Social Infrastructure in Southern Europe: A Diagnostic Tool for Socio‐Territorial Vulnerability in Public Policies

The dominant neoliberal management model in major European cities has led to a growing trend toward socio-economic inequality, with its spatial dimensions highlighting clear contradictions. These social contradictions affect over a quarter of the Spanish population, particularly in the region of Andalusia (Southern Spain), with certain neighborhoods in the cities of Seville and Málaga containing a high percentage of vulnerable individuals. These cities are also the focus of two of the largest initiatives at the national (EDUSI) and regional (ERACI) levels, strategically aimed at combating vulnerability. In this context, the study of Social Infrastructures (SI) as spaces that promote integration and social cohesion in cities like Seville and Malaga is particularly important. We calculated a synthetic index of SI and studied its local spatial relationship with income levels and the presence of vulnerable populations. Our results indicate that, similar to other large European and North American cities, the distribution of SI in the cities analyzed does not adhere to a pattern of socio-territorial equity, with social vulnerability concentrated in areas with significant SI deficits. Additionally, we examine the use of public policy tools with the most socially deprived areas in each city, highlighting their impact on integration and the potential for social change. Finally, we reflect on the social and political implications of our findings and the appropriateness of SI as a tool for designing and evaluating public policies in urban settings.