Spatial Justice Index: An empirical approach to measuring inequality and injustice in the cities of Mexico’s southern border

Abstract

The article presents the Spatial Justice Index, developed within the framework of a research project with intervention actions in Tenosique, Tabasco, and Tapachula, Chiapas, border cities in Southern Mexico, where Mexican residents and foreigners in a situation of in/mobility coexist. The objective of this study is to propose the Index as a tool for measuring and monitoring urban spatial conditions. The Index is a composite measure grounded in the theory of spatial justice and operationalized through dimensions, factors, and observable indicators at the neighborhood scale, employing mixed measurement techniques and explicit rules for coding and aggregation. This approach provides a replicable framework for assessing spatial justice in dynamic contexts of mobility and immobility, supporting evidence-based decision-making in urban management, and contributing to the creation of inclusive urban spaces accessible to all individuals, regardless of nationality or migratory status.