Measuring urban sustainability

The present study investigated the spatial distribution and accessibility of parks and urban green spaces in Tehran using the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) and the Geographical Information System (GIS) with an emphasis on the approach of spatial justice. For the purpose of analyzing the spatial distribution pattern of urban green spaces in Tehran, the nearest neighbor method and multi-distance spatial cluster analysis were applied. As a result, the spatial distribution pattern of this land use strongly resembled a clustered pattern, and the accessibility and distribution of green spaces in Tehran were unequal. Also, based on the Cocoso method as well, which was used to analyze access to green spaces and parks, districts 10 and 11 are by far Tehran's most deprived districts. Distribution of services in the city based on per capita in the form of comprehensive and detailed plans, financial and technical problems of municipalities, lack of approach to planning and sustainable development on a national, regional and local scale in Iran's planning system, lack of integrated urban management in the Tehran's city management system, the emphasis of most urban planning theories in Iran on planning processes and ignoring social and spatial structures are some of the main reasons for this inequality. To reduce inequality between the districts of Tehran, it is essential to devise effective regional planning and adopt balanced and impartial policies for providing equal accessibility of resources in all urban districts. The findings enhance our understanding of the level of urban inequity and the potential causes of inequality with respect to accessibility to green spaces in metropolitan areas. This study also sheds light on the critical role of policy-making in this process. These findings have implications for urban managers in terms of the accessibility, allocation, and distribution of urban services in different cities of Iran and the world.