Spatial Accessibility
2023-8-8
A Challenge of Sustainable Urbanization: Mapping the Equity of Urban Public Facilities in Multiple Dimensions in Zhengzhou, China
This paper examines the equity of access to urban public facilities in multiple dimensions of regional equality, spatial equity, and social justice in Zhengzhou, China.
Abstract:
The rapid urbanization and population growth in China have brought the issues of social equity and justice to the forefront. The supply and layout of public service facilities play a crucial role in determining the residents’ quality of life and have become a significant factor triggering social equity and justice concerns. This study took Zhengzhou’s urban core as an example. From the perspectives of regional equality, spatial equity, and social justice, the service area analysis and Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method were used to analyze the public service facilities’ layout situation and the equity and justice issue and to discuss the causes of the current situation. The study found that the social equity and justice of public facilities in Zhengzhou’s urban core were more prominent. The accessibility of public facilities inside and outside the 3rd ring road of the urban core exhibited marked differences, indicating a need for improvement in regional equality and spatial equity. Vulnerable groups lacked special care and public facilities lacked justice. Combined with the development process of urbanization in Zhengzhou, this paper argued that this was closely related to the government’s public policies.
Summary:
- Study examines equity of public facilities in Zhengzhou, China across dimensions of regional equality, spatial equity, and social justice
- Uses service area analysis and Gaussian 2SFCA method to measure accessibility
- Finds higher per land accessibility inside vs outside 3rd ring road indicating regional inequality
- Higher per capita accessibility outside vs inside 3rd ring road indicating lack of spatial equity
- Youth residents have highest accessibility indicating lack of social justice for vulnerable groups
- Inequity attributed to urban-rural dual system legacy, diversified facility suppliers, housing marketization
Study questions and answers:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How was equity assessed across multiple dimensions? | Regional equality, spatial equity, and social justice. |
| What methods were used to measure accessibility? | Service area analysis and Gaussian 2SFCA. |
| What key regional difference was found? | Higher per land accessibility inside 3rd ring road vs outside. |
| What key spatial equity finding was there? | Higher per capita accessibility outside 3rd ring road vs inside. |
| Which age group had highest accessibility? | Youth residents aged 20-39 years old. |
| What were some reasons given for the inequity? | Legacy of urban-rural dual system, diversified facility suppliers, housing marketization reforms. |
DOI: 10.3390/land12081545