Spatial Justice: Geographical Conceptualization in the Context of War in Ukraine

Abstract

As a scientific category, spatial justice requires to be detailed and in-depth theoretical and methodological study, as well as empirical evaluation. Since representatives of different fields of knowledge offer their own definitions of spatial justice, it is impossible to have a systematic view of it, nor to place accents that are important for geo­graphers. The purpose of the study is to analyze and summarize approaches to the definition of “spatial justice”, to outline its main dimensions, and to clarify, through an online expert survey of geographers, the essence of the category and the focus of its study in the context of the military situation in Ukraine. The analysis of the literature and the results of an online survey of geographers on the nature of spatial justice in Ukraine revealed that justice is based on the principle of equal opportunities, which is worth striving for, given the objective geographical inequalities in living conditions, access to services, levels of mobility, etc. Even though the category of “spatial justice” has been defined by geographers in the past, it is not yet clear what the main dimensions of spatial justice are, and what the focus of its study should be. Although the category of spatial justice is most developed in Western countries, its implementation in war and post-war conditions in Ukraine is extremely necessary, especially since the injustice of war is exacerbated by its consequences. According to the majority of respondents, spatial justice can be interpreted as the achievement of a state in which the economic life of a given territory is subordinated to, or at least does not contradict, the interests of the local community, creating benefits and opportunities to meet production, cultural and other needs. In times of war, it is also a fair democratic process of sharing benefits and risks between territories. The definitions chosen by the majority of respondents can be the basis for the further development of theoretical, methodological, and practical tools for the formation of a platform for the implementation of the principles of spatial justice at different territorial levels.