Social and spatial differences in inclusive infrastructure development in a large city

Abstract

The concept of inclusiveness in urban development is not new. The contemporary interpretation of the term is associated with equal access of all social groups regardless of age, gender, health, wealth, etc., to full life activity as equal members of society. The inclusiveness of development itself is an indicator of measuring the city residents’ quality of life in the context of convenience, comfort, availability of services and space for citizens. It demonstrates the level of integration of all residents into the community. The article presents the results of the study of socio-spatial differences in the development of the inclusive infrastructure of a large city. The research is based on the data from observations and structured interviews conducted in January-March 2022 in the cities of Poltava and Kropyvnytskyi. The criteria for the selection of research sites were locations in the urban space in zones with different functions. A study of characteristic and typical (representative) parts was carried out according to the list of objects in each of the research areas in Poltava and Kropyvnytskyi. The mapping was used to visualise the functional content of the active floors of buildings and display the categories of their facades within the selected streets as urban public spaces. It was determined that Poltava is characterised by socio-spatial differences in the development of the inclusive infrastructure of pedestrian streets between the city centre, and industrial and new-build residential areas. An analysis of the functional content of the active floors of buildings was carried out and the categories of their facades on the pedestrian streets of Kropyvnytskyi were determined. Based on the results of the interviews with the residents of Poltava, the problems and priorities of the inclusive development of the large city were identified. The use of the obtained results for the elaboration of development strategies of the cities of Poltava and Kropyvnytskyi will allow taking into account the features of inclusive development and may contribute to considering the interests and needs of all categories of urban residents to eliminate spatial disparities in the social and economic development of cities.