Beyond Distance: A Transferable Friction-Aware Framework for Spatial Equity in Cities

Can urban accessibility be measured beyond simple distance? Our recent study introduces a friction-aware fuzzy RS–GIS framework integrating topography and accessibility to support more equitable and sustainable urban planning.

Rapid urban growth and complex topography can intensify accessibility inequalities, yet conventional approaches often overlook these effects.

In our recent study, we developed a transferable fuzzy RS–GIS framework combining elevation-derived friction, accessibility modelling, and spatial analytics to assess service accessibility across metropolitan Tehran.

Key findings:
• Accessibility varied substantially across districts, with central areas reaching values up to seven times higher than peripheral areas.
• Topography emerged as a critical hidden driver of spatial inequality.
• The framework overcomes limitations of traditional binary accessibility approaches.
• Results support targeted public transport, slope-adaptive mobility solutions, and more equitable urban planning.

Beyond Tehran, the framework can be extended to incorporate other forms of friction such as congestion and support sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient cities aligned with SDG 11.

I welcome discussions and collaborations on urban analytics, accessibility, GIS, remote sensing, and sustainable mobility.