Urban Green Space Analysis and Identification of its Potential Expansion Areas

Abstract

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are essential constituents of the urban structure that enhance residents’ quality of life and behavior. This study introduces a process of analyzing UGS using landscape metrics and identification of potential expansion areas through suitability checklist and proximity buffering done in a GIS environment. Central Nairobi was selected as the representative study area, whose UGS were found to be unevenly distributed, lacking in size, character and most out of public access. A final composite potential map was formulated, that if its identified high potential areas are adopted for expansion of UGS, the above shortcomings could be rectified.