Who Has a Green Window View? - The Distribution of the Green Window View Across Social Classes in Hamburg and Cologne

24 May 2023

Districts with abundant greenery in densely populated urban areas are often reserved for the affluent. On the other hand, neighborhoods with low-income levels and a high minority population usually have fewer parks and trees.

In addition to the green spaces available in the residential environment, even a green window view can have many positive effects. Study results indicate that a view of greenery is associated with higher residential satisfaction and can alleviate the negative impacts of noise and spatial stress. As a result, green window views are particularly beneficial for less affluent citizens, as they are more frequently exposed to such environmental stressors.

Note: Figure is in German.

Figure 1. The distribution of the green window view across four social classes in Hamburg and Cologne. Survey data from Hamburg and Cologne, 2020/21; N = 1,838; Design-weighted.

As shown in Figure 1, in Hamburg, over 60% of citizens, irrespective of social class, have a green window view from their homes. The percentage of citizens with a view of greenery is highest in the top class (70%). However, the difference from other classes is not substantial in Hamburg.

In contrast, there is a clear social gradient in Cologne: 61% of households within higher-grade professionals have a green window view, 54% within lower-grade professionals, 48% among routine sales and service workers, and only 40% in the blue-collar workers.

Households in the working class benefit the most from greenery in the residential environment, as the impact of the green window view on residential satisfaction is highest among this group.