Urban poverty and spatial injustice: Invisible limits of inequality

Urban poverty and spatial injustice are multidimensional phenomena that significantly impact the environmental, social, and economic structures of cities. This study examines the spatial distribution of urban poverty and analyzes how social, economic, environmental, and infrastructural variables influence this phenomenon, with a focus on the inconsistency between economic indicators and their spatial distribution. To address poverty prevention and create a more equitable and sustainable urban environment, we conduct spatial autocorrelation, composite poverty index(CPI), and multiple regression analyses, focusing specifically on factors such as poverty, education, health, social amenities, housing, environment, transportation, and infrastructure. Using Yakutiye as a case study, we analyze the impact of social, economic, and environmental indicators of poverty and spatial injustice on geographic location, human interaction, and spatial development, assessing how these factors shape urban inequalities. The findings suggest that poverty is spatially concentrated in specific areas and is strongly linked to limited access to essential services, including health, education, and transportation. An examination of the relationship between environmental factors and poverty levels reveals a negative correlation between the proportion of green spaces and poverty levels. This suggests a lack of long-term investments in low-income areas. Moreover, the expansion of the road network may contribute to widening spatial inequalities. The results suggest that urban poverty should be addressed through both economic indicators and spatial factors. The study emphasizes the need for policymakers, geographers, sociologists, economists, environmental scientists, and urban planners to integrate equitable and spatially based analyses into poverty reduction strategies, in line with sustainable urban development.