Quality of life and inequitable access to public space in Bogota

Inequity in public space distribution has important repercussions on integration opportunities for different social groups coexisting within the territory. Based on this idea, this paper aims to explore the relationship between population territorial distribution according to socioeconomic status and public space accessibility in Bogota, Colombia. To this end, a quality of life indicator was constructed at micro-level scale. In regards to the public space indicator, a matrix between origins and destinations was generated, which produced the amount of square meters of public space a person would access by a short walk from their dwelling. To relate both variables, a geographically weighted regression was performed. A strong relationship was found between the highest levels of quality of life and greater accessibility to public space. This finding reveals the existence of structural conditions which foment social segregation.