IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/soinre/v165y2023i1d10.1007_s11205-022-03005-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Capability Index: Applying a Fuzzy-Based Decision-Making Method to Evaluate Social Inclusion in Urban Areas Using the Capability Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammad Azmoodeh

    (Babol Noshirvani University of Technology)

  • Farshidreza Haghighi

    (Babol Noshirvani University of Technology)

  • Hamid Motieyan

    (Babol Noshirvani University of Technology)

Abstract

There is rising interest in re-evaluating transport policy, moving away from analysing concrete economic indicators and towards examining the number of persons participating in activities as ‘social justice.’ So, using the Capacity Approach, this study presents an aggregated model to calculate the level of capability in two neighbourhoods in Tehran, Iran, involving variables from the ‘Individuals’ and ‘Environment’ dimensions. The computed factors were then weighted by the Fuzzy AHP technique based on the opinion of Iranian and international experts and combined to produce the final Capability Index (CI). CI results show that residents of the central business district, with an average of 0.628, had a 20% higher CI than residents of the city's outskirts, with 0.483. Furthermore, CI values corroborate prior research results that individuals with higher income, education level, and work position, in addition to higher individual capacity, benefit from a better neighbourhood environment. Also, calculations show that the neighbourhoods are not environmentally accessible for people with disabilities, and this group is suffering from low external capability. Additionally, the model estimates different levels of CI to evaluate the current status and prioritize future urban projects, so the model can be helpful for policy-makers to investigate the capability dimensions separately and decide about future plans.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Azmoodeh & Farshidreza Haghighi & Hamid Motieyan, 2023. "Capability Index: Applying a Fuzzy-Based Decision-Making Method to Evaluate Social Inclusion in Urban Areas Using the Capability Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 77-105, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:165:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-022-03005-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-022-03005-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11205-022-03005-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11205-022-03005-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Motieyan, Hamid & Azmoodeh, Mohammad, 2021. "Mixed-use distribution index: A novel bilevel measure to address urban land-use mix pattern (A case study in Tehran, Iran)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    2. Ali Soltani & Seyed Hosein Hoseini, 2014. "An analysis of the connection between built environment, physical activity and health: comparing three urban neighbourhoods from Shiraz, Iran," International Journal of Urban Sciences, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 19-30, March.
    3. Ali asghar Pilehvar, 2021. "Spatial-geographical analysis of urbanization in Iran," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Dalila De Rosa, 2018. "Capability Approach and Multidimensional Well-Being: The Italian Case of BES," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 140(1), pages 125-155, November.
    5. Karen Lucas & Bert Wee & Kees Maat, 2016. "A method to evaluate equitable accessibility: combining ethical theories and accessibility-based approaches," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(3), pages 473-490, May.
    6. Floridea Di Ciommo & Yoram Shiftan, 2017. "Transport equity analysis," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 139-151, March.
    7. Vecchio, Giovanni, 2020. "Microstories of everyday mobilities and opportunities in Bogotá: A tool for bringing capabilities into urban mobility planning," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    8. Ingrid Robeyns, 2005. "Selecting Capabilities for Quality of Life Measurement," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 74(1), pages 191-215, October.
    9. Bat-hen Nahmias-Biran & Karel Martens & Yoram Shiftan, 2017. "Integrating equity in transportation project assessment: a philosophical exploration and its practical implications," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 192-210, March.
    10. Robin Hickman & Mengqiu Cao & Beatriz Mella Lira & Alexis Fillone & Jose Bienvenido Biona, 2017. "Understanding Capabilities, Functionings and Travel in High and Low Income Neighbourhoods in Manila," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 161-174.
    11. Martha Nussbaum, 2003. "Capabilities As Fundamental Entitlements: Sen And Social Justice," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2-3), pages 33-59.
    12. Ingrid Robeyns, 2005. "The Capability Approach: a theoretical survey," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 93-117.
    13. Giovanni Vecchio & Karel Martens, 2021. "Accessibility and the Capabilities Approach: a review of the literature and proposal for conceptual advancements," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(6), pages 833-854, November.
    14. Huang, Jie & Levinson, David M., 2015. "Circuity in urban transit networks," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 145-153.
    15. Chang, Da-Yong, 1996. "Applications of the extent analysis method on fuzzy AHP," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(3), pages 649-655, December.
    16. Rafael H. M. Pereira & Tim Schwanen & David Banister, 2017. "Distributive justice and equity in transportation," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 170-191, March.
    17. Cao, Mengqiu & Hickman, Robin, 2019. "Understanding travel and differential capabilities and functionings in Beijing," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 46-56.
    18. Seyed Mojtaba Fakhrahmad & Ali Soltani & Mohamad Roosta, 2022. "Assessment of travelers’ fear of crime in intercity bus terminals: the case of Karandish terminal of Shiraz," Journal of Transportation Security, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 69-85, June.
    19. Hananel, Ravit & Berechman, Joseph, 2016. "Justice and transportation decision-making: The capabilities approach," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 78-85.
    20. Parthasarathi, Pavithra, 2014. "Network structure and metropolitan mobility," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 7(2), pages 153-168.
    21. Saeid Nazari Adli & Subeh Chowdhury, 2021. "A Critical Review of Social Justice Theories in Public Transit Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-13, April.
    22. Ingrid Robeyns, 2003. "Sen'S Capability Approach And Gender Inequality: Selecting Relevant Capabilities," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2-3), pages 61-92.
    23. Ryan, Jean & Wretstrand, Anders & Schmidt, Steven M., 2015. "Exploring public transport as an element of older persons' mobility: A Capability Approach perspective," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 105-114.
    24. Daniel Oviedo & Luis A. Guzman, 2020. "Revisiting Accessibility in a Context of Sustainable Transport: Capabilities and Inequalities in Bogotá," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-22, June.
    25. Sen, Amartya, 1999. "Commodities and Capabilities," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195650389.
    26. Mahtani, Umesh S. & Garg, Chandra Prakash, 2018. "An analysis of key factors of financial distress in airline companies in India using fuzzy AHP framework," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 87-102.
    27. Md. Kamruzzaman & Tan Yigitcanlar & Jay Yang & Mohd Afzan Mohamed, 2016. "Measures of Transport-Related Social Exclusion: A Critical Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-30, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Azmoodeh, Mohammad & Haghighi, Farshidreza & Motieyan, Hamid, 2023. "The capability approach and social equity in transport: Understanding factors affecting capabilities of urban residents, using structural equation modeling," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 137-151.
    2. Deka, Devajyoti, 2022. "Trip deprivation among older adults in the context of the capability approach," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    3. Edward Randal & Caroline Shaw & Alistair Woodward & Philippa Howden-Chapman & Alex Macmillan & Jamie Hosking & Ralph Chapman & Andrew M. Waa & Michael Keall, 2020. "Fairness in Transport Policy: A New Approach to Applying Distributive Justice Theories," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-20, December.
    4. Bantis, Thanos & Haworth, James, 2020. "Assessing transport related social exclusion using a capabilities approach to accessibility framework: A dynamic Bayesian network approach," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    5. Cao, Mengqiu & Hickman, Robin, 2019. "Understanding travel and differential capabilities and functionings in Beijing," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 46-56.
    6. Cooper, Erin & Vanoutrive, Thomas, 2022. "Is accessibility inequality morally relevant?: An exploration using local residents' assessments in Modesto, California," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Vecchio, Giovanni, 2020. "Microstories of everyday mobilities and opportunities in Bogotá: A tool for bringing capabilities into urban mobility planning," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    8. Luz, Gregorio & da Silva Portugal, Licinio, 2021. "Understanding Transport-Related Social Exclusion Through the Lens of Capabilities Approach," OSF Preprints 4d3uy, Center for Open Science.
    9. Luz, Gregório & Barboza, Matheus H.C. & Portugal, Licinio & Giannotti, Mariana & van Wee, Bert, 2022. "Does better accessibility help to reduce social exclusion? Evidence from the city of São Paulo, Brazil," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 186-217.
    10. Luz, Gregorio & Barboza, Matheus Henrique Cunha & da Silva Portugal, Licinio & Giannotti, Mariana & van Wee, Bert, 2022. "Does better accessibility help to reduce social exclusion? Evidence from the City of São Paulo, Brazil," SocArXiv 2p896, Center for Open Science.
    11. Ryan, Jean & Pereira, Rafael H.M., 2021. "What are we missing when we measure accessibility? Comparing calculated and self-reported accounts among older people," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    12. Claudia Kettner & Angela Köppl & Sigrid Stagl, 2014. "Towards an Operational Measurement of Socio-ecological Performance. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 52," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47154, April.
    13. Hamidi, Zahra & Camporeale, Rosalia & Caggiani, Leonardo, 2019. "Inequalities in access to bike-and-ride opportunities: Findings for the city of Malmö," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 673-688.
    14. Humberto, Mateus, 2023. "How to translate justice theory into urban transport metrics? Synchronic assessment of Latin American cities based on equality, priority and sufficiency," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    15. John Stanley & Janet Stanley, 2023. "Improving Appraisal Methodology for Land Use Transport Measures to Reduce Risk of Social Exclusion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, August.
    16. Chiappero-Martinetti, Enrica & Moroni, Stefano, 2007. "An analytical framework for conceptualizing poverty and re-examining the capability approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 360-375, June.
    17. Gasper, D.R., 2006. "What is the capability approach?: its core, rationale, partners and dangers," ISS Working Papers - General Series 19187, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    18. James J. Heckman & Chase O. Corbin, 2016. "Capabilities and Skills," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(3), pages 342-359, July.
    19. Joanna Coast, 2019. "Assessing capability in economic evaluation: a life course approach?," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 20(6), pages 779-784, August.
    20. Chiappero-Martinetti, Enrica & Sabadash, Anna, 2014. "Integrating Human Capital and Human Capabilities in Understanding the Value of Education," MPRA Paper 61800, University Library of Munich, Germany.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:165:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-022-03005-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.