A B S T R A C T
Neglecting spatial justice is a major contributor to urban challenges. In Iran, and particularly in Ilam City, the improper distribution of urban services has led to spatial inequality and the deprivation of certain areas, creating serious issues. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the state of spatial justice in Ilam and examining differences among urban areas. The research employs a descriptive-analytical and applied approach. Data were collected through documentary and survey methods, and 23 indicators were used to assess land uses. To analyze the data, Shannon entropy was employed to assign weights to the indicators, and the CoCoSo model was used to rank urban areas based on their access to urban services. The results indicate that the distribution of urban services in Ilam is unequal and imbalanced, leaving some areas deprived of essential services, which has contributed to the decline of spatial justice and the intensification of social and economic inequalities. The use of the CoCoSo method facilitated the identification of disadvantaged areas and the examination of the relationship between these inequalities and residents' quality of life. The unequal distribution of urban services, especially in deprived areas, has led to consequences such as reduced quality of life, increased social dissatisfaction, and intra-urban migration. Given the importance of spatial justice for sustainable development, the study emphasizes the necessity of policymaking efforts aimed at enhancing service distribution equity through investments in infrastructure, the development of public transportation, the engagement of local communities, and the adoption of innovative technologies
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Following the rapid expansion of urbanization and population growth worldwide, cities in developing countries, including Iran, have increasingly faced inequalities in the distribution of services and population dispersion. The resulting instability has manifested in various forms, such as spatial and social disparities, poverty, declining quality of life, and widening income gaps. This issue has led to unequal access to urban services among citizens, ultimately producing polarized and dualistic spatial structures within cities. Neglecting the principle of spatial justice in the formulation and implementation of medium- and long-term development plans disrupts the spatial structure and organization at multiple levels. Consequences of this oversight include population migration, spatial displacement of problems, and the growing complexity of urban issues. In Iran, as in many other countries, the uneven distribution of urban services across cities has become a serious concern. Urban administrators have largely focused on the provision of services, often overlooking their equitable distribution. As a result, facilities and services tend to concentrate in central areas, exacerbating inequalities among urban districts. The city of Ilam, with a population exceeding 180,000 and serving as the capital of Ilam Province, is no exception to this trend. The existence of decentralization in Ilam City necessitates comprehensive and well-coordinated planning by urban managers across all sectors, including economic, social, and cultural domains. In order to assess and institutionalize justice within the city, urban management must simultaneously address both decision-making structures and processes (structural justice) and the outcomes, impacts, and consequences of development (distributive justice). Among these considerations, the most critical criterion for analyzing the state of spatial justice in the city is the examination of how urban services are distributed. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to evaluate the current status of spatial justice in Ilam City with respect to urban services and to examine the extent of disparities among its different areas. In this regard, the central research question is posed as follows: Which areas of Ilam City receive the highest and lowest scores in terms of access to urban services?
 
Methodology
This study is applied in its objective and employs a descriptive-analytical method in terms of its approach. Data collection was conducted through documentary and survey-based research. The data utilized in this study are objective in nature, extracted from the comprehensive and detailed urban development plans of Ilam City. For data analysis, the first stage involved collecting and categorizing the relevant data. In the second stage, Shannon's entropy method was employed to determine the weight of each indicator. Finally, the CoCoSo (Combined Compromise Solution) model was applied to rank the urban districts based on their level of access to urban services and facilities. In analyzing the research findings, the per capita availability, total area, and number of facilities associated with each urban service indicator across the four districts of Ilam City were first estimated, followed by an in-depth examination of the results. A total of 23 indicators were used to evaluate the distribution and accessibility of various land uses and urban services.
 
Results and discussion
The findings of the study indicate that, based on the CoCoSo method, the distribution of urban services in Ilam City is highly uneven, leading to a significant decline in spatial justice. In other words, while certain areas of the city enjoy relatively adequate access to urban services, others remain underserved. This imbalance highlights the existence of profound disparities in the distribution of services, which could fuel social, economic, and even cultural inequalities. For instance, neighborhoods with limited access to urban services are more likely to face challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Such disparities can drive patterns of internal urban migration, heighten public dissatisfaction, and contribute to social instability. Moreover, the uneven distribution of services may exacerbate other urban issues, including increased traffic congestion, pollution, and a general decline in the quality of life for residents of more disadvantaged districts. Inadequate access to urban services also poses a major obstacle to sustainable urban development and threatens to undermine efforts to improve living standards across Ilam City.
 
Conclusion
The present study sought to identify and assess the distribution of urban services in Ilam City and examine its impact on spatial justice. The findings revealed that the distribution of urban services in Ilam is characterized by significant imbalance and inequity, leaving some areas deprived of essential urban amenities. This uneven distribution has led to a decline in spatial justice and an exacerbation of social and economic inequalities among the city's residents. The application of the CoCoSo method proved effective in identifying areas marked by service disparities and demonstrated the relationship between these inequalities and residents' quality of life. These findings make a direct contribution to the body of literature on spatial justice and urban planning, particularly by offering new insights drawn from a border city with its own distinctive characteristics. Nonetheless, the study is not without limitations that should be addressed in future research. One key limitation concerns the quality and comprehensiveness of the data used in the analyses. Although the CoCoSo method offers a robust tool for spatial analysis, the reliability and precision of the results are highly dependent on the quality of input data. The lack of more detailed or comprehensive datasets may have influenced the findings. Moreover, future research could benefit from employing alternative analytical methods or integrating multiple approaches to provide a more nuanced understanding. Further exploration of the cultural and social impacts of service distribution inequalities on the citizens of Ilam would also deepen the analysis of underlying causes and consequences. Overall, this study represents an important step toward identifying spatial challenges and promoting spatial justice in border cities, and it offers a valuable foundation for future research and urban policy planning initiatives.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.