Sponsor
The resources required to develop this paper were supported by generous funding from the National Science Foundation (grant #2010014) and the Climate Resilient Neighborhoods project at Portland State University, OR, USA. Open access publication of this article was made possible by the Portland State University Library’s Open Access Fund.
Published In
Land
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-27-2026
Subjects
Land-use planning processes, Historical segregation; greenspace management, Sociodemographic, Portland
Abstract
The Portland study examined past planning regulations and greenspace distribution over the period of fifty years, with particular attention given to neighborhood differences between invested and non-invested neighborhoods. This exploratory study examined spatial greenspace using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery. We tested the study hypothesis using the GIS Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression test to predict how key sociodemographic characteristics affect the provision of greenspace in non-white disinvested neighborhoods. The key findings suggested a consistent pattern of greenspace inequality, heavily shaped by historically disadvantaged ethnic status. Areas with higher non-white populations may have significant less greenspace (p < 0.001). Although median household income had a minimal negative impact, educational attainment showed a slight positive correlation. We employed multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks such as historical institutionalism, urban political ecology, and environmental justice. The study illustrated how historical decisions may have established path dependencies that are currently perpetuating greenspace inequalities. Policy solutions advocate for integrating restorative justice principles and rigid enforcement of 3-30-300 greenspace equity legislation to offset these long-term disparities.
Rights
Copyright (c) 2026 The Authors
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Locate the Document
DOI
10.3390/land15030444
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44579
Publisher
MDPI AG
Citation Details
Taiwo, Q. O., Shandas, V., & Oluyege, D. E. (2026). An Assessment of Historical Planning Processes and Greenspace Distribution (1975–2024): A Case Study of Portland, Oregon, USA. Land, 15(3), 444.