Conclusion

The primary aim of this study was to make conceptual and methodological developments in accessibility, use behavior, and equity assessment of parks in compact cities, using Singapore as a study site. Therefore, an integrated framework was developed to effectively measure residents’ accessibility to their most often used parks, to investigate their actual park use demand and use behavior, as well as to assess the spatial equity level of park distribution in four study sites (Choa Chu Kang, Seng Kang, Bukit Batok, and Pasir Ris) in Singapore. This framework was found to be effective in this study. These three key components of this study are indispensable from each other and worked together to address the research objectives. More specifically, results on accessibility and demand provided essential information for the assessment of spatial equity, since spatial equity conceptually is determined by the relationship between supply and demand in urban service delivery. Social perspective equity level of park distribution was examined by the disparities of accessibility and park use behavior among different socioeconomic and sociodemographic groups. Moreover, the investigation of park use demand and behavior highlighted the effect of perceived accessibility on residents’ demand and subsequent park use behavior. Finally, results on accessibility, park use demand and behavior, and equity together elucidated the degree of reasonableness of park distribution in Singapore, and provided significant implications for future park development and management.