The development of public transit infrastructure and the creation of station complexes, beyond traffic and physical functions, play a key role in redistributing urban resources and services, as well as balancing spatial justice. Hence, with the aim of analyzing the role of creating the Ahang Metro Station Complex project in mitigating or exacerbating spatial inequalities in District 14 of Tehran, the present paper has been conducted by drawing upon the theoretical framework of spatial justice (encompassing the three dimensions of distributive, procedural, and cognitive justice) and employing a mixed-methods methodology.
In the qualitative phase, using the semi-structured interview method, 17 in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders (neighborhood councilors, municipal deputies, shopkeepers, and real estate agents) through thematic analysis and three-stage coding, and in the quantitative phase, through a survey and random sampling among citizens over 18 years old in the four surrounding neighborhoods of the project, 400 face-to-face questionnaires were completed by residents and the results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
The quantitative findings showed that the study area faces accumulated spatial inequality and low satisfaction with urban services (a mean score of 37.3 out of 100). Although the construction of the station complex is perceived by citizens as a response to the urgent distributive needs of the neighborhood (particularly shopping centers with a priority mean of 8.06 and cultural-recreational centers with a mean of 7.86), on the other hand, the analysis of the integrated findings indicates serious threats in exacerbating the inequalities. These threats include the risk of physical gentrification and the forced displacement of low-income tenants, the weakening of the local micro-economy in competition with the mega-mall, traffic overflow along with a severe parking deficit (satisfaction score of 7.2 out of 100), and the degradation of the cultural-religious identity of the historic Hosseinabad-e Doulab neighborhood.
Furthermore, the procedural dimensions of justice were assessed as compromised due to the participatory exclusion of residents and a 37% lack of awareness among citizens regarding the project's planning process. Ultimately, the results show that the success of the project in mitigating inequalities hinges on transitioning from a purely speculative economic logic toward a justice-oriented approach; this requires reviewing the design of land uses to align with local purchasing power, securing the genuine participation of local stakeholders in decision-making processes, implementing supportive policies for micro-businesses, and physically respecting the religious-traditional identity of the neighborhood.