Identification and Leveling Related Factors in Urban Livability (Case Study: Tabriz Metropolis)

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

3 Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
The fundamental prerequisites for planning to improve the quality of life and increase the level of sustainability in different societies can provide and affect the urban livability. These factors play a large part in the strategic planning of the government. One of the most important factors that affect all aspects of urban life, especially urban livability, is economic factors such as reasonable income, proper job, appropriate housing and so on.  In each society people are satisfied with the situations of access to living conditions, the level of life expectancy and consequently the progress in the quality of life in that society. Therefore, the aim of this present study is to identify the economic indicators affecting the livability of Tabriz metropolis, then leveling of these indicators, finally, designing a suitable model for Tabriz Metropolis according to its livability condition by using the Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) and the MicMac Technique. Thus, according to these goals, the research questions are:

What are the most important economic indicators affecting the livability of Tabriz metropolis?
Based on the Interpretive Structural Modeling, how a proper model can be designed according to Tabriz livability condition?
Based on the MicMac technique, which economic indicators related to the livability of Tabriz, are autonomous, dependent, linkage and driver indicators?

Methodology
The study presents an applied descriptive-analytic method. This study is presented in three major steps: A) Identification of dimensions and indicators related to the economic dimension of livability (This is done by environmental scanning method; using online  articles, books, dissertations, and other studies on prior livability variables in locating livable societies); B) Screening of criteria: according to the results of the first stage through the Delphi method, the most important economic indicators affecting Tabriz Metropolis's livability condition were identified; C) Determining the Relationship between Indicators and Types of Indicators (Modeling): At this stage, the questionnaire related to the livability was completed by the experts.
Then, by transforming the relationship matrix and creating compatibility in the relationship matrix, the ISM Graph mapped graphical relationships; also the type of indicators was analyzed by using the MicMac technique.
Results and Discussion
The most important economic indicators affecting the livability of Tabriz are: 1) enough income; 2) appropriate employment; 3) security job; 4) proper employment opportunities; 5) provide affordable housing; 6) the willingness of residents to invest in the region; 7) the willingness of private sector to invest in the region; 8) opportunity to earn money in the region; 9) the amount of savings; 10) the amount of providing Foodstuffs (meat, vegetable, and etc); 11) the amount of providing energy (gas, electricity);  and 12)  the amount of providing household goods (household furniture, textile products and soaps and cleaners).
Based on the results of the leveling by using interpretive structural modeling, the first level indicators are: The amount of providing Foodstuffs (meat, vegetable…) and the amount of providing energy (gas, electricity...). The second level indicator is the amount of providing household goods and affordable housing and the willingness of residents to invest in the region. The forth level indicators are the willingness of private sector to invest in the region and the amount of savings. Finally, five indicators are enough income, appropriate employment, security job, proper employment opportunities and opportunity to earn money in the region as the fifth level. 
Conclusion
In this research, we have discussed about identification and analysis of the most important economic indicators affecting the livability of the Tabriz metropolis. The results of the study show that 5 indicators: 1) security job; 2) enough income; 3) proper employment opportunities; 4) appropriate employment: and 5) opportunity to earn money in the region, were the most effective indicators in improving the livability of Tabriz metropolis. Also, two indicators of the amount of providing Foodstuffs (meat, vegetable…) and the amount of providing energy (gas, electricity...) are the most influential (dependent) indicators of research. Also, the analysis of the results of the MicMac technique confirms the results of the ISM analysis according to the results of the Micmac technique. The driver indicators are enough income, appropriate employment, security job, proper employment opportunities and opportunity to earn money in the region. Therefore, exploiting a strong market economy is recommended in order to create a good job and investment in the region.  

Keywords

References

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Geographical Urban Planning Research (GUPR)
Volume 7, Issue 1
April 2019
Pages 127-149

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