Beyond proximity: A conceptual framework and rapid evidence review of barriers and inequities in urban greenspace access

This rapid evidence review investigates the barriers to urban greenspace access and how these disproportionately affect underserved communities. It introduces an original and theoretically enriched framework — the 6A Framework for Equitable Greenspace Access — which extends beyond spatial metrics such as proximity and coverage to establish a new analytical lens for addressing equity and justice in greenspace planning. Building on the 5 As of Access (Availability, Accessibility, Accommodation, Affordability, Acceptability) developed by Penchansky and Thomas in healthcare and extended with Awareness by Saurman, the framework integrates Fredman’s model of substantive equality. This synthesis generates a justice-oriented, relational approach that enables nuanced analysis of how intersecting forms of oppression shape exclusion across all six dimensions. The review of 89 studies shows that barriers to greenspace access manifest across multiple dimensions and disproportionately affect minoritised groups, including disabled children and women of colour. These findings highlight the need for intersectional, justice-led approaches to greenspace planning — approaches that redress social, spatial and historical disadvantage, recognise diverse needs and experiences, transform exclusionary systems, and enable meaningful participation. By advancing the 6A-4EGA, this review contributes an original conceptual and practical framework for identifying where exclusion occurs, how it manifests, and who it affects, thereby supporting more inclusive, equity-focused planning that advances environmental justice.