The exacerbation of ecological inequalities resulting from the disproportionate concentration of infrastructure, public amenities, and environmental burdens has confronted the spatial development of Isfahan Metropolis with pronounced physical disruptions and escalating pressures across its fifteen municipal districts. Grounded in the core–periphery paradigm, this study evaluated the spatial patterns of ecological sustainability indicators and analyzed carbon emission dynamics to foster spatial justice and low-carbon urban development. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating objective spatial layers—including urban form, transportation networks, green spaces, and density metrics within a Geographic Information System (GIS)—with perceptual data gathered via a structured survey administered to 384 citizens (demonstrating Cronbach’s alpha , confirmed construct validity, and robust factor structure). Empirical findings revealed that the urban ecological structure strictly conforms to a core–periphery logic: District 3 emerged as the most sustainable urban core due to superior spatial contiguity, optimal accessibility, enhanced connectivity to green transit, and service concentration. Conversely, Districts 14 and 15 were identified as critical ecological hotspots, characterized by severe green infrastructure deficits, physical fragmentation, and proximity to major industrial hubs. Furthermore, a “knowledge–consumption paradox” was observed in southern zones, alongside a macro-level “strategic spatial mismatch” in resource distribution. Layer overlay synthesis demonstrated that ecological hotspots coincide with the convergence of industrial pressures, carbon-intensive behaviors, and infrastructural deprivation. Consequently, achieving urban sustainability in Isfahan necessitates transitioning from sectoral planning to integrated environmental governance, equitable redistribution of green transit infrastructures, and structural reconfiguration of vulnerable peripheral zones.