1. Introduction
With international focus on sustainable development,
interest in the role of open space in the urban
environment has increased in recent decades (Gehl and
Gemzoe, 2001; Hollis and Fulton, 2002). Policies for
creating and preserving open space are increasingly
implemented at a variety of urban densities and spatial
scales. Many cities across America have created green
networks, green belts and programs to protect open
space and restore connections to nature (Gustanski and