Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)

Abstract Due to its strategic location, rich resources and ethnic diversity, Salah al-Din Province in northern Iraq has been a hotbed of conflict over the past decades, with the current land system having an impact in this context. Our study therefore aims to investigate and assess the impact of civil war on the land system in the province of Salah al-Din, by using the RS and GIS techniques. In this study, the Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) map of the region was extracted for pre-war, war and post-war years by means of the support vector machine (SVM) technique, and using three years of Landsat 8 satellite images: 2013, 2015 and 2017. Furthermore, land change modeler (LCM) was used to analyze the changes over time and the patterns of the LULCC. According to the research findings, we observed a decrease in the extent of built-up, forest, and water bodies, along with an increase in barren land, vegetation and orchards, and agricultural land, during the war. On the other hand, ending the war has led to a reduction in the extent of barren lands, forest, and water bodies in the region, while increasing the area of built-up lands, vegetation, and agricultural lands. In this regard, our results showed that insurgents have utilized agricultural lands as one of their tools in the war against government, while the destruction of buildings has been observed following the escalation of the war. Our results indicate the infrastructural and demographic vulnerability to war, and the post-war landscape necessitates recovery and reconstruction policies resulting from the conflict that must be taken into account.

Abstract Climate change exacerbates health risks through pathways such as increased air pollution, proliferation of allergens, and frequency of extreme weather events such as heat waves, wildfires, and floods, all of which have direct and indirect impacts on respiratory health. Using spatial analysis, geographic patterns of respiratory disease prevalence and severity are identified. We conducted this review based on a five-step methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. We screened all articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases since the beginning of 2010 that employed at least one form of spatial analysis related to the impact of climate change on respiratory disease. In total, 44 articles met the inclusion criteria and were organized into three main themes: temperature changes (n = 23); air pollution (n = 15); and extreme weather events (n = 6). Our findings suggest that most studies use basic spatial analysis techniques, such as disease mapping, which may not lead to robust conclusions. The findings highlight the need for spatially targeted interventions and adaptive public health strategies, including improved air quality management, early warning systems, and climate-resilient health care infrastructure, to reduce the future burden of climate-related respiratory diseases.
The review calls for a geospatially informed public health response that addresses spatial disparities in respiratory health outcomes exacerbated by climate change. The review also highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and low-income communities, who often live in high-risk areas and face compounded health challenges due to limited access to health care.

Abstract 1. Introduction
The escalation of military threats, such as air and drone attacks, along with advancements in technologies like F-35 fighters and precision-guided systems, has driven urban planning and crisis management toward advanced spatial analysis tools (Blaikie et al., 2013). Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan Province in western Iran, is a strategic military target due to the presence of Imam Ali Barracks, making it vulnerable to potential attacks (Shakiba & Mousavi, 2019). The region’s topography, including slope, visibility, and proximity to strategic targets, significantly influences its vulnerability. This study aims to evaluate Khorramabad’s topographic and spatial vulnerability using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data to produce a comprehensive vulnerability map.
.2. Methods and Material
GIS-based methods were employed using 30-meter resolution DEM data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). Slope was calculated with the ArcGIS Pro Slope tool and categorized into 0–5°, 5–15°, and >15°. Viewshed analysis was conducted using Imam Ali Barracks as the observation point, while Euclidean Distance classified areas into 0–500 m, 500–1000 m, and 1000–10000 m from the barracks. Layers were integrated using Weighted Overlay, assigning 40% weight to distance, 30% to slope, and 30% to visibility, with validation using OSM data (30% weight). Geometric accuracy was ensured through field data comparison.
3. Results and Discussion
Results indicate that 6.56% of the city (4.79 km²) falls within the high vulnerability zone, primarily in western Khorramabad, characterized by slopes of 0–5°, distances less than 1000 m, and high visibility. Moderate vulnerability covers 72.43% (52.83 km²), while low vulnerability encompasses 21.01% (15.38 km²) of the city. The 40% weighting of distance highlights its critical role in vulnerability assessment, consistent with prior GIS-based studies (Kim et al., 2004).
4. Conclusion
This study confirms GIS as an effective tool for identifying high-risk areas and recommends reinforcing infrastructure, establishing urban shelters, and planning emergency evacuation routes in western Khorramabad. Future research could enhance model accuracy by incorporating population, land-use data, building density, and dynamic indicators such as climate variations.

Abstract Abstract
Background and Objective:   Rapid urbanization in developing countries, including Iran, has led to uncontrolled urban sprawl, resulting in the loss of agricultural lands, green spaces, and environmental degradation. In Iran, cities have experienced outward growth since the 1960s, exacerbating land speculation and horizontal expansion. Salmas, a medium-sized city in West Azerbaijan Province, has seen its built-up area nearly double over the past four decades, making it a prime case for studying spatio-temporal land use changes and sprawl impacts. The main objective of this study is to analyze land use changes in Salmas from 1368 to 1402 using Landsat satellite imagery, simulate future changes up to 1422 with the CA-Markov model, and evaluate sprawl effects using the Holdren Index. Hypotheses include: (1) land use changes have occurred in a sprawl pattern over the past three decades; (2) this development has caused specific environmental effects, such as reduced green spaces. Methodology:   Primary data included Landsat 5 (ETM+) imagery for 1368 (June 13, 1989) and Landsat 8 (OLI/TIRS) for 1402 (June 27, 2023), downloaded from USGS. Secondary data comprised land use maps from Salmas Municipality, population data from Iran's Statistical Center (1368-1402), and 1:25,000 topographic maps. Field visits validated training samples. Images were preprocessed in ENVI 5.3 (ROI clipping, radiometric calibration, QUAC atmospheric correction, geometric correction with GCPs achieving <0.5 pixel accuracy). Supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) identified four classes: built-up areas (residential/commercial), barren lands, parks/green spaces, and agricultural lands. Post-classification, Majority/Minority filtering removed isolated pixels, with accuracy assessed via confusion matrix (Kappa >0.85). Changes were quantified using cross-tabulation matrices in ArcGIS 10.8 and annual change rates. The CA-Markov model in TerrSet 2020 generated transition probability matrices from Markov chains, suitability maps via Multi-Layer Perceptron with drivers (distance to urban centers, slope, rivers), and simulations for 1422 using Moore neighborhood (8 cells). Sprawl was measured with the Holdren Index, comparing urban area and population growth. Findings and Conclusion:   From 1368 to 1402, built-up areas increased from 538.29 ha (23%) to 1187.64 ha (50.8%), barren lands decreased from 1205.19 ha (51.5%) to 838.17 ha (35.8%), agricultural lands dropped from 525.96 ha to 182.7 ha (-65.26%), and green spaces rose from 69.21 ha to 128.97 ha (+86.34%). Change detection revealed 367.01 ha of barren lands and 343.26 ha of agricultural lands converted to built-up. Simulations for 1422 predict further sprawl: built-up to 1401.66 ha (+18.02%), barren to 747.24 ha (-10.84%), green spaces to 107 ha (-27.15%), and agricultural to 93.95 ha (-48.57%). The Holdren Index indicates 37% of Salmas' growth from 1368-1402 was due to sprawl, with population rising from 60,624 to 99,681 while urban area expanded disproportionately, destroying 343.26 ha of farmland. Conclusions emphasize promoting compact city models for sustainable development, integrating RS/GIS with predictive models to guide policy in medium-sized Iranian border cities like Salmas.

Abstract The study of contemporary urban development in the last one hundred years includes the study of global and Iranian developments in various areas related to the city. The period of time researched in this section is the Qajar-Pahlavi border area, which is between the years 1286 AH to 1310 AH (1904-1931 AD). The mentioned developments are in the fields of cultural, social, scientific, technical, economic, urban planning in the national, regional, urban, neighborhood, urban space and architectural scales. In the mentioned period, the world arena witnessed important developments, which include: the outbreak of the First World War, the 1917 revolution of the Bolsheviks in the former Soviet Union, the developments related to the industrial revolution and its continuation in the fields of transportation, telecommunications, industry, biology, physics and ... who, despite the economic and political-management stagnation caused by the First World War, had a profound impact on the city and urban planning with numerous inventions and discoveries. Many theories and concepts presented in this period are of special importance, which include: city construction based on artistic principles by Camilo Zite, urban beautification movement, industrial city of Garnier, linear city of Soria, Bagshahr of Howard, traffic proposals of Eugene Henard , the contemporary city and the shining city of Le Corbusier, etc., all of which were more or less effective in the later periods on the city and urban planning in the theoretical and practical fields, especially in European and American cities. Also, extensive housing construction in the cities involved in the First World War, the construction of numerous satellite cities in the former Soviet Union are considered to be among the most important global developments. In Iran, the victory of the constitutional revolution in 1285 AH and the subsequent approval of the municipal law in 1286 AH is the beginning of this border area. Iran's architecture and urban planning during the period of transition from Qajar to Pahlavi was in the context of many global developments and was affected by it. In terms of urban planning, it is significant to be influenced by political, cultural, social and modern technological developments, the approval of urban development laws, the destruction of city ramparts and street constructions, and the emergence of modern transportation infrastructures of that era. In terms of architecture, the construction of modern buildings along with some constructions derived from the art and architecture model of the Qajar period, especially in banks, schools, palaces and medical centers, is significant. These developments have been very prominent in some cities of Iran, such as Tehran, Tabriz, Hamedan and Mashhad, which in the following decades have led to interventions in historical contexts for street construction and the construction of modern buildings.

Abstract Background and Objective: The Townships 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 Townships. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on individual cities or Townships, while comprehensive comparative research evaluating the livability of all Townships in Tehran Province and proposing strategies for its improvement has received limited attention. Methodology: To address this gap, the present study aims to classify the livability levels of the 16 Townships 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 Townships 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. Results and findings: The results indicate that none of the Townships 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 Townships demonstrating relatively better performance, whereas the southern, western, and southwestern Townships 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.

Abstract Background and Aim: Social resilience is one of the approaches that has become very important nowadays in order to reduce injuries. Due to its central role, Urmia city has attracted immigrants and a large number of them settled in the villages on the outskirts of the city. This has led to the unplanned growth and vulnerability of these villages. The purpose of this research is to analyze the dimensions of social resilience in reducing human risks in the villages on the outskirts of 3 km of Urmia.
Methodology: analyze the dimensions of social resilience in reducing human risks in the villages on the outskirts of 3 km of Urmia. The descriptive-analytical research method is the statistical population of the residents of the studied villages and the sample size is 374 people from the heads of the household based on the Cochran formula. The data collection tools are documents and questionnaires. To analyze the data, structural equation modeling was used using LISREL software.
Findings and Conclusion: The results of modeling the structural equations of social resilience of villages based on the estimation of the standardized coefficients of the structural model of the research, a significance level of 0.021 has been obtained, which indicates the optimal fit of the model, and based on the research findings, the effects of the participation factor on social resilience with the coefficient direct and positive 0.98, the effect of the knowledge and awareness factor on the social resilience of the villages in question with a direct and positive coefficient of 0.97, and the trust index for social resilience with a positive coefficient of 0.98, the belonging factor with a direct and positive coefficient of 0.98, the effect of the credit index on resilience Social resilience with a direct and positive coefficient of 0.93, and finally the economic factor with the greatest impact with a direct and positive coefficient of 0.99 have an effective role in the social resilience of villages against hazards.

Abstract Background and Objective: In parallel with the ever-increasing urban population, the amount of construction in the city space has been developed. The development of construction in the horizontal space and regardless of the existing restrictions has led to environmental, economic and legal problems for the citizens. Achieving the amount, intensity and direction of development Construction from the past until now and forecasting the construction situation in the future is the first step towards the scientific and practical management of the physical development of urban construction, and planning and providing suitable solutions in order to create a balance between the spatial allocation of construction and all kinds of legal, economic and environmental considerations. The purpose of this research is to model and predict urban growth using satellite images and CA-Markov model.
Methodology: In this research, firstly, using multi-time Landsat images related to the years 1976, 2001 and 2021, land use changes were investigated, and then the spatial expansion of Gorgan city in  (2021 AD) and  (2050 AD) was predicted using the CA-Markov model. Based on the results of this research, the changes in land use and the level of land use in the area have been calculated and compared.  The geographical area of ​​this research is the city of Gorgan.
 Findings and Conclusion: The results of this research show that the largest increase in land use is related to urban land use (built land use), which increased from 6005.79 hectares in 2021 to 7141.66 hectares in 2050. Based on the results of this research, the growth of the city of Gorgan in the coming years will go towards the agricultural lands around the north, northwest and northeast.

Abstract Introduction and Objectives: West Azerbaijan Province, due to its geographical and economic characteristics, has undergone significant changes in the labor market and employment. This study aims to investigate the trends in employment changes across three sectors: agriculture, industry, and services during the years 2011, 2016, and 2021. The primary objective of this research is to identify the pattern of employment changes and its impact on the urban development of West Azerbaijan Province.
Research Methodology: This is a descriptive-analytical study, and the data were collected from library resources and the statistical yearbooks of the country and province. For data analysis, the Shift-Share model was utilized to assess the impact of national and structural factors on employment, and the Location Quotient model was used to differentiate between primary and non-primary jobs.
Findings and Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal that between 2011 and 2021, employment in the agricultural and industrial sectors decreased, with the share of employment in agriculture falling from 37.2% to 30.4%, and in industry from 24.8% to 22.3%. In contrast, the public services sector experienced significant growth, with the share of employment in this sector increasing from 23.1% to 30.1%. These changes indicate a shift in labor from the agricultural and industrial sectors to the services sector. The main conclusion of the research shows that employment in agriculture and industry has declined and shifted towards services, highlighting the need for a balanced strengthening of these sectors for sustainable urban development.

Abstract Background and Objective: New Urbanism emerged as an architectural and urban planning movement in the late 20th century, in response to the uncontrolled growth of cities and suburbanization. Inspired by traditional and historical cities, this approach seeks to create pedestrian-oriented cities with a strong sense of social belonging. This approach emphasizes the creation of cities with a human scale; this means that buildings and public spaces should be designed in such a way that they are compatible with human needs and dimensions. On the other hand, this approach seeks to create a variety of uses and a suitable mix between them. Meanwhile, attention to sustainable transport, preservation and strengthening of green and public spaces, quality urban architecture and design, neighborhood unit and pedestrianism are other principles of the New Urbanism approach. Considering that this approach is considered as an effective approach in urban development in many developing countries such as Iran, the aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare urban neighborhoods in order to investigate the extent of their compliance with the principles of New Urbanism. The case study of the research is the city of Semnan, which consists of three districts, and one neighborhood from each of the districts will be studied
Methodology: The research approach used is descriptive-analytical and the data used in it are obtained through the review of upstream documents, field studies, questionnaires and the comprehensive plan of Semnan. Considering the examination of 10 indicators of the New Urbanism approach in three different neighborhoods, different techniques such as Simpson's homogeneity coefficient, walk score, statistical tests and multi-criteria decision-making methods have been used to measure each of the indicators.
Results and findings: The results of the research show that Golshahr neighborhood, which experienced the most physical development during the second Pahlavi period, has a more appropriate adaptation to the principles of New Urbanism, and after that, Modiran and Pachnar neighborhoods are ranked next, respectively.

Abstract Background and Aim: The exclusion of some urban fabrics from developments leads to the development of processes that over time deplete such fabrics. Islamshahr, as a city that has been a victim of injustice in urban development on the scale of Tehran, has gradually become the host of emerging deteriorated urban spots. Therefore, in recent years, urban regeneration plans have been undertaken to deal with the spread of this type of fabrics. But during this period of regeneration, the process of fabric deterioration of this city has not stopped yet and continues at the previous pace.
Methods and Material:  In this study, we tried to identify the key drivers of system evolution in order to regenerate by structurally interpretive analysis of production processes and reproduction of deteriorated fabrics. Based on this, through library studies and environmental scanning, 24 variables were selected as the main actors of this system. Then, using the Delphi matrix method, interactions by 25 experts in this field were introduced into MICMAC software.
Results and Discussion: As a conclusion of the research, it can be stated that "rules and regulations" along with the effective variable of "financing" by the three pillars of government, urban management and residents, provide the driving force of the system and the variables "private incentive to invest", "belonging" "Residents" as well as "property" are strategic variables for the development of the system that can create a sustainable regeneration along with the desired social security and retention of indigenous inhabitants for these areas by evolving the system towards the desired situation and stopping the processes of reproduction.

Abstract Background and Aim: In recent decades, earthquakes have been accompanied by an increase in casualties worldwide in the past hundred years, and in Iran, these casualties have led to about a six percent increase in death and destruction. Therefore, cities, as the sites of these incidents, are of great importance, and enhancing post-earthquake resilience in urban areas is highly significant. Region 1 of Tehran, due to its location on a fault line and various urban challenges, is considered one of the vulnerable areas to earthquakes in the city of Tehran, facing resilience challenges such as high concentration of high-rise buildings, lack of open spaces, and weaknesses in crisis management compared to other areas of Tehran. The aim of this study is to assess the vulnerability of Region 1 to earthquakes with a focus on resilience.
Methods: This research is considered applied in nature and utilizes survey research for data collection, and in terms of data nature, it is quantitative research. The main data collection tool for this research is the TOPSIS questionnaire, which has been adjusted based on the research background and preliminary studies of researchers in the field to align with the conditions and requirements of local management services. The statistical population of the study consists of all experts in the field of crisis management and urban planning, with a sample size of 50 individuals based on Cochran's formula. The present study utilizes the mean test in SPSS software and employs the TOPSIS decision-making method in MATLAB software to measure the level of resilience in the regions of Region 1.
Findings and Conclusion: The research findings indicated that based on urban resilience indicators, five analyzed indicators had the least resilience in both the physical-environmental and institutional dimensions in each region. Ultimately, the results showed that Regions 1, 9, and 8 faced the lowest level of urban resilience against earthquakes in the Region 1 areas.

Abstract Abstract
Introduction and statement of the problem: The use of neural intelligence in predicting the variables of water resources, including underground water, is widely increasing. Purpose: This research through artificial intelligence and FNN-LM model pursues several goals, which include determining the parameters affecting the fluctuations of the underground water level in the Khuzestan plain, as well as investigating the spatial and temporal effects of the water level parameters through 10-year time data and Then, the modeling of groundwater level fluctuations in selected piezometers in the plain is studied. Method: The use of artificial intelligence and the FNN-LM model method, and at the end, by changing the percentage of the last month of the input data in the model, hypothetical conditions were created and according to the obtained neural network models, the fluctuations of the underground water level were predicted. In this hypothetical situation, it was discussed. Findings: The effect of the discharge parameter from the wells is far more than the effect of the rainfall parameter, so that the prediction of drought and drought conditions is only due to the change of the rainfall. Conclusion: By using the created neural network models for each observation well and using the most accepted method of geostatistical models, an appropriate spatial and temporal prediction of the groundwater level was made. The best modeling of water level fluctuations with the FNN-LM model was achieved by choosing appropriate parameters and with the most acceptable time delay.
Keywords: artificial intelligence, underground water level, FNN-LM model, Khuzestan plain.

Abstract Background and Aim: Population growth and the expansion of settlements in high-risk region, especially in developing countries is increasing. In urban areas, the normal effects of natural disasters may not be so damaging but when it comes to human societies and human knowledge Become a natural crisis - a technological one Includes a combination of physical injuries and urban dysfunction.considering the location of Ilam province in terms of seismicity and lack of proper location of its settlements and its location on active faults,identify region unfavorable for earthquake hazard and prevent the establishment of human settlements in these areas is essential to reduce risks in the future which can be mentioned as the most important goal of this research.
Methods: The present study has studied the safety of urban planning with the consideration of safety principles.the research a applied developmental approach and a combination research method (descriptive, analytical, and field).
Findings and Conclusion:The have been used to analyze by GIS, Grafer, VISIO, SPSS and TOPSIS models.the results show that average vulnerability caused by earthquakes between (0 and 1) in Ilam province, against 0/4 percent.Dehloran urban region has the highest earthquake vulnerability in the physical index among all of the province's cities.also in terms of study; the amount of TOPSIS achieved In this region is 0/6 percent more and the Shirvan region had the lowest level of 0/11 percent.

Abstract Kurdistan province in west of Iran, has a major border with Iraq, it can be considered as a strong potential for development of commercial activities, especially in border cities. in this regard, development and its crucial facilities in the border cities of Kurdistan can play an important a vital role in establishing relations with neighboring countries and can also accelerate the pace of national convergence. The aim of this study, is to investigate and analyze the development capabilities of cities in Kurdistan province with emphasis on national convergence. It the term of aims applied method and in the tern of gathering and interpreting the descriptive-analytical method is used. In the process of preparing and producing data, first the effective factors on the development of Kurdistan province with emphasis on national convergence indicators are identified, using Delphi method and 45 experts’ ideas. In order to test the hypothesis, structural modeling and path analysis are utilized. The results showed that there is an effective relationship between the occurrence of development and its effect on national convergence with 0.48 coefficient path, which means that the components and criteria of development explain 0.48% of the success of the development strategy. On the other hand, there is a strong casual relationship between human development indicators (with 0.91 coefficient of path) and the occurrence of development, which means human development indicators determine development, but there is is no causal relationship between occurrence of political development factors (with a path coefficient) and success of the development in the cities of Kurdistan province. and it means that the factors of political development, due to the effect that it has on the occurrence of the development of the cities of Kurdistan province, can be a determining factor in the success of the development of the cities of Kurdistan province. In general, it can be said that the development of the cities affects the criteria of national convergence.

Abstract With increase in population in recent decades, the main concern of cities has been to deal with unplanned development and prevent the problems caused by it. By referring to historical documents, it is proved that human beings are always looking for a systematic system. One of the problems of population growth is the horizontal growth or sprawl of the city, which leads to problems such as improper land use and, consequently, environmental, economic, social and physical problems. The method adopted in this research is analytical-descriptive and applied and the phenomenon has been analyzed by using content analysis and case study methods .The required information has been collected by the method of libraries and the information about Bastak city has been collected in the form of a combination of available resources, field visits, use of satellite photos and images and their comparison in different time periods as well as questions from informed people. Then the data have been analyzed the data with Excel and Arc GIS programs as well as the Heldern model. The results show that segregation plans between 2006 and 2020 have caused the sprawl of this city and there are also two types of sprawl, linear branching and clustering. In the end, Some suggestions have been represented such as preventing and confronting traders and Stock traders, using and exploiting unused areas within the tissue, encouraging the public to build with high density, mass construction and virtualization by allocating loans and facilities to prevent and control this phenomenon in Bastak.