The Symposium ‘Spatial Justice in Practice: Benchmarking Spatial Justice in Policymaking, Planning and Design’ (30 NOV at TU Delft, 1 and 5 DEC 2023 Online) aims to foster discussions and exchange that allow us to take a step further in the formulation of frameworks, indicators and benchmarks for the practical application of the concept. 

While a definite definition of Spatial Justice is elusive, at the TU Delft, we conceptualise it as having three interconnected and mutually reinforcing dimensions: distributive (the fair and equitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of our human association), procedural (the justice found in planning and design procedures, the justice in decision-making processes, the inclusion of vulnerable groups in planning processes) and recognition (the social recognition and validation of disadvantaged groups’ specific needs, identities, cultural heritage, histories and experiences). Spatial Justice is a core dimension of transitions to sustainability, encompassing issues such as climate justice, mobility justice, participation, democracy, access to public goods and more. 

Benchmarking spatial justice involves developing methods and indicators to assess and compare the levels of justice across different regions or communities. It provides a valuable framework for identifying spatial inequalities, evaluating policy interventions, and guiding decision-making processes towards a more equitable and just future. 

This symposium is organised by the TU Delft Centre for the Just City in the framework of UP2030 https://up2030-he.eu . This Horizon Europe project aims to support cities in driving the socio-technical transitions required to meet their climate neutrality targets by leveraging urban planning and design. It has spatial justice as one of its main frameworks for policy and project design, implementation, and assessment. 

The organising committee is composed by: 

Roberto Rocco (TU Delft) 

Juliana Gonçalves (TU Delft) 

Caroline Newton (TU Delft) 

Marcin Dabrowski (TU Delft) 

Hugo Lopez (TU Delft) 

Andrés Maglione (University of Naples Federico II) 

Russell Smith (Winston-Salem State) 

Shahryar Sarabi (University of Utrecht)