Open Public Spaces Usage in Fairbanks, Alaska, 2023-2025

This dataset includes shapefiles and maps representing the usage of open public spaces (OPS) in Fairbanks, Alaska, with attention to green, blue, and white spaces. It documents patterns of OPS usage across demographic categories—including gender, race, and age—and highlights the social and cultural value of these spaces as elements of Arctic biocultural heritage. The dataset is the outcome of two collaborative research initiatives: - “Building Socio-Ecological Resilience through Urban Green, Blue and White Space (SERUS)” (NSF Award #2024166), which focuses on enhancing urban environmental resilience; and - “Biocultural Heritage in Arctic Cities as a Potential Resource for Climate Adaptation (ARCA)” (NSF Award #2420616), which examines how cultural and ecological knowledge embedded in urban spaces can support climate adaptation. Spatial boundaries of OPS were derived from the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Geographic Information System (GIS) database. Usage data were generated through qualitative interviews conducted between 2023 and 2024. Maps were created in 2025 to visualize spatial trends, patterns of inclusion or avoidance, and demographic differences in OPS engagement. This dataset contributes to understanding spatial justice, environmental equity, and the biocultural significance of public spaces in Arctic cities.