Beyond Spatial Proximity: A Temporal Accessibility Index for Equitable Nature Access in Bavaria’s Hiking Trails
Published in Abstracts of the ICA, 2025
Abstract accompanying the oral presentation at the 32nd International Cartographic Conference, Vancouver, 17–22 August 2025.
Abstract
As a culturally enriching and health-promoting activity (Kim & Miller, 2019; Santarém et al., 2015), hiking has been popular among urban residents, particularly post-COVID-19 (Griffiths, 2020). Equitable access to natural environments significantly influences physiological, psychological, and immunological well-being (Yin et al., 2023). However, traditional accessibility metrics primarily emphasize spatial proximity, often overlooking critical temporal constraints, such as weekday evening availability, public transport schedules, and daylight hours. These hidden temporal barriers disproportionately exclude marginalized groups (eg, caregivers and shift workers) from accessing nearby trails, even in geographically compact regions.
To address these limitations, this study refines the research focus to weekday evening accessibility, particularly relevant during summer months when extended daylight and improved weather conditions offer enhanced opportunities for outdoor activities. Specifically, this research introduces a refined Temporal Accessibility Index (TAI) to evaluate hiking trails accessible from urban centers on weekday evenings, emphasizing public transport connectivity.
Jiang, Y., & Luo, P. (2025). "Beyond Spatial Proximity: A Temporal Accessibility Index for Equitable Nature Access in Bavaria’s Hiking Trails." Abstracts of the ICA, 10, 130.