An Analysis of Spatial Justice in the Distribution of Urban Services from the Perspective of Citizen Rights in Qom City

Saberi, Mehdi; Mohadeth Qomizadeh, Seyed Mojtaba

doi:10.22034/gahr.2026.584774.2764

An Analysis of Spatial Justice in the Distribution of Urban Services from the Perspective of Citizen Rights in Qom City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

mehdi saberi ¹

Seyed Mojtaba Mohadeth Qomizadeh ²

¹ Master of Public Administration (MPA), Toloo-e Mehr University, Qom, Iran

² Graduate of a Master’s Degree in Public Law, Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Markazi Province, Iran

10.22034/gahr.2026.584774.2764

Abstract

Spatial justice is a key concept in urban studies and an essential requirement for realizing citizenship rights. Unequal distribution of urban services can lead to disparities in citizens’ access to facilities and opportunities. This study analyzes spatial justice in the distribution of urban services with an emphasis on citizenship rights in the city of Qom. The research is applied in purpose and descriptive–analytical in method. Data were collected from the Qom Municipality statistical yearbook and official reports. Five categories of urban services were examined, including urban green space, economic and supply services, fire and emergency services, waste management, and cemetery services.

Service per capita indicators were calculated for the eight municipal districts, and spatial inequality was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV). The results indicate considerable inequality in the distribution of urban green space (CV = 62.3%) and economic and supply services (CV = 75.5%). Fire station services also show relatively high inequality (CV = 43.7%). The findings reveal that districts 4 and 8 generally enjoy higher levels of service provision, while more populated districts, particularly district 6, face lower access to services. Due to data limitations, spatial justice in waste management and cemetery services could not be fully measured and was only described statistically.

Overall, the results show that the distribution of urban services in Qom does not fully align with spatial justice principles. More balanced resource allocation and need-based spatial planning are necessary to reduce inequalities and improve equitable access to urban services and citizenship rights.

Keywords

Spatial justice

citizenship rights

urban services

economic services

Qom city

Subjects

social science

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