Step 5 – gap analysis

A comparison between what is currently available (step 3) and the current and future needs of the district (step 4) will help to establish the gaps in current provisions or areas where there is an oversupply of public open space and/or associated infrastructure.

This assessment should directly reference the definition of adequate, standard public open space provision outlined in step 4 and consider:

• identified impediments to using public open space including physical, geographic, financial, social and cultural barriers
• analysis of the existing open space supply it terms of and its suitability to provide for the various needs and functions.

Suitability considerations could include:

• hierarchy and associated catchments of the open space network considered in the context of location and distribution
• the connectivity of the open space network including the physical connection and destination nodes (i.e. spaces of interest).

For example, the requirement in liveable neighbourhoods 2015 for all residents to be located within a minimum of 300m of a public open space site of any size is a valuable measure of adequate access to public open space. To determine a gap in provision draw a 300m catchment around all public open space sites in the locality and identify areas which do not lie inside any catchments. Alternatively a ped-shed analysis could be used to assess access to public open space via walking and cycling (Active Healthy Communities How to: Ped Shed Analysis).