The impact of urban models on social support – Between spatial justice and sustainable development

Authors

  • Lorena Fiorini University of L’Aquila (Italy)
  • Lucia Saganeiti CNR (Italy)
  • Matteo Perazzini University of L’Aquila (Italy)
  • Danilo Bontempo University of L’Aquila (Italy)
  • Martina Bucci Psychologist and trained Psychotherapist (Italy)
  • Marco Giancola University of L’Aquila (Italy)
  • Enrico Perilli University of L’Aquila (Italy)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69143/2464-9309/17132025

Keywords:

spatial justice, social support, territorial disparities, environmental psychology, environmental well-being

Abstract

Territorial disparities condition the well-being of communities, affecting access to essential services and the possibility of building and maintaining meaningful social networks. Differences in the distribution of infrastructure, the quality of urban spaces, and opportunities for social interaction can amplify isolation situations, especially impacting the most vulnerable segments of the population. This study, conducted in four municipalities in the Province of L’Aquila, analyses the phenomenon according to two dimensions: the spatial one, linked to urban planning and the location of primary services, and the social one, related to perceived social support. The results underline the importance of inclusive planning that promotes spatial justice and equitable access to services, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Article info

Received: 18/03/2025; Revised: 23/04/2025; Accepted: 02/05/2025

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Author Biographies

Lorena Fiorini, University of L’Aquila (Italy)

Engineer and PhD, she is a Researcher at the Department of Civil, Construction-Architecture and Environmental Engineering. She collaborates on the ‘Life Imagine Umbria’ Project. She researches Territorial Planning and Urban Planning Techniques, with expertise in models and techniques for monitoring urban growth.
E-mail: lorena.fiorini@univaq.it

Lucia Saganeiti, CNR (Italy)

Engineer and PhD, she is a Researcher at the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA). Former Scientific Coordinator of the project ‘Gender Disequality and Urban Dispersion’, she works on Research Infrastructures in the environmental domain. Her main research topics include urban and territorial planning, environmental sustainability, and spatial analysis.
E-mail: lucia.saganeiti@cnr.it

Matteo Perazzini, University of L’Aquila (Italy)

Psychologist and Psychotherapist, he is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences. His research interests include personality, quality of life, risk behaviours, and pro-ecological attitudes.
E-mail: matteo.perazzini@graduate.univaq.it

Danilo Bontempo, University of L’Aquila (Italy)

He is a Research Fellow at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences. As a trained Psychologist and Psychotherapist, he conducts research on environmental psychology, pro-ecological behaviours, and place attachment.
E-mail: danilo.bontempo@guest.univaq.it

Martina Bucci, Psychologist and trained Psychotherapist (Italy)

Psychologist and trained Psychotherapist, she is an independent Researcher whose clinical interests focus on developmental psychology and psychoanalysis.
E-mail: martinabucci3@gmail.com

Marco Giancola, University of L’Aquila (Italy)

PhD, he is a Researcher at the Department of Applied Biotechnology and Clinical Sciences. His research interests focus on personality, cognitive styles, creativity, and risk behaviours, such as problematic social media use and exercise addiction.
E-mail: marco.giancola@univaq.it

Enrico Perilli, University of L’Aquila (Italy)

Psychologist and Psychotherapist, he is an Associate Professor of Dynamic Psychology at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences. His research interests include the psychology of places, environmental psychology, eco-emotions, and psychoanalysis.
E-mail: enrico.perilli@univaq.it

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Satellite image and views of the Municipality of Barisciano (source: Google Earth; credits: the Authors). AGATHÓN 17 | 2025

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Published

30-06-2025

How to Cite

Fiorini, L., Saganeiti, L., Perazzini, M., Bontempo, D., Bucci, M., Giancola, M. and Perilli, E. (2025) “The impact of urban models on social support – Between spatial justice and sustainable development”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 17, pp. 196–207. doi: 10.69143/2464-9309/17132025.
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