Are Open Data Sufficient for Local Urban Green Space Mapping? Insights from the Czech Republic

Urban green space (UGS) plays a crucial role in enhancing quality of life in rapidly growing cities, providing essential ecosystem services, such as biodiversity support, climate regulation, and mental well-being. This study examines the use of open national datasets (ZABAGED, Consolidated Layer of Ecosystems (CLE), and Cadastre data) for mapping UGS in small towns (with population bellow 50,000) in the Czech Republic. The aim is to evaluate the suitability of these datasets for UGS identification, focusing on their level of detail and accuracy in comparison with data collected in the field.

The results show that ZABAGED is the most reliable dataset for identifying formal UGS, with a high overlay percentage with field data. Although the CLE and Cadastre data show potential in specific cases, such as identifying informal green space and other types of UGS, their overall accuracy is lower. The study also investigates the potential of combining different datasets to enhance UGS mapping accuracy. Additionally, while open datasets are valuable tools, certain limitations remain, especially in capturing complex or linear UGS features. Nevertheless, the findings highlight ZABAGED as the most suitable open dataset for UGS mapping in the Czech Republic at the national level. Its high reliability and regular updates (every 3-4 years) make it a promising source for long-term UGS monitoring and spatial analysis.