تحلیل و بررسی عدالت فضایی در سکونتگاه های روستایی شهرستان سواد کوه و شهرستان سواد کوه شمالی در استان مازندران

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Background and Purpose:
Spatial justice, as one of the fundamental principles of sustainable development, refers to the equitable distribution of opportunities, resources, services, and facilities in geographical space, alongside inclusive decision-making processes and respect for the diversity of local needs and identities. Spatial justice interweaves the distributional dimension emphasized by planners, the procedural norms highlighted by legal scholars, the lived experience stressed by sociologists, and the manifestation of power in space. North Savadkuh and Savadkuh counties, located in Mazandaran Province, possessing pristine nature, agricultural, livestock, and tourism potential, hold a strategic position and particular significance in regional development. However, spatial justice, as a foundational principle of sustainable and human development, faces profound and tangible challenges and inequalities in the rural areas of these two counties. In this context, identifying the dimensions and level of spatial justice in both counties will greatly assist rural planners in formulating programs and policies. Therefore, the primary goal of this research is to examine and analyze spatial justice from the perspective of the people residing in rural settlements.In this regard, identifying the dimensions and extent of spatial justice in both counties will greatly assist rural planners in formulating programs and policies. Therefore, our main goal in this study is to examine and analyze spatial justice from the perspective of people in rural settlements.

Methodology:
This research is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in methodology. In this study, data collection methods to address the research questions are twofold: documentary (secondary data) and survey. The instrument employed in the survey method was a questionnaire. The statistical population of this study consists of rural residents in Savadkuh County and North Savadkuh County. The sampling method was cluster sampling, and the sample size was determined using Morgan's table at 384 individuals. In the first stage, rural districts were selected as primary clusters. Subsequently, from each cluster, a number of villages were selected through purposive sampling, and households were chosen randomly. The number of sample villages was determined at 50 villages via non-probability purposive sampling, as previously mentioned. Considering population proportions in rural settlements, 34 villages were selected in Savadkuh County and 16 villages in North Savadkuh County. Raw data for measuring spatial justice indicators were collected through questionnaires. For data analysis, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized in the section examining the effects of spatial justice indicators. This study employed a structural approach using AMOS software. In the section examining and analyzing spatial justice indicators and their components, a One-Sample t-test was conducted using SPSS software.
Findings and Discussion:
The findings of the present research, framed within Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), revealed that all examined primary dimensions have a significant impact on empowerment regarding spatial justice. Psychological-cognitive factors exhibited the highest influence, with a regression coefficient of 0.68 and a t-value of 8.65, indicating the critical importance of self-esteem, sense of belonging, and intrinsic motivations in enhancing spatial justice. Following this, political factors ranked second with a coefficient of 0.64 and a t-value of 9.12. Conversely, the results of the One-Sample t-test indicated that the majority of spatial justice indicators and components are in an undesirable condition. A favorable status was observed only in certain components, including lifestyle changes, social participation, access to healthcare services, diversity of economic activities, and sense of local belonging.


Conclusion:
Weaknesses in institutional-managerial dimensions (laws, budget, effective management, data-driven planning, planning) and political dimensions (non-discrimination, political participation, conflict of interest, development of political awareness, international capacities) in both regions—especially mountainous areas—are identified as underlying and exacerbating factors of deprivation. Ineffective management, lack of transparency, weaknesses in data-driven planning, and discrimination in resource allocation constitute the primary obstacle to the realization of spatial justice.
Keywords: One-Sample t-test, Structuralural ‌Equation, Modeling (SEM), Foothill villages, Mountainous villages, Spatial justice indicators