https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/ Geographical Urban Planning Research (GUPR) en daily 1 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_106430.html The 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. https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107008.html ABSTRACT 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. Extended Abstract Introduction 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.   Methodology 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).   Results and discussion 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.   Conclusion 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.   Funding There is no funding support.   Authors’ Contribution 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.   Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest.   Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_106891.html ABSTRACT 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. Extended Abstract Introduction 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.   Methodology 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.   Results and Discussion 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.   Conclusion 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.   Funding There is no funding support.   Authors’ Contribution 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.   Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest.   Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_106890.html ABSTRACT 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. Extended Abstract Introduction 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: 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?   Methodology 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.   Results and discussion The analysis yielded three principal thematic categories representing the social impacts of AV technology: Social Equity: The introduction of AVs presents both opportunities and challenges for promoting social inclusion. On one hand, AVs have the potential to enhance mobility for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled individuals, and low-income communities. However, concerns persist regarding accessibility, affordability, and algorithmic bias. 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. Public Health: The health-related implications of AVs can be categorized into direct and indirect 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 physical activity, mental health, and urban air quality 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. Urban Quality of Life: AVs are poised to reshape urban form and livability 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 enhance or diminish 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 ethical governance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and citizen participation 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.   Conclusion 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.   Funding There is no financial support.   Authors’ Contribution 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.   Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest.   Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_102074.html Today, in the dictionary of security and development, a new social theory has emerged as a "fragile city". "Fragile City" is a visual, critical and historical reflection on contemporary urbanization. "Fragile city" has emerged as a new analytical framework for describing emergencies in the new era, and this new concept is a pioneering tool for understanding inequalities and conflicts in urban environments. When a city meets a community with new needs, dangers or threats and shocks in different areas of the city, it will become "fragile" and its resilience mission will be to reduce the "fragility of the city" and "return" as soon as possible and with minimal disturbance. "Maintaining competence. "The city enters the cycle of "anti-fragility" after passing the period of resilience. Anti-fragility is beyond resilience and is a more valuable, ideal and desirable vision and goal than resilience. The main purpose of the research in the first level is to theoretically conceptualize the principles and foundations of "fragile city" to produce and build and expand the conceptual framework of theory and present the theory of "fragile city" in Iranian urban planning and urban planning literature and then in the second level of research based on principles Theoretical and the framework of the generated theory, the dimensions and indicators of the "fragile city" were examined and enumerated. In this research, while using the library research method and documents from the directional content analysis method, the "theoretical conceptualization of the fragile city" was discussed. https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107085.html Information gaps and biases in urban planning lead to women's experiences and needs not being fully reflected in decision-making, which is rooted in structural inequalities. Public spaces, reflecting power relations and socio-cultural factors, also play a significant role in the quality of women's presence and the realization of the "right to the city." This research was conducted with the aim of examining the role and presence of women in public spaces in the Apadana settlement in District 5 of Tehran. The specific characteristics of this settlement, including its semi-enclosed nature, spatial diversity, and demographic composition, have provided a suitable context for analyzing the situation of women in public spaces. The statistical population includes women over 15 years old residing in this town, and sampling was conducted randomly among women present in the neighborhood house, recreational and sports spaces, and public gathering places. The research findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between the quality of public space design, environmental safety levels, accessibility, and land use diversity, and women's active presence and satisfaction with these spaces. In such a way that improving physical components, enhancing space management, and ensuring perceived safety not only increase women's sense of belonging and comfort but also provide the basis for their continued presence and effective social participation. Within this framework, simultaneous attention to environmental quality and management indicators can lead to a more tangible realization of the "right to the city" for women and a reduction in spatial inequalities in public spaces. https://jurbangeo.ut.ac.ir/article_107304.html 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, thereby addressing the gaps arising from the neglect of this age group in urban design. The present 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 in children's mental images of an ideal park, priorities include "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 using 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.