موسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260321Analyzing the Application of the X-Minute City Model in Urban Development:
A case study of district 22, Tehran cityتحلیل کاربست مدل شهر چنددقیقهای در توسعه شهری مطالعه موردی: منطقه 22 شهر تهران12010643010.22059/jurbangeo.2026.405688.2130FAپارسااربابگروه برنامهریزی و مدیریت شهری، دانشکده شهرسازی، دانشکدگان هنرهای زیبا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0000-0002-5104-1051شقایققربانزادهگروه برنامهریزی و مدیریت شهری، دانشکده شهرسازی، دانشکدگان هنرهای زیبا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0009-0001-4537-4693Journal Article20251107The dominance of car-centric approaches over recent decades has led to negative consequences, including traffic congestion, air pollution, and access inequality, resulting in a decline in urban quality of life. In response to these challenges, the X-Minute City (XMC) model has emerged as a transformative and human-centered approach to urban development, aiming to ensure access to urban services and amenities within appropriate temporal and spatial thresholds. It fosters more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments, with a focus on contextual and local conditions. Accordingly, this study analyzes the application of the XMC model in urban development, with a focus on District 22, the largest contiguous urban expansion adjacent to Tehran. This research adopts a qualitative methodology, utilizing thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with urban experts and managers. The results indicate that while urban development documents identify improved access to services and the realization of spatial justice as key objectives, a considerable gap exists between these intentions and actual policies and realities. The district faces serious issues, including spatial heterogeneity, non-human scale, lack of spatial attractiveness, car-centric development, insufficient pedestrian infrastructure, and weak public transportation. Therefore, recommendations for the practical application of the XMC model in District 22 of Tehran include emphasizing neighborhood-centered and walkable development, improving the physical and functional quality of urban spaces, controlling population density and urban loads in adherence to the detailed plan, and allocating land for service provision. These strategies are proposed at the planning, executive, and managerial levels to achieve inclusive and sustainable urban development.غلبه رویکردهای خودرومحور طی دهههای اخیر، پیامدهایی چون ترافیک، آلودگی هوا، نابرابری در دسترسی و متعاقبا کاهش کیفیت زندگی شهری را به دنبال داشته است. در پاسخ به این چالشها، مدل شهر چنددقیقهای به عنوان رویکردی تحولآفرین و انسانمحور در توسعه شهری، اطمینان از دسترسی به خدمات و امکانات شهری در آستانههای زمانی و مکانی مناسب و متعاقبا تحقق محیطهای شهری دسترسپذیرتر، فراگیرتر و پایدارتر را با عنایت به شرایط زمینهای و محلهای، هدفگذاری میکند. به همین منظور، پژوهش حاضر به تحلیل کاربست مدل شهر چنددقیقهای در توسعه شهری با استناد به نمونه منطقه 22، به عنوان وسیعترین توسعه شهری متصل به تهران، میپردازد. روش پژوهش، کیفی است و مبتنی بر تحلیل مضمون مصاحبههای نیمهساختاریافته با متخصصان و مدیران شهری دنبال شده است. یافتهها، نشان میدهد اگرچه در اسناد توسعه شهری منطقه، بهبود دسترسی به خدمات شهری و تحقق عدالت فضایی به عنوان اهداف کلیدی مطرح بوده است، اما سیاستهای اجرایی و واقعیات موجود، از آنها فاصلهای قابل توجه دارند. منطقه با مشکلاتی جدی نظیر ناهمگنی کالبدی، مقیاس غیرانسانی، فقدان جذابیت فضایی، توسعه خودرومحور، عدم وجود زیرساخت پیاده و ضعف در حملونقل همگانی، مواجه است. از این رو، تاکید بر محلهمحوری و ارتقاء پیادهمداری، بهبود کیفیت کالبدی و عملکردی فضاهای شهری، کنترل تراکم جمعیت و بارگذاریها در پایبندی به طرح تفصیلی و تخصیص اراضی برای تامین خدمات، از جمله راهکارهای پیشنهادی برای تحقق کاربست مدل شهر چنددقیقهای در منطقه 22 شهر تهران است که در سه سطح برنامهریزی، اجرایی و مدیریتی با هدف تحقق توسعهای فراگیر و پایدار، ارائه شدهاند.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_106430_21daa92479ebf9d477802e7c5e5779bb.pdfموسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260405Analysis of factors affecting urban nightlife indicators : A case study of Babolsar cityتحلیل عوامل اثرگذار بر شاخصهای زیست شبانه شهری مطالعه موردی: شهر بابلسر213810700810.22059/jurbangeo.2025.399186.2081FAمریمکیائیگروه جغرافیای انسانی وبرنامه ریزی شهری، دانشکده جغرافیا،دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایرانکرامت الهزیاریگروه جغرافیای انسانی وبرنامه ریزی،،دانشکده جغرافیا،دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0000-0001-9135-4768سعیدزنگنه شهرکیگروه جغرافیای انسانی و برنامهریزی، دانشکده جغرافیا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0000-0003-1307-436XJournal Article20251025<strong>ABSTRACT</strong>
Night life, as an emerging phenomenon in the field of urban studies, plays an important role in the spatial and temporal transformations of cities and influences sustainable urban development. The present research aims to develop an integrated model of the factors, causes, and consequences of nocturnal life in the city of Babolsar. This study is applied and mixed-method, with data collected from library resources and 9 focus group interviews with various groups. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory method and MaxQDA software to provide a comprehensive and structured perspective on this emerging phenomenon. In the proposed model, each main factor is categorized into five general themes. According to the research findings, laws, regulations, and institutional factors are considered causal conditions in creating the phenomenon of urban nocturnal life in Babolsar's urban areas. Cultural-social factors, economic factors, and physical factors act as intervening conditions; accessibility, transportation factors, and business attraction factors are background conditions. The expansion of facilities and infrastructure to develop social and economic activities, the performance and expertise of municipal managers, and integrated management strategies are considered strategies. The consequences identified include the expansion of the transportation system (positive), the growth of accommodation centers (positive), the undermining of cultural identity (negative), crowded streets, and insecurity (negative). Therefore, for the proper implementation of urban nocturnal life, the formation and participation of experts and specialists to address these factors is essential.
<strong>Extended Abstract</strong>
<strong>Introduction</strong>
Cities are both the context for social, economic, and physical development and the setting for complex challenges that require careful planning. With the arrival of night, urban landscapes transform, forming a dynamic arena of leisure and entertainment. It should be said that nightlife is a space for social interaction, enhancing well-being and creating creativity and experience. Therefore, these spaces have a significant impact on the life of the city and their management is very important to meet the interests of multiple stakeholders such as merchants, residents, and users. Despite its potential, nightlife in Babolsar has been neglected, and nighttime can be an opportunity for dynamism, social interaction, and improving the quality of urban life. In contemporary cities, urban management focuses on the regeneration and creation of dynamic urban centers, and one of its most important axes is encouraging and supporting nightlife. Although numerous studies have examined the dimensions of nightlife, few have analyzed the factors that shape its formation and sustainability. Therefore, the present study seeks to answer the question:
-What are the factors affecting urban nightlife with a qualitative approach?
Nightlife studies, as a branch of urban research, emerged in the late twentieth century; Cremona (2014) first proposed it in relation to changes in urban nightlife. Hence, nightlife is a set of round-the-clock activities and services, such as food, drink, and entertainment, that continue late into the night. The research background shows that the expansion of urbanization and changing patterns of urban life, especially at night, have heightened attention to the relationship between citizens and the urban environment. Hence, the quality of nightlife is influenced by social, economic, physical, and infrastructural factors and affects the security, social interactions, and economic performance of the city; these factors are the main objective of the research. The innovation of this research lies in focusing on urban nightlife in a medium-sized city like Babolsar and in using a qualitative approach with direct citizen participation. Using MAXQDA software in coding and analyzing data increased the accuracy and transparency of the research, and combining lived experiences with scientific analysis is the main distinguishing feature of this study compared to previous research.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Methodology</strong>
This research is classified as applied research in terms of its purpose and, for data collection, uses a mixed-methods approach with an emphasis on qualitative and quantitative methods. The study population consisted of citizens selected through purposive sampling. The selection criteria were residence in the city, experience or knowledge related to the research topic, and willingness to participate in the research process actively.
At the beginning of each session, the researcher presented the topic in simple, clear language, and then facilitated group discussions to exchange views and collect qualitative data. The researcher, in the role of facilitator, guided the session and recorded all data. Subsequently, the collected data were coded, categorized, and analyzed using MAXQDA software to extract and interpret the main themes. In this section, the researcher interpreted, coded, and categorized the data using the problem tree and content analysis of the interviews. Grounded Theory served as the main basis for presenting the findings, and samples from city areas were selected based on frequency and expert opinion. Next, based on research needs and expert opinion, samples were selected from different areas of the city (based on frequency).
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Results and discussion</strong>
To analyze the findings, the interview data were coded in three stages as first, open coding identified 39 semantic units; then, with axial coding, similar codes were organized into the aggregation unit and 15 subcategories. In the third step, by reviewing and combining the categories and examining the relationships of the subcategories, six main categories were identified as urban laws and regulations, management and institutions, social and cultural factors, access and transportation, business attractions, and urban facilities and equipment.
The factors of urban laws and regulations were identified in three subcategories: implementation of night-time electricity regulations, productivity and profitability, diversity and change of use, and life cycle dynamics. The managerial and institutional factors were identified in three axial codes: legal laws and regulations, performance and expertise of the responsible organizations, and integrated and coordinated management of managers. The social and cultural factors were revealed in four codes: social norms, levels of public awareness among citizens, population structure, and the creation of social trust. Accessibility and transportation factors in traffic control and business attractions in higher-income areas were revealed.
In this issue, both positive and negative consequences were revealed, including the existence of transportation systems and residential centers for urban nightlife, and the deterioration of cultural identity and the crowding of streets.
Causal conditions in the creation and expansion of urban nightlife include two main categories as follows:
-Urban laws and regulations: including the implementation of night-time electricity regulations, productivity and profitability resulting from diversity and change of use, and the dynamics of the life cycle.
-Management and institutional factors: including legal laws and regulations, the expertise and performance of the governing organizations, and the integrated and coordinated management of managers.
Intervening conditions are factors that affect the occurrence of the phenomenon; in the model, social and cultural factors, including social norms, public awareness, population structure, and social trust, were identified as such.
In the social norm factors section, experts cite the development of cultural tourism activities, increased security for women in urban nightlife, social and cultural solidarity among citizens, and the diversification of nightlife-related social activities as effective.
Among the factors influencing public awareness, improving citizens' recognition is effective. In the demographic structure section, controlling the population and using the neighborhood's internal and external textures are effective strategies. In fostering social trust, experts say the expansion of urbanization and marginalization in the nightlife space, the development of equipped textures, and proximity to densely populated areas are effective.
In the background factors section, the factors: access and transportation are effective, according to experts.
In some areas of Babolsar, participants also stated that under this factor, two factors as lack of access to parking and lack of a public transportation system around the clock are effective in urban nightlife.
In the aforementioned model, to explain the phenomenon of urban nightlife, the strategic factor of "urban facilities and equipment" has been defined in terms of actor interactions. In Babolsar, municipalities are responsible for implementing programs and activities related to nightlife in urban areas.
“In this regard, citizens believed that if nightlife activities lead to economic and social development, it will be effective.”
In the economic dimension, “Such activities should lead to the development of employment opportunities and the reduction of unemployment, urban economic prosperity, and the creation of competitiveness for the benefit of citizens.”
In the social dimension, “Such activities create vitality, create opportunities for creating a new identity, strengthen social capital, and form family groups.”
In the physical dimension, “they provide accessibility, lighting, and color, and give identity to old textures.”
In this category, two outcomes were identified as positive and negative. Among the positive outcomes, the night transportation system includes indicators such as the availability of substitute devices and reliable night transportation. Also, residential centers that include indicators such as safe nighttime operation, recreating the historical landscape, organizing new facilities, and revitalizing cultural uses are important to respondents.
Two negative consequences of this issue are the deterioration of cultural identity and street crowding.
The study's findings show that, as Robert and Eldering (2022) also stated, urban nightlife is one of the factors affecting the prosperity of social and economic activities at night, most closely related to recreational and entertainment activities. In this context, the production of product-related businesses is also considered another effective factor; these findings are consistent with those of Ya (2014) and Kay (2025) in the physical dimension, especially regarding the role of smart lighting. Also, as Kramer and Witan (2023) have stated, people's sense of greater freedom from social rules and norms leads to the conversion of unused spaces into urban nightlife. However, in addition to this, the study area and, consequently, some areas of this area have caused the abandonment of its historical areas. In fact, it is consistent with the findings of Robert and Eldering (2022). Because they believe that if urban resources and potentials are used properly, it will improve the quality of human life.
Therefore, nightlife activities in the “social dimension strengthen vitality, new identity, and social capital.” These results are consistent with the research of Yahyaei et al. (2021), which shows that in Rasht, leveraging the dead hours of the night, diverse uses and services, appropriate furniture, and vitality solutions have increased citizen presence and shaped nightlife in selected locations.
The findings showed that in the “management and institutional dimension, laws and regulations, the performance and expertise of the responsible organizations, and integrated and coordinated management play an effective role.” These results are consistent with the research of Sajjadzadeh and Bahar (2022), who identified monitoring, responsive management, and the quality of the environment and the cultural level of the space as key factors for citizens. Also, the climatic and cultural characteristics of Hamedan have led to nightlife taking shape more as family and group gatherings in urban spaces.
<strong>Conclusion</strong>
Intending to comprehensively understand the factors and motivations, the present study has developed a theoretical model of urban nightlife based on the coding of interviews and has described the main factors in 5 categories (causal, intervening, contextual, strategies, and consequences) and three general categories (cause, factors, and consequences).
In the meantime, the correct rules for creating urban nightlife, the performance and management of municipal managers, and the level of citizens' awareness of its consequences were also identified as strategies. The consequences of the phenomenon in the aforementioned model were also identified as improvements across the social, economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions.
Finally, it can be said that urban nightlife is influenced by four main categories of factors: causal conditions including infrastructure, security, transportation and access to public spaces; intervening conditions including policies, urban management programs, cultural and economic events; limiting conditions such as negative attitudes, lack of recreational facilities, focus on daily activities and increasing land prices; and consequences including urban vitality and attractiveness, social participation, economic development and strengthening cultural identity; Analyzing these factors allows for the design of effective policies and programs for sustainable and dynamic nightlife.
<strong>Funding</strong>
There is no funding support.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong>
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Conflict of Interest</strong>
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Acknowledgments</strong>
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.زیست شبانه بهعنوان پدیدهای نوظهور در حوزه مطالعات شهری، نقش مهمی در تحولات مکانی و زمانی شهرها دارد و بر توسعه پایدار شهری تأثیرگذار است. پژوهش حاضر باهدف تدوین مدلی یکپارچه از عوامل، دلایل و پیامدهای زیست شبانه در شهر بابلسر انجامشده است. این مطالعه از نوع کاربردی و ترکیبی است که دادههای آن از منابع کتابخانهای و ۹ مصاحبه گروه کانونی با گروههای مختلف جمعآوریشدهاند. تحلیل دادهها با روش نظریه زمینهای و توسط نرمافزار مکسکیودا انجامشده است تا دیدگاهی جامع و ساختاریافته درباره این پدیده نوظهور ارائه شود. در مدل ارائهشده هرکدام از عوامل اصلی در 5 مقوله کلی تشکیل شد. بر اساس یافتههای پژوهش، قوانین و مقررات و عوامل نهادی بهعنوان شرایط علی در ایجاد پدیده زیست شهری در نواحی شهری بابلسر دخیل میدانند؛ و عوامل فرهنگی ـ اجتماعی و عوامل اقتصادی و کالبدی بهعنوان شرایط مداخلهگر؛ دسترسی و عوامل حملونقل و عوامل جاذبههای کسبوکار نیز بهعنوان شرایط زمینهای و گسترش تأسیسات و زیربناها برای گسترش فعالیتهای اجتماعی و اقتصادی، عملکرد و تخصص مدیران شهرداری، مدیریت یکپارچه مدیران بهعنوان راهبردها، همچنین پیامدها شامل؛ گسترش سیستم حملونقل (مثبت)، گسترش مراکز اقامتی (مثبت)، خدشهدار شدن هویت فرهنگی (منفی)، شلوغ شدن خیابانها و ناامنی (منفی) بهعنوان پیامدها و نتایج موضوع شناسایی گردید. ازاینرو برای اجرای درست زیست شبانه شهری؛ تشکیل و مشارکت کارشناسان و متخصصان جهت توجه به این عوامل ضرورت دارد.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107008_3c730f7c0e18f9c84298b77aa4abe9b8.pdfموسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260510Analysis of Ecosystem Service Valuation in the Process of Rapid Urban Growth: A Case study of Tehran Metropolisتحلیل ارزشگذاری خدمات اکوسیستم در فرایند رشد شتابان شهری مطالعه موردی: کلانشهر تهران396010689110.22059/jurbangeo.2026.399927.2086FAاحمدحاتمیگروه جغرافیای انسانی و برنامهریزی، دانشکده جغرافیا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0000-0003-2071-9664حسینمنصوریانگروه جغرافیای انسانی و برنامهریزی، دانشکده جغرافیا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0000-0003-2519-0907حسینحاتمی نژادگروه جغرافیای انسانی و برنامهریزی، دانشکده جغرافیا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایراناحمدپوراحمدگروه جغرافیای انسانی و برنامهریزی، دانشکده جغرافیا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0009-0000-2223-632XJournal Article20251226ABSTRACT
The rapid physical growth of Tehran metropolis over the past decades has made extensive changes in land use and had significant consequences on the value of urban ecosystem services. This study employs descriptive-analytical method to analyze the physical growth of Tehran and evaluate its impacts on the value of ecosystem services. The data used include images of Multispectral Scanner System (MSS), Landsat thematic mapper (TM) and Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensors in 1972, 1986, 2005, and 2024, which were classified in ENVI software after radiometric and atmospheric correction. The reference control points acquired from Google Earth were utilized to validate the classification results, and the error matrix and kappa index were calculated, which indicated the classification's high accuracy. Then, using the Castanza valuation model, the value of ecosystem services was calculated at each time period based on global coefficients (dollar per hectare per year). The results demonstrate that the physical growth of the city has increased from 14559 hectares in 1972 to more than 68645 hectares in 2024; This amount of physical growth has led to a substantial reduction in agricultural uses, pastures, and orchards, a total of $ 266 million of the net worth of ecosystem services. The largest decline was related to support, regulatory, and supplier services such as soil conservation, biodiversity, food production, and climate regulation. In contrast, the restricted increase in urban green infrastructure has not been able to compensate lost natural performance. These findings indicate that Tehran is on the path of instability due to the loss of natural capital and ecological functions.
<strong>Extended Abstract</strong>
<strong>Introduction</strong>
Urbanization is one of the most imperative transformational trends of the 21st century, which, beyond rural-urban migration, fundamentally has changed lifestyle, economic structures, and land use patterns. This phenomenon not only upsurges the concentration of population, but also with the physical expansion of cities, affects natural systems and changes the ecological structure of the land. The gradual destruction of urban ecosystem services is a key consequence of urbanization. Ecosystem services, as tangible or intangible benefits of ecological functions, shape the backbone of urban sustainability and health. These services include food supply, temperature regulation, runoff reduction, air refining, carbon storage, biodiversity support, and the cultural and psychological values of natural spaces. Numerous studies have warned that urban development, regardless of these services, has consequences such as heat islands, increased floods, reduced air quality, and decline in the mental health of residents.
Urban ecosystem services can be evaluated in four dimensions: economic, regulatory-environmental, socio-cultural, and urban resilience. Ignoring these dimensions, particularly in developing countries, has led to spatial instability; Therefore, the integration of multiple values of ecosystem services is an inevitable necessity in urban planning. In Iran, despite the rapid growth of urbanization, the concept of urban ecosystem services has not been seriously considered in spatial policies and urban plans. The development of cities is mainly based on physical and functional indicators, and the lack of ecological analysis and valuation of ecosystem services is absolutely obvious. During the last half century, the metropolis of Tehran has witnessed widespread physical growth and severe land use changes, which has been accompanied by the removal of large parts of agricultural land, gardens, and natural open spaces. Tehran’s urban area, as the epicenter of political, economic, industrial, and demographics of Iran, has suffered rapid and extensive changes in its spatial, physical, and environmental structure in recent decades. This city, which has over 16 million population and makes up about 20% of Iran’s population, has become one of the most complex metropolitan areas in the Middle East following the campaigns of urban modernization, land reform, rising oil revenues, rapid growth of industry and infrastructure. The region's share of Iran's GDP is over 25% and the value of its industrial production is close to 23%, which indicates a very high concentration of economic, administrative, and service activities. Nevertheless, unruly physical growth, the sporadic expansion of formal and informal settlements, drastic changes in land use, and the destruction of natural resources have had serious environmental consequences. The hysterical development of the city, regardless of available natural capacity, is not only a threat to environmental sustainability, but also reduces vital services such as urban temperature regulation, runoff control, and the quality of life. Accordingly, the purpose is to analyze the impacts of physical growth in Tehran on the value of urban ecosystem services and provide solutions to reform this trend in order to bolster sustainability and ecological rehabilitation.
<strong>Methodology</strong>
This applied research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and a combination of remote sensing techniques and spatial analysis. Landsat satellite images of MSS, TM and OLI sensors were employed for the years 1972, 1986, 2005, and 2024. The pre-processing of images including radiometric and atmospheric corrections executed in ENVI software and then with the supervised classification algorithm, seven land use categories were extracted. The basis for determining land use classes in the study area has been a set of scientific and applied factors. The selection of classes was completed according to the purpose of the research, resolution and spectral characteristics of satellite images, classification structures presented in valid domestic and international studies, as well as utilizing the specialized perspective of professors and experts in the field of remote sensing and urban planning. The accuracy assessment using the Kappa coefficient indicates values above 0.84 in all time periods, which demonstrates a high classification reliability. Ecosystem services were evaluated based on the Castanza model and global value coefficients for each user class. An integrated approach has been adopted in the process of valuing ecosystem services, based on a systematic review of credible international sources.
For this purpose, data obtained from reference studies such as De Grot, Castanza et al., as well as the results of 13 other selected studies were collected and analyzed that have directly addressed the economic evaluation of ecosystem services. In each case, the lowest and highest estimated value was extracted for each user class and each type of ecosystem service (in dollars per hectare per year). Then, by calculating the average of this price range, the normalized amount was determined as the base coefficient of the value of ecosystem services, which was founded on the calculation of the total value of services in the region. This approach, while considering the heterogeneities in valuation methods in different sources, has made it possible to have a coherent, realistic, and comparable evaluation of ecosystem services in the urban area. Sensitivity analysis was also utilized with three pessimistic, basic, and optimistic scenarios and linear regression modeling employed to investigate the relationship between the physical growth of the city and the value of ecosystem services.
<strong>Results and Discussion</strong>
The results indicate that Tehran, during the period of 1972 to 2024, has experienced unprecedented physical growth leading to a fundamental change in the land use structure and consequently the weakening of ecosystem services. The urban area of Tehran has increased from 14559 hectares in 1972 to 68645 hectares in 2024, which is equivalent to a net growth of 54086 hectares. In contrast, agricultural lands, orchards, and pastures have been totally reduced more than 55,000 hectares. From the ecological point of view, a fundamental change undergone in the spatial structure of the urban landscape. The share of urban land has amplified from 6.65% in 1972 to 34.31% in 2024 (increase more than 24%), which indicates the explosive growth of artificial development and the compression of man-made fabrics in the natural bed.
This profound change in the structure of the landscape has led to a net reduction of $266 million in the value of ecosystem services. In 1972, the total value of ecosystem services was about $ 804 million, most of which belonged to agricultural uses (approximately $303 million) and pastures ($266 million). Such a huge number demonstrates that in the 1970s, the natural-agricultural composition of urban and peripheral lands played a pivotal role in providing ecological services such as water regulation, food production, biodiversity preservation, and climatic balance. In the beginning of 1986, despite the relative preservation of the share of natural uses, a significant reduction detected in the value of pastures (about 10%). In 2006, the trend of devaluation of ecosystems intensified, the value of pastures diminished to about $176 million compared to 1972, and the value of agriculture reached $224 million. The obtained value of services from orchards is $67 million. The reduction, which indicates the destruction of garden lands and the replacement of them with urban development and growth, data from 2024 clearly illustrate the extensive and continuous impact of urbanization on the ecological structure of the region. The value of pastures has decreased to about $95 million and agriculture to $187 million, which indicates a decrease of 60% compared to 1972. In contrast, the value of urban green infrastructure has risen to about $141 million, possibly due to the development of parks, green belts, and new environmental policies at the urban management level.
The key point is that while green infrastructure plays a significant role in improving the quality of life of citizens, they are not a perfect alternative to natural ecosystems from an ecological and environmental perspective. Services such as material cycles, soil conservation, flood control, and carbon storage can only be provided through pasture, forest, and sustainable agriculture. In general, the value of ecosystem services from $804 million in 1972 reached $538 million, which shows a reduction of $266 million. The sensitivity analysis, to augment the validity of the results, accomplished with three scenarios of pessimistic (-25%), basic (0%), and optimistic (+25%) on global Castanza coefficients. The results exhibited the net decline regarding the value of ecosystem services in the pessimistic scenario is about $199 million and in the optimistic scenario more than $325 million. Despite the numerical differences, in all three scenarios, the trend of sharp decline is confirmed in the value of ecosystem services due to physical growth in Tehran, which indicates the validity and stability of the research results. To calculate the net reduction of service value, the sum of the decreasing values deducted from the added values.
According to the five types of land use (agriculture, gardens, pastures, green infrastructure, water resources), the first three types recorded a significant decline and the second two types had a relative increase. The total devaluation estimated $289,072,484 and the total increase was $24,677,244; Therefore, the net loss is estimated at $266/395 indicating a widespread erosion of ecosystem services in Tehran. The biggest decline, in terms of service type, occurred in the area of support and regulatory services: "Habitat" (reduction more than $45.9 million), "Genetic Resources" (more than $65 million), "Climate Regulation" (more than $9.3 million). "Waste Refining" (more than $12.2 million), "Erosion Control" (more than $2.3 million), and "Soil Formation" (more than $11 million). In the realm of supplier services, "food Production" (more than $96 million) and "water Supply" (more than $9.6 million) fell sharply, warning of the threat of food security and growing dependence on external resources.
The development of green infrastructure and water resources, although it has created a limited rise in services such as "recreation" (about $4 million), "water Regulation", and "pollination", but these increases are insignificant and unrestrained compared to the damage to habitats and food resources. They do not compensate for the ecological performance of the lost natural uses. In this regard, the rapid urbanization of Tehran through severe land reduction with ecological performance and replacement with artificial structures, has reduced viability, weakened resilience to climate change, water shortage and biological stress, and erosion of ecosystem services. A review of land use policies, purposeful development of continuous green infrastructure, and revitalization of ecosystem service functions should be at the heart of future urban planning strategies. Linear regression analysis indicates that the coefficient of determination is equal to 0.812, which means that more than 81% of the changes in the devaluation of ecosystem services are explained due to the physical expansion of the city. This finding approves the negative and strong impact of rapid and scattered urban growth on the performance of ecosystem services in Tehran.
<strong>Conclusion</strong>
Land use changes to meet the infrastructure requirements of the urban population, especially with inefficient planning, lead to ecosystem degradation, biodiversity reduction, and the weakening of potential ecosystem services. Tehran's physical growth over the past five decades has experienced a rapid, unruly, and lacking ecological perspective. Significant reduction of pastures (64%), agricultural land (more than 50%), and orchards are a sign of systematic destruction of natural resources and a sharp decrease in the capacity of ecosystem services. The total value lost of natural uses (agriculture, pastures, orchards) is estimated at $289 million, while the added value of green infrastructure and water storages is only $24.6 million, indicating the inability of artificial infrastructure to compensate for natural functions.
The biggest devaluation was related to regulatory and support services: soil conservation ($13.1 million), wastewater treatment ($12.2 million), biodiversity ($6.5 million), genetic resources ($65.2 million), and wildlife habitats (45.9 million dollar). Supply services, including food production ($96.6 million) and water supply ($9.6 million), reduce food security and put pressure on water resources. Even cultural services such as entertainment have declined. Linear regression analysis showed that the physical growth of the city has a negative and significant effect on the value of ecosystem services (81% explanation of variance).
The loss of these services has increased natural hazards (floods, air pollution, urban warming), declining public health and exacerbating urban instability. The inadequate expansion of green infrastructure and aquatic zones failed to compensate for the functional role of lost natural ecosystems; artificial infrastructure has never been a substitute for complicated and self-regulating processes of nature. In the realm of policy, the results are a serious alarm for the capital's viability. A fundamental revision of planning approaches, moving from physical planning to ecosystem-based planning, rehabilitating destroyed lands, stabilizing continuous green spaces, strengthening green and blue infrastructure, and introducing the economic, cultural, and social dimensions of ecosystem services is essential to decision-making processes. Tehran still has the opportunity to recreate and recover ecologically through commitment of urban management to integrate ecological knowledge with urban policy and the participation of urban society in the protection and reconstruction of natural capital.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Funding</strong>
There is no funding support.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong>
This article is derived from the first author’s (Ahmad Hatami) doctoral dissertation. He carried out all stages of the research, including writing the text, data processing, analyses, and extraction of results. Dr. Hossein Mansourian (primary supervisor) contributed to developing the conceptual model, refining the problem statement and article texts, as well as the remote sensing process and map production. Dr. Hossein Hataminejad (secondary supervisor) and Dr. Ahmad Pourahmad (advisor) played roles in scientific guidance, overseeing the research process, and the final review of the article.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Conflict of Interest</strong>
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Acknowledgments</strong>
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.رشد فیزیکی شتابان کلانشهر تهران طی دهههای گذشته، تغییرات گستردهای در کاربری اراضی ایجاد کرده و پیامدهای قابلتوجهی بر ارزش خدمات اکوسیستم شهری داشته است. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تحلیل روند رشد فیزیکی شهر تهران و ارزیابی اثرات آن بر ارزش خدمات اکوسیستم، از روش توصیفی–تحلیلی بهره گرفته است. دادههای مورداستفاده شامل تصاویر سنجندههای MSS، TM و OLI ماهواره لندست در سالهای ۱۳۵۰، ۱۳۶۵، ۱۳۸۵ و ۱۴۰۳ است که پس از تصحیح رادیومتریک و اتمسفریک در نرمافزار ENVI طبقهبندی شدند. برای اعتبارسنجی نتایج طبقهبندی از نقاط کنترل مرجع برداشتشده از Google<strong> </strong>Earth استفاده شد و ماتریس خطا و شاخص کاپا محاسبه گردید که مقادیر دقت بالای طبقهبندی را نشان دادند. سپس با استفاده از مدل ارزشگذاری کاستانزا، ارزش خدمات اکوسیستم در هر مقطع زمانی بر اساس ضرایب جهانی (دلار بر هکتار در سال) محاسبه شد. نتایج نشان داد که رشد فیزیکی شهر از 14559 هکتار در سال 1350 به بیش از ۶۸۶۴۵ هکتار در سال 1403 رسیده است؛ این میزان رشد فیزیکی منجر به کاهش چشمگیر کاربریهای کشاورزی، مراتع و باغات شده که درمجموع، 266 میلیون دلار از ارزش خالص خدمات اکوسیستم کاهشیافته است. بیشترین افت، مربوط به خدمات پشتیبان، تنظیمی و تأمینکننده نظیر حفظ خاک، تنوع زیستی، تولید غذا و تنظیم اقلیم بوده است. در مقابل، افزایش محدود زیرساختهای سبز شهری توان جبران عملکردهای طبیعی ازدسترفته را نداشته است.. این یافتهها نشان میدهد که شهر تهران با از دست دادن سرمایههای طبیعی و عملکردهای اکولوژیکی در مسیر ناپایداری قرارگرفته است.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_106891_8a044de5146cc0d2ec91b0ba6aa4bcfe.pdfموسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260510Analyzing the Social Impacts of Autonomous Vehicle Technology on Cities: A Qualitative Approach Based on Systematic Literature Reviewتحلیل اثرات اجتماعی فناوری خودروهای خودران بر شهر: رویکردی کیفی بر پایه مرور نظاممند ادبیات618210689010.22059/jurbangeo.2025.398118.2075FAصابرمحمدپورگروه شهرسازی، دانشکده معماری و هنر، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران0000-0002-5496-2542ساراامیریگروه شهرسازی، دانشکده معماری و هنر، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران0000-0002-3435-2907علیسلطانیگروه جوامع محلی سالم، دانشگاه فلیندرز، آدلاید، استرالیاJournal Article20251226ABSTRACT
With the rapid advancement of emerging technologies in urban transportation, autonomous vehicles (AVs) have emerged as one of the most transformative innovations shaping the future of smart cities. Despite the extensive focus of previous studies on the technical aspects of this technology, its social implications for the spatial and human structure of cities remain relatively underexplored. This study adopts a qualitative approach and employs a systematic literature review method to examine and analyze the social dimensions of autonomous vehicle technology. The research data were derived from the analysis of 102 selected international scientific articles published between 2014 and 2024. Utilizing MaxQDA software, the data were analyzed through a three-stage coding process: open, axial, and selective coding. The findings reveal that the social impacts of AVs can be categorized into three main themes: social equity (with an emphasis on the inclusion of vulnerable groups), public health (encompassing both direct and indirect effects on the physical and mental well-being of citizens), and urban quality of life (focusing on livability and overall well-being). The analysis suggests that AV technology holds significant potential to redefine these key concepts. However, realizing this potential requires the development and implementation of comprehensive, human-centered, and multidisciplinary policies that go beyond purely technology-driven perspectives to incorporate the social, ethical, and spatial dimensions of the technology. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for social impact assessments and technological policymaking in the realm of future urban transportation.
<strong>Extended Abstract</strong>
<strong>Introduction</strong>
The ongoing evolution of urban transportation systems is increasingly shaped by emerging technologies, among which autonomous vehicles (AVs) have garnered significant attention as a potentially transformative force in the future of smart cities. These vehicles, capable of operating with little or no human intervention, promise to redefine how people move through and interact with urban environments. While a substantial body of literature has focused on the technical, engineering, and operational aspects of AVs—such as navigation systems, safety algorithms, and infrastructure requirements—their broader societal and spatial implications have remained relatively underexplored. In particular, the social consequences of AV adoption and integration, including issues of equity, health, and urban livability, require deeper scholarly investigation within the context of urban planning and development.
This study responds to this critical research gap by systematically reviewing and analyzing existing literature on the social impacts of autonomous vehicles. It seeks to uncover how the widespread implementation of AV technology might influence urban social structures, public health, spatial justice, and overall quality of life. The central research question guiding this investigation is: <em>What are the key social dimensions affected by the introduction of AVs, and how can urban policy and planning frameworks respond effectively to these changes?</em>
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Methodology</strong>
To address this question, a qualitative research approach was adopted, drawing upon systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. This method enables a structured and comprehensive examination of peer-reviewed academic work, ensuring a rigorous synthesis of current knowledge and trends. A total of 102 international scholarly articles, published between 2014 and 2024, were selected based on relevance, academic quality, and alignment with the research objectives. Databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were used to gather the initial pool of publications, which was then filtered through predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The selected studies were imported into MaxQDA for in-depth qualitative analysis. The coding process followed the classic three-phase model of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding as described by Strauss and Corbin. This framework allowed for the identification of core categories and interrelations among recurring themes across the dataset. By focusing specifically on the social implications of AVs rather than technical or economic aspects, the study maintained a clear alignment with its urban planning perspective.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Results and discussion</strong>
The analysis yielded three principal thematic categories representing the social impacts of AV technology:
<strong> Social Equity</strong>: The introduction of AVs presents both opportunities and challenges for promoting social inclusion. On one hand, AVs have the potential to enhance mobility for <strong>vulnerable populations</strong>, including the elderly, disabled individuals, and low-income communities. However, concerns persist regarding <strong>accessibility</strong>, <strong>affordability</strong>, and <strong>algorithmic bias</strong>. If AV deployment is driven purely by market forces without regulatory oversight, there is a risk that marginalized groups may be further excluded from the benefits of this technology.
<strong> Public Health</strong>: The health-related implications of AVs can be categorized into <strong>direct</strong> and <strong>indirect</strong> effects. Directly, AVs are expected to reduce traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities due to their superior reaction times and elimination of human error. Indirectly, their impact on <strong>physical activity</strong>, <strong>mental health</strong>, and <strong>urban air quality</strong> must be considered. For instance, increased vehicle use may discourage walking and cycling, while reduced congestion and emissions from electric AVs may lead to better respiratory health. Moreover, changes in travel behavior and land use patterns could influence stress levels, social cohesion, and overall well-being.
<strong> Urban Quality of Life</strong>: AVs are poised to reshape <strong>urban form and livability</strong> in profound ways. Potential reductions in parking demand could free up urban land for green spaces, housing, or public facilities. At the same time, if not properly planned, AVs could exacerbate urban sprawl by making longer commutes more convenient. The technology could either <strong>enhance</strong> or <strong>diminish</strong> the vibrancy of public spaces, depending on how it is integrated with public transit and pedestrian infrastructure. Therefore, urban planners must proactively engage with these possibilities to steer outcomes toward improved urban life.
In addition to these three categories, the study emphasizes the importance of <strong>ethical governance</strong>, <strong>interdisciplinary collaboration</strong>, and <strong>citizen participation</strong> in shaping AV-related policies. It argues that focusing solely on technological efficiency undermines the broader social mission of urban planning. A human-centered and context-sensitive approach is needed to ensure that AVs contribute to more just, healthy, and livable cities.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Conclusion</strong>
Autonomous vehicle technology represents more than just a technical advancement; it is a disruptive force with far-reaching consequences for the social fabric of cities. This study highlights that while AVs have the potential to contribute positively to urban equity, public health, and quality of life, realizing these benefits is contingent upon deliberate, inclusive, and forward-thinking policy interventions. It is crucial for urban planners, policymakers, and researchers to move beyond techno-centric narratives and engage with the complex social, ethical, and spatial dimensions of AV integration.
By offering a comprehensive synthesis of current research, this study provides a foundation for future work in urban policy design, impact assessment frameworks, and technology governance in the era of autonomous mobility. As cities navigate the uncertainties of AV adoption, such research becomes essential for aligning innovation with public interest and sustainability.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Funding</strong>
There is no financial support.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong>
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Conflict of Interest</strong>
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Acknowledgments</strong>
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.با گسترش فناوریهای نوین در عرصه حملونقل شهری، خودروهای خودران (Avs)<strong> </strong>به یکی از جدیترین تحولات آینده در حوزه شهر هوشمند تبدیلشدهاند. علیرغم تمرکز گسترده پژوهشهای پیشین بر ابعاد فنی این فناوری، پیامدهای اجتماعی آن بر ساختار فضایی و انسانی شهرها همچنان کمتر موردتوجه قرارگرفته است. پژوهش حاضر با رویکرد کیفی و بهرهگیری از روش مرور نظاممند ادبیات به بررسی و تحلیل ابعاد اجتماعی فناوری AVs پرداخته است. دادههای پژوهش بر پایه تحلیل ۱۰8 مقاله علمی بینالمللی منتخب در بازه زمانی ۲۰۱۴ تا ۲۰۲5، با استفاده از نرمافزار MaxQDA و از طریق مراحل سهگانه کدگذاری باز، محوری و انتخابی تحلیلشدهاند. یافتههای این پژوهش نشان میدهد که اثرات اجتماعی AVs در سه مقوله اصلی به ترتیب اهمیت و فراوانی کدها شامل عدالت اجتماعی (با تأکید بر شمول گروههای آسیبپذیر)، سلامت عمومی (در قالب اثرات مستقیم و غیرمستقیم بر جسم و روان شهروندان) و کیفیت زندگی شهری (با تمرکز بر زیستپذیری و رفاه) طبقهبندی میشوند. تحلیل نتایج حاکی از آن است که فناوری AVs<strong> </strong> پتانسیل بالایی در بازتعریف مفاهیم مذکور دارد. بااینحال، تحقق این ظرفیتها مستلزم طراحی و پیادهسازی سیاستهای جامع، انسانمحور و چندبخشی است که فراتر از نگاههای صرفاً فناورمحور، به ابعاد اجتماعی، اخلاقی و فضایی این فناوری توجه دارند. یافتههای این مطالعه میتواند بهعنوان مبنایی برای ارزیابی اجتماعی و سیاستگذاری فناورانه در حوزه حملونقل شهری آینده مورداستفاده قرار گیرد.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_106890_2f1df2af7448bf4e1dc6498fda7cd2ba.pdfموسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260510A Conceptual Analysis of Children’s Mental Imagery and Its role in Forming A Sense of Belonging to Urban Spaces: A Child-Centered Design Framework: A case study of Azadi Park, Shirazتحلیل مفهومی تصویر ذهنی کودکان در شکلگیری حس تعلق به فضاهای شهری: چارچوبی برای طراحی کودک محور، مطالعه موردی: پارک آزادی شیراز8310110730410.22059/jurbangeo.2026.409481.2152FAعاطفهرحیمیبخش شهرسازی، دانشکده هنر و معماری، دانشگاه شیراز، شیراز، ایرانسهندلطفیبخش شهرسازی، دانشکده هنر و معماری، دانشگاه شیراز، شیراز، ایران0000-0001-9673-5658مهساشعلهبخش شهرسازی، دانشکده هنر و معماری، دانشگاه شیراز، شیراز، ایران0000-0001-7559-4614مریمروستابخش شهرسازی، دانشکده هنر و معماری، دانشگاه شیراز، شیراز، ایران0000-0001-9574-8166Journal Article20251226ABSTRACT
Urban spaces serve as platforms for interactions among individuals and with the environment. These interactions are enhanced by a sense of belonging; a feeling that encourages individuals to identify the environment as part of themselves, leading to more active presence and greater responsibility. The objective of this research is to propose strategies for enhancing the sense of belonging among children aged 4 to 5 years in Azadi Park, Shiraz, addressing the gaps arising from the neglect of this age group in urban design. The study is quasi-experimental and employs a descriptive-analytical method with a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) approach. The statistical population consisted of 50 indigenous children familiar with the park, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using pictorial questionnaires, drawing analysis, semi-structured interviews, field observations, psychological analysis with the assistance of a child psychologist, and post-redesign evaluation questionnaires. Qualitative analysis revealed that children's mental images of an ideal park prioritise "play and physical activity," "nature and green spaces," and "social interaction," with emphasis on sensory elements, soft paving, and colorful play equipment. Post-redesign evaluation analysis adopting non-parametric tests indicated correlations among the variables following redesign. The results demonstrate that redesign efforts should focus on diversity in activities and play equipment, enhancement of sensory experiences, improvement of safety and security, and responsiveness to children's needs.
<strong>Extended Abstract</strong>
<strong>Introduction</strong>
Urban public spaces are fundamental in shaping human experiences, social relationships, and perceptions of the environment. Beyond their functional roles, these spaces serve as settings for memory formation, identity development, and the emergence of meaningful relationships between people and places. Consequently, the quality of urban environments significantly affects citizens’ well-being, satisfaction, and emotional connection to place. The concept of place attachment elucidates these human-environment relationships and has received considerable attention in environmental psychology, urban design, and planning studies. Place attachment encompasses the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral bonds individuals establish with specific environments, which develop through repeated experiences, personal meanings, and social interactions.
The development of place attachment is particularly significant during childhood. Early spatial experiences shape cognitive development, environmental awareness, social skills, and future attitudes toward public spaces. Children engage with their surroundings differently from adults. While adults often interpret urban environments based on functional organization, accessibility, and practical considerations, children primarily perceive places through sensory experiences, opportunities for play, visual stimulation, exploration, and social interaction. Therefore, the environmental characteristics that foster place attachment in children may differ substantially from those valued by adults.
Despite increasing recognition of children’s rights within urban planning discourse, many contemporary public spaces continue to be designed according to adult-centered priorities. Urban parks, plazas, and recreational areas often emphasize efficiency, aesthetic standards, and adult recreational needs, frequently overlooking children’s experiential and developmental requirements. Consequently, children are often regarded as passive users rather than active participants in the planning and design process. This exclusion restricts opportunities for meaningful interaction with public environments and may weaken children’s sense of belonging and attachment to place.
This issue is especially relevant for preschool children aged four to five years. According to developmental psychology, children in this age group are in the preoperational stage of cognitive development. During this stage, imagination, symbolic play, sensory exploration, imitation, and direct interaction with the physical environment are essential for learning and development. Their understanding of urban environments is shaped by tangible objects, visual qualities, memorable experiences, and opportunities for active engagement. Environments that facilitate exploration, creativity, movement, and social interaction are more likely to foster positive emotional experiences and stronger place attachment.
Previous studies on children’s perceptions of urban environments have concentrated mainly on school-aged children aged seven to twelve. Compared with preschool children, relatively little attention has been paid to them. Young children’s environmental preferences and spatial perceptions may differ significantly due to their developmental characteristics. As a result, the literature has a limited understanding of how younger children perceive urban public spaces. Moreover, there is limited understanding of the environmental attributes most effectively contribute to their sense of place attachment.
This study addresses the research gap by examining the mental images of children aged four to five years regarding Azadi Park in Shiraz, Iran. By integrating concepts of place attachment and mental imagery, the study aims to create a practical framework to inform child-centered urban design interventions. The research analyzes children’s perceptions, preferences, and environmental experiences. It seeks to identify the factors that help form place attachment. These findings will be translated into design strategies that respond better to children’s developmental and emotional needs.
This study is structured around three principal objectives.
The first objective is to identify the key components and indicators that shape place attachment among preschool children in urban public spaces.
Second, it aims to evaluate the existing condition of Azadi Park from the perspective of children’s mental images and environmental perceptions.
Third, it seeks to develop and assess a child-centered redesign proposal that strengthens children’s attachment to the park and improves the overall quality of their spatial experience.
In pursuing these objectives, the research attempts to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical urban design interventions. More specifically, it explores how children’s perceptions and mental representations of place can be translated into tangible design strategies that enhance emotional connections with urban environments.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Methodology</strong>
A mixed-methods, semi-experimental research design was employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. This methodology was selected due to the multidimensional nature of place attachment, which includes emotional, cognitive, social, behavioral, and physical dimensions. Relying on a single methodological approach would not adequately capture the complexity of children’s environmental experiences.
The research was conducted in Azadi Park, a prominent urban park in Shiraz. In the pre-redesign stage, the study population comprised children aged four to five years residing in Shiraz. Purposive sampling was used to select fifty children familiar with the park for participation.
Several complementary data collection techniques were utilized. Visual questionnaires were designed to facilitate communication with young children whose verbal abilities are still developing, enabling participants to express preferences through images rather than complex verbal explanations. Children’s drawings served as an additional tool to reveal mental representations of both existing and ideal park environments. Drawing-based methods are widely recognized as effective for exploring children’s environmental perceptions, as they allow for symbolic and non-verbal forms of expression.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the children and interpreted with the assistance of a child psychologist. These interviews yielded deeper insights into children’s emotions, preferences, concerns, and expectations regarding urban spaces. Field observations were also conducted to document the physical conditions of Azadi Park and to identify environmental characteristics influencing children’s experiences.
According to the analysis of qualitative findings, a redesign proposal was developed to reflect the children’s preferences and needs. The redesign incorporated principles derived from children’s mental images and addressed deficiencies identified during the evaluation of existing conditions.
A post-intervention evaluation was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the redesign. Data from municipal authorities regarding the number of child visitors to Azadi Park informed the calculation of an appropriate sample size using Cochran’s formula. Sixty-three children participated in the evaluation phase, including both those involved in the redesign process and those who used the park without prior participation.
A post-redesign questionnaire was administered to evaluate children’s satisfaction with the redesigned environment and to determine the extent to which the intervention enhanced place attachment.
<strong>Results and discussion</strong>
Analysis of children’s drawings and interviews identified several recurring themes that collectively influenced their mental representation of an ideal urban park.
Play and physical activity emerged as the most dominant theme. Children’s representations consistently highlighted playground equipment, opportunities for movement, colorful play structures, climbing facilities, and spaces for active exploration. These findings indicate that play serves not only as a form of recreation but also as a central mechanism through which children experience, comprehend, and develop emotional connections with places.
Nature and green space constituted the second major theme. Trees, flowers, grass, birds, and water features appeared frequently in children’s drawings and narratives. Natural elements functioned not only as decorative features but also as active components of a desirable environment. Their presence contributed to sensory stimulation, opportunities for exploration, comfort, and enjoyment.
Social interaction represented the third dominant theme. Children consistently emphasized the importance of spending time with friends, siblings, and parents. Shared experiences and opportunities for collective play were identified as essential characteristics of attractive environments. These findings suggest that place attachment among young children is closely associated with opportunities for meaningful social engagement.
The analysis also revealed several deficiencies in the current condition of Azadi Park. Children frequently reported insufficient play equipment, deteriorated facilities, inadequate maintenance, poor cleanliness, and substandard lighting. Many participants expressed a preference for more colorful, imaginative, and interactive environments. The lack of fantasy elements, opportunities for discovery, and child-friendly landmarks diminished the park’s appeal to young users.
Field observations corroborated these perceptions and identified a significant discrepancy between children’s preferences and the physical characteristics of the existing environment. Inadequate safety measures, worn-out play equipment, limited sensory engagement, and restricted opportunities for exploration diminished the park’s capacity to support positive childhood experiences.
Psychological interpretation of the drawings provided additional insights into children’s environmental priorities. Play elements were frequently depicted at larger scales and in central positions, indicating their symbolic significance. Bright colors, imaginative forms, and expansive open spaces reflected children’s preference for environments associated with freedom, creativity, and enjoyment.
Interview findings further demonstrated that emotional security plays a crucial role in shaping children’s spatial experiences. Children expressed a strong preference for places where parents could remain nearby while still allowing opportunities for independent exploration and play. The presence of family members and trusted companions contributed significantly to feelings of comfort and belonging.
Based on these findings, the redesign proposal prioritized enhancing safety, sensory richness, environmental legibility, social interaction, and play opportunities. Specific interventions included the installation of age-appropriate multifunctional play equipment, soft-surface materials, improved lighting systems, enhanced maintenance facilities, expanded green infrastructure, upgraded water features, and the incorporation of visually stimulating and imaginative design elements.
The redesign specifically addressed the elimination of underutilized and unsafe areas, transforming them into active spaces that support diverse forms of play and interaction. Additionally, the redesign aimed to enhance children’s ability to navigate and comprehend the environment through clearer spatial organization and the inclusion of child-friendly landmarks.
Post-redesign evaluation indicated substantial improvements in children’s satisfaction and environmental perceptions. Participants reported heightened enjoyment, an increased willingness to spend time in the park, stronger feelings of comfort and security, and more positive social experiences. The redesigned environment more closely aligned with children’s ideal mental representations and reinforced emotional bonds with the place.
These findings support the conclusion that child-centered design interventions can significantly enhance place attachment by directly addressing children’s developmental, psychological, and experiential needs.
<strong>Conclusion</strong>
The findings indicate that place attachment among preschool children stems from a combination of environmental, social, emotional, and sensory factors. Opportunities for play, interaction with nature, social engagement, visual appeal, emotional security, cleanliness, and safety are identified as the most influential dimensions shaping children’s perceptions of urban public spaces.
The research further demonstrates that children’s mental images provide valuable insights for urban planning and design. Understanding how children perceive and experience places enables designers to create environments that more effectively support developmental needs and foster stronger emotional connections with urban spaces.
The redesign of Azadi Park exemplifies the translation of children’s preferences into practical design strategies that enhance environmental quality and reinforce place attachment. Positive outcomes observed in the post-redesign evaluation indicate that child-centered approaches contribute to greater user satisfaction as well as to more inclusive and sustainable urban environments.
The study contributes to the literature by integrating the concepts of mental image and place attachment within a single analytical framework focused on preschool children. It
also provides practical guidance for urban designers, planners, and municipal authorities seeking to create public spaces that support children’s well-being and encourage meaningful engagement with the urban environment.
The proposed framework may serve as a model for future redesign projects in similar urban contexts, promoting cities that are more responsive to children’s needs and better able to foster lasting relationships between young citizens and the places they inhabit.
<strong>Funding</strong>
There is no financial support.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong>
Atefeh Rahimi: Compilation and review of sources, conducting theoretical and field studies, data collection and processing, initial analysis of findings, extracting the initial structure of the article from the master's thesis, and preparing the first draft of the article.
Sahand Lotfi: Conceptualization and research design, scientific supervision of the thesis and article, oversight of methodology and analysis process, revision and completion of scientific content, integration and organization of the article text, final editing, preparation of the final version, and responsibility for correspondence and submission of the article.
Mahsa Sholeh: Participation in developing the theoretical foundations and analytical framework of the research, scientific consultation in interpreting the findings, critical review of article versions, and effective contribution to revising and finalizing the scientific text.
Maryam Roosta: Participation in shaping and advancing research discussions, providing specialized consultation during the study process, participation in evaluating the results, and scientific review of the article..
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Conflict of Interest</strong>
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Acknowledgments</strong>
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.فضاهای شهری، بستری برای تعامل افراد با یکدیگر و با محیط هستند. این تعاملات با حس تعلق بهبود مییابند؛ حسی که افراد را به شناسایی محیط به عنوان بخشی از خود، حضور فعالانهتر و مسئولیتپذیری، وادار میکند. هدف این پژوهش، ارائه راهکارهایی برای افزایش حس تعلق کودکان ۴ تا ۵ ساله در پارک آزادی شیراز است تا خلأهای ناشی از بیتوجهی به این گروه سنی در طراحی شهری پر شود. پژوهش حاضر، نیمه تجربی و به روش توصیفی- تحلیلی با رویکرد ترکیبی (کیفی-کمی) نگاشته شده است. جامعه آماری ۵۰ کودک بومی و آشنا با پارک بودند و به روش هدفمند انتخاب شدند. دادهها با پرسشنامه تصویری، تحلیل نقاشی، مصاحبه نیمه ساختاریافته، مشاهدات میدانی، تحلیل روانشناختی به کمک روانشناس کودک و پرسشنامه ارزیابی پس از بازطراحی جمعآوری گردید. تحلیل کیفی نشان داد که در تصویر ذهنی کودکان از پارک ایدهآل، «بازی و تحرک»، «طبیعت و فضای سبز»، و «تعامل اجتماعی»، با تأکید بر عناصر حسی، کفسازی نرم و وسایل بازی رنگارنگ اولویت دارند. تحلیل ارزیابی پس از بازطراحی با آزمونهای ناپارامتریک، نشان داد که متغیرها با بازطراحی، همبستگی دارند. نتایج، نشان میدهد که بازطراحی باید بر تنوع فعالیتها و وسایل بازی، تقویت تجربه حسی، بهبود ایمنی و امنیت تمرکز کند و به نیازهای کودکان پاسخ دهد.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107304_c4dc82cb7f501a9d4ef6bc911dd46b51.pdfموسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260510Innovative Financing Approaches Leveraging Startup Potential in Urban Regeneration: A Functionalist Perspective and a Case Study of Birjandمدلها و روشهای نوآورانه تأمین مالی مبتنی بر پتانسیل کسبوکارهای نوپا در بازآفرینی شهری با تاکید بر مکتب کارکردگرایی: مطالعه موردی شهر بیرجند10311810763510.22059/jurbangeo.2026.410038.2153FAافسانهحسنی فورکگروه جغرافیا و برنامهریزی شهری، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایرانمحمداسکندری ثانیگروه جغرافیا و برنامهریزی شهری، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران0000-0003-3824-4871احسانزنگنهگروه جغرافیا و برنامهریزی شهری، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران0000-0003-3898-7448Journal Article20260125ABSTRACT
Urban regeneration in the medium-sized Iranian cities, including Birjand, faces multiple financial, institutional, and managerial challenges. Overreliance on governmental resources, the absence of innovative financing instruments, and weak inter-institutional coordination have posed significant barriers to the revitalization of underperforming urban areas. This study adopts a qualitative approach based on thematic analysis, utilizes thirteen in-depth interviews with experts in urban management, regeneration, financing, and startups. The objective is to investigate the potential of startups in enhancing financial flows and restoring disrupted urban functions. The findings indicate that startups can play a constructive role in urban regeneration in areas such as urban tourism, data-driven solutions, clean energy, service management, and digital technologies; however, the lack of supportive infrastructure, networking opportunities, seed capital, and incentive policies limits their capacity. Data analysis further suggests that financing models such as local crowdfunding, participatory budgeting, neighborhood-based funds, venture capital, and targeted public–private partnerships are highly adaptable to the context of Birjand. From a functionalistic perspective, sustainable regeneration can be achieved when innovative financial instruments, innovation ecosystems, and institutional coordination are strengthened simultaneously. This study proposes a theoretical framework and a practical model to transition Birjand’s regeneration process from a slow, project-based approach to a participatory, innovative, and function-oriented strategy.
<strong>Extended Abstract</strong>
<strong>Introduction</strong>
Cities, as primary centers of human development, are rapidly transforming, confronting both historical legacies and emerging economic, social, and environmental challenges. regeneration is a multidimensional, forward-looking approach aiming to simultaneously address economic, social, spatial, and environmental challenges by revitalizing underutilized assets, redistributing opportunities, and improving urban functionality and citizens’ quality of life. However, its complex and long-term nature can lead to risks such as privatization of public spaces, spatial inequalities, and weakening of local identity; hence, protecting cultural heritage and residents’ interests remains critical. One major barrier to effective urban regeneration is the lack of sustainable financing and standardized mechanisms. Traditional approaches, relying solely on public budgets, cannot meet the complexity and needs of contemporary regeneration projects. Therefore, innovative financing mechanisms—such as blended finance, public–private partnerships (PPP), urban sukuk, and intermediary mechanisms—are increasingly emphasized (Burnham, 2022). In Iran, particularly in the medium-sized cities such as Birjand, deteriorating urban fabric, informal settlements, limited municipal funds, and weak institutional frameworks challenge urban regeneration (Naseri et al., 2020). Startups, with advanced technologies, participatory models, digital platforms, and innovative financing tools such as crowdfunding and venture capital, can enhance urban financial flows and reduce dependence on traditional resources (Thompson et al., 2022; Doğaner et al., 2017). This study employs functionalism as its theoretical framework. Functionalism views the city as an interconnected system in which each subsystem performs specific functions to maintain the stability and efficiency of the whole. Financial mechanisms are not merely economic tools but part of the city’s institutional function, where dysfunction can disrupt other urban functions. The primary research question is: <em>How can the potential of startups be leveraged in designing and implementing innovative urban regeneration financing mechanisms in Birjand?</em> The novelty lies in integrating functionalist theory with the role of startups in financing urban regeneration and providing a localized model for medium-sized cities in Iran.
<strong>Methodology</strong>
This research employs a qualitative, applied, and descriptive-analytical approach, combining literature review and semi-structured expert interviews. The methodology consists of two stages: Data collection: Thirteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from municipal management, urban regeneration, startup ecosystems, finance, and cultural heritage. Interview questions aligned with research objectives to explore experiences, insights, and proposed financing solutions.
Data analysis:
Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis via MAXQDA software. The analysis followed a six-phase process: familiarization with data, initial coding, theme searching, theme review, theme definition and naming, and report generation. Codes were organized into 12 main categories reflecting financial, institutional, and startup-related dimensions.
Research population: thirteen experts, including municipal finance managers, urban regeneration directors, startup mentors, and cultural heritage specialists.
<br /><strong>Results and Discussion</strong>
3.1 Financial Challenges and Dysfunction
Findings indicate that Birjand’s urban regeneration is heavily reliant on unstable public budgets, delayed allocations, insufficient private investments, and limited application of modern financing instruments such as municipal bonds and participatory funds. From a functionalistic perspective, these issues reflect dysfunction in the economic-financial subsystem, disrupting the overall urban system. Similar international studies confirm that diversified and participatory financing enhances urban regeneration effectiveness.
3.2 Role and Potential of Startups
While the startup ecosystem in Birjand is steadily emerging, it has yet to reach full operational maturity. They possess potential in urban mapping, smart application, clean energy, data management, local marketing, and cultural tourism. Functionalist theory frames these startups as emergent system components, capable of restoring disrupted city functions—employment creation, digital services, energy efficiency, and social engagement. However, limited institutional support, lack of incubation spaces, inadequate networking, and minimal seed funding hinder their impact.
3.3 Institutional Coordination
The research shows fragmented and insufficient coordination among key actors: municipal authorities, urban regeneration agencies, universities, technology parks, private sector, and local organizations. Such a poor institutional network represents dysfunction in the institutional-managerial subsystem, resulting in project delays, overlapping responsibilities, resource wastage, and reduced public trust. Strengthening cross-institutional governance and unequivocal role definitions are critical for successful regeneration.
3.4 Policy Incentives and Regulatory Environment: There is a lack of tailored policies and legal frameworks to support startups and innovative financing. The systematic exclusion of small-scale credit lines, participatory budgeting structures, and transparent evaluation mechanisms constrains urban regeneration efforts. Functionalist analysis identifies this as dysfunction in the regulatory-adjustment function, which should be restored to facilitate entry of innovation and micro-investments into urban regeneration projects.
3.5 Innovative Financing Models: Startups can be effectively integrated into blended financing frameworks, including:
Local crowdfunding for neighborhood-level projects, participatory budgeting combined with venture capital, Public–private partnerships with conditional risk-sharing, Digital platforms for project matching, mentorship, and investment transparency Blockchain-based sukuk or performance-based bonds for secure funding and accountability. These models allow financial flows to align with functional objectives of the city, restoring economic and social subsystems while enabling sustainable regeneration.
3.6 Summary of Functionalist Implications
The research demonstrates that sustainable urban regeneration in Birjand requires:
Restoration of economic-financial functions via innovative instruments, activation of innovation functions through support for startups, redesign of institutional-managerial functions via multi-actor governance. When these three axes operate concurrently, urban regeneration can transition from a slow, project-based process to a dynamic, participatory, and innovative system.
<strong>Conclusion</strong>
Birjand’s urban regeneration is currently hindered by financial instability, institutional fragmentation, and insufficient utilization of startup potential. By employing a functionalistic perspective, this study identifies system-level dysfunctions and proposes a model integrating innovative financing, startup engagement, and institutional coordination.
Key conclusions include:
Financial subsystem: Adoption of blended financing mechanisms, including local crowdfunding, participatory budgeting, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and digital platforms, is critical.
Innovation subsystem: Startups should be positioned as key drivers for restoring economic and social functions, supported through mentorship, incubators, and seed funding.
Institutional subsystem: Effective cross-sector coordination and transparent governance mechanisms are essential for aligning actors toward regeneration goals.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Funding</strong>
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The study was carried out using institutional support and resources available at the University of Birjand.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Authors’ Contribution </strong>
Conceptualization: Dr. Mohammad Eskandarisani developed the research idea, theoretical framework, and overall study design.
Methodology: Afsaneh Hasani Fork and Dr. Eskandarisani designed the qualitative methodology, including the interview protocol and thematic analysis approach.
<br /><br />
<strong>Conflict of Interest </strong>
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this research. All opinions and interpretations presented in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the affiliated institutions.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Acknowledgments</strong>
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the experts and officials from Birjand Municipality, the Housing and Urban Renewal Organization of South Khorasan, and the Birjand Science and Technology Park who participated in the interviews. Their insights and experiences were invaluable to the development of this study. Special thanks are also extended to the University of Birjand for providing institutional support and research facilities that made this study possible.بازآفرینی شهری در شهرهای متوسط ایران، از جمله بیرجند، با چالشهای جدی مالی، نهادی و مدیریتی مواجه است؛ بهگونهای که اتکای بیش از حد به منابع دولتی، فقدان ابزارهای نوین تأمین مالی و ضعف هماهنگی نهادی، مانعی اساسی در مسیر احیای بافتهای ناکارآمد ایجاد کرده است. این پژوهش با رویکردی کیفی و مبتنی بر تحلیل تماتیک، و از طریق انجام ۱۳ مصاحبه عمیق با خبرگان حوزههای مدیریت شهری، بازآفرینی، تأمین مالی و کسبوکارهای نوپا، به بررسی ظرفیت استارتآپها در تقویت جریانهای مالی و بازکارکردیسازی فضاهای شهری میپردازد. یافتهها نشان میدهد که کسبوکارهای نوپا در حوزههایی همچون گردشگری شهری، راهکارهای دادهمحور، انرژیهای پاک، مدیریت خدمات و فناوریهای دیجیتال، ظرفیت بالایی برای ایفای نقش در فرآیند بازآفرینی دارند؛ با این حال، ضعف زیرساختهای حمایتی، نبود شبکهسازی مؤثر، کمبود سرمایه بذری و فقدان سیاستهای تشویقی، بهرهبرداری از این ظرفیتها را محدود کرده است. همچنین نتایج حاکی از آن است که مدلهایی نظیر کرادفاندینگ محلی، بودجهریزی مشارکتی، صندوقهای محلهمحور، سرمایهگذاری خطرپذیر و مشارکت عمومی–خصوصی هدفمند، از سازگاری بالایی با شرایط نهادی و اقتصادی شهر بیرجند برخوردارند. بر مبنای رویکرد کارکردگرایی، پایداری بازآفرینی شهری مستلزم تقویت همزمان ابزارهای نوین مالی، زیستبوم نوآوری و هماهنگی نهادی است. این پژوهش با ارائه یک چارچوب نظری و مدلهای پیشنهادی، زمینه گذار بازآفرینی شهری بیرجند از رویکردی کند و پروژهمحور به فرآیندی مشارکتی، نوآورانه و کارکردمحور را فراهم میسازد.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107635_7326c2b3b1a8e8e8485853dc7a1f2c0b.pdfموسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260511Habitation in the Historical District of Kerman between Continuity and Changeسکونت در بافت تاریخی کرمان در تقاطع تداوم و تغییر11913310763610.22059/jurbangeo.2026.401431.2099FAنعیمهرضائیگروه برنامهریزی شهری، دانشکده شهرسازی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران0000-0003-0819-755Xشهریاررضائیگروه مرمت بناها و بافتهای تاریخی، دانشکده حفاظت و مرمت، دانشگاه هنر ایران، تهران، ایران0009-0003-3625-0538شیماخدابنده لوگروه شهرسازی، دانشکده معماری و هنر، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران0009-0009-0005-634Xمحمدحسینایران پناهگروه مرمت و احیای بناهای تاریخی، دانشکده هنر و معماری صبا، دانشگاه شهید باهنر کرمان، کرمان، ایران0009-0004-6755-7900نجمهتاج الدینگروه مرمت بناها و بافتهای تاریخی، دانشکده حفاظت و مرمت، دانشگاه هنر اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران0009-0001-3475-2601Journal Article20251227ABSTRACT<br />This article examines the condition of habitation in the historical district of Kerman, focusing on the relationship between “continuity” and “change” through the conceptual framework of “residential strategies.” The study aims to explain how patterns of habitation are formed and reproduced in this area within the context of broader urban transformations. Therefore, the study addresses two key questions: How does the historical district of Kerman position itself between continuity and change? And how do residents, through their residential strategies, contribute to the reproduction of continuity or the production of change in this context? The research adopts a qualitative approach, gathering data through semi-structured interviews, field observations, photography, and note-taking. The findings demonstrate that continuity and change in historical urban fabrics are not necessarily in opposition; rather, they occur simultaneously and in dynamic interaction. The results further indicate that households’ residential choices are shaped by a combination of preferences, attachments, constraints, and resources - both financial and non-financial. Accordingly, habitation in Kerman’s historical district encompasses a spectrum ranging from conscious, voluntary choice to constrained or necessity-driven settlement. Within this spectrum, certain residential strategies contribute to sustaining the residential function, reproducing social relations, and preserving neighborhood identity, while others lead to demographic, physical, and functional transformations. Drawing on the case of Kerman, the study argues that habitation extends beyond merely having a dwelling; rather, residential choice constitutes a simultaneous decision regarding both the living environment and the type of housing.<br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><br /><strong>Introduction</strong><br />Since the mid-twentieth century, numerous cities around the world have experienced a decline in their historic urban centers following the expansion of new urban areas and the relocation of populations to these newly developed zones. However, from the 1970s onward, a reverse trend began to emerge; Many historic centers, after a period of decline, regained their value, underwent processes of revitalization, and attracted new populations. These processes of decline and revitalization are not limited to developed countries; they are also evident in developing contexts. In Iran, over the past half century, the historic cores of various cities have undergone deterioration and have lost a significant portion of their residents and urban functions.<br />Despite these transformations, one of the most important yet understudied issues is “habitation” in historic urban centers. Although a growing body of research has examined historical urban areas in Iran, relatively little attention has been paid to their residential function and the dynamics of habitation. Addressing this gap, this article examines habitation in the historic district of Kerman, a city in southern Iran that exemplifies significant urban transformations. In recent decades, Kerman has undergone substantial horizontal expansion, accompanied by the development of new residential areas around its historic core. This process has led to considerable population relocation. At the same time, the expansion of commercial activities around the traditional bazaar and their gradual penetration—particularly through uses such as warehouses—into residential neighborhoods have altered both the functional and spatial structure of these neighborhoods.<br />In this context, a set of interrelated questions emerged that shaped the direction of this research and informed its analytical approach: To what extent have the neighborhoods within Kerman’s historic district maintained their authenticity, dignity, and residential function? And to what extent have they endured transformation? To address these primary questions, this study employs the concepts of “continuity” and “change” as analytical lenses for understanding the ongoing processes shaping these neighborhoods. The main objective is to investigate how historic neighborhoods persist while facing multiple pressures of transformation. Accordingly, the study seeks to answer two main questions: How do Kerman’s historic neighborhoods evolve through the interplay of continuity and change? How do residents, through their residential strategies, contribute to shaping continuity or change in the historic neighborhoods? To answer these questions, habitation in the historic district is conceptualized as part of households’ “residential pathways,” in which decisions and choices are formed through the interaction between constraints and opportunities. Through the concept of residential strategies, this study aims to demonstrate how continuity and change in the residential function of these neighborhoods are shaped through residents’ lived experiences and decision-making within the broader context of urban growth.<br />This article argues that residential dynamics in historic neighborhoods cannot be understood solely as the outcome of macro-level urban forces. Rather, they emerge from the continuous interaction between these forces and the practices, experiences, and decisions of residents.<br />The contribution of this study can be articulated at three levels. First, from an empirical perspective, it provides field-based evidence from an Iranian city, offering a detailed account of how residential functions in historic centers are maintained or transformed. Second, from a conceptual perspective, by emphasizing the simultaneity and intertwinement of “continuity” and “change,” it moves beyond linear narratives of decline or revitalization. Third, from an analytical perspective, by focusing on residential strategies, it foregrounds the role of residents as active agents in shaping, reproducing, or transforming habitation in historic neighborhoods.<br /> <br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />This study adopts a qualitative, interpretive approach aimed at understanding habitation in the historic district of Kerman, through residents’ lived experiences and their housing-related decisions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field observations, note-taking, and photography. In total, 48 interviews were conducted with residents. The interviews were carried out between November and December 2024, using purposive sampling. Participants were selected based on criteria such as residence in the study area, willingness to participate, and the ability to provide relevant insights. Efforts were also made to ensure relative diversity among participants in terms of gender, age, ownership status, and type of residence. Interviews were conducted in a variety of settings, including alleys, mosques, and participants’ homes. The interview questions addressed themes such as duration of residence, reasons for choosing the current dwelling, neighborhood relations, perceptions of the neighborhood, and future residential plans. All interviews were conducted with participants’ consent, recorded, and fully transcribed. Data were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis.<br />Several supplementary strategies were implemented to enhance the analytical rigor of the study. Primarily, coding and theme development were conducted independently by all members of the research team, after which the results were compared. A high degree of similarity—estimated at over 90%—was observed among the codes and themes generated by different team members, with differences mainly related to variations in labeling or conceptual formulation. Following this initial stage of independent analysis, discussions and exchanges among the research team played a crucial role in refining the themes and reducing individual bias. Next, member checking was used to validate the interpretations. Due to the inability to access all participants, this process was conducted with only five participants with whom follow-up communication was possible. Lastly, triangulation was achieved by integrating multiple sources of data, including interviews, field observations, notes, and photographs. This triangulation contributed to strengthening the credibility of the findings.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion</strong><br />The findings indicate that habitation in the historic district of Kerman is shaped by a complex interaction between structural conditions and residents’ actions, which is manifested through diverse residential strategies. One of the most imperative dimensions of continuity is the presence of long-standing residents and the persistence of family-based residence in these neighborhoods. Many of these residents live in inherited houses and express a strong desire to remain in place, rooted in their sense of belonging, long-standing social relations, and familiarity with the environment. This sense of belonging operates not only individually but also collectively. Interestingly, religious spaces, such as mosques, play a significant role in reinforcing social ties and sustaining neighborhood cohesion.<br />Despite the presence of a significant proportion of long-standing residents in these neighborhoods as an indicator of continuity, different forms of change are also evident. Many residents have intervened in their homes in response to evolving needs, including demolishing older structures and replacing them with multi-story buildings, adding new rooms alongside existing spaces, or undertaking incremental renovations. These practices suggest that continuity does not imply stasis; rather, it often involves adaptive transformations that enable residents to remain in the neighborhood.<br />In addition, the outmigration of an important part of long-standing residents represents a major dimension of change. Especially, younger residents tend to be less inclined to remain in these neighborhoods due to the lack of recreational amenities, shifting lifestyles, and aspirations toward more modern living environments. The departure of long-established families has created opportunities for the arrival of new residents. However, the attachment of these newcomers to the neighborhood is generally weaker, and in many cases, residential choice is shaped more by economic considerations than by social or cultural ties. Specifically, the departure of long-standing residents has facilitated the settlement of immigrant populations, particularly Afghan migrants. These groups often reside old houses that have been rented out by owners unwilling to continue living in them. The growing presence of immigrants has contributed to changes in the demographic composition and social structure of Kerman’s historic neighborhoods.<br />These transformations have also generated contradictory perceptions among long-standing residents. Some express concern that the increasing presence of newcomers, including both migrants and residents from other parts of the city, has affected the perceived authenticity of the neighborhood. Others point specifically to Afghan migrant households, noting issues such as large family size and limited attachment to place as factors contributing to inadequate maintenance of buildings. This, in turn, has accelerated the deterioration of houses, many of which possess significant historical and architectural value.<br />Regarding the physical dimension, the findings reveal extensive transformations in the spatial structure of these neighborhoods. Interventions such as new streets construction have disrupted the traditional spatial organization and contributed to the fragmentation of the urban fabric. A noteworthy consequence of these changes is the erosion of both physical and perceived neighborhood boundaries. Today, residents often hold diverse understandings of neighborhood limits and may even refer to the same area by different names.<br />Alongside street construction and widening, substantial changes have also occurred at the level of buildings. A considerable number of older houses have been demolished and replaced by new constructions, in some cases with multiple stories. Although in recent years new regulations have been introduced to control construction within the historical zone—typically limiting building heights to one or two stories—earlier allowed the construction of four- or five-story buildings.<br />Other processes, such as the increase in vacant land as a result of demolition of dilapidated buildings, the conversion of houses into warehouses, and the decline of residential use in certain areas, further illustrate ongoing functional transformations.<br />Overall, the findings suggest that habitation in Kerman’s historic district is characterized by a precarious equilibrium between continuity and change. More broadly, these findings demonstrate that while structural factors—such as housing markets and urban policies—clearly shape the conditions of habitation, they do not operate in a deterministic manner. Rather, residents actively interpret, negotiate, and respond to these conditions through their residential strategies. This highlights the importance of viewing habitation as a socially embedded and processual phenomenon, closely linked to households’ residential pathways. In this sense, the coexistence of continuity and change is a persistent condition produced through the interaction between structural constraints and residents’ practices.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />This study, by concentration on the historic district of Kerman, examined the processes of “continuity” and “change” in relation to habitation, through the concept of “residential strategies.” The findings demonstrate that continuity and change do not operate as opposing states; rather, they unfold as intertwined and simultaneous processes. What occurs in the historic context of Kerman is therefore neither a simple continuation of the past nor a complete rupture from it, but an ongoing reconfiguration of social relations, patterns of habitation, and spatial structures in response to changing conditions.<br />At a theoretical level, the study suggests that habitation should be understood as part of households’ residential pathways, in which decisions, constraints, and future aspirations are formed in an interconnected and evolving manner. The findings show that the historic district of Kerman occupies different positions within these pathways for different groups: for some, it represents a site for the continuation of family life and the reproduction of social relations; for others, it functions as a temporary stage during a transitional period, in which residents reside in the area while seeking better housing opportunities; and for another group, it serves as a constrained choice shaped primarily by economic constraints. Accordingly, residents’ housing strategies can be conceptualized along an analytical spectrum, ranging from continuity-oriented to change-oriented practices.<br />In Kerman, development policies—such as street widening and new construction—have played a major role in transforming the historic fabric of the city, often contributing to the demolition of older buildings and the reconfiguration of neighborhood structures. At the same time, conservation policies have sought to preserve historical values, though often with restricted attention to social and residential dynamics and the needs of contemporary life. Recognizing habitation as a socio-spatial and processual phenomenon highlights the need for integrated policies that address development pressures alongside conservation goals while engaging with the social and experiential dimensions of habitation. Such an approach can better support the continuity of residential function and social life while guiding change in ways that sustain the historical and spatial qualities of historic urban contexts.<br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Funding<br /></strong>This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or<br />not-for-profit sectors.<br /><br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution<br /></strong>All authors contributed equally to the preparation of this manuscript.<br /><br /><strong>Conflict of Interest<br /></strong>The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.<br /><br /><strong>Acknowledgment<br /></strong>The authors would like to thank the editor and anonymous reviewers for their valuable<br />comments and constructive remarks.این مقاله به بررسی وضعیت سکونت در محدوده تاریخی کرمان با تمرکز بر نسبت میان «تداوم» و «تغییر» و با بهرهگیری از چارچوب مفهومی «استراتژیهای سکونتی» میپردازد. هدف پژوهش، تبیین چگونگی شکلگیری و بازتولید الگوهای سکونت در این محدوده در بستر تحولات شهری است. در این راستا، دو پرسش اساسی دنبال میشود: محدوده تاریخی کرمان چگونه در وضعیت میان تداوم و تغییر قرار میگیرد، و ساکنان چگونه از طریق استراتژیهای سکونتی خود به بازتولید تداوم یا شکلدهی به تغییر در این محدوده کمک میکنند؟ این پژوهش با رویکرد کیفی انجام شده است و دادهها از طریق مصاحبههای نیمهساختاریافته، مشاهده میدانی، عکاسی و یادداشتبرداری گردآوری شدهاند. این پژوهش نشان میدهد که تداوم و تغییر در بافتهای تاریخی نه لزوما در تقابل، بلکه بهصورت همزمان و در تعامل با یکدیگر رخ میدهند. نتایج پژوهش حاکی از این است که انتخاب محل سکونت توسط خانوادهها مبتنی بر ترجیحات، تعلقات، محدودیتها و منابع (اعم از مالی و غیر مالی) آنهاست و بر همین اساس، سکونت در محدوده تاریخی کرمان طیفی از انتخاب آگاهانه تا سکونت اجباری را دربرمیگیرد. در این میان، برخی از استراتژیهای سکونتی به تداوم نقش سکونتی، بازتولید روابط اجتماعی و حفظ هویت محله منجر شدهاند، در حالیکه برخی دیگر، تغییرات جمعیتی، کالبدی و عملکردی را در پی داشتهاند. ما از طریق نمونه کرمان استدلال می کنیم که «سکونت» امری فراتر از «خانه داشتن» است و انتخاب سکونتی یک تصمیم همزمان درباره محیط سکونت و نوع مسکن است.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107636_f275851afeb57fbc428a57a5e9fbe1dd.pdfموسسه جغرافیاپژوهشهای جغرافیای برنامهریزی شهری2383-145614120260511SReview and Optimization of the Best Land-use Arrangement from an Urban Transportation Perspective Using Metaheuristic Algorithms in a Traffic Simulation Model (Study Area: Central Area of Tabriz Cityبررسی و ایجاد بهترین چینش کاربری اراضی از دید حملونقل شهری با استفاده از الگوریتم فرا ابتکاری در شبیهساز ترافیکی در منطقه مرکزی شهر تبریز)13515410763710.22059/jurbangeo.2025.394085.2059FAابوالفضلقنبریگروه سنجش از دور و سیستم اطلاعات جغرافیایی، دانشکده برنامه ریزی و علوم محیطی، دانشگاه تبریز، تبریز، ایران0000-0001-6225-0433ابوالفضلنامنیگروه ژئومورفولوژی و آب و هواشناسی، دانشکده جغرافیا و علوم محیطی، دانشگاه حکیم سبزواری، سبزوار، ایران0009-0004-6809-3554Journal Article20251227ABSTRACT
The continuous increase in intra-urban travel demand and the concentration of commercial, service, and administrative activities has intensified traffic congestion in city centers, reduced road network efficiency, and exacerbated environmental impacts. Under such conditions, revising land-use allocation patterns and employing advanced optimization techniques can play a crucial role in improving urban transportation system performance. This study aims to develop an optimized model for reducing traffic congestion through land-use management in the central district of Tabriz, Iran. This area is characterized by high population density, a strong concentration of commercial and administrative functions, and a strategic position within the city’s spatial structure, making it one of the most critical traffic hotspots in Tabriz. In this research, the VISSIM microsimulation platform was used to model and evaluate urban transportation network performance under different land-use scenarios. In addition, metaheuristic algorithms, including Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), were applied to identify optimal land-use allocation and spatial configuration patterns. The evaluation of the results was conducted utilizing key performance indicators such as travel time, delay, and the level of service (LOS) of road segments. The findings indicate that the proposed model significantly improves transportation network performance and reduces traffic congestion compared to the existing situation. Moreover, the employed algorithms demonstrated strong convergence capability and stability, providing efficient and reliable solutions. Overall, the results suggest that integrating spatial data, traffic microsimulation, and optimization algorithms can provide an effective framework for integrated land-use and transportation management and support the achievement of sustainable urban development goals.
<strong>Extended Abstract</strong>
<strong>Introduction</strong>
Rapid urbanization and continuous population growth in cities over recent decades have created increasingly complex challenges for urban planners, particularly in the fields of land-use allocation and transportation system management. These challenges are especially pronounced in developing countries, where unplanned urban expansion, poor infrastructure coordination, and rapid motorization have resulted in severe traffic congestion, longer travel times, environmental degradation, and declining urban livability (Norouzi, 2022). Consequently, the integration of land-use planning and transportation systems has become a critical requirement for achieving sustainable urban development (Verma et al., 2016).
Land is one of the most fundamental components of urban systems, playing a decisive role in shaping ecological balance, economic productivity, and social interactions (Koko et al., 2023). However, accelerated urban expansion and uncontrolled spatial development have significantly reduced available land resources and intensified competition among different land uses (Phan et al., 2020; Long, 2022; Besser & Hamed, 2021). According to global projections, approximately 68% of the world’s population will reside in urban areas by 2050 (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2019), which will further intensify pressure on urban infrastructure and transportation systems.
These demographic and spatial transformations have led to substantial changes in land use/land cover (LULC) patterns, making it essential to continuously monitor, model, and predict these dynamics employing advanced analytical tools (Xu et al., 2022; Munthali et al., 2020). In this regard, modern geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing have provided unprecedented capabilities for analyzing spatial patterns and guiding urban development strategies. Furthermore, emerging mobility datasets derived from digital platforms such as SafeGraph and CARTO enable researchers to capture real-world travel behavior and integrate it into urban modeling frameworks.
In parallel with data-driven approaches, optimization techniques have gained increasing attention in urban studies. These methods allow researchers to identify efficient land-use spatial configurations that minimize negative transportation outcomes while improving accessibility and network performance (Coello & Montes, 2002). Among these techniques, metaheuristic algorithms inspired by biological, physical, and evolutionary processes have proven highly effective in solving complex, nonlinear, and high-dimensional urban optimization problems (Mirjalili et al., 2014).
Metaheuristic approaches such as Genetic Algorithms (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Ant Colony Optimization, and other swarm intelligence methods are widely used in urban planning due to their flexibility and robustness in exploring large solution spaces (Mehrabian & Lucas, 2006). These algorithms are particularly useful for land-use optimization problems, where multiple conflicting objectives such as minimizing congestion, reducing travel distance, and improving service accessibility should be simultaneously addressed.
In this study, a hybrid optimization framework is developed to optimize land-use distribution in the central district of Tabriz, Iran. The model integrates spatial land-use data with microscopic traffic simulation outputs to evaluate the impact of different land-use configurations on urban transportation performance. The primary objective is to identify an optimal or near-optimal spatial arrangement of land uses that minimizes traffic congestion and improves overall network efficiency.
The proposed framework is designed to capture the bidirectional relationship between land-use patterns and transportation flows. While land use influences travel demand, transportation accessibility also shapes land-use development patterns. Therefore, an integrated modeling approach is necessary to accurately represent urban dynamics. The results aim to contribute to sustainable urban planning policies and provide decision-makers with a robust analytical tool for managing urban growth.
<strong>Methodology</strong>
This research is classified as applied research in terms of purpose and is based on computational modeling, simulation, and optimization techniques. The study adopts a quantitative and descriptive approach that integrates spatial data analysis, traffic simulation, and metaheuristic optimization techniques.
<strong>Study Area and Data Collection</strong>
The study focuses on Tabriz’s District 8, which represents one of the most congested and strategically significant urban areas due to its concentration of commercial, administrative, and historical land uses. The area is characterized by high population density and intense traffic demand.
Spatial datasets used in this study include land-use maps obtained from the Municipality of Tabriz and road network data extracted from OpenStreetMap (OSM). These datasets were processed and integrated into a GIS environment for further analysis and modeling.
<strong>Traffic Simulation Model</strong>
The VISSIM microscopic traffic simulation software was employed to evaluate transportation performance under different land-use scenarios. Microscopic simulation allows detailed modeling of individual vehicle behavior, including acceleration, lane-changing, car-following, and route-choice decisions.
The simulation model incorporates three levels of traffic representation: macroscopic, mesoscopic, and microscopic. Among these, microscopic simulation is selected due to its high accuracy in representing real-world traffic dynamics.
Vehicles are categorized into private and public transportation types, including taxis, buses, and emergency vehicles. Additionally, traffic demand is classified into high, medium, and low intensity groups. Peak-hour traffic conditions (morning and evening peaks) are also incorporated to ensure realistic modeling.
The performance of the transportation system is evaluated utilizing two key indicators: Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Vehicle Hours Traveled (VHT). These indicators provide quantitative measures of travel efficiency and system performance (Hillier, 1996).
<strong>Optimization Framework</strong>
In this study, two metaheuristic algorithms—Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)—are employed to optimize land-use allocation. The optimization problem is formulated as a multi-objective system with the following purposes:
minimizing traffic congestion,
reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT),
improving the level of service (LOS),
Optimizing the spatial distribution of trips,
In the GA framework, the urban land-use structure is encoded as chromosomes, where each gene represents a land-use parcel. An initial population is generated randomly, and each individual is evaluated using the traffic simulation model.
The fitness function is defined based on VMT and VHT values obtained from simulation outputs. The best-performing individuals are selected as parents, and genetic operators such as crossover and mutation are applied to generate new solutions. The evolutionary process continues until convergence criteria are satisfied.
<strong>Stopping Criteria</strong>
The algorithm terminates when stability in the objective function is observed. Specifically, after 100 iterations, the objective function values from the final 25 iterations are compared to assess stability. If no significant improvement is detected, the algorithm is stopped and the best solution is selected as the final output.
<strong>Results and Discussion</strong>
The simulation results indicate that the proposed optimization model significantly improves urban transportation performance in the study area. The integration of land-use data with microscopic traffic simulation enables a detailed analysis of spatial and temporal traffic patterns.
The optimized land-use configuration leads to a noticeable reduction in travel distances and traffic congestion levels. The results indicate that residential, commercial, and industrial land uses play the most influential role in shaping traffic demand patterns, with commercial land uses generating the highest level of trip attraction.
The GA-based optimization process demonstrates strong convergence behavior, improving system performance from approximately 35% in the initial state to around 85% in the optimized state. This indicates the robustness and efficiency of the proposed model in handling complex spatial optimization problems.
In early iterations, significant modifications are observed in land-use allocation, reflecting the exploratory nature of the algorithm. However, in later iterations, the system gradually stabilizes, indicating convergence toward an optimal or near-optimal solution. Residential and commercial land uses exhibit the highest frequency of relocation, confirming their strong influence on traffic generation.
A comparison with previous studies (e.g., Litman, 2011; Zegras, 2004) confirms that spatial land-use configuration has a significant impact on travel behavior and transportation efficiency. Similar to findings reported by Nasiri et al. (2019) and Scott & Rajabifard (2017), the results demonstrate that integrated land-use transportation models can substantially improve urban system performance.
Unlike many previous studies that rely on macro-level modeling approaches, this research employs microscopic traffic simulation, which provides higher accuracy and more realistic behavioral representation. Furthermore, the combined use of GA and PSO improves convergence speed and solution quality compared to single-algorithm approaches.
<strong>Conclusion</strong>
This study demonstrates that metaheuristic optimization techniques, particularly Genetic Algorithms and Particle Swarm Optimization, can significantly enhance urban land-use planning and transportation efficiency. The proposed model successfully reduces travel distances and improves traffic flow performance in the central district of Tabriz.
The results confirm that spatial reconfiguration of land-use patterns can lead to substantial improvements in transportation system efficiency. The optimization process achieved a performance improvement from approximately 35% to 85%, demonstrating strong convergence and model effectiveness.
However, the effectiveness of the model is influenced by the quality of input data and existing urban infrastructure conditions. In developing cities such as Tabriz, non-standardized infrastructure may limit the full realization of optimal land-use configurations. Despite these limitations, the proposed model remains robust and adaptable to different urban contexts.
Future research should focus on integrating machine learning techniques with metaheuristic optimization methods to enhance predictive accuracy and model adaptability. Additionally, incorporating socio-economic variables and long-term temporal dynamics could further improve the robustness of urban planning models.
Overall, the findings provide a comprehensive framework for integrating land-use planning and transportation modeling, contributing to sustainable urban development and improved decision-making processes.
<strong>Funding</strong>
There is no funding support.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Authors’ Contribution </strong>
The authors contributed to this manuscript in clearly defined and distinct roles. The first author was responsible for research design, data collection, data analysis, and drafting the initial version of the manuscript. The second author contributed to strengthening the theoretical framework, interpreting the results, conducting the scientific review, and performing the final editing of the manuscript.
<strong> </strong>
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Conflict of Interest </strong>
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Acknowledgments</strong>
The authors state that no financial support was received from any individual or organization for conducting this research.
<strong> </strong>افزایش مستمر سفرهای درونشهری و تمرکز فعالیتهای تجاری، خدماتی و اداری در هستههای مرکزی شهرها، موجب تشدید تراکم ترافیک، کاهش کارایی شبکه معابر و افزایش پیامدهای زیستمحیطی شده است. در چنین شرایطی، بازنگری در الگوی استقرار کاربری اراضی و بهرهگیری از روشهای نوین بهینهسازی میتواند نقش مؤثری در بهبود عملکرد سیستم حملونقل شهری ایفا کند. پژوهش حاضر با هدف ارائه یک مدل بهینه برای کاهش تراکم ترافیک از طریق ساماندهی کاربری اراضی، در منطقه مرکزی شهر تبریز انجام شده است. این محدوده به دلیل تراکم بالای جمعیت، تمرکز مراکز تجاری و اداری و جایگاه راهبردی خود در ساختار فضایی شهر، از مهمترین کانونهای ترافیکی تبریز محسوب میشود. در این تحقیق، بهمنظور شبیهسازی و ارزیابی عملکرد شبکه حملونقل، از نرمافزار VISSIM استفاده شد و سناریوهای مختلف مدیریت و توزیع کاربری اراضی مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. همچنین، الگوریتمهای فراابتکاری ژنتیک (GA) و بهینهسازی ازدحام ذرات (PSO) برای یافتن بهترین الگوی تخصیص و استقرار کاربریها به کار گرفته شدند. ارزیابی نتایج بر اساس شاخصهایی نظیر زمان سفر، میزان تأخیر و سطح سرویس معابر انجام شد. یافتهها نشان داد که مدل پیشنهادی در مقایسه با وضعیت موجود، موجب بهبود معنادار عملکرد شبکه حملونقل و کاهش تراکم ترافیکی شده است. علاوه بر این، الگوریتمهای بهکاررفته از توان همگرایی و پایداری مناسبی برخوردار بوده و راهحلهای کارآمدی ارائه دادهاند. نتایج پژوهش بیانگر آن است که تلفیق دادههای مکانی، شبیهسازی ترافیکی و الگوریتمهای بهینهسازی میتواند چارچوبی مؤثر برای مدیریت یکپارچه کاربری زمین و حملونقل و تحقق اهداف توسعه پایدار شهری فراهم سازد.https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107637_0068c15cfb8ec6a0060b94d9def64ea0.pdf