Measuring Spatial Accessibility to Hospital Beds in Isfahan Using the Gaussian-Based Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (G2SFCA) Model: Towards Evidence-Based Urban Health Planning

Abstract. With advancements in healthcare services, spatial equitable access has become a fundamental requirement for healthcare justice in effective urban planning. However, hospital capacity—more specifically, the number of hospital beds—is often unevenly distributed, leading to the necessity of establishing new hospitals in underserved areas. This study evaluates the spatial potential of access to hospital beds in Isfahan County using the Gaussian-Based Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (G2SFCA) model. This approach accounts for the gradual decline in accessibility with increasing distance while incorporating actual hospital bed capacity as the supply factor. Population data, hospital locations, and bed numbers were integrated and analyzed within a GIS environment. The findings from the G2SFCA model and the Gini coefficient (0.49) reveal a spatially unequal distribution of access to hospital beds across the study area, with peripheral zones experiencing significantly lower access. Therefore, merely increasing the number of hospital beds is insufficient to resolve the imbalance. A strategic reevaluation of healthcare facility locations, guided by population needs and spatial indicators, is essential. These results provide a valuable foundation for enhancing urban planning and supporting spatial equity in healthcare-related decision-making.