Investigation and analysis of urban public services distribution from the perspective of spatial equity: The case of Yasuj City

Document Type : scientific-research article

Authors

Hashem Dadashpoor

Faramarz Rostami

https://doi.org/10.22067/geography.v9i16.11034

Abstract

In recent years, spatial equity has becomes an important issue in the field of planning and geographical studies. As urban public services configure the form and the nature of urban physical, social and spatial dimensions, inequity in distribution might have irreparable effects on the structure and the form of the city. Inequity in spatial distribution could lead to the segregation of city neighborhoods and urban management would face with serious challenges. The main goal of this paper is to investigate the manner urban public services are distributed from the viewpoint of spatial equity. An empirical study was conducted on Yasuj city, considering spatial equity from two perspectives: distribution of services on an equal basis and on a need basis, considering 15 types of urban public services. The research was conducted by applying a descriptive-analytical method. Access network analysis method was used to measure residents’ achievement to urban services and AHP method was used to measure the achievement based on the needs of individuals to urban services. The two mentioned criteria by using the local indicators of spatial autocorrelation analysis (LISA) were compared to obtain the new criteria for assessment of integrated spatial equity indices. The results show that about 87 percent of residents have access to urban services. But inequities exist as to the access to public services in city neighborhoods. Moreover, the needs of residents to services vary in neighborhoods. The results of the study indicate that there exists a sort of inequity in the distribution of public services across the city.

Key words: Urban planning; spatial equity; urban public services; local spatial autocorrelation; Yasuj City.

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