Assessing the supply and the demand of urban greenspaces. Case study of Cagliari, Italy

Access to urban greenspaces (UGS), such as parks, gardens, and recreation areas, affects citizens well-being in terms of physical and mental health, social cohesion and aesthetic experience1. The contribution of UGS for recreation is a particular category of ecosystem services, defined as benefits provided by ecosystems to people. The urban global population is expected to increase by nearly 70% in 2050. In fact, Target 17 of Sustainable development Goal 11 stipulates that “by 2030, providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.” Therefore, ensuring UGS provision within cities is becoming a crucial point within urban and spatial planning. From this perspective, the study aims at evaluating the supply and the demand of UGS for recreational purposes within the city of Cagliari, Italy in order to support urban planners in assessing the supplydemand balance of UGS within urban areas.