Unbalanced burden is escalating: Urban inequality landscape under sudden shocks?

Abstract

Sudden and unforeseen events, notably the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored and exacerbated pre-existing urban inequalities. These disruptions have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable sectors of society, thereby further aggravating existing inequalities. Addressing these inequality issues requires systematic research into academic community's response to significant global disturbances. Therefore, we have integrated bibliometric analysis with meta-analysis (quantitatively combines research results from systematic reviews) techniques, culminating in a research framework based on KNIME software (a software for creating data applications and services) and Python programming. Noteworthy for its open-source nature, scalability, and reproducibility, this framework tries to decode the developmental patterns and response characteristics of urban inequality research under sudden shocks. Additionally, it seeks to clarify its causal pathways, predict the emergence of new or strengthened inequalities, and provide effective suggestions to promote inclusive and sustainable urban development. Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 has exacerbated the existing urban inequality, attracting widespread attention in fields such as society and public health. Issues of fairness and justice of human health, resource allocation, urban resilience and vulnerability have become hot topics around COVID-19 related urban inequalities. Simultaneously, the sudden shocks have led to disparities in research areas and themes. Social, economic, and urban planning are the main drivers behind urban inequality, and particularly affecting vulnerable groups, including low-income populations and those living in remote regions. Before and after the COVID-19, the average global urban inequality are 0.57 and 0.61, respectively. Inequality issues are particularly severe in Africa and countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The pandemic changed the focus of urban inequality to health and social issues, worsening inequality performance in these regions and deepening global gaps. Additionally, countries with high urban inequality are more prone to large-scale outbreaks and higher mortality rates. To this end, we advocate academia for in-depth research and comprehensive evaluation, focusing on vulnerable groups, providing integrated policy recommendations, supporting interdisciplinary exchanges and cooperation, and committing to find long-term sustainable solutions. These efforts aim to propose more comprehensive and reasonable solutions to alleviate and address complex urban inequality issues under sudden shocks.