LIST OF PANELS

Public policies demystify a constructive role in shaping the social and economic facets of spatial development trajectories, in juxtaposition; they can also inadvertently create or exacerbate inequalities. In today’s era, public policies, particularly in areas such as education, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice, often reflect and reinforce existing power dynamics and trigger socio-economic disparities. We have tried to explore the policy failures and a need of devising a restructured approach in public policy in the education, housing needs, healthcare and contesting urban planning failures.Literature reveals that educational policies have proven to induce significant disparities in school resources and quality of education between affluent and low-income neighborhoods (Attewell et al., 2013). The financial grant policy model of education inculcates diverse backgrounds and perpetuates educational inequities, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities (Rapoport & Schneck, 2018).Housing policies also contribute to social inequalities, particularly through zoning laws and land use regulations that favor single-family homes and suburban developments (Rothstein, 2017). These policies often restrict affordable housing options, forcing low-income families into under-resourced areas with limited access to essential services and amenities. Many inhabitants witness social-exclusion in education and healthcare due to disjointed and biased public policy (Rothstein, 2017). In healthcare, public policies impact marginalized groups, especially when policies do not account for socio-economic disparities as witnessed during pandemic outbreak (Kearns & O’Connor, 2020).Moreover, healthcare facilities are often concentrated in affluent areas, making it difficult for low-income populations to access services. The intersection of these policies reveals a pressing need for comprehensive reform aimed at promoting equity in healthcare access and outcomes. 

Public policy concerns in urban planning are crucial for creating equitable and sustainable cities.  The prime concern for urban planning contestation is promoting equity and inclusiveness in spatial development process.  (Attewell et al., 2013). The polarization and biasness in the urban development and micro-scale questions the current policy applicability with a reflection on re-structured approach for urban planning (Rothstein, 2017).  However, there are debates embarking on contextualizing the process of localization of SDGs; however there appears to be the policy challenges in reinforcing the SDGS in developing nations (Rapoport & Schneck, 2018). We need a more nuanced understanding of how public policies are reconstructed a reinforced with a focus on education, affordable housing, healthcare; with impetus on efficient and effective urban planning. Therefore this panels focus on the plethora of following objectives, research questions and scientific relevance: pertaining to Educational Policies; Housing inequalities; health care disparities; urban planning issues community participation under the aegis of Sustainable development goals- 

General Objectives: 

• Investigate how existing educational policies affect resource distribution and learning outcomes across various socio-economic groups, aiming to identify disparities and recommend equitable policy adjustments
• Assess the influence of zoning laws and land use regulations on the availability of affordable housing and the resultant social segregation, seeking pathways to reform for enhanced inclusivity
• Explore the accessibility and fairness of healthcare services in marginalized communities, particularly during and after public health emergencies, to highlight systemic gaps and propose equitable solutions
• Identify and evaluate urban development practices that foster social equity and sustainability, emphasizing the need for stakeholder engagement and community involvement in planning processes
• Investigate the local challenges and opportunities in implementing SDGs, particularly in developing nations, to understand how these global frameworks can be effectively localized to address specific urban issues.

Research Questions:

• How do current educational policies affect resource allocation among different socio-economic groups?
• What are the measurable impacts of these policies on educational outcomes in under-resourced communities?
• In what ways do zoning laws and land use regulations contribute to or mitigate housing inequalities?
• How can policy reforms promote greater access to affordable housing and reduce social segregation?
• What barriers exist to accessing healthcare services in marginalized communities, particularly during public health crises?
• How do healthcare policies need to change to ensure equitable access to services for all socio-economic groups?
• What inclusive urban planning practices have been successfully implemented in various cities, and what lessons can be drawn from these case studies?
• How can urban planning integrate social equity considerations to promote sustainable development?
• What are the key challenges faced by developing nations in localizing the SDGs related to urban development?
• How can local stakeholders effectively engage in the localization of SDGs to address specific urban social and economic issues?

Exploring the Scientific Relevance 

The conference will contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing insights into how public policies intersect and influence various aspects of urban life, thereby affecting overall social equity and economic development. The panel will try to embark on developing evidence-based strategies for addressing inequalities in urban settings. It promotes dialogue among researchers from various disciplines of sociology, urban planning, public health, and economics to develop comprehensive approaches to urban development challenges through restorative and efficient policy design measures. The contribution of researcher will demystify research gaps from a global perspective attuned with the strategies under the aegis of sustainable development goals.

We invite researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to submit papers for an upcoming conference focused on the role of public policies in shaping the social and economic facets of urban development. Our goal is to explore how public policies can inadvertently exacerbate inequalities and to identify strategies for creating more equitable frameworks in education, housing, healthcare, and urban planning. 

1. Educational Policies: Analyzing how current policies impact resource allocation and educational outcomes in diverse socio-economic contexts.

2. Housing Inequalities: Examining the effects of zoning laws and land use regulations on affordable housing access and social segregation.

3. Healthcare Disparities: Investigating the accessibility and equity of healthcare services in marginalized communities, particularly in light of recent public health crises.

4. Urban Planning Strategies: Exploring inclusive urban development practices that promote social equity and sustainability.

5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Assessing the challenges and opportunities in localizing SDGs within the context of developing nations.