Building inequality: How construction materials shape service provision and socio-economic divides in Lima

Urban infrastructure is crucial for socio-economic development, yet the link between construction material stocks and societal needs in rapidly growing Global South cities remains insufficiently understood. This study conducts a spatially explicit analysis of Lima, Peru, mapping material stocks for buildings dedicated to shelter, education, healthcare, and collective amenities, and relates them to Decent Living Standard (DLS) thresholds and income levels. Results show that heavily populated, low-income, informal areas accumulate greater material stocks but suffer from poorer access to essential services, driven primarily by population demand. In higher-income zones, per-capita living space becomes more significant. This reveals socio-metabolic inequality, as material-intensive expansion in marginalized neighborhoods does not translate into improved well-being. Service privatization and informality exacerbate unequal access. The study concludes by recommending additional factors for future research to refine the understanding of material stocks and service provision relationships in urban contexts.