A Reflection on an Increase in Economic and Social Inequalities in Urban Communities amid the Covid-19 Epidemic (Case Study: Shiraz City)

The Covid-19 epidemic has been one of the main dangers of recent decades which has provided serious economic and social challenges for societies. Therefore, analyzing the impact of this epidemic on increasing economic and social inequalities became the goal of the present study. This research is done using descriptive-analytical method based on documentary studies and field survey. A review of previous research identified 24 economic and social variables in urban communities affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. Then, these variables were studied in two neighborhoods with a different economic and social structure in Shiraz. To collect the data, 100 questionnaires (more than 4 times of variables) were distributed in each neighborhood. Then, the data obtained from the questionnaires were entered in SPSS software and then were evaluated using an exploratory factor analysis model. Findings show that the negative effects of the Covid-19 epidemic on urban communities are manifested in 5 factors, namely "household economic strength", "government support", "physical and mental health", "household expenses" and "social interactions". In addition, based on the comparison between the affluent and poor neighborhoods in Shiraz, it was found that poor communities were more affected by the negative consequences of this epidemic than affluent communities. The peak of these inequalities is reflected in the variables of "provision of e-learning equipment", "food consumption", "supply of basic goods", "insecurity and crime", "clothing consumption" and "employment and business". Finally, priority factors were identified for policy application using the linear multivariate regression analysis model.