The Role of Urban Parks in Promoting Citizens Individual Health within the Framework of Urban Quality of Life (Case Study: Sarcheshmeh Park, Farokhshahr).
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 17 May 2026
Fatemeh Mohsenpoor
Abstract Background and Objective: Urban parks play an important role in enhancing citizens’ quality of life and health. Nevertheless, the distinct effects of the environmental, social, and physical–spatial dimensions of these spaces on individual health have received limited attention. This study aims to investigate the role of different dimensions of urban parks in promoting citizens’ individual health, with a focus on Sarcheshmeh Park in Farokhshahr.
Methods: This research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected using a researcher‑developed questionnaire whose content validity was confirmed by experts, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis in SPSS software.
Results: The Pearson correlation results indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between the social dimension and individual health (p < 0.05). A significant positive relationship was also found between the physical–spatial dimension and individual health, whereas the environmental dimension showed no statistically significant relationship with individual health (p > 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the research model was significant for predicting individual health (F = 3.198, p < 0.01), and the dimensions of urban parks explained 9.7% of the variance in individual health. Based on standardized coefficients, the physical–spatial dimension (β = 0.156, p = 0.008) and the social dimension (β = 0.154, p = 0.015) had the strongest positive and significant effects, while the environmental dimension was not significant (p = 0.386).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the physical–spatial quality of park environments and opportunities for social interaction are important factors in promoting citizens’ individual health. Therefore, improving spatial design and strengthening social spaces in urban parks can contribute to enhancing public health and urban
An Analytical and Comparative Review of the Holy Quran Verses in Surah Quraish and Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Application in Urban Spaces (Case Study: Kermanshah City)
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 18 May 2026
Hamed Abbasi, Ali Ghobadi, Soraya Rezazadeh
Abstract Abstract
Background and Objective: Preceding modern psychological theories, such as Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, by fourteen centuries, the Holy Quran has delineated a comprehensive system encompassing both the physical and spiritual facets of human existence. This is manifest in "Surah Quraish," which delineates four pillars: hunger, security, solidarity, and worship. By reminding the Quraish tribe of the blessings of sustenance and safety, God Almighty invites them to worship, thereby presenting a realistic model of a hierarchy of needs wherein meeting fundamental needs is an essential prerequisite for achieving spiritual flourishing. In comparison, unlike Western psychology—which often neglects the impact of the "environmental context" in discussions of social needs—Islamic teachings, through a strategic emphasis on situated communities such as mosques, Friday prayers, and neighborhood rights, bridge the abstract concept of social needs with physical reality. Thus, the "city" is elevated from a mere settlement to a social hub and a sacred setting for the manifestation of the transcendental dimensions of human existence.
Methodology: This research employs a descriptive-analytical method based on library studies, delving into the semantic and interpretative investigation of Surah Quraish and comparing it with Abraham Maslow’s theory, while citing verses from the Holy Quran.
Results and Findings: The findings from this theoretical inquiry indicate that the process of meeting essential human needs not only does not contradict religion but is strongly encouraged by the Quran. The final conclusion demonstrates that adhering to the hierarchy of needs (from material to spiritual) is a natural and accepted rule for the general public; although those gifted with higher degrees of wisdom and divine grace (the elite) may follow a different path, persevering in spiritual transcendence even in the absence of basic needs. Furthermore, Surah Quraish establishes the status of livelihood and security as the foundation for human transcendence and introduces the Islamic city as an educational, spiritual, and character-building environment. Consequently, the ideal city in Islamic logic is not merely a place of residence, but a field for realizing the "Good Life" (Hayat Tayyibah) and nurturing the divine human.
A Precise Elucidation of the Role of Tourism Capacities in Local Development from the Perspective of Local Stakeholders (Case Study: Soltaniyeh, Zanjan Province)
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 30 May 2026
daryoosh jahani, Esmaeil Taghavi Zirovani, Yaghoub Haghghi, Siamak Aslani
Abstract ourism, as one of the main drivers of local development, especially in cities with historical heritage, plays an important role in improving economic, social and physical dimensions. The present study aimed to explain the position of tourism capacities in local development from the perspective of local stakeholders in Soltaniyeh city. This study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature. The statistical population included residents of Soltaniyeh city, and 385 people were randomly selected as a sample size using the Cochran formula. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the Likert scale, whose reliability was confirmed by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.915. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Minitab software through one-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of the one-sample t-test showed that the average of all economic, cultural-social, service-infrastructure and environmental indicators was higher than the baseline (3) and, according to statistical significance (P-value < 0.05), tourism capacities have a positive and significant effect on local development. The results of the ANOVA test also indicate that there is a significant difference between the indicators and that the economic indicator has the most impact. The existence of valuable world heritage, especially the historical monument of the Soltaniyeh Dome, along with the city's cultural and historical capacities, has provided the basis for strengthening local sustainable development. Overall, the research findings show that planned and participatory exploitation of tourism capacities can act as a driving force for sustainable development in Soltaniyeh and play an effective role in improving the economic situation, promoting cultural identity and strengthening urban infrastructure.
Prioritizing indicators and smart urban transportation indicators with an emphasis on urban resilience (Case study: Ahvaz city)
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 31 May 2026
Mostafa Mohammadi Dehcheshme, daniial lotfizadeh
Abstract Background and Objective: Smart intra-city transportation, with an emphasis on urban resilience as a key pillar of infrastructure management and sustainable development, is inextricably linked to the capacity of communication networks to withstand, adapt to, and maintain optimal performance in the face of external shocks and environmental stresses. Meanwhile, the specific challenges of the Ahvaz metropolis, such as harsh climatic conditions, the destructive phenomenon of dust storms, and concentrated traffic nodes, impose distinct structural and functional vulnerabilities on the transportation network, necessitating an approach beyond traditional traffic management. The present study was conducted with the aim of prioritizing the indicators and criteria of smart intra-city transportation to enhance the capability of the Ahvaz metropolis to confront the multidimensional aspects of these challenges and to analyze the resilience capacities of its communication infrastructures
Methodology: The current research was conducted utilizing a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative section, initial indicators were identified through interviews with experts and specialists in the fields of urban planning, smart transportation, and crisis management in the Ahvaz metropolis. In the quantitative section, the ‘SIWES’ method, a multi-criterion weighting technique, was employed to weight and prioritize the identified indicators based on expert opinions. The statistical population of this study included experts, university professors, managers, and active professionals in the fields of urban management, traffic engineering, smart city technologies, and urban resilience in the city of Ahvaz. The statistical sample was selected purposively in the qualitative section and through a judgmental sampling method in the quantitative section.”
Results and Findings: The research findings indicated that based on the prioritization of smart transportation indicators in Ahvaz, the criteria of “Management and Operations” and “Infrastructure and Physical Structure” hold the highest strategic importance as the front line of crisis response. Subsequently, the economic, environmental, and technological components act as the supporting pillars of the system, ensuring its long-term sustainability against shocks. Furthermore, the low ranking of “Social Resilience” reflects a sequential (precedence-oriented) approach; meaning that the effectiveness of public education and citizen participation is entirely contingent upon the stabilization and preparation of hardware infrastructures. Ultimately, the transition from a reactive model to proactive resilience will solely depend on establishing a sustainable balance between the development of physical-managerial capacities and the enhancement of digital literacy and public participation.
Foresight Analysis of the Impacts of Urban Environmental Quality on Enhancing Workforce Vitality and Productivity (Case study: Clinic and paraclinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz City)
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 31 May 2026
Farnaz Pishgar
Abstract Background and Objective: In the contemporary era, the sustainability and quality of urban spaces serve as a vital foundation, playing a decisive role in the restoration of mental capacity and psychological well-being of the workforce. Given the climatic conditions and environmental challenges of the metropolis of Ahvaz, investigating the interaction between the urban environment and the psychological components of medical staff is an inevitable necessity for the optimal management of human capital. By employing a foresight approach, this research seeks to elucidate the relationship between urban environmental quality and the enhancement of vitality and productivity among the staff of the Imam Khomeini Hospital’s clinic and paraclinic, aiming to delineate new horizons in the design of health-supportive environments.
Methodology: The present study is, in terms of nature, futures research and in terms of methodology, it is based on a descriptive-analytical approach. In the first step, relying on documentary studies and the Delphi technique with the participation of a panel of 50 hospital managers, urban policymakers, and experts in the fields of health and environmental psychology, 5 main axes, 10 indicators, and 34 key sub-indicators were extracted to explain the relationship between the quality of the urban environment and the productivity of the medical staff. Then, using the Cross-Impact Analysis method and data processing in MICMAC software, the degree of influence and impact of the variables on each other was measured and structurally analyzed in order to identify strategic drivers and critical points, and to draw a future perspective on the quality of the urban environment around the clinic and paraclinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz in order to improve the vitality and productivity of the human resource.
Results and Findings: The results of the study showed that improving the vitality and productivity of the medical staff of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz is a direct function of the quality of the surrounding urban environment and cannot be achieved with sectoral approaches alone. Key drivers such as pollution management and texture continuity play a strategic role in this ecosystem, which, through a domino effect, promote occupational resilience and mental health. Achieving the 1405 vision requires managing critical variables in the "hospital-city" interaction and using cross-effects analysis. Therefore, improving the physical structure and enhancing the vitality of the surrounding environment is an inevitable necessity for organizational excellence and improving the quality of the employees' professional lives.
Optimal pricing of selected public parking lots (case study of District 5 of Isfahan city)
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 12 June 2026
Nahid Gohartash, Babak Safari, Naser Yarmohammadian
Abstract Introduction: Parking management is one of the most important instruments of urban transportation management. Appropriate parking pricing policies can significantly influence traffic efficiency, travel behavior, and urban quality of life. Among transportation demand management strategies, urban network pricing has been recognized as an effective mechanism for addressing two major urban transportation challenges, namely traffic congestion and environmental pollution. In this context, parking pricing can be employed as an economic tool to regulate parking demand, reduce cruising traffic, improve network performance, and optimize the utilization of limited urban land resources.This study aims to determine optimal parking prices for selected parking facilities in District 5 of Isfahan City by employing a mathematical programming framework based on Nash equilibrium. The proposed model minimizes total network costs while accounting for the equilibrium behavior of drivers in their parking location choices.
Methods and Material: The analytical framework assumes that travelers select parking facilities by minimizing their generalized travel costs, which consist of driving costs, parking fees, parking search time costs, and walking costs from parking locations to final destinations. Given fixed parking locations and travel destinations, optimal parking prices are determined through a network cost minimization problem under equilibrium conditions. The study network consists of five origins (Tohid, Pole Felezi, Pole Azar, Hakim Nezami, and Mohtasham–Shariati), three major destinations (Hakim Nezami, Nazar, and Jolfa), and three public parking facilities (Tohid, Khaghani, and Jolfa). Traffic and parking demand data were analyzed over eight hourly periods. The optimization model was solved for each time period to estimate optimal parking prices and occupancy levels.
Results and Discussion: The average optimal parking fees were estimated at 7,040 Tomans for Tohid Parking, 8,520 Tomans for Jolfa Parking, and 9,140 Tomans for Khaghani Parking. Furthermore, the estimated optimal parking capacities indicate that Tohid Parking accommodates the highest average occupancy level with 308 parking spaces, followed by Khaghani Parking with 281 spaces and Jolfa Parking with 88 spaces. The findings also demonstrate a positive relationship between optimal parking prices and parking occupancy levels, suggesting relatively inelastic parking demand within the study area. This behavior can be attributed to the concentration of commercial, service, and recreational activities in District 5, which generates a stable demand for parking facilities despite changes in parking fees. The analysis further shows that parking occupancy closely follows traffic volume fluctuations throughout the day. As traffic demand increases during peak periods, parking utilization rises correspondingly, while reductions in traffic volumes are associated with lower parking occupancy rates. This finding highlights the strong interdependence between parking demand and urban traffic conditions.
Developing a Strategic Framework for Urban Transformability and Future-Oriented Development of the Tabriz Metropolis in the Context of Global Megatrends: A SWOT-Based Analysis
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 24 June 2026
Mohammad Reza Pourmohammadi, rasoul ghorbani, Yahya Behboudi
Abstract The metropolitan city of Tabriz has experienced substantial spatial and physical transformations in recent decades due to the combined effects of global and local megatrends. Global forces such as economic globalization, technological advancement, rapid urbanization, smart-city development, environmental challenges, and climate change have significantly influenced urban systems. At the local level, informal settlement expansion, deteriorated urban fabrics, uncontrolled high-rise development, and weaknesses in land management have intensified urban challenges. As one of Iran’s major historical, industrial, and cultural centers, Tabriz provides a valuable case for examining the interaction between global transformations and local urban dynamics. Despite notable physical growth and limited smart-city initiatives, the city has lacked a comprehensive strategic framework for addressing emerging opportunities and challenges.
This study evaluates the transformability and future development prospects of the Tabriz metropolitan area, focusing on its spatial and physical dimensions in response to contemporary megatrends. A descriptive–analytical and applied research approach was adopted. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire containing 100 indicators related to 20 global and domestic megatrends. The study involved 50 experts in urban planning, urban development, and municipal management. Responses were measured using a five-point Likert scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics and a quantitative SWOT framework to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting the city’s future development.
The findings indicate that the examined megatrends have a moderate to high impact on Tabriz’s physical structure and environmental quality. Uncontrolled high-rise construction and rapid vertical growth were identified as the most significant challenges, negatively affecting urban identity, visual coherence, and cultural character. The continued expansion of informal settlements and deteriorated urban areas was also found to contribute to spatial inequality and unbalanced development. Conversely, smart-city technologies, digital innovation, and resilience-oriented planning offer considerable potential for improving environmental quality, increasing energy efficiency, reducing pollution, and strengthening urban adaptability.
The SWOT analysis shows that Tabriz is positioned within a corrective–aggressive strategic framework. Major strengths include spatial diversity, urban regeneration capacity, strategic regional location, and existing technological infrastructure. Key weaknesses involve spatial inequality, uncontrolled vertical development, informal expansion, and weak integrated urban governance. Important opportunities arise from global trends promoting sustainable development, technological innovation, urban resilience, and spatial justice. The most significant threats include climate change, speculative investment pressures, and the gradual erosion of urban identity.
Based on these findings, the study recommends reducing spatial inequalities, upgrading informal settlements, regenerating deteriorated urban fabrics, managing vertical growth within a sustainable framework, attracting responsible investment, and enhancing urban resilience. The results emphasize that sustainable urban development in Tabriz depends on integrated policymaking, effective use of emerging technologies, and development strategies that balance local needs with global transformations. The proposed framework provides practical guidance for strengthening urban governance and promoting sustainable spatial development in the metropolitan area.
Urban Sustainable Development Strategies in the Tehran-Alborz Region
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 52-71
Parvaneh Sobhani, Afshin Danehkar
Abstract Background and Objective: The Tehran-Alborz urban complex faces numerous environmental problems due to its large population and rapid urbanization growth. Thus, planning for the development of human activities should be done in a way that causes the least damage to the region and its urban environment. In the present study, strategic planning and identification of environmental strategies were addressed in the macro-vision of the development of the Tehran-Alborz urban complex with the aim of achieving optimal management in the exploitation of natural resources.
Methodology: In this study, management strategies in sustainable urban development planning were identified and formulated using the SWOT-PESTLE model. The methodological steps of the present study include "identifying and analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats", "preparing an internal and external evaluation matrix", "scoring internal and external factors in the form of a 5-point Likert scale", "determining strategic position (SO, ST, WO, WT)", "formulating and prioritizing strategies according to the opinions of specialists and experts and using the ANP weighting model.
Results and Findings: According to the results, among the internal and external factors, threat points have the highest score with a sum of -0.525. Also, external factors (opportunities and threats) with a total score of 0.091 have a higher score than internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) with a total score of 0.042. Also, the proportion of strategies in each of the strategic areas includes 29 percent of the status quo strategy (WT), 24 percent of the participatory development and empowerment strategy (WO), 26 percent of the performance improvement strategy (ST), and finally 23 percent of the comprehensive development strategy (SO). Therefore, the strategic position of the Tehran-Alborz urban complex is equivalent to the "WT" strategy, considering the percentage allocated to each of the strategies. According to the strategies presented in this study, the strategic and management planning of the Tehran-Alborz urban complex strives to help planners and decision-makers achieve integrated management and formulate development models based on the ecological potential and biological capacities of the region and control and manage environmental threats to protect natural areas and biological resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Ecological Assessment and Analysis of Physical Development of Dorcheh City
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 108-128
Ebrahim Barati, Hosein Esmaeil Zadeh
Abstract Background and Objective: The increasing growth of urban environments has brought environmental problems to cities in the 21st century. These problems have led to the instability of urban environments. Various approaches have been proposed to achieve urban balance and sustainability, one of which is ecological city. The aim of this research is to investigate the role of physical development and urban density in achieving ecological development in the city of Dorche.
Methodology: The research method in the present study is quantitative in terms of paradigm, applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in nature. The method of data collection was library and survey; Shannon and Holdern entropy model was used to evaluate urban sprawl, and GIS and SPSS software were used to analyze the data.
Results and findings: The results of the research through the Shannon entropy model show that the value of H between 1390 and 1400 is 1.5165 and 1.4084 respectively and the value of Ln (7) is 1.9459 and the entropy coefficient has decreased between 1390 and 1400; the results of the Holdern model show that between 1335 and 1400, about 92 percent of the city's physical growth was related to population growth and 8 percent was related to the city's horizontal and spiral growth; therefore, the conditions for the formation of mixed and intensive use in terms of ecological structure are available in this city. Also, according to the studies conducted from 1390 to today (1404), urban growth has been controlled and the area of the city's boundary has decreased by 36 hectares compared to the area approved in previous plans, and the horizontal and irregular expansion of the city has been prevented; In fact, this change has caused the city to move towards a compact city. This type of growth is in line with its ecological potential and can contribute to the ecological development and sustainability of the city economically, physically, and socially.
Investigating and Explaining Islamic Rulings in the Distribution of Spatial Justice for Educational Uses and Green Spaces in Iranian-Islamic Urban Planning (Case Study: Neighborhoods in District 9 of Mashhad)
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 129-149
Sina Piralaie, Hasan Salehi
Abstract Background and Aim: According to the teachings of Islam, justice is one of the most basic and fundamental principles governing the biological system and human behavior. Among them, there are some urban areas that, in terms of spatial justice distribution, not only do not meet the needs of citizens and their equal access to urban uses, but also create problems for citizens. In Iran, many urban development plans and programs are not based on the rules of Islam and the paradigms of an Islamic society. Therefore, following the example of foreigners in the design and planning process in Islamic cities is prohibited and not permissible. The purpose of this article is to extract the dos and don'ts of Islamic rulings in the distribution of spatial justice of educational uses and green space in Iranian-Islamic urban development
Methodology: The present research method is descriptive-analytical and the data was collected based on library resources (including the results of the general population and housing census of the country and the comprehensive plan of Mashhad city) and field methods in the form of physical observations. Using the method of text content analysis and logical reasoning, the factors affecting the realizability of spatial justice distribution in Iranian-Islamic urban planning have been extracted.
Findings and Results: The results show that the area under study has not been able to benefit from Islamic rulings in spatial justice distribution and achieve its lofty goals. Therefore, in order to establish justice in the distribution of space and equal access to uses in an Islamic city for the general public, especially the underprivileged, it is imperative to observe Islamic jurisprudential rules in the preparation and implementation of urban development plans.
Evaluation of the role of cultural activities of municipalities on promoting public culture (Case study of Naqadeh city)
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 173-190
Saeed Mosapour, Robab Hossienzadeh, Reza Ghaderi
Abstract Background and Objective: Since citizenship is one of the key concepts in understanding and describing the position and condition of modern man, it requires that the needs of this position be given an appropriate and appropriate response through a chain of cultural and educational activities. In the meantime, with the increasing urban population, the role of urban organizations and, most importantly, municipalities in promoting culture and its importance in the lives of citizens is undeniable. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the role of cultural activities of municipalities in promoting the general culture of the city of Naqadeh.
Methodology: The present study was of a descriptive-analytical type, and two library and field methods were used to collect information. The statistical population of the study was the population of the city of Naqadeh (81,598 people), and the sample size was calculated based on the Cochran formula of 382 people. Field data were collected using a questionnaire that was developed by the researcher and collected randomly. In order to analyze the information, the T-test was used in the SPSS software environment.
Results and Findings: The research findings show that 12 items were used to examine the cultural impact index on promoting public culture, and that holding short-term training courses for different segments of citizens with an average of 4.6 and building neighborhood centers with an average of 4.66 had the greatest impact on promoting public culture from the perspective of citizens. The results show that efforts to develop cultural infrastructure and create neighborhood centers and centers and utilize the funds to implement cultural and social programs are very necessary.
Developing strategic scenarios to enhance the resilience of dilapidated urban fabric (Case study: Central part of dilapidated fabric of Ahvaz city)
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 191-214
Fatemeh Yazdani Fard, Fatemeh Adibi Saadinejad, Azadeh Arbabi Sabzevari, Hamid Reza Jodaki
Abstract Background and Objective: With the intensification of climate crises, the ecological behavior of employees has become the driving force of organizational sustainability. This necessity is of strategic importance in the metropolis of Ahvaz, due to the acute environmental and industrial challenges. The realization of these behaviors requires more than formal requirements, the internalization of green culture and strengthening organizational commitment to institutionalize voluntary environmental actions in the context of this region. In this regard, the aim of the present study is to rank the factors affecting the ecological behavior of employees in Ahvaz with an emphasis on commitment and green culture.
Methodology: The present research is of an applied type and is descriptive-analytical in terms of methodology.In the first step, by systematically monitoring theoretical literature and international experiences, key indicators promoting green behaviors were extracted. In the operational phase, to analyze the network of internal relationships and determine the final weight of the criteria, the DANP hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach (combination of DEMETL and ANP) was used. Finally, using the opinions of the expert panel (consisting of 50 environmental management and human resources experts), the final ranking of the indicators was developed to present a native model that is consistent with the industrial ecosystem of Ahvaz.
Results and Findings: The results of the study showed that green organizational culture is the main foundation of ecological behavior in Ahvaz, and the indicators of "green learning" and "awareness of the micro-dust crisis" have the highest priority in the behavioral transformation of employees. Based on the Dematel and Supermatrix analysis, tangible symbols and managerial values are considered as causal factors, the main drivers of the formation of emotional commitments and innovative (deflective) behaviors in the organization. Also; the findings indicate that organizational pride and recognition of the depth of the environmental disaster have a much greater impact on improving ecological performance than external rewards or mandatory laws. Finally, success in ranking the factors affecting the green behavior of Ahvaz employees does not depend on coercion, but on specialized climate training and institutionalizing identity links with the organization's environmental goals.
Evaluation of effects of ecological parks on the urban environment (Case Study: Shahmanzar Hafeshjan Shahrekord)
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 215-229
Fatemeh Mohsenpour Qahfarokhi, Zohreh Fanni
Abstract Background and Objective: Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of the United Nations’ agenda for achieving sustainable urban development. Understanding the complex interplay between urban ecosystems and the natural environment is crucial for addressing contemporary urban environmental challenges. Rooted in ecological principles, the establishment of eco-parks plays a fundamental role in sustainable urban development by aiming to support the spiritual needs of citizens, protect biodiversity, and minimize human intervention in natural habitats. These spaces are also essential for enhancing urban environmental quality and fostering human-nature interaction. This study aims to identify the factors through which the Shahmanzar Eco-park influences the environment of Hafshejan city.
Methodology: This applied research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing library and documentary studies, field surveys, and interviews. The statistical population consisted of the residents of Hafshejan, from which a sample of 380 citizens was selected using random sampling. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing statistical tests including the t-test and multiple regression analysis.
Results and Findings: The evaluation results indicate that the Shahmanzar Eco-park has had the highest impact on the urban environment of Hafshejan in the “Environmental Index” (mean = 3.20) and the lowest impact in the “Economic Services Index” (mean = 1.80). Furthermore, the regression analysis revealed that the Environmental Index, with a coefficient of 0.029, has the most significant impact on the environmental quality and urban sustainability of Hafshejan.
Assessing the Quality of Urban Life with Vikor Modeling (Case Study: Izeh City
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 248-265
Ehsan Keyshams Ardouti, Eliyas Mavedat
Abstract Background and Objective: The rapid growth of urbanization, large-scale migration, and the transformation of socio-economic structures in recent decades have turned urban quality of life into one of the critical concerns of urban planning. In this context, the city of Izeh faces multiple challenges across economic, social, cultural-service, and physical-environmental dimensions.
Methodology: This study aims to evaluate and rank the indicators of urban quality of life in Izeh using the multi-criteria decision-making VIKOR model. The research is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in method. The statistical population included 382 residents of Izeh, selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-made questionnaire and documentary sources. After normalization, indices of utility (S), regret (R), and the VIKOR index (Q) were calculated for each dimension.
Results and Findings: Findings revealed that the physical-environmental dimension ranked first (Q=0.04691), reflecting relative satisfaction with infrastructure, green spaces, and housing. The economic dimension ranked second (Q=0.22093), but showed the necessity for improvements in job opportunities and income equality. The social (Q=0.63780) and cultural-service (Q=1.00000) dimensions were ranked third and fourth, respectively, highlighting weaknesses in social participation, public services, and cultural facilities. These results indicate that while residents are relatively satisfied with the physical-environmental aspects, significant challenges persist in economic, social, and cultural-service dimensions. The study concludes that although the physical-environmental dimension demonstrates relative strength, substantial deficiencies exist in other dimensions. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing urban policies and planning strategies aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Izeh and other similar cities.
An analysis of the challenges of segmenting the urban tourism market in Tabriz metropolis: With emphasis on geographical and demographic components
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 297-313
Zahra Shoughipour, Rahim Heydari Chiyaneh, Shahrivar Roustaei
Abstract Background and Objective: Tourism has a special place in the global economy and has allocated a large part of planning and investments in developed and developing countries. Today, the tourism industry has been raised as an important goal in the development of cities, and it is likely that each city will face specific challenges on the way to achieving its goals. The purpose of this study is to analyze the challenges of segmenting the urban tourism market in Tabriz metropolis: with an emphasis on geographical and demographic components.
Methodology: The research method in this study is quantitative in terms of paradigm, applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in nature. The data collection method was library and survey; and SPSS software and a single-sample T-test were used to analyze them. The statistical population of the study included all Iranian and foreign tourists entering Tabriz in the first six months of 1402, and the research questionnaire was distributed among the available samples (343 people) by attending accommodation centers, air, road, rail and intracity passenger terminals, as well as major tourist attractions.
Results and findings: According to the results, among the two components of market segmentation under study, with the exception of demographic components with an average of 2.41; geographical components with an average of 3.57 have the most significant and positive impact on travel decision factors and satisfaction of incoming tourists, and consequently on the development of urban tourism in this metropolis. Also, the seasonality of the tourism market and the polarization of the effects of attractions with mainly historical, cultural, and medical-therapeutic importance, as well as the regionality of the domestic market and its sphere of influence limited to the northwest of the country due to its distance from the center of Iran, along with the foreign market specific to neighboring countries and mostly in transit and passing through, and the lack of formation of a proper destination personality for this metropolis, as a result of the aforementioned issues, can be considered the main challenges to the development of the tourism market in this metropolis.
Futures Study of Social Housing Development in Tabriz Metropolis: Identification of Key Drivers and Scenario Analysis
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 363-386
Mohammad Reza Pourmohammadi, Hassan Mahmoudzadeh, Mehri Saadatjuye Asr
Abstract Background and Objective: Rapid urbanization and a sharp 30–50% rise in housing prices_compared to only 10–15% income growth_have severely restricted low-income groups’ access to social housing in Tabriz. Given that previous research has largely focused on physical-spatial variables without employing futures-oriented methodologies, this study aims to conduct a futures study of social housing development by identifying key drivers and analyzing probable scenarios. Methodology: This applied research adopts a mixed-method design, integrating documentary reviews, semi-structured interviews with 50 urban planning experts, and surveys completed by 150 Tabriz residents. Analytical procedures involved two stages: (1) structural analysis via MIC-MAC to map driving power and dependence among factors, and (2) scenario planning using Scenario Wizard based on the Cross-Impact Balance (CIB) method to generate and evaluate consistent future scenarios. Results and findings: The analysis identifies a mandatory “strategic triangle” _comprising innovative provision models, full financial sustainability, and intelligent quality monitoring which is present across all 15 plausible scenarios, underscoring that no viable future exists without these pillars. Physical/topographical constraints and infrastructural deficits persist as structural barriers. Among the scenarios, only 2 are desirable, 12 are stagnant, and 1 is critical; the most probable scenario (No. 1, TIS 65) projects a future where the strategic triangle is maintained alongside static government investment and enduring physical limitations.
Spatial analysis of building breach in Sarein Tourism City
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 15-37
Alireza Feizinezhad, Hussein Nazmfar, Atta Ghaffari Gilandeh
Abstract Background and Objective: Urban construction control is carried out by urban construction criteria, but despite the various measures of urban management, there are reports of construction breach annually in cities. In fact, construction breach can be defined as non -compliance with urban construction rules and regulations that threaten the quality of life in cities. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the spatial distribution of building breach in the city of Tourism for use in urban management areas.
Methodology: The method of collecting the information and data needed for the documentation, library and field observations is prepared and a descriptive and descriptive table from the Secretariat of Article 100 of the Municipality. The time range over a one -year period (1401) and its location range is the legal area of Sarein. The present study is descriptive-analytical and practical, using the nearest neighborhood distance and analyzing hot spots in the GIS software platform.
Results and findings: According to the analysis, the highest number of breach occurred in the central core of the city and the Coffee and Chaldaran area, and the surplus breach over the other breach are significant and significant, and the number of breach without licenses is in the next line, and this violation is further excluded from the non -licensed classes. According to the results, the main direction of the breach is from the southwest to the northeast of the city, and the most breach occurred within 600 to 900 meters from the city's center of gravit.
Analysis of Urban Differention and Its Impact on Social and Economic Issues in Shanderman city of Gilan Province
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 58-79
Mojtaba Dosti Siahmard, Muhammad Taghi Heydari
Abstract Background and Objective: Urban differential refers to a key phenomenon in urban geography and planning that expresses differences, inequalities, and spatial – socio – economic discontinuities within a city or between different areas of an urban area. The city of shanderman ,located in gilan province in northern iran , is known as one of the important and historical cities of this region with its unique features.
Methodology: the present study uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the urban differential in shanderman from 1365-1400, this study was a descriptive –analytical study that focused on the small population,access to public services ,immigration,unemployment rate,and also on the hierarchical system of ranking and position of the city of shanderman among the cities of Gilan province,qualitative data that shows the depth of the issue ,including semi-structured interriews with experts and scholars,as well as a paradigmatic model,was used to identify causal ,contextual, and intervening conditions.
Findings and Conclusion: the data in integration shows that investment in health and education has been insufficient and local governance, as an effective factor in this field, has deepened socio -economic issues for this region due to the lack of balanced budget allocation. this in balance has caused the central parts of the city to be at the top of the pyramid in terms of health and education services, access to services, and welfare levels, which the peripheral and rural areas of the city are in a weaker position in terms of access to facilities such as small productive industries and welfare and education services.
Assessment of Urban Public Spaces’ Impact on Mental Health within the Framework of Women-Friendly City Criteria(Case Study:Ardabil City
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 96-116
Parya Nasiri, Alireza Mohammadi, Mansour Rahmati, Ata Ghafari Gilande
Abstract Background and Objective : Women’s mental health, as one of the essential dimensions of public health, is influenced by various factors, including the quality and accessibility of urban public spaces. This study aimed to analyze the impact of urban public spaces on women’s mental health in Ardabil within the framework of women-friendly city indicators.
Methodology: This applied research adopted a descriptive–analytical approach. The required data were collected through the distribution of 400 questionnaires among women residing in Ardabil, using a systematic random sampling method. The research tool included 58 items covering five main indicators (physical–spatial, socio–cultural, safety, accessibility, and mental health). Data were analyzed using the one-sample t-test in SPSS software and structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS software.
Findings and Conclusion: The results showed that the physical–spatial (mean = 3.17) and socio-cultural (mean = 3.05) indicators were in a relatively favorable condition. Moreover, based on the path analysis results, the physical–spatial indicator had the greatest role in enhancing women’s mental health, with an impact coefficient of 0.89. Following this, the indicators of environmental security, socio-cultural, accessibility, and mental health ranked next in terms of influence. These findings emphasize the importance of designing public spaces with a focus on physical and environmental components to promote women’s mental health and highlight the necessity for urban planners to pay attention to these dimensions. The innovation of this research lies in the simultaneous analysis of five key women-friendly city indicators using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and focusing on the city of Ardabil as a localized case, which has received less attention in previous studies.
Strategic Planning to Achieve a Creative City (Case Study: Ardabil City)
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 117-128
Navid Ghaffari Chanzanagh, Mohammad Hassan Yazdani, Delavar Masoumi
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.
Measuring the Efficiency of Managerial Strategies in Improving Urban Livability in Tabriz Metropolis
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 188-206
Razieh Ghasemzadeh, Mohammad Hassan Yazdani
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.
The Impact of Green Infrastructure on the Development of a Smart Sustainable City (Case Study: The Metropolis of Karaj)
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 207-229
Atta Ghaffari Gilandeh, Mansour Rahmati, Mohamad Mahdi Mahabadi pour, Yasser Afshoun
Abstract Background and Objective: With the rapid pace of urbanization and its associated environmental challenges, novel approaches such as the smart sustainable city and green infrastructure have become essential. However, the gap between theory and practice, particularly regarding the prioritization of interventions, persists. This study was conducted with the objective of analyzing the impact of green infrastructure on the realization of a smart sustainable city and providing a data-driven framework for spatial prioritization in the metropolis of Karaj.
Methodology: This is an applied study employing a descriptive-analytical method. Initially, 24 key variables were identified and distributed to 30 experts via a questionnaire. Subsequently, using a hybrid approach, the Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) technique was utilized to identify key drivers, and the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method was employed to rank the readiness of the 11 urban districts of Karaj.
Results and Findings: The results indicated that seven drivers, including "permeable surfaces," "ecological corridors," "investment," and "integrated governance," are the most powerful factors influencing the system. Furthermore, the CoCoSo analysis identified District 5 as the most suitable area for initiating projects. The findings emphasize that a successful transition to a smart sustainable city requires an integrated strategy that simultaneously focuses on physical infrastructure, governance factors, and economic incentives, and that policies must be formulated based on spatial priorities. Ultimately, this study shows that the realization of a smart sustainable city in Karaj is only possible through an integrated strategy that incorporates the key physical, governance, and economic drivers within specific spatial priorities.
Strategic Planning Utilizing the 15-Minute City Approach (Case Study: Hamidiyan Neighborhood, Rasht City)
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 314-335
Sara Ahmadpour Shemami, Ali Pasha, Mahdi Bornafar, Saber Mohammadpour
Abstract Background and Objective: Increasing population density in urban areas and the rising concerns regarding sustainability and public health have encouraged residents to adopt active mobility patterns. In this context, the concept of the 15-minute city has emerged as a modern urban model aiming to ensure that residents can access essential daily needs (such as work, education, healthcare, and recreation) within a maximum 15-minute distance using non-motorized modes.
Methodology: This applied research was conducted with a descriptive–analytical approach in the Hamidian neighborhood of Rasht. Data were collected through library studies, field observations, maps, satellite images, and upper-level planning documents. Strategies for realizing the 15-minute city were formulated using the SWOT technique and prioritized through the QSPM matrix.
Findings and Conclusion: The findings indicate that the most fundamental requirement for steering the Hamidian neighborhood toward a 15-minute city is improving accessibility and mobility systems. The top three strategies holding the highest priority directly relate to enhancing safe and efficient non-motorized mobility (walking, cycling, and public transport), emphasizing that without adequate transport infrastructure, other objectives of the 15-minute city cannot be achieved. Based on the QSPM scoring, “the quality of pedestrian pathways and pedestrian safety” was identified as the key factor with the highest score, while “smart technologies and tourism development” were recognized as the lowest-priority factor under the neighborhood’s current conditions. Despite challenges such as limited public spaces and weak transport systems, the neighborhood possesses notable potentials, including its suitable connectivity and the presence of the Einak Lagoon. Priority strategies include improving the transport network, enhancing pedestrian pathways, and developing non-motorized access to services and green spaces. Ultimately, the successful implementation of this model requires collaboration among management institutions, citizen participation, and the adoption of smart technologies.
Spatial Analysis of Neighborhood Centers’ Accessibility to Urban Services (Case Study: Tazeh Shahr Neighborhood, Ardabil)
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 429-452
Fina Abbasinia, Ata Ghaffari Gilandeh, Parya Nasiri, Alireza Mohammadi
Abstract Background and Objective: The spatial distribution of services, facilities, land uses, and activities in cities, as well as their accessibility, is a key issue in urban studies. In this regard, the location of neighborhoods in relation to access to land uses and urban services requires special attention. This study focuses on analyzing the position of the Tazeh Shahr neighborhood to examine its accessibility to various land uses within the spatial context of the neighborhood and at different distance intervals.
Methodology: This research is applied in nature and employs a descriptive–analytical approach. Data on land uses and the street network were extracted from the detailed plan of Ardabil city and processed in ArcGIS. For each land-use category, the allocated area was calculated at the neighborhood zoning level and within distance rings (0–200, 200–500, 500–1000, 1000–2000 meters, etc.). Frequency tables and spatial indices were then generated, and the Hot Spot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi) was applied to identify clusters of service concentration or shortage. The results were presented and analyzed through thematic maps.
Findings and Conclusion According to the research findings based on the structural model, the T-Value statistic for all variables is greater The results revealed the accessibility status of Tazeh Shahr to a wide range of land uses, both within the neighborhood itself and across various distance rings. Findings indicate that while the neighborhood enjoys favorable accessibility to certain services, it faces limitations and shortages in others. Overall, the accessibility level of Tazeh Shahr to urban services and land uses varies depending on the type of land use and spatial scale, highlighting the need for optimized urban planning.
Evaluation and ranking of the components of empowerment of dilapidated structures by improving social status (Case study: Harsin city)
Volume 7, Issue 2, Summer 2026, Pages 498-517
Ali Ghobadi, Mahshid Sehizadeh
Abstract Background and Objective: Today, dilapidated urban textures are not only considered a physical and structural challenge, but due to the accumulation of deficiencies, they have become a platform for weakening the collective identity and degrading the social status of their residents. In new approaches to regeneration, the transition from purely physical renovation to "community-based empowerment" is an inevitable necessity; because the sustainability of any urban intervention depends on restoring human dignity, strengthening the sense of belonging, and restoring self-esteem to citizens who must themselves be the main agents of change and development in their living environment. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate and rank the components of empowering dilapidated textures with the approach of improving the social status of citizens in the city of Harsin.
Methodology: The present research is of an applied type and is descriptive-analytical in terms of methodology. The statistical population of the research consists of 30 experts and specialists related to the field of urban planning, urban decay and urban management. The data were collected through a questionnaire and the SAWIC multi-criteria decision-making model was used to analyze and rank the factors.
Results and Findings: The results of the study show that in the dilapidated context of Harsin, "social degradation" has surpassed physical challenges, and the socio-cultural dimension, with an emphasis on reducing damage and improving security, has the highest priority over the economic and physical dimensions. These findings prove the necessity of changing the paradigm from "physically-centered" to "human-centered" and show that physical and management interventions should only play a facilitating role. Therefore, success in empowering this context requires a strategic focus on recreating the identity and promoting the social status of residents before any physical renovation.
