Using social media data to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban green space use

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127677
• Publication Date: 2022-07-15T03:54:37Z
• Authors: Nan Cui; Nick Malleson; Victoria Houlden; Alexis Comber
• Keywords: Urban Green Space; Pandemic

Having access to and visiting urban green space (UGS) improves liveability provides considerable benefits residents. However, traditional methods of investigating UGS visitation, such as questionnaires social surveys, are usually time- resource-intensive, frequently provide less transferable, site-specific outcomes. This study uses media data (Twitter) examine spatio-temporal changes in use London associated with COVID-19 related lockdowns. It compares georeferenced Tweets posted a 3 month period from 23 March June for years covering the first lockdown UK 2020, same 2019 2021. The results show that (1) land-use type Public Park Garden was most visited UGS, which may be correlated these areas remaining opening during period; (2) usage decreased central increased other lockdown, working home restrictions; (3) activities were positively Physical maybe result allowing people take single daily exercise, (4) spent more time on weekdays than weekends compared pre-lockdown. is over consistent before, after relation UGS. findings method can inform policy makers their management planning especially crisis like pandemic.