Explaining the Pattern of Spatial Inequality of Economic Indicators and the Factors affecting it uing a Fuzzy Delphi Approach (Case Study: Ardabil)

Spatial inequality is considered one of the biggest challenges in both developing and developed countries, and a major obstacle for most governments to achieve sustainable development indicators. Therefore, investigating and analyzing the levels of spatial inequality as well as the influencing factors on its formation and expansion are considered essential for planning and managing cities. This research was conducted with the aim of measuring the spatial inequalities in Ardabil city with emphasis on economic indicators and identifying factors affecting its expansion. Based on the characteristics, spatial statistical models, hot spot analysis and spatial autocorrelation were used in Arc/GIS software, as well as fuzzy Delphi technique. Based on the results of the research, the urban areas of Ardabil are in different ranges in terms of the investigated indicators. Moreover, based on the spatial autocorrelation model (Moran), the distribution pattern of spatial inequality based on economic indicators in Ardabil follows the cluster model, and this type of distribution has caused spatial duality in this city.