Spatial Justice in Urban Service Distribution: Evaluating the Performance of Urmia Municipality in Achieving Equitable Urban Development

Spatial justice has become a central concept in contemporary urban planning due to its significant role in promoting sustainable and equitable urban development. This study evaluates the performance of Urmia Municipality in achieving spatial justice through urban growth management, land-use planning, and the equitable distribution of urban services. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach and combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected from comprehensive and detailed urban development plans, municipal reports, expert interviews, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and satellite imagery. The study examines the municipality’s role in managing physical urban development, controlling urban sprawl, and improving access to public services across different districts of the city.The findings reveal considerable spatial disparities in the distribution of urban services and infrastructure among municipal districts. Central districts benefit from higher levels of accessibility to transportation, healthcare facilities, educational services, and public green spaces, whereas peripheral districts experience lower service provision and reduced spatial equity. Statistical analyses indicate a strong positive relationship between infrastructure development and spatial justice, while uncontrolled urban expansion negatively affects sustainable urban development. Furthermore, expert interviews identified weak land-use control, insufficient infrastructure investment, and unequal service allocation as the major challenges facing urban management in Urmia.The study concludes that although Urmia Municipality has made progress toward balanced urban development, significant efforts are still required to reduce spatial inequalities and enhance urban sustainability. Strengthening land-use management, increasing infrastructure investment in underserved areas, and incorporating spatial justice principles into urban planning policies are recommended to achieve more equitable and sustainable urban development

کلیدواژه ها:

Spatial Justice ، Urban Development ، Sustainable Urban Development ، Land-Use Management ، Urmia Municipality