Urban green areas and their potential for social interaction – A case study of a socio-economically mixed neighbourhood in Santiago de Chile

•Opportunities exist with regard to spatial interaction in urban green spaces.•Use patterns of and distance to green spaces may offer potential for interaction.•Frequency, location and accessibility of green spaces have a role to play.•People do not necessarily use the nearest green spaces to their residence.

Green spaces play a key role in the social activities of those who carry the potential for spatial interaction. In the Metropolitan Area of Santiago de Chile, the increase in housing construction for higher socio-economic strata in low-status neighbourhoods has led in part to a new socio-spatial mix. Whether this trend of socially more diverse neighbourhoods opens up opportunities for spatial contacts is the subject of an emerging debate. Focussing on urban green spaces, this paper provides empirical evidence for use patterns that make spatial interaction between different social groups possible.The analysis and its interpretation combine ecological and socio-economic variables. The results show that in terms of frequency and type of use of green spaces both similar and dissimilar patterns prevail and that distance is not the decisive factor. As a policy recommendation, standard of green spaces should be upgraded, notably in neighbourhoods with residents from different income groups in order to enhance the opportunities of spatial interaction.