accessibility of each unit.
Therefore, this study analyzed whether residents have equal opportunity to access existing
public facilities according to the texture of the urban road networks from the perspective of spatial
equity. This study has two main contributions to the academic community. On one hand, from a
methodological perspective, the proposed framework provides technical and methodological support
for a better understanding of the relationship between urban facility construction and urban street
Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 3 of 19

structure. On the other hand, from an empirical perspective, the case study can guide decision-makers
in sustainable urban development and urban space optimization.

2. Research Methodology

2.1. GIS
A geographic information system (GIS) can be used to enhance facility planning and management of
public facility spaces. One of the applications discussed in this paper is the measurement of accessibility
and distribution equity provided by the park system, which helps to identify low-accessible areas
and groups. The system also provides suggestions for the best locations to design new facilities,
thus, maximizing accessibility and equity. Accessibility provides a relatively complete grasp of the
availability and spatial location of facilities. Even in different methods, accessibility takes into account
land use, transportation, time, and personal factors to different degrees; therefore, accessibility has
been widely adopted by researchers of spatial equity. The results of accessibility calculations were
further analyzed in geographic space to reveal the areas with better and worse accessibility, and how
the distribution of facilities is unfair to certain groups.
In reference to the theoretical basis, accessibility can be evaluated by three criteria: operability,
interpretability, and dissemination, while the usefulness and limitations of different accessibility
measurement methods can be judged according to the research topics. However, when using
accessibility as an indicator, different methods should be considered to satisfy different situations
and serve different purposes; in other words, there is no optimal accessibility indicator [27]. Instead,
a most suitable measurement method should be identified to address the research purposes and criteria.
In this study, the road network distance to the nearest facility was applied to measure accessibility, as it
can clearly exhibit the aggregation error in accessibility measurement and has advantages in operability
and interpretability. Moreover, its data requirements are not high, which makes it easier for researchers
and planners to understand and assess the differences in accessibility in a more direct manner.

2.2. Interpretation of Spatial Inequality

The Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient were originally used to explore the equity of income or
wealth distribution. Income is positively related to wealth status. If the total income of n individuals in
the area is x, under absolutely fair wealth distribution, when the income of n individuals is plotted as a
histogram, the income of each individual is x/n. When the values are accumulated to plot the Lorenz
curve, the x-axis is the cumulative percentage of the population, and the y-axis is the cumulative
percentage of the income. As each individual uniformly obtains equal 1/n of the total income, the Lorenz
curve is a 45◦ oblique line between (0, 0) and (1, 1), which is also regarded as an absolutely fair oblique
line. If the wealth distribution is unfair, an area A will be generated between the Lorenz curve and
the o absolutely fair oblique line. The area below the curve is B and A + B is 0.5. The Gini coefficient
is defined as A/(A + B). Under absolutely fair wealth distribution, A = 0 and the Gini Coefficient =
0. Under absolutely unfair wealth distribution, A = 0.5 and the Gini Coefficient = 1, where the Gini
Coefficient = A/(A + B).

2.3. Space Syntax

The argument raised by space syntax is that the pattern of movement in a city is likely to be
shaped to a large extent by the topology of its route network alone, irrespective of all other factors
(e.g., distribution of land uses) [28], therefore, the network itself, and the analysis of its shape, is the
focus of space syntax analysis and is an area that remains minimally explored [29]. Space syntax
provides an alternative method of measuring street connectivity. Originated in the field of architecture
and urban design, space syntax is generally used for characterizing and quantifying the spatial layout
of buildings within urban spaces or enclosed spaces within streets based on topological methods [30,31].
Different from intersection density, space syntax focuses on the topological distance within the network,
 Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 4 of 19

which refers to the number of turns required to reach one location from another [32,33]. The calculation
of space syntax has been explained in some researches [30,32,34,35]. In short, street integration is a
Sustainability
key space2020, 12, x measure
syntax FOR PEER REVIEW
that shows the topological accessibility of one street segment to all4 of 18
other
street segments within a defined area (i.e., a certain distance from the center of the street). A more
segments within a defined
highly integrated area (i.e.,
street segment meansa certain
that itdistance from curves
takes fewer the center of the
to reach thestreet).
street A more highly
segment from
integrated street segment means that it takes fewer curves to reach the street segment
other streets in the network. Figure 1a shows one street network, and Figure 1b shows the integrationfrom other streets
inlevel
the network.
(the red lineFigure 1a shows
represents one street
higher network, and Figure 1b shows the integration level (the red
integration).
line represents higher integration).

(a) (b)

Figure
Figure 1.
1. Street
Streetnetwork:
network:(a)
(a)street
streetnetwork;
network;(b)
(b)space
spacesyntax
syntaxintegration.
integration.

Path
Pathselection
selectionisisalso
alsocrucial
crucialfor
forpedestrians
pedestrians[36].
[36].The
Theliterature
literatureon on pedestrian
pedestrian route choice
choice behavior
behavior
consistently reported that travel time/distance is the key
consistently reported that travel time/distance is the key determinant determinant of route choice; this means
this means that that
pedestrians
pedestrians choose
choose thetheshortest path/time
shortest route
path/time between
route betweenan origin and and
an origin a destination. Even Even
a destination. a morea recent
more
study
recentinstudy
Cambridge, it was it
in Cambridge, demonstrated
was demonstratedthat pedestrians choose
that pedestrians a route
choose that that
a route is shorter thanthan
is shorter the
geographic information system (GIS) derived shortest path route by taking
the geographic information system (GIS) derived shortest path route by taking cut throughs cut throughs and other
other
paths
pathsnotnotpresent
presentininaatypical
typicalroad
roadnetwork
network used
used for
for aa GIS-based analysis [37–41].
[37–41]. Directional
Directional distance
distance
(e.g.,
(e.g.,the
thenumber
numberofofdirectional
directionalchanges
changesrequired
required toto reach
reach aa destination) is a commonly
commonly used used indicator
indicator
totorepresent street configuration in the space syntax literature
represent street configuration in the space syntax literature [30,42–44]. The segment analysis
analysis in in space
space
syntax
syntaxprovides
providesthree
threeanalysis
analysismodes,
modes,which
whichcancan comprehensively
comprehensively analyze
analyze the topology, angle angle andand
metric of the street network. The difference between these
metric of the street network. The difference between these analysis modes analysis modes lies in the definition of
definition of the the
number
numberofof"shortest
“shortestpaths".
paths”.The
Thetopological
topologicalmode
modeshortest
shortestpath
pathisisthe
the path
path with the fewest numbernumber of of
polyline
polylinebreaks,
breaks,ororthe
thepath
pathwith
withthethefewest
fewestnumber
number of of other
other segments. The angular mode mode shortest
shortestpath
path
isisthe
thepath
pathwith
withthe
thesmallest
smallestturn
turnangle
angle between
between twotwo segments.
segments. TheThe metric mode is that that the
the shortest
shortest
path
pathisisthe
theshortest
shortestdistance
distancebetween
betweentwo-line
two-linesegments.
segments.In Inthis
thisstudy,
study, the angular mode is selected,selected,
which
whichisisthethemost
mostcommonly
commonlyused usedmode
modeininline
linesegment
segmentanalysis
analysis[30].
[30].

2.4. Integrating
2.4.Integrating GIS
GIS and
and Space
Space Syntax
Syntax
Differentfrom
Different from most
most previous
previous studies
studies that
that employed
employed GISGIS or space
or space syntax,
syntax, thisthis
studystudy integrated
integrated GIS
GIS and space syntax to yield good data support. This approach can be used in similar
and space syntax to yield good data support. This approach can be used in similar or different studies, or different
studies,
such as forsuch
the as for the discussion
discussion of functionofandfunction and example,
data. For data. Foraexample,
study onaXian-lin
study on Xian-lin
campus of campus
Nanjing
of Nanjing
Normal Normalintegrated
University University integrated
GIS and space GIS and space
syntax syntax
to analyze thetocharacteristics
analyze the characteristics
of the layout of of the
the
layout of
campus the campus
space space and
and buildings buildings
[45]. [45]. study
In another In another study onTown’s
on Anhou Anhounew Town’s new of
round round
spatialof
spatial development
development morphology,
morphology, an implementation
an implementation method ofmethod
spatial of spatial morphology
morphology planning
planning that that
integrated
integrated
GIS and spaceGIS and spacewas
syntax syntax
usedwasfor
used for quantitative
quantitative analysis
analysis on on syntactic
syntactic variablesof
variables of integration,
integration,
integration
integration core,
core, andand intelligibility
intelligibility [46].
[46]. To design
To design a well-grounded
a well-grounded systemsystem of roadside
of roadside rest (RRA)
rest areas areas
(RRA)
for fortravelers
transit transit travelers
and localand local inhabitants
inhabitants in LatviainandLatvia and Lithuania,
Lithuania, the spacethe spacemethod
syntax syntax and
method
GIS-
and GIS-based analysis were used to select places for the location of RRA on the
based analysis were used to select places for the location of RRA on the Latvian–Lithuanian cross-Latvian–Lithuanian
cross-border
border roadsTo[47].
roads [47]. To understand
understand how pedestrian
how pedestrian movement movement is generated
is generated in relation
in relation to the to the
urban
layouts and how to predict this movement in public spaces, GIS database, statistical methods, and space
syntax were used and tested in the case of the municipality of Athens [48]. Space syntax quantitatively
describes the spatial structure of cities from a cognitive perspective. GIS possesses excellent data
analysis and efficient geographic modeling capabilities. A combination of space syntax and GIS could
 Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 5 of 19

urban layouts and how to predict this movement in public spaces, GIS database, statistical methods,
and space syntax were used and tested in the case of the municipality of Athens [48]. Space syntax
quantitatively describes the spatial structure of cities from a cognitive perspective. GIS possesses
Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 18
excellent data analysis and efficient geographic modeling capabilities. A combination of space syntax
and GISthe
enhance could enhance
spatial the spatial
analysis abilityanalysis
of GIS ability of GIS the
and deepen and quantitative
deepen the quantitative
research ofresearch of space
space syntax on
syntax on urban
urban space structure. space structure.
AA geographic
geographic information
informationsystem
system(GIS) can provide
(GIS) a large number
can provide a large ofnumber
opportunities for recreational
of opportunities for
service agencies to enhance the planning and management of their facilities. In this
recreational service agencies to enhance the planning and management of their facilities. In this study, study, one such
application
one was demonstrated
such application for measuring
was demonstrated for the accessibility
measuring and distribution
the accessibility and equity provided
distribution by
equity
the park system. As space syntax introduces the concept of network scale, by
provided by the park system. As space syntax introduces the concept of network scale, by limiting thelimiting the spatial
distance
spatial or radius
distance of network
or radius analysis,analysis,
of network meaningmeaning
only considering the topological
only considering connection
the topological between
connection
line segments within a certain range, the potential of street networks from both
between line segments within a certain range, the potential of street networks from both local local and global scales
and
was measured.
global scales was measured.
3. Research Design
3. Research Design
3.1. Research Scope
3.1. Research Scope
As the provincial capital of Fujian Province, Fuzhou City is the political, economic, and cultural
As the provincial capital of Fujian Province, Fuzhou City is the political, economic, and cultural
center of Fujian Province. It is also a seaside garden city that contains five districts and eight counties.
center of Fujian Province. It is also a seaside garden city that contains five districts and eight counties.
As of 2018, the city managed six districts, six counties, and one host county-level city with a total
As of 2018, the city managed six districts, six counties, and one host county-level city with a total area
area of 11,968 square kilometers. The research scope of this study includes four administrative
of 11,968 square kilometers. The research scope of this study includes four administrative districts in
districts in the center of Fuzhou City, Gulou District, Taijiang District, Jin’an District, and Cangshan
the center of Fuzhou City, Gulou District, Taijiang District, Jin’an District, and Cangshan District
District (Figure 2a). These four districts are developed similarly and have complete roads and other
(Figure 2a). These four districts are developed similarly and have complete roads and other
infrastructures. Specifically, Jin’an District is far from the city center with bending terrain, inconvenient
infrastructures. Specifically, Jin’an District is far from the city center with bending terrain, inconvenient
traffic, and backward economic development. Therefore, the research area of the road network includes
traffic, and backward economic development. Therefore, the research area of the road network includes
the third ring roads of Fuzhou City (Figure 2b).
the third ring roads of Fuzhou City (Figure 2b).

(a) (b)

Figure Figure
2. Research scope: (a)
2. Research Gulou
scope: (a)District,
Gulou Cangshan District, Taijiang
District, Cangshan District,District,
TaijiangJin’an District
District, of District
Jin’an Fuzhou ofCity; (b)
Fuzhou
street network. City; (b) street network.

3.2. Research Data

The basic data of the road network was obtained by OpenStreetMap and edited with ArcGIS to
generate road segments. The coordinates of 3548 road segments were used as the starting points for
calculating the respective requirements of public facilities. Through the API provided by Baidu Maps,
the Baidu POI data were retrieved with parks and community committees as the keywords, and then
 Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 6 of 19

3.2. Research Data

The basic data of the road network was obtained by OpenStreetMap and edited with ArcGIS to
generate road segments. The coordinates of 3548 road segments were used as the starting points for
calculating the respective requirements of public facilities. Through the API provided by Baidu Maps,
Sustainability
the Baidu 2020,
POI12,data
x FORwere
PEERretrieved
REVIEW with parks and community committees as the keywords, and then 6 of 18
imported into MS Excel. After data cleaning and coordinate correction, the latitudes and longitudes of
imported
parks and intocommunities
MS Excel. After data cleaning
in Fuzhou and
City were coordinate
acquired. correction,
Within the scopethe latitudes
of the study, and longitudes of
the coordinates
parks andparks
of 120 communities in Fuzhou committees
and 412 community City were acquired. Within
were obtained the scope
(Figure 3). of the study, the coordinates
of 120 parks and 412 community committees were obtained (Figure 3).

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 3. 3.
Figure Research
Researchdata:
data:(a)
(a)road
roadsegments;
segments; (b)
(b) parks; (c) community
parks; (c) communitycommittees.
committees.

3.3. 3.3. Research

Research Framework
Framework
In order
In order to calculate
to calculate the the minimum
minimum distance
distance fromfrom
the the
parkpark demand
demand point
point to the
to the parkpark supply
supply point,
point, the Network Analyst extension tool in ArcGIS was used for analysis. Based
the Network Analyst extension tool in ArcGIS was used for analysis. Based on the actual road network,on the actual road
thisnetwork,
study used this spatial
study used spatial
analysis analysis
tools toolscomplex
to solve to solve complex
routing routing
problems,problems, including
including finding finding
the best
the best route, generating service areas, creating an OD cost matrix of starting
route, generating service areas, creating an OD cost matrix of starting points and end points, points and end points,
performing location-allocation of facilities, etc. To find the closest facility, the established road network
performing location-allocation of facilities, etc. To find the closest facility, the established road network
can be used as the actual action path, and the event points (demand points) and facilities (supply
can be used as the actual action path, and the event points (demand points) and facilities (supply points)
points) can be set up to calculate the space resistance from the starting point to the nearest facility,
can be set up to calculate the space resistance from the starting point to the nearest facility, which refers
which refers to the minimum road network distance in this study. When the information of event
to the minimum road network distance in this study. When the information of event points and facilities
points and facilities is read in network analysis, the results of different scenarios can be obtained under
is read in network analysis, the results of different scenarios can be obtained under different settings.
different settings. First, this study identified the difference between the community-based and the road
First, this study identified
segment-based the results.
accessibility difference between
Second, the community-based
the urban street morphologyand wasthe road segment-based
investigated from the
accessibility
perspective of space syntax, and the global integration and local integration were calculated. Finally, of
results. Second, the urban street morphology was investigated from the perspective
space
thesyntax, andbetween
correlation the global
parkintegration and
accessibility local
and integration
street were calculated.
spatial morphology in Fuzhou Finally, theexplored
City was correlation
between park aaccessibility
to provide and street
valuable reference spatial morphology
for sustainable urban design in and
Fuzhou City(Figure
planning was explored
4). to provide a
valuable reference for sustainable urban design and planning (Figure 4).
is read in network analysis, the results of different scenarios can be obtained under different settings.
First, this study identified the difference between the community-based and the road segment-based
accessibility results. Second, the urban street morphology was investigated from the perspective of
space syntax, and the global integration and local integration were calculated. Finally, the correlation
between park
Sustainability accessibility
2020, 12, 3618 and street spatial morphology in Fuzhou City was explored to provide
7 of 19a
valuable reference for sustainable urban design and planning (Figure 4).

Figure
Figure4.4.Schematic
Schematicfor
forthe
theresearch
researchframework.
framework.

4. Accessibility Analysis

4.1. Accessibility Measurement

With the community-based and road segment-based accessibility calculations, through the road
Network Analyst tool provided by ArcGIS, the information of the starting points (demand points) and
end points (supply points) were imported, and the measurement method of the road network dataset
and spatial impedance (actual road network distance) was set [49]. The analysis steps are as follows:

1. Import the road network data (.shp file) of communities and road segments collected through
Baidu Maps POI into ArcMap, and create a new road network dataset.
2. Enter the starting points of the road network analysis (412 data units of communities, 3548 spatial
data units of road segments).
3. Enter the end points of the road network analysis (120 data units of parks).
4. Perform “the closest facilities” in Network Analysis of ArcGIS to obtain the minimum road
network distance between the starting points and the end points as the accessibility.

Figure 5 shows the preliminary results of the spatial distribution of the community-based and
road segment-based accessibility results.
Hereunder, the road segment-based and the community-based accessibility results were analyzed
by descriptive statistics. There are 412 spatial units calculated by the community-based accessibility
results, and 3548 spatial units accessible by the road segment-based accessibility results accessibility.
Figure 6 shows that the frequency distribution of the road segment-based and the community-based
accessibility results are similar, both of which are right-skewed and exhibit obvious central tendency.
Through statistical calculation (Table 1), the community-based skewness is 2.38, indicating that the
mean is greater than the median, and that the accessibility of most spatial units is better than the
overall mean. The road segment-based accessibility results skewness is 1.76, which is smaller than the
community-based skewness, but has a similar right-skewed pattern. The community-based kurtosis
index is 8.10, it shows a sharp peak, and its concentration trend is more significant than the result of
3.955 based on the midpoint of road segment-based accessibility.
2. Enter the starting points of the road network analysis (412 data units of communities, 3548 spatial
data units of road segments).
3. Enter the end points of the road network analysis (120 data units of parks).
4. Perform “the closest facilities” in Network Analysis of ArcGIS to obtain the minimum road
network distance between the starting points and the end points as the accessibility.
Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618
Figure 5 shows the preliminary results of the spatial distribution of the community-based and8 of 19
road
segment-based accessibility results.

(a) (b)
FigureFigure 5. Spatial
5. Spatial units
units and and accessibility
accessibility results: results: (a) community-based
(a) community-based accessibility
accessibility results;
results; (b) (b) road
road segment-based
Sustainability 2020,
segment-based
accessibility 12, x FOR
results. PEER REVIEW
accessibility results. 8 of 18

Hereunder, the road segment-based and the community-based accessibility results were analyzed
by descriptive statistics. There areMean=412 spatial units calculated by the community-based
1218.71
Standard Deviation=1151.59
Mean= 897.27 accessibility
Standard Deviation=735.85
results, and 3548 spatial units accessible by the road segment-based accessibility results accessibility.
N=412 N=3548

Figure 6 shows that the frequency distribution of the road segment-based and the community-based
accessibility results are similar, both of which are right-skewed and exhibit obvious central tendency.
Through statistical calculation (Table 1), the community-based skewness is 2.38, indicating that the
mean is greater than the median, and that the accessibility of most spatial units is better than the overall
mean. The road segment-based accessibility results skewness is 1.76, which is smaller than the
community-based skewness, but has a similar right-skewed pattern. The community-based kurtosis
index is 8.10, it shows a sharp peak, and its concentration trend is more significant than the result of
3.955 based on the midpoint of road segment-based accessibility.

(a) (b)

Figure 6. Frequency distribution:(a) community-based accessibility results of frequency distribution;

Figure 6. Frequency distribution:(a) community-based accessibility results of frequency distribution; (b) road
(b) road segment-based accessibility results of frequency distribution.
segment-based accessibility results of frequency distribution.
Table 1. Community-based accessibility and road segment-based accessibility results of
In terms of community-based accessibility, to reach the nearest park facility requires walking
descriptive statistics.
1218.71 m on average; however, in terms of the road segment-based accessibility, to reach the nearest
park facility requiresN walking Mean
897.27
Median
m on average.Variance
Standard The dispersion
Skewness
of the community-based
Kurtosis
Deviation
accessibility results (1151.59) is also higher than that of the road segment-based accessibility results
(735.85). Overall, the road Statistic
Statistic segment-based
Statistic accessibility
Statistic yield a Standard
results Statistic
Statistic more consistent
Statistic
Standard
and better
Error Error
outcome. Whether the difference in accessibility is truly reflected should be judged by exhibiting the
Community
district divisions in the 412space.
1218.70 868.46 1151.59 1326164.06 2.38 0.120 8.108 0.240
Accessibility
Road Segment
3548 897.27 679.99 735.84 541472.32 1.76 0.041 3.955 0.082
Accessibility
Table 1. Community-based accessibility and road segment-based accessibility results of descriptive statistics.

Standard
In terms of Ncommunity-based
Mean Median accessibility, to reach the nearest
Variance park facility requires
Skewness walking
Kurtosis
Deviation
1218.71 m on average; however, in terms of the road segment-based accessibility, to reach the nearest
Standard Standard
Statisticwalking
park facility requires Statistic Statistic
897.27 Statistic TheStatistic
m on average. dispersionStatistic Statistic
of the community-based accessibility
error error
results (1151.59) is also higher than that of the road segment-based accessibility results (735.85). Overall,
Community
the 412 1218.70
road segment-based 868.46results
accessibility 1151.59
yield a1326164.06 2.38 and better
more consistent .120 outcome.
8.108 Whether
.240
Accessibility
Road Segment
3548 897.27 679.99 735.84 541472.32 1.76 .041 3.955 .082
Accessibility

4.2. Global Spatial Autocorrelation

In order to investigate spatial clustering, including the scattered or random distribution patterns
Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 9 of 19

the difference in accessibility is truly reflected should be judged by exhibiting the district divisions in
the space.

4.2. Global Spatial Autocorrelation

In order to investigate spatial clustering, including the scattered or random distribution patterns
of the two results, the Spatial Statistics tool in ArcGIS was used to calculate Moran’s I of global spatial
autocorrelation: Pn Pn  
n i=1 j=1 Wij (Xi − x) x j − x
I = Pn Pn Pn 2
i=1 j=1 wij n=1 (xi − x)
Based on point data, the spatial weight matrix was established with the square of the reciprocal
of the distance 1/d2ij. Only the closer points are mutually affected by each other. The results are
shown in Table 2. The P values are lower than 0.01, which is significant. Specifically, Moran’s I
of the community accessibility is 1.4175, and Moran’s I of the road segment accessibility is 0.6172.
The random distribution is less likely to be applicable; instead, a more obvious clustering pattern is
demonstrated in the range of Fuzhou City. The results show the spatial positively-correlated mode,
in which accessibility is directly proportional to the spatial cluster. In addition, community accessibility
is more highly clustered than road segment accessibility.

Table 2. Moran’s I index spatial autocorrelation analysis.

Community Accessibility Road Segment Accessibility

Moran’s I index 1.4175 0.6172
Standard Deviation 0.008642 0.000071
Z Score 15.2751 73.4414
P value 0.000000 0.000000

Then, this study further examined the category of the accessibility cluster with the high/low
clustering analysis tools (high/low clustering (Getis-Ord General G)). The General G index is also an
inferential statistical method that uses limited data to estimate global characteristics. When the returned
P value is small and statistically significant, the null hypothesis can be rejected. If the Z score is positive,
the observed General G index tends to be higher than the expected General G index, which indicates
that high attributes are clustered in the study area; if the Z score is negative, the observed General G
index tends to be lower than the expected General G index, which indicates that low attributes are
clustered in the study area.
The analysis results in Table 3 show that the Z score and P value of the community accessibility
are 10.85 and 0.00, respectively, while the Z score and P value of the road segment accessibility are
2.30 and 0.02, respectively, which are both significant. The results reveal a high accessibility cluster,
which means that the points with a short distance to parks are more concentrated. Specifically,
community accessibility has higher clusters than road segment accessibility, and the communities near
the park are more clustered.

Table 3. High/Low Clustering (Getis-Ord General G).

Community Accessibility Road Segment Accessibility

General G 0.002884 0.000104
Standard Deviation 0.000000 0.000000
Z Score 10.856255 2.303481
P value 0.000000 0.021252
 Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 10 of 19

4.3. Local Spatial Autocorrelation

While global spatial autocorrelation can be used to analyze the global spatial pattern of one
characteristic attribute, this spatial pattern is not identical throughout the study area, which means
that the space is heterogeneous. To describe how this characteristic attribute is distributed in space,
the local differences of spatial autocorrelation in the study area should be discussed first. Therefore,
in order to further understand the spatial distribution of accessibility, cluster and outlier analysis
(Ansenlin Local Moran’s I) was used to perform local spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the results
can be used to identify local differences in park accessibility from the perspective of spatial distribution.
The high-high area means that the periphery of the highly-accessible spatial units also has low
accessibility (high values represent low accessibility); conversely, the low-low area means that the
periphery of the low-accessible spatial units also has high accessibility (low values represent high
accessibility). The high-low and low-high areas are transitional areas; while a not significant area
means that the local spatial autocorrelation is not significant, as shown in Figure 7.
Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 18

(a) (b)
Figure Clusterand
Figure7.7.Cluster andoutlier
outlieranalysis:
analysis:(a)
(a)community
communityaccessibility
accessibility;; (b)
(b) road
road segment
segment accessibility.
accessibility.

The
Theanalysis
analysisresults
resultsshow
showthat
thatthe
theoverall
overalltrend
trendofofaccessibility
accessibilityisissimilar.
similar.The Thelow-low
low-lowareaareais
concentrated
is concentrated in the center, which includes the roads close to parks, and most of the high-highis
in the center, which includes the roads close to parks, and most of the high-high area
distributed in the south
area is distributed ofsouth
in the the city district,
of the while only
city district, a small
while only apart is part
small in the is east
in theandeastnorth, which
and north,
includes the roads far from parks and the areas with low accessibility. Although the
which includes the roads far from parks and the areas with low accessibility. Although the overall overall trends of
the two are similar, the road segment accessibility is more accurate and the location is
trends of the two are similar, the road segment accessibility is more accurate and the location is more more accurate;
therefore,
accurate;ittherefore,
is capableitofiscapturing
capable ofmore accurate
capturing accessibility
more status. This study
accurate accessibility status.used
Thishot spotused
study analysis
hot
(Getis-Ord Gi*) to demonstrate a more prominent clustering effect, as shown in Figure
spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) to demonstrate a more prominent clustering effect, as shown in Figure 8. 8.

4.4. Spatial Inequality Index

The Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient were originally used to explore the equity of income or
wealth distribution; income is positively related to wealth status. Hereunder, the concepts of the Lorenz
curve and the Gini coefficient were introduced to the accessibility results to show spatial inequality.
The Lorenz curve, as plotted from the accumulated community-based and road segment-based
accessibility results, is shown in Figure 9. The curvature of the community accessibility curve is higher
than that of the road segment accessibility curve. The calculated spatial Gini coefficient (inequality
index) of community accessibility is 0.7, and the calculated spatial inequality index of road segment
accessibility is 0.29384, which implies that calculating accessibility by street segments can output a
more fair result, while spatial units based on community accessibility produce less fair space.

(a) (b)
Figure 8. Hot spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) analysis: (a) community accessibility; (b) road segment accessibility.

4.4. Spatial Inequality Index

 The analysis results show that the overall trend of accessibility is similar. The low-low area is
concentrated in the center, which includes the roads close to parks, and most of the high-high area is
distributed in the south of the city district, while only a small part is in the east and north, which
includes the roads far from parks and the areas with low accessibility. Although the overall trends of
the two are similar, the road segment accessibility is more accurate and the location is more accurate;
Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 11 of 19
therefore, it is capable of capturing more accurate accessibility status. This study used hot spot analysis
(Getis-Ord Gi*) to demonstrate a more prominent clustering effect, as shown in Figure 8.

(a) (b)
Figure Figure
8. Hot spot
8. analysis
Hot spot(Getis-Ord
analysis Gi*) analysis:Gi*)
(Getis-Ord (a) community accessibility;
analysis: (a) community (b) road segment accessibility.
accessibility; (b) road
Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 18
segment accessibility.
4.4. Spatial Inequality Index
1.00
The Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient were originally used to explore the equity of income or
wealth distribution; income is0.90positively related to wealth status. Hereunder, the concepts of the Lorenz
curve and the Gini coefficient0.80 were introduced to the accessibility results to show spatial inequality.
The Lorenz curve, as plotted 0.70
from the accumulated community-based and road segment-based
accessibility results, is shown in Figure 9. The curvature of the community accessibility curve is higher
0.60
than that of the road segment accessibility curve. The calculated spatial Gini coefficient (inequality
index) of community accessibility
0.50 is 0.7, and the calculated spatial inequality index of road segment
accessibility is 0.29384, which 0.40
implies that calculating accessibility by street segments can output a more
fair result, while spatial units based on community accessibility produce less fair space.
0.30

0.20

0.10

0.00
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00
Absolute mean line
Lorenz Curve of road center points Accessibility
Lorenz Curve of Community points accessibility

Figure 9. Lorenz
Figure 9. Lorenz curve.
curve.

TheThespatial
spatialdistribution
distributionof of
parks
parks seeks
seeks to toenable
enablethe
themost
mostresidents
residentstotoreach
reachaanearby
nearbyparkparkatataa
relatively small
relatively smalldistance, and
distance, andonly
onlya small
a smallnumber
numberofofresidents
residentshave
havetototravel
travellong
longdistances
distancesto toaccess
access
services. In In
services. thetheaccessibility calculation,
accessibility calculation, thethedistance
distanceofofoutliers
outliersandandextremes
extremestotothe
thenearest
nearestfacility
facility
differs greatly
differs from
greatly other
from spatial
other units,
spatial which
units, whichincludes the small
includes number
the small of residents
number who need
of residents whotoneedtravel
to
long distances
travel to reach a park
long distances facility.
to reach Among
a park the above
facility. Among park
theaccessibility
above parkcalculation and
accessibility analysis from
calculation and
two different
analysis fromperspectives, theperspectives,
two different calculated road thesegment
calculatedaccessibility
road segmentis better in terms is
accessibility ofbetter
data, inand the
terms
data is more
of data, andconcentrated.
the data is moreAccording to the According
concentrated. overall spatial
to theautocorrelation analysis, road segment
overall spatial autocorrelation analysis,
accessibility
road segment is more evenly distributed,
accessibility is more evenlyand distributed,
the park resources
and theenjoyed by residents
park resources areby
enjoyed also relatively
residents are
even.
alsoThe Lorenzeven.
relatively curveTheand Gini coefficient
Lorenz curve and Gini indicate that road
coefficient segment
indicate that accessibility
road segmentisaccessibility
closer to theis
absolutely
closer tofair
the line.
absolutely fair line.

5. Space Syntax: Spatial Structural Analysis of Streets and Parks

5.1. Overview and Problems of Spatial Distribution of Parks

Based on the relationship between the travel modes and frequencies of the residents, as well as
mean road segment accessibility, the service radiuses of 400 and 900 m with optimal accessibility were
set up. Buffer zones were applied in 120 parks in four administrative districts of Fuzhou City; most of
the communities in Gulou District and Taijiang District are basically within 400 m of a certain park.
A small part of Cangshan District and Jin’an District can access a certain park within 400 m. If the
 Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 12 of 19

5. Space Syntax: Spatial Structural Analysis of Streets and Parks

5.1. Overview and Problems of Spatial Distribution of Parks

Based on the relationship between the travel modes and frequencies of the residents, as well as
mean road segment accessibility, the service radiuses of 400 and 900 m with optimal accessibility were
set up. Buffer zones were applied in 120 parks in four administrative districts of Fuzhou City; most of
the communities in Gulou District and Taijiang District are basically within 400 m of a certain park.
A small part of Cangshan District and Jin’an District can access a certain park within 400 m. If the
mean road segment accessibility is 900m, most communities in the northeast of Jin’an District and
the southeast of Cangshan District cannot access any park within 400 m (Figure 10), which shows
that, with rapid urban development, the population has expanded, and the downtown has been well
developed. As most of the park resources are concentrated in the downtown, most residential areas far
from the downtown
Sustainability still
2020, 12, x FOR PEERlack access to parks.
REVIEW 12 of 18

(a) (b)
Figure Figure
10. Analysis of buffer
10. Analysis zones zones
of buffer in Fuzhou City: (a)
in Fuzhou a park
City: (a) a service radius
park service of 300ofm;
radius 300(b)
m;a(b)
park service
a park radius of
service
900 m. radius of 900 m.

5.2.Intrinsic
5.2. IntrinsicConnection
Connectionbetween
betweenSpatial
SpatialStructure
StructureofofStreetsStreetsand
andSpace
SpaceSyntax
Syntax
Thebasis
The basisofofthe
thespace
spacesyntax
syntaxtheory
theorylies lies in
in its
its potential
potential social
social dimension
dimension in in the
the spatial
spatialstructure
structureof of
citiesand
cities andbuildings,
buildings,which
whichinteracts
interactswith
with thethe spatial
spatial nature
nature of of social
social activities
activities[30].[30]. The
The street
streetnetworks
networks
ininspace
spacesyntax
syntaxare aremainly
mainlyrepresented
represented by by aa setset of
of linear
linear elements
elements referred
referred to to as
as axial
axial graphs,
graphs,while
whilethethe
simultaneity between different elements is measured by
simultaneity between different elements is measured by the spatial structure [30]. the spatial structure [30].
Accordingtotospace
According spacesyntax,
syntax,local
localspaces
spacesare aredifferent
different segments
segments in in the
the city,
city, which
which are are connected
connectedby by
a natural flow of people. The flow of people dominates the layout of urban
a natural flow of people. The flow of people dominates the layout of urban spaces to a large extent and spaces to a large extent and
dependson
depends onthetheperception
perceptionof ofthe
thecomposition
composition of of urban
urban spaces
spaces [50]. The characteristics
[50]. The characteristics of ofspatial
spatiallayout
layout
and the harmony between different spaces are precisely produced by the interaction between
and the harmony between different spaces are precisely produced by the interaction between the the
overall space and the flow of people. This symbiotic relationship between
overall space and the flow of people. This symbiotic relationship between local and global spaces is the local and global spaces is the
connectionbetween
connection betweendifferent
differentspatial
spatial levels
levels of of the
the city;
city; however,
however, thisthis invisible
invisible logic
logic isisoften
oftenneglected
neglectedin in
existing planning researches.
existing planning researches.
Thespace
The spacesyntax
syntaxtheory,
theory,as asproposed
proposed by by Hillier
Hillier et et al.,
al., regards
regards aa citycity as
as aacomplex
complexand anddynamic
dynamic
spatial configuration, and translates the spatial structure in reality into a quantifiable syntactic model.
spatial configuration, and translates the spatial structure in reality into a quantifiable syntactic model.
In the translation process, the spatial perception is translated into the organizational
In the translation process, the spatial perception is translated into the organizational conceptualization, conceptualization,
thus,completing
thus, completingthe thethinking
thinkingjumpjumpof of inferring
inferring the the invisible
invisible from
from the
the visible.
visible. The
The core
core idea
idea of
ofspace
space
syntax is that the basic connection of urban spatial organization is the flow of people [50]. On one hand,
syntax is that the basic connection of urban spatial organization is the flow of people [50]. On one hand,
urbanstructures
urban structuresaffect
affectthe
thenatural
naturalflowflow of of people
people and and traffic;
traffic; on
on the
the other
other hand,
hand, thethe spatial
spatialperception
perception
andaction
and actionofofpeople
peoplelargely
largelydetermine
determine the the layout
layout of of urban
urban spaces
spaces [51].
[51]. Syntactic
Syntactic analysis
analysis can canpredict
predict
the possible flow of people in each street by calculating the accessibility of the street network, thus,
determining the relative convenience of the space. As space syntax is consistent with the concept of
accessibility, it was applied in this paper to review the current layout of cultural facilities and select the
highly-accessible areas. Then, combined with the park accessibility analysis by GIS, comprehensive
layout recommendations and sustainable development trends were proposed.
Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 13 of 19

the possible flow of people in each street by calculating the accessibility of the street network, thus,
determining the relative convenience of the space. As space syntax is consistent with the concept of
accessibility, it was applied in this paper to review the current layout of cultural facilities and select the
highly-accessible areas. Then, combined with the park accessibility analysis by GIS, comprehensive
layout recommendations and sustainable development trends were proposed.
Syntax summarizes the spatial system as an axial model, which corresponds to the linear flow
of people in the city. Since public facilities have hierarchical attributes corresponding to the scope
of services and functions, the natural flow of people thus generates hierarchical movement and
communication networks at different scales according to different traffic types. To correspond to
the accessibility analysis of park facilities in Fuzhou City, the segment model, as derived from the
axial model, was adopted in this paper to expand the accessibility measurement from topological
distance (number of turns between two axis) to angular distance (accumulated turning angle of the
axis). In addition, the accessibility potential of streets on different urban scales can be measured by
different network analysis radiuses; for example, a syntax calculation with a 400 m radius can reflect
Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 13 of 18
the accessibility of the space within a 5 min walk. As the mean road segment accessibility is 900,
a syntax
budget budget
with withof
a radius a radius of 900
900 m can be m cantobecalculate
used used to calculate all the accessible
all the accessible objects inobjects in the
the space, as space,
shown
as shown
in Figure 11. in Figure 11.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure11.
Figure Street integration:
11. Street integration: (a)
(a) global integration analysis; (b)
(b) 400
400 m
mintegration
integrationanalysis;
analysis;(c)
(c)900
900mm
integrationanalysis.
integration analysis.

Thisstudy
This study extracted
extracted the
the integration
integration of of aa street
street where
where aa park
parkisislocated
locatedfrom fromglobal
globalintegration,
integration,
400mintegration,
400m integration, and
and 900m
900m integration
integration asas the
the accessibility
accessibilityattributes
attributesof ofthe
thepark.
park.Specifically,
Specifically,the
thestreets
streets
with an integration ranking in the top 20% form the foreground network,
with an integration ranking in the top 20% form the foreground network, as defined by Professor as defined by Professor
Hillier, which
Hillier, which constitute
constitute the
the main
main skeleton
skeleton ofof the
theurban
urbanspaces.
spaces.The
Thestreets
streetswith
withan anintegration
integrationranking
ranking
in the top 10% form the integration core that refer to the space with the best accessibility. Thestreets
in the top 10% form the integration core that refer to the space with the best accessibility. The streets
with an
with an integration
integration ranking
ranking in in the
the bottom
bottom 80% 80% form
formthethebackground
backgroundnetworknetworkwhere whereresidents
residentstravel
travel
lessefficiently.
less efficiently. The
The quantitative
quantitative results
results in
in Figure
Figure 12 12 show
show that,
that,ininthe
theglobal
globalintegration
integrationcalculation,
calculation,
28%of
28% of the
the parks
parks are
are located
located inin the
the foreground
foreground network,
network, 8%8%ofofwhich
whichare areincluded
includedininthetheintegration
integration
core.InInthe
core. the400
400mmintegration
integrationcalculation,
calculation,17% 17% ofof the
the parks
parks areare located
located in in
thethe foreground
foreground network,
network, 7%
7%which
of of which are included
are included in the
in the integration
integration core.core. In the
In the 900900 m integration
m integration calculation,
calculation, 23%23%of of
thethe parks
parks are
are located
located in the
in the foreground
foreground network,
network, 6%6%ofof whichare
which areincluded
includedin in the
the integration
integration core.
core. Both
Bothlocal
localand
and
globalintegration
global integration calculations
calculations reveal
reveal particularly
particularlyuneven
unevenpark
parkdistribution.
distribution.Most Mostparks
parksare
aredistributed
distributed
inlow-accessible
in low-accessible areas,
areas, while
while only
only aa few
few parks
parks areare distributed
distributed inin the
the main
main skeleton
skeleton oror integrated
integrated core.
core.

Park distribution integration

100%
90%
80%
70%
72% 77%
60% 83%
50%
40%
30%
20% 20%
17%
28% of the parks are located in the foreground network, 8% of which are included in the integration
core. In the 400 m integration calculation, 17% of the parks are located in the foreground network, 7%
of which are included in the integration core. In the 900 m integration calculation, 23% of the parks are
located in the foreground network, 6% of which are included in the integration core. Both local and
global integration
Sustainability calculations reveal particularly uneven park distribution. Most parks are distributed
2020, 12, 3618 14 of 19
in low-accessible areas, while only a few parks are distributed in the main skeleton or integrated core.

Park distribution integration

100%
90%
80%
70%
72% 77%
60% 83%
50%
40%
30%
20% 20%
10% 17%
10%
8% 7% 6%
0%
Integration Integration 400 Integration 900

Main skeleton Integration core Low accessibility

Figure 12. Park distribution integration.

Figure 12. Park distribution integration.
This study subdivided the integration of the streets where the parks are located in the foreground
This study subdivided the integration of the streets where the parks are located in the foreground
network. According to the analysis of the three integration calculations, Gulou District has the
network. According to the analysis of the three integration calculations, Gulou District has the most
most highly-accessible parks, followed by Taijiang District, Cangshan District, and Jin’an District,
highly-accessible parks, followed by Taijiang District, Cangshan District, and Jin’an District,
respectively. The top 20% of the streets based on road segment accessibility are similar to the results of
the integration analysis. Gulou District has the most highly-accessible roads, which means there are
more points close to parks (Table 4).

Table 4. Percentages of streets where the park is located with an integration ranking in the top 20%.

Integration Integration 900 Integration 400 Road Segment Accessibility

10% 20% 10% 20% 10% 20% 10% 20%
Gulou District 4 10 5 13 5 7 120 329
Taijiang District 4 6 3 5 3 3 72 148
Cangshan District 0 4 0 2 0 4 55 130
Jin’an District 2 4 0 0 1 2 49 102

6. Conclusions and Discussion

6.1. Conclusions
From a methodological perspective as GIS has more comprehensive spatial data management
and geographic analysis capabilities, the metric distance analysis of GIS and the topological analysis
of space syntax were integrated in this study to construct the spatial geographic information of
cultural facilities, Depthmap information of the street network in Fuzhou City, and a database. First,
GIS was used to establish network data and analyze the accessibility indicators. The space syntax
was then adopted to superimpose the urban street network analysis model with park points. Next,
spatial analysis was performed on the current park layout. The conclusions of this study are proposed
in the following sections (Figure 13).
space syntax were integrated in this study to construct the spatial geographic information of cultural
facilities, Depthmap information of the street network in Fuzhou City, and a database. First, GIS was
used to establish network data and analyze the accessibility indicators. The space syntax was then
adopted to superimpose the urban street network analysis model with park points. Next, spatial
Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618
analysis was performed on the current park layout. The conclusions of this study are proposed15inofthe
19

following sections (Figure 13).

(a) (b)
FigureFigure
13. Accessibility and integration
13. Accessibility analysis:analysis:
and integration (a) hot spot analysis
(a) hot of road segment
spot analysis accessibility;
of road segment (b) global road
accessibility;
integration.
(b) global road integration.

(1)
(1) InInthe
thestudy
studyofofpark
parkequity,
equity,ininorder
order toto yield
yield better
better accessibility calculation results from from the
the GIS,
GIS,
accessibility
accessibilitywas wascalculated
calculatedbased
basedon on both
both urban communities and
urban communities and road
road segments.
segments. Since
Since the
the
community-based
community-basedaccessibility
accessibilitycalculation
calculationmethod
methodassumes
assumes that all the
that all the community
communityindividuals
individuals
have
havethe same
the same accessibility
accessibilityas as
thethe
community
community center, it ignores
center, thethe
it ignores spatial differences
spatial within
differences the
within
spatial unit, unit,
the spatial and andthus,thus,
cannot
cannotdetect subtle
detect differences
subtle differencesininthethecommunity.
community. Therefore,
Therefore, aa more
more
accurate road segment was adopted as the spatial unit. Later, spatial autocorrelation
accurate road segment was adopted as the spatial unit. Later, spatial autocorrelation analysis, analysis, the
Lorenz curve, and Gini coefficient analysis revealed relatively unfair park accessibility
the Lorenz curve, and Gini coefficient analysis revealed relatively unfair park accessibility in in Fuzhou
City, as shown
Fuzhou City, asin Figure
shown 12. The hot12.
in Figure spot analysis
The of the
hot spot road of
analysis segment
the road accessibility showed that
segment accessibility
high accessibility is concentrated in the cold spot areas, which indicates
showed that high accessibility is concentrated in the cold spot areas, which indicates thatthat most of the residents
most
of the residents in Gulou District and Taijiang District can access park resources at only a small
distance. Most of the residents in Jin’an District and Cangshan District have poor accessibility to
parks, especially the residents in the east of Jin’an District and the south of Cangshan District.
(2) In this paper, the integration of space syntax was used to describe the spatial characteristics of
parks and streets. The integration reflects how physically close a space is to all other spaces,
which refers to its potential as a destination; a more integrated road has higher accessibility.
From the analysis of the global integration results, most of the parks are located on streets with
low integration. High integration is more consistent with the GIS accessibility analysis result.
The parks located on highly-integrated streets are collectively distributed in the center of the map,
as well as on most streets in Gulou District and Taijiang District. The accessibility of most streets
in the north of Jin’an District, and the north and south of Cangshan District is low, which is an
important reason for unfair resources.
(3) The results of this study show that when the streets where the parks are located are more
integrated, the accessibility to the parks is also higher; the two also prove the unfair distribution of
green space resources in parks of Fuzhou City. From the perspective of space syntax integration,
the rankings of global integration, 400 m integration, and 900 m integration are Gulou District,
Taijiang District, Cangshan District, and Jin’an District. For the GIS network analysis, the top
20% of streets in the road segment accessibility rankings is in the same order. Gulou District has
the most highly-integrated streets, followed by Taijiang District, Cangshan District, and Jin’an
District, respectively.
Sustainability 2020, 12, 3618 16 of 19

6.2. Discussion
(1) This paper provides a new perspective for optimizing the spatial layout of urban public facilities
in terms of equity and accessibility. The research method integrated GIS and the space syntax
theory, and is universally applicable to other cities and regions. In the future, with urban renewal
and cultural development, public cultural facilities will play a more important role in enhancing
the humanistic value of a city. Fuzhou City is rich in park resources and has a good structural
order of street space; however it is unevenly distributed, as most of the resources are concentrated
in the old downtown. Future development can refer to the 400 m and 900 m integration measures,
as proposed in this study, and adopt a multi-center clustering development structure, which can
focus on the construction of areas with low urban spatial accessibility to maximize the utilization
of park facilities. In addition, the layout of parks and public facilities should consider both
homogeneity and efficiency optimization, while the key spaces with structural advantages should
be constructed to maximize efficiency and equity.
(2) The spatial inequality in this study emphasizes the difference in proximity and convenience of
different areas to public services due to street network planning and public facility allocation.
Therefore, the road segments were regarded as spatial units, and their distance to the facilities
through the actual road network was calculated. However, as the density of road segments does
not equal the density of the actual population, it is possible that one road segment carrying
500 residents and another road segment carrying 5000 individuals are considered equally
important. In addition, the facility size, the service level, and the use of surrounding land lead to
different urban park benefits. Future studies may consider the above factors according to their
research motivations and purposes, and reflect them in the research design.
(3) The accessibility of road networks plays a vital role in affecting sustainable urban development,
while the spatial equity of public facility layout, such as parks, is directly related to the quality
of the living environment of residents on different streets. In particular, accessibility has a
profound influence on the use frequency of public facilities, such as parks, by low-income groups,
the elderly, children, and the disabled in the urban areas. At present, the rationality of the spatial
distribution pattern of parks is examined by determining the service radius of parks according to
the park levels in China, which refers to achieving full coverage of park services through planning.
The main indicators include the number of parks, park area per resident, and spatial layout
homogeneity. Quantitative research of resident demands and spatial equity of park layout is still
insufficient. However, many researches abroad have shown that, on many streets with high social
demands, despite high park accessibility, the residents are reluctant to use the parks [52], which is
due to the park quality, such as comfort, safety, quality, and artistic value. As this problem
involves the discrepancy between resident demands and behaviors, further questionnaire surveys
and analysis are needed to accurately grasp the resident demands and behaviors, which is also a
top priority for the author to explore in the future.

Author Contributions: B.-X.H. contributed to the conceptual design of the study, data collection, drafting the
article, and final approval. W.-Y.L. contributed to the conceptual design of the study, and data collection. S.-C.C.
contributed to the conceptual design of the study, supervision of the progress, and final approval. All authors
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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