[Background] Urban green space equity has emerged as a vital indicator of livability and spatial justice in rapidly urbanizing environments. While prior research predominantly addresses the quantity and spatial distribution of parks, residents’ authentic perception of greenery—particularly street-level visibility—has been comparatively underexplored. The Green View Index (GVI), derived from street-view imagery, provides a human-centered metric of visible greenery. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of systematic research examining the long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of GVI equity and its relationship to population distribution at the residential-community scale. [Objective] This study examines the progression of urban green visibility and equity in Hangzhou, China, from 2013 to 2023, utilizing residential communities as the fundamental units of analysis. The objectives are to: (1) quantify changes in GVI over time; (2) assess both overall and local green space equity; and (3) analyze structural disparities between the availability of visible green spaces and population demand. [Methods] Street view images were obtained at three time points (2013, 2018, 2023) through the utilization of the Baidu Maps API. The GVI was calculated for each image and aggregated at the residential community level. Population and housing data were incorporated to evaluate the demand for green spaces. Overall equity was quantifi ed using the Gini coeffi cient, whereas local equity was analyzed using the Location Quotient (LQ) to compare community-level GVI with city-wide averages. Spatial clustering and distribution patterns across various equity levels were examined to elucidate spatiotemporal dynamics and neighborhoods withhigh and low fairness. [Results] The GVI in Hangzhou’s central urban area increased signifi cantly from 2013 to 2018 but showed a slight decline between 2018 and 2023, while remaining above the 2013 level. The recent decrease is linked to rapid urban renewal, street-space restructuring, and high-density new development, which, although providing internal green areas, reduced street-level visible greenery. The Gini coeffi cient remained relatively stable (0.5~0.6), indicating persistently high overall inequality, with limited interannual fl uctuation. Local equity improved moderately: extreme LQ communities decreased in proportion, yet structural mismatches persisted. Low-GVI–high-population neighborhoods concentrated in high-density residential and resettlement areas, whereas high- GVI–low-population communities were typically located near large parks or ecological corridors, such as Xixi Wetland, West Lake scenic area, and waterfront zones along the Qiantang River. These patterns indicate that green space allocation remains uneven, infl uenced by both ecological layout and population concentration, rather than solely by socioeconomic factors. [Conclusion] Although Hangzhou has achieved notable progress in increasing urban greenery, the structural mismatches between visible green supply and residential population distribution continue to be a principal constraint on equity enhancement. Future urban green governance should transcend aggregate greening targets and incorporate GVI as a spatial management indicator. Coordinated initiatives are recommended at multiple scales: integrating GVI into citywide planning and green space assessment, optimizing street- and community-level design to augment visible greenery, and prioritizing high-density residential areas in green space allocation. Such a governance-oriented, equity-driven framework can eff ectively enhance urban green visibility, promote fair distribution of green resources, and support sustainable urban development.