|
Rationale - what it means and why it is an important measure
|
|
Local access to basic services and public green areas are essential in a sustainable community for a good quality of life and the viability of the local economy.
|
| |
|
How it is compiled, what data are needed
|
|
Local access is defined as living within a 500 m distance from the area/service. A 'public green area' refers to public garden or park. 'Basic services' refer to health services, collective transport, public schools, food stores, recycling facilities and banks.
|
| |
|
Measurements and units
|
- banks (% of citizens)
- collective transport with minimum frequency (half-hourly service) (% of citizens)
- food stores selling fresh fruit and vegetables (% of citizens)
- primary public health services (general practitioner) (% of citizens)
- public gardens or parks (% of citizens)
- public schools (compulsory attendance school) (% of citizens)
- recycling facilities or services (including recycling bins) (% of citizens)
|
| |
|
Possible temporal and spatial format
|
|
graphs, maps
|
| |
|
Reference to methodology resources
|
|
EC, Directorate General Environment, Working Group of the Expert Group on the Urban Environment, 2000. Towards a Local Sustainability Profile - European Common Indicators. http://www.sustainable-cities.org/indicators/
|
| |
|
Objective
|
|
To increase the availability of green areas and local services to the public.
|
| |
|
Targets, benchmarks, reference values
|
|
There are no known targets or standards for this measure, but access to green areas and thriving local services are recognized as essential for healthy local communities and local sustainability. Local authorities have an important role in protecting local facilities and services.
|
| |
|
References to examples of application
|
|
Each year, the Bristol City Council publishes the number of hectares of public open spaces and playing fields in every ward of the city and calculates the average area for each of 35 Wards that make up the city for its Quality of Life Report.
|
| |
|
Other comments / background
|
Having basic services and needs met close to home also reduces the need to travel. Without the basic needs of food and health, there results a breakdown in addressing social needs. Without a bank, there is a threat to local businesses that lose trade.
The absence of food shops selling fresh fruit and vegetables is an indicator of social exclusion in the UK and a threat to health.
|
| |
