Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)
Quarterly

Assessment of Livability in Tehran Province Counties Using a Composite Index and Development of Enhancement Strategies Based on the PESTEL Framework

Articles in Press

Document Type : Article extracted from dissertations

Authors

Toktam hoseinzadeh 1
Leila Mosleh 2

1 Department of Regional Planning, Faculty of Urban Planning, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 School of urban planning, Faculty of fine arts, University of Tehran

Abstract
The counties of Tehran Province have experienced extensive migration and a high concentration of population driven by the pursuit of better employment opportunities and public services. These trends have intensified pressures on infrastructure, housing, and the environment, disrupting the province's livability balance and creating considerable disparities in quality of life among its counties. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on individual cities or counties, while comprehensive comparative research evaluating the livability of all counties in Tehran Province and proposing strategies for its improvement has received limited attention. To address this gap, the present study aims to classify the livability levels of the 16 counties of Tehran Province using a composite index and to formulate strategies for enhancing livability through the PESTEL framework. To this end, 29 variables were compiled under nine environmental, physical, social, and economic indicators and weighted using the Shannon Entropy method. The counties were then ranked using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and classified into four absolute levels: ideal, suitable, vulnerable, and critical. The results indicate that none of the counties achieved the ideal level, while only Shemiranat was classified as suitable. In contrast, Malard ranked lowest and was placed in the critical category. This pattern reveals pronounced spatial disparities in livability across Tehran Province, with the northern counties demonstrating relatively better performance, whereas the southern, western, and southwestern counties exhibit the lowest levels of livability. Following the assessment of county livability, the root causes of the main challenges were first identified using the PESTEL framework. Subsequently, livability improvement needs were extracted and categorized under the PESTEL dimensions, and five strategic recommendations were developed through thematic clustering. Among these, establishing an integrated, participatory, and cross-sectoral governance system, corresponding to the most frequently identified challenges, emerged as the highest-priority strategy. The findings and proposed strategies provide a practical foundation for policymakers and regional planners to formulate balanced development policies, allocate resources more effectively, and reduce inter-county disparities across Tehran Province.

Keywords

Livability
Tehran Province
Shannon Entropy
TOPSIS
PESTEL
Subjects
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Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 July 2026

  • Receive Date 05 April 2026
  • Revise Date 17 June 2026
  • Accept Date 18 July 2026
  • First Publish Date 20 July 2026
  • Publish Date 20 July 2026

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