Research on the open space ratios of residential plots in major Chinese cities meeting public centralized green space standards

Abstract

Abstract The indicator of open space ratio has garnered significant international attention due to its ability to effectively balance equity and efficiency in urban development. In China, many studies have investigated the introduction of the open space ratio to address the disconnect between public benefit factors and development efficiency factors during the land development control process. However, these studies have not yet succeeded in linking the open space ratio with the core element of public interest—public centralized green spaces—resulting in an inability to further localize the open space ratio within the Chinese context. To address the gaps in existing research, our study focuses on residential plots in 15 major cities across different climate zones in China, exploring the open space ratios that meet the country’s standards for public centralized green spaces. We find that, after achieving standards, the open space ratios in residential plots across various cities have increased to varying degrees. The differences in open space ratios among specific cities are significantly influenced by factors such as geographical latitude, the intensity of per capita land use, regional economic development levels, and local construction practices. The application of the open space ratio with Chinese characteristics must be based on the premise of meeting the public interest baseline. It should be tailored to local conditions, stratified and classified, and scientifically determined, thereby promoting an effective balance between equity and efficiency in the urban land development process and advancing the sustainable development of the living environment.