Spatial analysis of socio-collective infrastructure and territorial inequalities in a rural context: evidence from Fokoué Subdivision (West Cameroon)

This study assesses the spatial adequacy of socio-collective infrastructure provision in the Fokoué Subdivision (West Cameroon) by analyzing distribution patterns, accessibility levels, and compliance with planning standards. Despite decentralization reforms and national development policies, rural areas continue to experience persistent territorial inequalities in access to essential services. The study adopts a mixed-methods GIS-based approach combining normative standards, spatial datasets, and field surveys. Spatial analyses were conducted using QGIS and ArcGIS Pro, including proximity analysis, buffer zoning, slope assessment, spatial joins, and multicriteria evaluation. The results reveal a highly uneven spatial distribution of infrastructure, with strong concentration in central localities and significant deficits in peripheral areas, particularly in the southeastern and northwestern zones. Approximately 49% of infrastructures do not comply with established standards. Accessibility analysis shows that most settlements are located beyond acceptable thresholds for potable water access, while educational and health infrastructures are characterized by overcrowding and uneven service provision. In addition, a significant proportion of facilities are exposed to environmental risks such as flooding and slope instability, reflecting insufficient integration of biophysical constraints in planning processes. These spatial disparities generate cumulative vulnerabilities affecting health, education, and living conditions, particularly in remote rural communities. The study highlights the value of GIS-based spatial analysis as a decision-support tool for identifying priority intervention areas and promoting more equitable and resilient territorial planning. The findings support the need for integrated spatial planning approaches aligned with sustainable development objectives in decentralized rural contexts.