Elucidating the Role of Spatial Factors in Establishing an Optimal Pattern of Rural Service Centers Based on Social Justice: A Case Study of Villages in Isfahan County

Introduction
Genuine development can only be realized when conditions enabling dynamic growth, material and spiritual advancement, and equitable opportunities for all individuals—regardless of their spatial context—are established across all dimensions. From an Islamic perspective, the ultimate objective of economic activities is the attainment of social justice in its precise Islamic interpretation. This framework prioritizes distribution over production, emphasizing that production must serve equitable distribution. If progress in production jeopardizes distributive equity, it must be curtailed. Therefore, an ideal distribution system aligns with Islamic principles of justice, which is a core aim of regional planning: balancing economic growth with social equity. This study addresses two central questions: First, what are the most significant indicators influencing the spatial allocation of rural service centers in Isfahan County? Second, which locations within the county are most suitable for establishing these centers?
 
Methodology
The research adopts an applied, descriptive-analytical approach. Data collection encompassed documentary sources—academic literature, articles, databases, theses—and field surveys. Statistical data were derived from the Housing Foundation of Isfahan Province (2023). To account for the varying importance of selected indicators in determining rural service center locations, a multi-criteria decision-making method was employed. Considering that pairwise comparison studies typically require 5–15 experts, a snowball sampling technique was used to select 20 specialists (Ph.D. holders in rural planning) from academic institutions. Data analysis combined the Analytic Network Process (ANP) with GIS tools (Super Decisions software and ArcMap) to identify optimal locations for rural service centers.
 
Findings
The overlay of spatial data layers revealed a composite map reflecting cumulative suitability scores. Areas with higher scores were classified as more suitable, while those with lower scores were deemed less favorable. Existing rural service centers were categorized into five tiers: highly unsuitable, unsuitable, moderate, suitable, and highly suitable. Centers scoring below the median were considered unsuitable, while those above were deemed appropriate. Green zones indicate optimal locations for new centers, whereas red zones represent unsuitable areas.
 
Discussion and Conclusion
The ANP analysis identified population density (weight: 0.191) as the most critical factor influencing the spatial allocation of rural service centers in Isfahan, followed by land slope (lowest weight: 0.06). GIS-ANP integration highlighted northern, central, and western districts as optimal due to their high population density and the underperformance of existing centers in these regions. These findings underscore the necessity of aligning infrastructure development with demographic patterns and socio-economic equity, ensuring that service provision addresses both spatial disparities and Islamic principles of justice. This study provides a replicable framework for policymakers seeking to harmonize economic growth with equitable rural development, particularly in regions with heterogeneous geographic and socio-cultural landscapes.