Explanation the effective Factors and indicators of the smart city on improving urban resilience against Covid-19 (Case study: Shiraz city)

Document Type : Research article

Authors

Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

10.22059/jurbangeo.2024.369884.1895

Abstract

 ABSTRACT
As one of the biggest and most complex global challenges, the COVID-19 crisis has clearly shown how an infectious disease can spread rapidly around the world and deeply affect all aspects of human life. In the meantime, it is very important to adopt a smart approach and use smart city technologies and initiatives for urban resilience in the face of such crises so that communities and cities can best deal with the challenges ahead and have proper preparation for future crises. The current research was conducted with the aim of explaining the effective factors and indicators of a smart city in improving urban resilience against COVID-19 in Shiraz. The research method of this research is quantitative, descriptive-analytical in nature, and practical in terms of purpose. The data was collected using library documents and field studies. The statistical population of the research included all the residents of Zone 1 of Shiraz city, which was determined using the Cochran Jahm formula, and the questionnaires were distributed and collected among the citizens by systematic random sampling. Research data have been analyzed using the structural equation method. The results have shown that all four effective factors of a smart city, i.e., access to services, institutional management, economic, and sociocultural, have a significant relationship with urban resilience against COVID-19. Access to services is the most influential factor in improving the resilience of Shiraz city against COVID-19. The sociocultural, economic, and institutional management factors are in the next ranks in terms of importance and impact on the improvement of Shiraz city's resilience against COVID-19.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Theoretical studies highlight the significant role of smart cities in enhancing urban resilience against COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, various smart solutions and strategies were employed by different cities, tailored to their specific conditions across various fields, playing a crucial role in the resilience of urban environments against the disease. However, it is essential to note that the solutions adopted were limited, and smart technologies' maximum capacity and potential were not fully utilized. Therefore, given the role and importance of smart cities in improving urban resilience against COVID-19 and the experiences gained during the pandemic, it is necessary to conduct studies in cities to identify smart initiatives and effective indicators across different fields and sectors. This will enable the planning and implementation of smart solutions and strategies to prepare for and manage future infectious diseases. In this context, the present research aims to investigate the concept and structure of smart cities and smart strategies and initiatives to enhance urban resilience against COVID-19, as documented in scientific literature. The study seeks to identify and quantify the effective factors and indicators that improve urban resilience against COVID-19. Specifically, it will examine and explain the impact of each identified factor and indicator on the resilience of Shiraz city against COVID-19 from the perspective of citizens.
 
Methodology
The current research is applied and employs a quantitative research method. Data and information were collected through library-documentary and field studies. The statistical population of the research includes all the residents of Zone 1 of Shiraz city, totaling 157,624 people. Using Cochran's sample size formula, with a confidence level of 95% and a 5% margin of error, a sample size of 383 people was determined. The research sampling method is based on a systematic random sampling pattern, and questionnaires were distributed and collected from the citizens accordingly. The content validity of the designed questionnaire was confirmed by several university professors and researchers related to this field. The reliability of the research questionnaires was measured using Cronbach's alpha method in SPSS software, yielding a coefficient of 0.862, indicating the high reliability of the data collection tool. Subsequently, the collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS Graphics software.
 
Results and discussion
The results have shown that the factor of access to services, with the highest standard regression weight (0.877), is the most influential factor in improving Shiraz city's resilience against COVID-19. Sociocultural, economic, and institutional-management factors, with standard regression weights of 0.841, 0.778, and 0.706, respectively, follow in terms of importance and influence on enhancing the city's resilience. The current research findings underscore the role and importance of smart cities in boosting urban resilience against COVID-19. These results align with previous studies, emphasizing smart cities' critical role in promoting urban resilience. Among the four effective factors of a smart city, the factor of access to services in a smart way, utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) methods such as online shopping, commercial services, and universal online access to medical and therapeutic services, stands out as the most significant in enhancing the resilience of Shiraz city against COVID-19 from the citizens' perspective. Similarly, Aina et al. (2023) found that digitizing and smartening urban services played a crucial role in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Makkah, revitalizing social and economic activities, and enhancing the city's resilience.
 
Conclusion
Among the effective variables of the smart city across different dimensions, the variable "adequate level of mobile internet coverage in the city" has a factor loading of 0.541 within the access to services factor. The variable "education, information, and awareness (such as common symptoms of the disease, how the virus spreads, and adherence to health protocols in polluted urban environments) provided swiftly and timely to citizens via virtual platforms" has a factor loading of 0.574 within the socio-cultural factor. The variable "business development and digital and electronic commerce" has a factor loading of 0.589 within the economic factor. Lastly, "intelligent monitoring and tracking of COVID-19 by urban management" has a factor loading of 0.618 within the institutional-management factor. These variables are the most important and impactful in enhancing the resilience of Shiraz city against COVID-19.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific.

Keywords

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Geographical Urban Planning Research (GUPR)
Volume 11, Issue 4
January 2024
Pages 257-277

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