Distance to Green Areas measures the Euclidean distance (in metres) from each point in the analysed area to the nearest green space, using ESA WorldCover 2021 at 10 m resolution. It is part of the three-tier Green Equity hierarchy on the platform, representing the most inclusive level with no minimum patch size filter.
This indicator is inverted -- lower values indicate better conditions, meaning the population is closer to green spaces. Classification follows the ANGSt standard (Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard, Natural England 2010), which defines distance thresholds for equitable access to nature.
Green spaces detected include all vegetation classes from ESA WorldCover: trees, shrubs, grasslands, wetlands, mangroves, and moss/lichen. Unlike distance_to_small_gardens (minimum 0.04 ha) and distance_to_parks (minimum 0.5 ha), this indicator considers any green pixel regardless of patch size.
ESRS alignment: E4 (biodiversity and ecosystems -- urban green infrastructure and accessibility).
The distance raster is computed by applying a Euclidean distance transform to a green vegetation mask derived from ESA WorldCover 2021.
Formula: Distance to Green = Euclidean distance from each pixel to the nearest green pixel (metres, 10 m resolution)
Calculation steps:
No minimum patch size filter is applied at this level of the hierarchy.
Note: This indicator is inverted -- lower values indicate better conditions.
| Source | Provider | Coverage | Resolution | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESA WorldCover 2021 (WRD_ESAXX_21) | European Space Agency | Global | 10 m | 2021 |
Version history
| Version | Description |
|---|---|
| v0 (current) | Initial release -- Euclidean distance transform on ESA WorldCover 2021 green mask, no patch filter |
Ring Gauge. A circular comparison chart (site vs control) showing the percentage distribution of population distances to the nearest green area, with an A--E quality grade and site-control delta.
Purpose: How far is the population in the analysed area from the nearest green space, regardless of size?
Description: Two side-by-side rings (Site vs Control) show the percentage distribution across distance bands: < 150 m, 150--300 m, 300--500 m, 500--1,000 m, > 1,000 m. A quality grade badge (A--E) indicates overall site quality, and a delta value (Site - Control) shows the difference. Title: "Distance to Green Areas." Tooltip: "Distance to green areas represents the average distance from the population in the analysed area to the nearest green space. This indicator provides information on accessibility to green spaces and can be useful to understand inequalities in access to nature." Chart label: "Site-Control Distance to Green Comparison." The unit of measurement is metres (m).
How it's calculated: The distance raster is computed by applying a Euclidean distance transform to a green mask derived from ESA WorldCover 2021 (vegetation classes: trees, shrubs, grass, wetlands, mangroves, moss/lichen). Each pixel's distance to the nearest green cell is converted to metres based on the native resolution (10 m). No minimum patch size filter is applied. The grade is assigned using the ANGSt classification (Natural England 2010).
Note: This indicator is inverted -- lower values indicate better conditions.
Legend:
| Level | Distance | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 0--150 m | ■ #006400 | Very Close -- excellent access to green spaces |
| B | 150--300 m | ■ #32CD32 | Close -- good accessibility |
| C | 300--500 m | ■ #FFFF00 | Moderate -- acceptable accessibility |
| D | 500--1,000 m | ■ #FFA500 | Far -- limited access to green spaces |
| E | > 1,000 m | ■ #FF0000 | Very Far -- strong inequality in green space access |
Interpretation example: If the ring shows 100% of the population within 150 m of a green area, the site is completely surrounded by vegetation -- an excellent condition for urban environmental quality, corresponding to grade A.
Assessment Sidebar Row. A row in the left-hand assessment sidebar panel, E4 section, showing the quality grade and site/control values for distance to green areas.
Purpose: How does the site's distance to green areas compare to the control area, in a compact sidebar summary?
Description: The row displays the label "Distance to Green Areas" with the E4 quality grade, Site value (e.g. 81.0 m), Control value (e.g. 57.6 m), and the site-control difference.
How it's calculated: The grade shown in the sidebar uses the same ANGSt classification applied to the site's mean distance. Same formula as the main section.
Note: This indicator is inverted -- lower values indicate better conditions.
Interpretation example: If the sidebar shows "Distance to Green Areas E4 -- Site: 81.0 m / Control: 57.6 m", the site has slightly less immediate access to green areas than the surrounding territory, but both fall within the A band (< 150 m).
Slider Card. A scrollable card in the available maps panel (Maps > Land use) showing a thumbnail preview of the distance-to-green raster layer with its last update timestamp.
Purpose: Provide quick access to the distance-to-green map layer and indicate when it was last updated.
Description: The card shows a thumbnail image of the distance-to-green raster, the name "Distance to green areas," and the last update date (e.g. "7 days ago"). Clicking the card loads the interactive layer on the map. Equivalent cards exist for "Distance to small gardens" and "Distance to parks."
How it's calculated: The displayed raster is the output of the distance-to-green computation (ESA WorldCover 2021, 10 m), coloured with a continuous colormap from dark green (#006400, 0 m) to red (#FF0000, >= 1,000 m).
Note: This indicator is inverted -- areas shown in dark green are closest to green spaces (best conditions).
Interpretation example: If the card thumbnail appears almost entirely dark green, the site is fully surrounded by vegetation and the maximum distance to a green area is under 150 m -- grade A conditions.
Map Layer. An interactive cartographic overlay showing the spatial distribution of distances to green areas in the analysed area, selectable from the "Select layer" dropdown on the Maps page.
Purpose: Where is access to green spaces most limited within and around the site perimeter?
Description: The layer displays a raster where each pixel is coloured according to its distance to the nearest green area: dark green for the closest zones, red for the most distant. The layer tooltip reads: "The selected layer, Green Equity, measures accessibility to green spaces in the analysed area. It shows the distance from each point to the nearest green area, helping to assess equitable access to urban green spaces for residents. Areas closest to green spaces appear in dark green, while those furthest away appear in light yellow tones." The dropdown also includes "Distance to small gardens" and "Distance to parks" layers.
How it's calculated: The layer is the ESA WorldCover 2021 distance raster at 10 m resolution, coloured with a continuous 5-stop colormap.
Note: This indicator is inverted -- darker green areas indicate better conditions.
Legend:
| Distance | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 0--150 m | ■ #006400 | Excellent accessibility (grade A) |
| 150--300 m | ■ #32CD32 | Good accessibility (grade B) |
| 300--500 m | ■ #FFFF00 | Moderate accessibility (grade C) |
| 500--1,000 m | ■ #FFA500 | Limited accessibility (grade D) |
| > 1,000 m | ■ #FF0000 | Very limited access (grade E) |
Interpretation example: If the map shows an area almost entirely in dark green with small yellow patches corresponding to paved roads or car parks, the site and its surroundings have excellent access to green spaces, with only isolated zones of lower quality.
See the Calculation Methodology section for the core computation. Additional processing details are documented here for expert users.