Modeling Justice Index in Urban Planning Using the "Capability Approach"

While transportation decisions can potentially affect a large percentage of the total households living in cities and create exclusion between different social groups, inequity in transportation is seldom considered and the concept is not explicitly explained in the field of transport, and studies have considered transport only as a marginal example to advance broader issues. Therefore, many scholars continue to attempt to influence these debates using various theories. In this regard, employing descriptive-analytical techniques, this study seeks to present a model, based on a "capability approach”, that is capable of using data on the characteristics of inhabitants, urban habitat indexes, and transportation system performance and evaluates people freedom of choice to meet their basic needs. To this end, it sets a "capability index" by presenting a scenario for 16 people with different characteristics residing in one block. The results of the model implementation show that the largest difference in the capability index for individuals is influenced by the variables of car ownership, income, and disability. Besides, the younger age group is more sensitive to these variables, so the decrease in these variables will lead to a greater reduction in the capability index for younger people than their older counterparts. As a result, this model will be able to measure the freedom and equity for different social groups and propose policymaking in an urban area.