Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)

Abstract Urban management must respond to the trends of change in the city and its citizens. In such a way that its strategic actions are commensurate with urban issues and its developments. In this regard, what has always been neglected in the process of urban management in the country is the discussion of desirable urban governance. Accordingly, the study examines the components affecting desirable urban governance. The present study is applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of its method, which is classified as a dependency study. The statistical population of the study is the citizens of Ardabil city. The sample size was estimated using the Cochran formula at 384 people. The data collection tool is based on two library and survey methods (questionnaire). In this regard, the questionnaire was distributed and completed among the citizens using a simple random sampling method. In order to evaluate the impact of each of the variables affecting desirable urban governance, 6 components (participation, legality, accountability and responsibility, justice-centeredness, collective agreement, transparency) were used. LISREL and SPSS software were also used to analyze the data. The results of the one-sample T-test showed that all the components under study are among the factors affecting desirable urban governance because the test results of all variables were positive and scored more than the median (3). The significance level of the variables was also observed to be less than 0.05, so the research hypothesis was confirmed at a level of 95%. Considering that all the components under study had a factor load of more than 0.4, the results of the path coefficient (β) indicate positive relationships between the research variables. Also, the value of the RMSEA index coefficient was equal to (0.72) and the chi-square coefficient was obtained (42.39), so it can be claimed that the research model shows good and desirable fit.

Abstract Background and Objective:. Today, most cities in the world are exposed to many crises, including environmental crises, demographic changes, physical-economic problems, poverty, lack of urban services, etc. The complex urban environment has forced thoughtful people to think about reforming and creating new urban structures in order to get rid of problems and shortcomings in achieving the highest level of life. Based on this, urban managers and planners have considered making the city smart as a necessity to remove obstacles in cities and improve life in them. A smart city is a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses various indicators.
Methodology: This article attempts to review the concepts of smart city, its components and indicators for the city of Ardabil and analyze them. It is done through semi-structured interviews with experts and managers of 22 people in the municipality of Ardabil using random sampling methodand also through a questionnaire of Ardabil citizens using Cochran sampling method with 384 people, and the final extracted indicators were examined in the form of SWOT model.
Results and findings: The result of the position of the smart city in Ardabil city is that out of the four states of aggressive, conservative, defensive and competitive, it is in the worst possible state, that is, defensive (the confrontation of weakness and threat). It is also weak in terms of internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and has not shown suitable conditions against external factors (opportunities and threats). According to the studies, the internal factor matrix (IE) was 0.86 and the external factor matrix (EFE) was 0.74, which is a long way from equilibrium and indicates the inappropriate position of Ardabil city from the perspective of a smart city.
Keywords: Smart city, smart city index, Swot model , Ardebil city

Abstract Background and Objective: The first step to achieving a desirable living environment is to assess the quality of life from the perspective of residents and identify the factors that affect their satisfaction with their living environment. Accordingly, the present study was designed to assess the desirability of the quality of residential environment components from the perspective of citizens in the city of Baqubah, Iraq.
Methodology: This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of type. The statistical population includes the citizens of Baqubah city and the sample size was determined to be 384 people using the Cochran formula. SPSS software was used to analyze the data and in this regard, one-sample t-tests, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance and Scheffe's post hoc test were used.
Findings and Conclusion: Based on the results of the one-sample t-test, the level of satisfaction of residents with their residential environment shows the number 3.548. In addition, one-way analysis of variance indicates that two factors, age and education level, have significantly affected the level of satisfaction of individuals with the residential environment. In contrast, factors such as employment status, income level, home ownership, distance from work to home, house area and number of rooms have not shown a significant effect on satisfaction with the residential environment. Surveys show that the level of satisfaction of Baqubah residents with the residential environment, according to evaluation criteria including security, public facilities and services, physical features, visibility, lighting and ventilation, community health, access and transportation, and neighborhood relations, is generally assessed as average.

Abstract Background and Aim: Urban creativity is one of the main drivers for achieving sustainable development. This requires having creative industries, creative employees, creative knowledge, and cultural richness. The present study was conducted with the aim of strategic planning to achieve a creative city in Ardabil.
Methodology: The present study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. The data collection method is library-survey. Based on the creative city indicators and the collected data, 34 strategies for achieving a creative city were divided into five main criteria (people, economic enterprises, urban spaces, connections and communications, and city vision and reputation), and to determine their importance (opinions of 50 experts), structural equation testing was used in SMART-PLS software.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the economic enterprises criterion (factor loading 0.937), the people criterion (factor loading 0.936), the urban spaces criterion (factor loading 0.918), the linkages and communications criterion (factor loading 0.896), and the city vision and reputation criterion (factor loading 0.875) are the best strategies for achieving a creative city. Also, among the economic enterprises criterion, specialized support for creative businesses (factor load 0.87), among the people criterion, developing creative capacity at all levels of general education (factor load 0.85), among the urban spaces criterion, creating stable and secure spaces for cultural and artistic activities (factor load 0.76), among the linkage and communications criterion, providing virtual infrastructures and facilitating electronic communications (factor load 0.82), and among the city's vision and reputation criterion, planning to enhance the city's regional and supra-regional position and facilitating the presence of tourists (factor load 0.83) are the most important strategies for achieving a creative city in Ardabil.

Abstract Background and Objective: Rapid urbanization and environmental pressures challenge cities to provide a high quality of life. Livability, encompassing social, economic, physical, and environmental dimensions, is influenced by effective urban management. This study aims to evaluate the impact of managerial strategies on urban livability in Districts 1 and 10 of Tabriz, identifying strengths and weaknesses to inform sustainable planning and policy decisions.
Methodology: Descriptive-analytical approach with questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS with t-tests and regression analysis to compare districts and assess relationships between management strategies and livability indicators.
Results and Findings: Findings indicate significant differences between the two districts. District 1 demonstrated higher levels of livability across most indicators, especially in infrastructure and services, while District 10 showed weaknesses in socio-cultural and environmental dimensions. Regression results confirm a meaningful relationship between the quality of urban management and perceived livability. These findings are consistent with international research emphasizing the role of governance, participation, and equitable distribution of resources in enhancing urban life.

Abstract Background and Aim: Third places are active and attractive public spaces that provide the context for interaction, recreation, personal growth, stress reduction, creativity stimulation, and social vitality in cities. The purpose of this study is to geographically analyze the indicators and examples of a happy city with an emphasis on Ray Oldenburg''''s third place theory in the city of Khorramabad.
Methodology: The research method is descriptive-analytical and survey-type. The statistical sample of the research consists of 400 citizens who were selected by simple random sampling using Sample Power software. Data collection, classification, and analysis were performed using SPSS and AMOS statistical software.
Results and Discussion: The findings of the study showed that Khorramabad city is in a weak position in terms of the dimensions and criteria of a happy city. Also, the results obtained from the structural equation modeling of the study showed that the economic factor with a factor load of 0.082 has the greatest impact on happiness. After that, environmental, physical-spatial, security and socio-cultural factors with factor loads of 0.076, 0.073, 0.071 and 0.063 were determined in the next ranks of impact on social happiness. In addition, it was determined that the third places, which include parks, sports centers, cafes, libraries and mosques, each have an impact of 0.071, 0.044, 0.043, 0.027 and 0.020 on social happiness in the selected area. Finally, based on the integrated path analysis model of the research, the effects of third places on the social vitality of Khorramabad city were determined to be 0.063.

Abstract Background and Aim: City furniture is actually a manifestation of the aesthetics and identity of a society. Therefore, functional design, appropriate location, and proper and principled use of furniture in the city context are very important. Although city furniture is one of the most important categories of a city, it is not possible to equip and improve the current situation of this important thing at a time and simultaneously in all regions of a city; therefore, a comparative comparison in this regard can be effective and help urban managers perform better and make decisions in accordance with the priority of intervention at the level of each region. On this basis, the present study has been developed with the aim of a comparative study of the regions of Tabriz metropolis based on the components of city furniture.
Methodology: This research is applied in nature and descriptive, analytical and survey in terms of method. The statistical population of the research includes 30 experts and specialists in the urban field. In order to evaluate and prioritize the target areas, 5 components (environmental quality, beauty and proportion of urban furniture, correct placement of urban furniture, balanced urban structure, quality of urban furniture components) were used. In this regard, 10 areas of Tabriz city were prioritized using the MABAC model.
Findings and Conclusion: The results of implementing the model showed that Region 2 was in the first place with a final score of 0.513 and was in a favorable position, while Regions 5 and 9 were in the second and third places with scores of 0.388 and 0.362, respectively. In contrast, Region 1 was in the last place with the lowest score of -0.382. According to the findings of the present study, planning and management in accordance with the ranking made in the present study can, in turn, pave the way for urban managers to make future plans in the study area.

Abstract Background and Objective:. The movement towards good urban governance is inevitable and necessary. Good urban governance is one of the important and prominent topics in society today, in the sense that urban management, instead of assuming full responsibility for the administration of society alone, should be considered alongside citizens as one of the institutions or factors responsible for the administration of society. And with this change, urban management can play a facilitating and ground-breaking role in the development of urban and local society. Ardabil urban management can also be planned for good urban governance and its urban issues such as pollution reduction, public transportation, etc., in the direction of Ardabil city's good governance strategy to achieve sustainable development.
Methodology: This article attempts to review the concepts and good urban governance, and to examine and analyze its components and indicators for the city of Ardabil. It is done through semi-structured interviews with 22 experts and managers in the Ardabil municipality using random sampling method, and also through a questionnaire of Ardabil citizens using Cochran sampling method with 384 people, and the final extracted indicators were examined in the form of a SWOT model.
Findings and Conclusion: The result of the position of good urban governance in Ardabil city is in the worst possible position, namely defensive (the confrontation of weakness and threat), out of the four states of aggressive, conservative, defensive and competitive. It is also weak in terms of internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and has not shown suitable conditions against external factors (opportunities and threats).

Abstract Background and Objective: Simultaneously with the rapid growth of cities and their physical development, we sometimes witness the decline in the environmental quality of urban spaces, which has caused various crises in urban life. Today, urbanization problems include a wide range of psychological disorders such as: stress, aggression, irritability, depression, boredom, and physical complaints. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to explain the public spaces of the city and its role in the mental and psychological health of the citizens of Ardabil
.Methodology:  The present study is applied in terms of its purpose, descriptive-analytical in nature, and documentary and survey in terms of data collection. In this study, two questionnaires (researcher-made and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire) were used to collect data The statistical population of the study was the elderly over 60 years of age living in District 2 of Ardabil, which numbered (10,885) people. Based on the Cochran formula, a sample size of 371 questionnaires was obtained. Structural equations and statistical tests were used in the SPSS and Smart PLS software environment to analyze the data and examine the relationship between urban environment quality factors and the mental health of the elderly.Based on the research findings,
 Findings and Conclusion: the T-statistic for all variables is greater than (1.96) and is significant at a confidence level of (95.00). The AVE for the social participation variable is (801.00), transportation and access variable (821.00), outdoor space and public buildings (781.00), and safety and convenience (922.00). In relation to the answer to the research question, it can be said that there is a significant relationship between the quality of the city's public space and the mental health of the elderly in Region 2 of Ardabil. With the information collected in the research findings, it was determined that District 2 of Ardabil city is not suitable for the elderly in terms of most aspects of design and planning, such as social participation, access to public transportation and spaces, outdoor space and public buildings, and safety and convenience.

Abstract Background and Objective: Sustainable urban development is based on the principle that the space of a city is formed within neighborhoods and continues accordingly. Therefore, neighborhood development is considered a fundamental measure in achieving sustainable development. Therefore, the present study was developed with the aim of assessing the level of sustainability of urban neighborhoods in the city of Karbala.
Methodology: The research method is applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature and method. The information required in this study was collected through field and documentary methods. The statistical population of the study consists of 6 neighborhoods located in the surrounding areas. In order to analyze the data and achieve the research goal and measure and evaluate the sustainability of the dimensions (social-cultural, economic, environmental and physical), the sustainability barometer model has been used.
Results and Findings: According to the indicators used in the research and the results of the sustainability barometer model in the present study, in terms of overall sustainability, the Abbasiyyah East neighborhood scored (0.90) at the sustainable level, the Abbasiyyah East neighborhood scored (0.82) at the potential sustainability level, the Abbasiyyah West and Al-Jamiyyah neighborhoods scored (0.53) and (0.54) at the average level, the Al-Hussein neighborhood scored (0.30) at the potential instability level, and the Al-Mukhaim neighborhood scored (0.04) at the unstable level. The average level of sustainability in terms of ecosystem welfare in the studied neighborhoods is 0.54 and human welfare is 0.50, indicating an average sustainability status for both. According to the results of the present study, the average of the studied neighborhoods in terms of overall sustainability is 0.52 and is at the average level. Given that the sustainability levels of the studied neighborhoods vary, development plans tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of each neighborhood and based on the sustainability levels of each of them are necessary.

Abstract Background and Objective: City entrances are among the important elements of the city's appearance and landscape. But now we are witnessing cities that do not have any trace of an entrance space with the desirable characteristics that it should have. Ardabil is one of the historical cities with a prominent urban identity and history as one of the main tourist destinations. But despite its outstanding features in terms of cultural and historical burden and its prominent location, the city's entrances are among the most problematic urban spaces that are struggling with numerous and diverse disorders. The city's entrance should be a symbol of the city's face and personality. This can be achieved if effective indicators in this field are identified and the desired entrances are measured based on them. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the components that affect the desirability of the city's appearance and landscape of the city's entrances
Methodology: The present study is applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of its method, which is classified as a dependency study conducted by survey method. The statistical population of the study consists of 20 experts who were selected by snowball method. In order to evaluate the components affecting the desirability of urban landscape and cityscape, 4 components (physical, aesthetic, functional, and identity representation) were used. LISREL and SPSS software were also used to analyze the data.
Findings and Conclusion: The results of the one-sample T-test showed that all the components under study are effective factors of urban landscape desirability because the test results of all variables were positive and scored higher than the median (3). The significance level of the variables was also observed to be less than 0.05, so the research hypothesis was confirmed at a 95% level.Considering that all the components under study had a factor loading of more than 0.4, the results of the path coefficient (β) indicate positive relationships between the research variables. Also, the RMSEA coefficient was equal to (0.074) and the chi-square coefficient was (42.36), so it can be claimed that the research model shows a good and desirable fit.

Abstract Background and Objective: Studies show that mental disorders have increased in different societies in recent years. Considering the continuity of human sciences, the combined examination of economic-social factors can contain important policy recommendations. Therefore, this research aims to determine the impact of socio-economic factors on the mental health of neuropsychiatric patients in Ardabil city
Methodology: The current research is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of descriptive-analytical method. The information required in this study has been collected through field and documentary methods. The statistical population of the research corresponds to neuropsychiatric patients in Ardabil city. For data analysis, SPSS and SMART PLS3 software and one-sample t-tests and path confirmation coefficient were used in SMART PLS software.
Findings and Results: According to the research findings based on the structural model, the T-Value statistic for all variables is greater than (1.96) and the confidence level is 95. It is meaningful. and the amount of adjusted variance (AVE) for the economic variable (.331) and the social variable (.428) and there is a significant relationship between economic-social factors with the mental health of the patients, which has the most positive effect that the factors have on the mental health and The mental health of neuropsychiatric patients in Ardabil city is related to social factors and in relation to economic factors, even though this relationship is significant, the better the economic factors and welfare conditions of the patients, the better the mental health, and in patients who They have been studied from the lower strata of the society, this effect has been negative and has caused an increase in mental illness in people. Based on the findings of the research and the opinions of the respondents, the average of all items of socio-economic factors was lower than the experimental average (3), which shows the lack of satisfaction with the life and economic and social conditions of neuropsychiatric patients and these factors ultimately It has caused an increase in stress and aggression and a decrease in mental health among the citizens and a multiple increase in the number of mental and neurological patients in Ardabil city.

Abstract Background and Objective: Paying attention to public transportation is one of the most important issues in sustainable development. Access to bus stops is one of the implementation of a successful transportation system. Considering that the city of Mashhad has religious tourism, many pilgrims from all over the world travel to this city every year. Therefore, the purpose of the research is to evaluate the spatial distribution pattern of bus stops in the city of Mashhad.
Methodology: The present study is applied in nature and descriptive-analytic in method. GIS software (nearest neighbor average, low and high clustering, Moran's spatial autocorrelation, network analysis) has been used to analyze the data and research findings..
Findings and Results: The results of the research findings showed that the average ratio of the nearest neighbor indicates a clustering state and the value of G is equal to zero, therefore suggesting a high clustering pattern. Given that the value of the Moran index is 0.65 and the z-score is high and the P-value is small, the data has spatial autocorrelation. Finally, the output from the network analysis and service access showed that in most cases, bus stops in the city of Mashhad are located at a distance of 400 meters and are located at a standard distance in terms of user location (in the administrative-commercial area and the urban core).

Abstract Background and Objective: Urban landscapes are considered one of the most important urban spaces and can play an important role in creating a sense of happiness for citizens; for this reason, they should be the focus of experts and examined from different perspectives. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study is to analyze and identify the indicators of planning and designing a happy urban landscape.
Methodology: In order to achieve the research goal, library resources were used to write the introduction and interview experts in the field in two stages to obtain the indicators, with a sample size of 24 experts. In the first interview, the indicators were obtained, then in the second interview, the importance of the indicators was determined by forming an actor-target matrix. Subsequently, the obtained data was entered into the MACTOR software and ATLAS.ti software and analyzed.
Findings and Conclusion: The results showed the indicators of the existence of green spaces and urban parks, the existence of places for social interactions, having security and safety, using diversity and color balance, prioritizing the role of humans in urban spaces, the existence of sidewalks and The existence of spaces for the most frequent recreational activities, the indicators of the existence of green spaces and urban parks and prioritizing the role of humans in the most important urban spaces and the indicators of the existence of green spaces and urban parks, the existence of places for social interactions, having security and Safety, taking advantage of diversity and color balance and prioritizing the role of humans in urban spaces are the most converging indicators. In general, experts should make the human-centeredness index of urban spaces the main criteria in their planning and designs in order to increase the desire of citizens to be active and happy in cities with the importance of human role.

Abstract Background and Objective: Optimal land use and physical organization of cities based on efficiency, environmental protection, social justice, and equitable access to services are among the primary goals of urban planning. Therefore, the location and spatial distribution pattern of urban land uses should be aligned with meeting the needs of all social groups, aiming to improve the welfare and comfort of citizens. In this context, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of land uses in the spatial structure of the city and examining their locational suitability across defined zones are of particular importance. Pharmacies are among the units that play a significant role in meeting the diverse needs of citizens in the fields of health, treatment, and wellness. Due to this role, their spatial distribution pattern greatly impacts the level of pharmaceutical service coverage. Given the inter-neighborhood nature of pharmacies, this study investigates their spatial distribution at the level of the municipal areas of Rasht city.
Methodology: To achieve the research objectives, various spatial analysis models within the ArcGIS environment were used, including hot spot analysis, frequency weighting, spatial autocorrelation analysis, population density in relation to the number of pharmacies, and Thiessen polygon analysis.
Findings and Conclusion: The results indicate a high frequency weight of pharmacies in areas 1-3, 3-2, and 2-2; a statistically significant condition in district 2-1 based on high Z-scores in hot spot analysis; a rate of 7.27 pharmacy units per 10,000 people in district 2-2; the representation of proximity-based pharmacy access through Thiessen polygon analysis; and finally, the outcome of spatial autocorrelation analysis showing a random distribution pattern of pharmacies across the areas of Rasht. Each of these findings reveals aspects of spatial distribution patterns across the city, which are discussed further in the full article.

Abstract Background and Objective: The quality of the residential environment is a dynamic, complex, and multidimensional concept that is formed from dimensions. In this regard, one of the appropriate ways to assess the quality of the residential environment is to measure the satisfaction of residents with that environment. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the satisfaction of the residential environment in the city of Arbil for future planning.
Methodology: The research method is applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature and method. The information required in this study was collected through field and documentary methods. The statistical population of the study is residents of different neighborhoods (wealthy, middle-class, and poor). SPSS software was used to analyze the data. In this regard, one-sample t-tests were used. Finally, the Friedman test was used to rank the indicators under study.
Results and Findings: Based on the one-sample t-test, residents' satisfaction with their residential environment in wealthy residential neighborhoods was (3.516), in middle-income neighborhoods it was (3.272), and in poor neighborhoods it was (2.196). Based on the Friedman test, the security index was ranked first and the lighting and ventilation index was ranked last. According to the results of the present study, the level of satisfaction is relative and varies in different urban areas and neighborhoods and has yielded different results. The results of the study showed that satisfaction in different neighborhoods of Arbil is (3.233) and is at an average level.