The comprehensive explanation of the spatial capital concept

“Spatial capital” as a relatively new concept in urban studies has been employed by researchers in various fields such as urban geography, urban design, sociology and urban economy, in the last 2 decades. Unfortunately, most of this research is not highly interconnected, and there is still ambiguity around the concept and its criteria; which makes it hard to grasp and explain both in terms of its relationship to concrete spatial factors such as form, density, legibility, accessibility, land use, mobility, etc., and its exchange with other types of capital as well. This research aims to provide a conceptual framework and a comprehensive definition of spatial capital, through a systematic review of all the relevant literature. It explores the roots of this concept and analyzes the commonalities and differences between various relevant studies and their definitions of spatial capital. The findings of this research show that the core elements of spatial capital are proximity and distance, which are influenced by nodality, accessibility, mobility, connectivity, and spatial competence of the actors. This research defines spatial capital as the value-added of space which represents itself through the stocks of spatial capital, and the flows of spatial capital. The spatial capital could be bonding or bridging based on how inclusive it is in relation to spatial actors. This research provides a complex, open and loose framework that shows the role of various physical, spatial, social, economic factors in the form of an urban assemblage called spatial capital. The spatial distance from the centers of capital accumulation and The spatial distance from the centers of capital accumulation and center of concentration of the owners of these capitals (in terms of dwelling, or using the space in any shape or form) could be summed up in three approaches to distance which are temporal, physical, and social distance.