PREreview of Uneven Distribution of Urban Green Spaces in Relation to Marginalization in Mexico City

Summary of Main Findings

The research by Ayala‐Azcárraga et al. investigates the distribution of urban green spaces (UGS) in Mexico City and its correlation with social marginalization.

Key findings include:

·       A total of 1,353 UGSs were identified, covering 2,643 hectares, with 74% being smaller than 1 hectare.

·       51% of these spaces are concentrated in three municipalities (mostly middle- and high-income), while marginalized municipalities have significantly fewer UGSs.

·       A negative correlation was observed between the marginality index and UGS area per municipality, indicating that lower socio-economic areas have less access to green spaces, highlighting a situation of environmental injustice.

Generally, this work advances the field by emphasizing the need for urban planning that considers equity in environmental services, advocating for better accessibility and distribution of UGS in marginalized areas. In addition, the inclusion of detailed maps and visual aids had improved the clarity of spatial distribution patterns discussed in the text. Moreover, the findings reveal a clear disparity in green space distribution related to socioeconomic status, which raises ethical concerns about environmental justice.

However, there are still some minor issues related to the overall quality of the work:

·       Data Representation: The study indicates that official inventories may misrepresent the actual green space availability and accessibility, undermining urban planning efforts.

·       Statistical Analysis Detail: More explanation regarding the statistical methods used for correlation analysis would enhance the robustness of the findings.

Overall, the study underscores the importance of equitable access to urban green spaces in promoting well-being and social justice, making a significant contribution to the discourse on urban sustainability and planning.

Competing interests

The author declares that they have no competing interests.