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<p>Neighborhood resource access is a critical determinant of health and well-being, yet traditional measures often overlook the subjective experiences of residents in under-resourced areas. This study explores the divergence between perceived and objective access to essential resources—grocery stores, pharmacies, and greenspaces—in an urban neighborhood with significant resource scarcity. Using 19 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this study&#xa0;examines how residents conceptualize and rationalize their access to these resources, emphasizing the multidimensional factors that shape perceptions. Findings reveal significant discrepancies between GIS-based access metrics and residents' lived experiences, influenced by mobility, economic constraints, and social networks. While some residents perceive adequate access despite objective scarcity, others cite barriers such as affordability, safety, and resource quality that render available resources insufficient. Additionally, perceived access varies based on factors such as age, health status, and the availability of other social and material resources. These insights challenge the prevailing ‘desert’&#xa0;framework, which often reduces access to spatial proximity alone, and highlight the importance of integrating qualitative assessments with quantitative methods. This study underscores the role of structural inequities and systemic disinvestment in shaping access perceptions, reinforcing the necessity of community-driven urban planning and policy interventions. Findings highlight the need for policymakers and researchers to adopt a multidimensional approach to resource access to develop more equitable and effective interventions for improving resource distribution in marginalized communities.</p>

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In the Eye of the Beholder: Exploring Perceived Access in an Urban Resource Desert

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月30日

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  • Lacee Anne Satcher

摘要

Neighborhood resource access is a critical determinant of health and well-being, yet traditional measures often overlook the subjective experiences of residents in under-resourced areas. This study explores the divergence between perceived and objective access to essential resources—grocery stores, pharmacies, and greenspaces—in an urban neighborhood with significant resource scarcity. Using 19 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this study examines how residents conceptualize and rationalize their access to these resources, emphasizing the multidimensional factors that shape perceptions. Findings reveal significant discrepancies between GIS-based access metrics and residents' lived experiences, influenced by mobility, economic constraints, and social networks. While some residents perceive adequate access despite objective scarcity, others cite barriers such as affordability, safety, and resource quality that render available resources insufficient. Additionally, perceived access varies based on factors such as age, health status, and the availability of other social and material resources. These insights challenge the prevailing ‘desert’ framework, which often reduces access to spatial proximity alone, and highlight the importance of integrating qualitative assessments with quantitative methods. This study underscores the role of structural inequities and systemic disinvestment in shaping access perceptions, reinforcing the necessity of community-driven urban planning and policy interventions. Findings highlight the need for policymakers and researchers to adopt a multidimensional approach to resource access to develop more equitable and effective interventions for improving resource distribution in marginalized communities.