In search of spatial justice. Towards a conceptual and operative framework for the analysis of inter- and intra-urban inequalities using a geo-demographic approach. The case of Italy

Although still needing a definite theoretical status, spatial justice represents an inspiring framework for geographical analysis and for planning. In this paper we try to operationalize the concept through a geo-demographic approach. By using demographic and social differences as proxy of the concept at the urban level we define five socio-territorial clusters based on the characteristics of the population residing in the enumeration area of 14 Italian local labour market areas (LLMAs) whose capital is also the capital of a metropolitan city. The first results of the analysis show a high level of heterogeneity and the absence of compact and segregated peripheries. At the same time the analysis highlights the need for further methodological investigations to attain a better representation of social justice in its spatial dimension.