An Examination of the Effects of Social and Economic Structure on Spatial Segregation in the Park Distribution of Uşak City
Abstract
It has been observed that natural and social resources are not distributed equally across urban areas. This leads to unbalanced development and the emergence of socio-economic differences. This study examines the impact of social and economic structures on spatial segregation, using the city of Uşak as a case study. The study's primary objective is to determine whether public services, particularly the provision of parks in urban open and green spaces, are distributed evenly among neighbourhoods and whether neighbourhoods with high income, education levels, and property values receive preferential treatment in terms of public investment. Statistical analyses conducted using the SPSS programme revealed spatial inequalities within the city based on scientific data, while observational findings supported these results and provided insight into the evaluation of local government policies. Even when various characteristics of the urban fabric are controlled for, the results indicate that the socio-economically strong segment has an advantage in terms of urban services. This situation underscores the importance of incorporating social justice and spatial balance principles into urban planning.
Keywords
Spatial segregation, urban inequality, socio-economic structure, environmental justice, city parks
Ethical Statement
The article complies with national and international research and publication ethics. Ethics committee approval was not required for the study.
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