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Development of an environmental justice index to determine socio-economic disparities of noise pollution and green space in residential areas in Berlin

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  • Tobia Lakes
  • Maria Br�ckner
  • Alexander Kr�mer

Abstract

The majority of human beings worldwide live in urban areas; hence, methods to assess the quality of the urban environment and its impact on human well-being are of the utmost importance. Particularly relevant are areas with low levels of environmental justice, defined as areas where low biophysical quality meets low socio-economic status, and where resources and strategies for coping are rare. This paper develops and applies an index to assess the patterns of environmental justice in residential areas with a strong focus on stakeholder integration. We concentrate on the relationship between socio-economic disparities of environmental burdens, such as traffic noise, and of environmental benefits, such as vegetation, in residential areas of Berlin, Germany. To develop an environmental justice index, we combined the environmental burdens and benefits with a socio-economic indicator. As a result, we identify city-wide patterns of environmental justice in Berlin. While there was a high positive correlation between vegetation and socio-economic status, the patterns for noise pollution were very heterogeneous. Our approach provides a transparent and modular index allowing an area-wide monitoring of environmental justice in urban areas. Such an analysis is urgently needed to develop adequate decision-making strategies for all inhabitants to make living in a healthier city possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobia Lakes & Maria Br�ckner & Alexander Kr�mer, 2014. "Development of an environmental justice index to determine socio-economic disparities of noise pollution and green space in residential areas in Berlin," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(4), pages 538-556, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:57:y:2014:i:4:p:538-556
    DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2012.755461
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maschewsky, Werner, 2004. "Umweltgerechtigkeit: Gesundheitsrelevanz und empirische Erfassung," Discussion Papers, Research Group Public Health SP I 2004-301, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
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    1. Bolte, Gabriele, 2018. "Epidemiologische Methoden und Erkenntnisse als eine Grundlage für Stadtplanung und gesundheitsfördernde Stadtentwicklung," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Baumgart, Sabine & Köckler, Heike & Ritzinger, Anne & Rüdiger, Andrea (ed.), Planung für gesundheitsfördernde Städte, volume 8, pages 118-134, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    2. Dana Hübelová & Alice Kozumplíková, 2019. "Evaluation of Demographic and Socio-economic Factors of Mortality in the South Moravian Region (Czech Republic)," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 67(5), pages 1255-1267.
    3. Benhong Peng & Xingchao Zhang & Ehsan Elahi & Anxia Wan, 2022. "Evolution of spatial–temporal characteristics and financial development as an influencing factor of green ecology," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 789-809, January.
    4. Stefanie Dreger & Steffen Andreas Schüle & Lisa Karla Hilz & Gabriele Bolte, 2019. "Social Inequalities in Environmental Noise Exposure: A Review of Evidence in the WHO European Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Yilun Cao & Yuhan Guo & Mingjuan Zhang, 2022. "Research on the Equity of Urban Green Park Space Layout Based on Ga2SFCA Optimization Method—Taking the Core Area of Beijing as an Example," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Rehana Shrestha & Johannes Flacke & Javier Martinez & Martin Van Maarseveen, 2016. "Environmental Health Related Socio-Spatial Inequalities: Identifying “Hotspots” of Environmental Burdens and Social Vulnerability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-23, July.
    7. Steffen Andreas Schüle & Lisa Karla Hilz & Stefanie Dreger & Gabriele Bolte, 2019. "Social Inequalities in Environmental Resources of Green and Blue Spaces: A Review of Evidence in the WHO European Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-15, April.
    8. Rehana Shrestha & Johannes Flacke & Javier Martinez & Martin Van Maarseveen, 2018. "Interactive Cumulative Burden Assessment: Engaging Stakeholders in an Adaptive, Participatory and Transdisciplinary Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, February.
    9. Marcus Hedblom & Bengt Gunnarsson & Martin Schaefer & Igor Knez & Pontus Thorsson & Johan N. Lundström, 2019. "Sounds of Nature in the City: No Evidence of Bird Song Improving Stress Recovery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-12, April.
    10. Walter Dachaga & Walter Timo de Vries, 2022. "Integrating Urban Land Tenure Security in Health Determinants: The Design of Indicators for Measuring Land Tenure Security and Health Relationships in Developing Country Contexts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-28, March.
    11. Sida Zhuang & Gabriele Bolte & Tobia Lakes, 2022. "Exploring Environmental Health Inequalities: A Scientometric Analysis of Global Research Trends (1970–2020)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-25, June.

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