Urban Street Network Porosity and Access to Recreational Spaces in Tashkent
Abstract
This study examines how street network porosity influences pedestrian accessibility to recreational spaces in Tashkent under conditions of rapid urban transformation and limited green space provision. Using GIS-based network analysis and OpenStreetMap data, accessibility was measured as the shortest network distance from urban block centroids to the nearest recreational space using a 500 m threshold. Street network porosity was quantified through intersection density and classified into high, medium, and low porosity categories. The results show that only 8.5% of analyzed urban blocks have access to a recreational space within 500 m walking distance, with accessibility significantly higher in areas characterized by more permeable and better-connected street networks. The findings indicate that street network structure is a key determinant of recreational accessibility and highlight the need for planning strategies that improve pedestrian connectivity in order to reduce spatial inequalities.