Sustainable city

Sustainable city

Measuring Urban Prosperity from the Perspective of Functional Distribution Patterns Within the Urban Spatial Structure: A case study of Sahand New City

Document Type : Article extracted From phd dissertation

Authors
Hossein Mohammadi Gazijahani 1
Hossein nazmfar 2
Ali Azar 3
1 Department of Urban Planning, Mara.C., Islamic Azad University, Marand, Iran.
2 Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
3 Department of Urban Planning and Architecture, Mar.C., Islamic Azad University, Maragheh, Iran.
10.22034/jsc.2026.573859.1908
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
As a new sustainability paradigm introduced by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 2012, urban prosperity is influenced by multiple factors. Chief among these is the city’s spatial structure, examined from the Perspective of balanced functional distribution. The objective of this study is to assess urban prosperity based on the pattern of functional distribution within the spatial structure of Sahand New City. This research adopts a quantitative approach for applied purposes, involving spatial analysis. Data analysis was performed using the Location Quotient (LQ) model, complemented by GIS tools such as buffer analysis, standard deviation ellipse, mean center, nearest neighbor index, and geographically weighted regression (GWR). The research findings indicate that the built-up area in Sahand City is 8,269,847 square meters. Based on accessibility to main functions, 21.14% of this area is in favorable conditions, 26.05% is in relatively favorable conditions, 24.85% is in moderate conditions, and 34.89% is in unfavorable conditions. Moreover, the Nearest Neighbor Index test results point to a clustered spatial organization of functions within Sahand New City. The analysis using the Location Quotient further highlights a significant degree of centralization, primarily focused on Phase 1 and its sub-district 1-1. According to the Geographically Weighted Regression model, District 1-1 exhibits the most favorable correlation between urban functions and population. Finally, the study concludes that Sahand’s spatial structure, characterized by its current pattern of functional distribution, is not optimally suited for the realization of urban prosperity.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
This study, by concentrating on evaluating urban prosperity from the perspective of functional distribution patterns within the spatial structure of Sahand New City, aims to provide a practical tool for improving the current situation. The primary objective of this study is to measure urban prosperity in terms of functional distribution patterns within the spatial structure of Sahand New City. In line with achieving this goal, the following specific objectives are pursued: assessing the urban functional status; identifying the prevailing pattern of functional distribution and determining its alignment with the paradigm of urban prosperity, spatial justice principles; and finally, providing practical solutions and recommendations based on the research findings to improve the spatial distribution of functions, reduce access inequalities, and achieve urban prosperity in Sahand New City. In pursuit of the aforementioned objectives, this study aims to address the following research questions: how are the various urban functions of Sahand New City positioned regarding their spatial dispersion, functional reach, spatial correlation, and spatial clustering, viewed from the perspective of the urban prosperity paradigm? what is the nature of the association between the spatial distribution of functions and population across the various districts of Sahand New City, in the context of achieving urban prosperity?
By employing quantitative and analytical techniques within Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and utilizing a range of statistical and spatial indices, this research addresses the preceding questions. The Results are expected to yield a thorough and nuanced understanding of Sahand New City’s spatial structure, thereby creating a scientific blueprint for urban planning and management that champions the principles of prosperity, sustainability, and spatial justice.

Methodology
The research method employed in this study is quantitative, applied in purpose, and spatial-analytical in nature, with data collected through documentary methods. Aiming to assess urban prosperity from the perspective of functional distribution patterns in Sahand New City, this research adopts a multi‑level analytical framework based on a set of interrelated indicators and sub‑indicators. The core indicator employed in this research is urban prosperity, conceptualized as the aggregate dependent variable. Its assessment is carried out through an examination of spatial structures and the distribution of urban functions. This overarching indicator encompasses five subsidiary dimensions, each composed of distinct sub‑indices.
Indicator 1: Spatial Structure of the City. This dimension investigates the interplay among four principal determinants shaping the city’s spatial organization. The associated sub‑indicators comprise: Morphological factors, Economic factors, Socio‑cultural factors, Environmental factors,
Indicator 2: Functional Distribution. This indicator measures the pattern of dispersion and concentration of urban land uses.
Indicator 3: Spatial Equity. This indicator assesses the equality in the distribution of urban services and facilities.
Indicator 4: Quantitative Analytical Tools of the Methodology. These comprise the quantitative instruments utilized within the research framework.
Indicator 5: Key Measurement Tools. These are specific tools for measurement, including: Location Quotient (LQ) to observe how concentrated or specialized functions are; Nearest Neighbor analysis to understand how close things are to each other; Infrastructure assessment to evaluate the quality and spread of city infrastructure; Statistical and spatial measures for quantitative evaluations.

Results and Discussions
Findings illustrate that Sahand New City struggles with major structural issues in becoming a thriving city, particularly when it comes to fairly distributing different urban functions. The analysis highlights a pattern where functions are clustered in a few districts, with a heavy concentration of services in neighborhoods 1-1 and 2-1, while other neighborhoods lack these services or have very few. This clearly indicates unequal access across the city. Such a pattern is in diametric opposition to the urban prosperity paradigm, predicated upon spatial equilibrium, equitable accessibility, and the balanced providing of facilities. A profound disparity between population distribution and service provision emerges as another pivotal finding of this investigation. The diminutive coefficient of determination (24%) within the spatial regression model, coupled with the inverse correlation observed between cultural, recreational, and sports functions and population density, signifies a deficiency in the synergy between land-use planning strategies and demographic trajectories. This situation, particularly considering that over one-third of the city’s built-up environment (34.89%) suffers from unfavorable conditions regarding accessibility to essential services, challenges equitable access as a cornerstone of urban prosperity. Overall, the spatial structure of Sahand New City, in terms of functions\al distribution, is not on the path to achieving urban prosperity. The extreme concentration, the uneven spread of services, and the lack of adequate access for large parts of the city mean that we urgently need to rethink our strategies for choosing locations and distributing services. Moving towards a model with multiple centers, or a spread-out yet connected system with a fairer distribution of functions across different neighborhoods, could be a significant step in reducing unevenness, making the city more adaptable, and building a stronger foundation for urban prosperity.

Conclusion
Analyzing the spatial structure of the city from the perspective of functional distribution reveals that the arrangement of urban land uses plays a fundamental role in shaping spatial patterns, functional efficiency, urban living quality, and ultimately, urban prosperity. In this regard, studies in the Sahand New City demonstrate, it is monocentric in terms of functions, with a focus on Phase 1 and district 1-1. In other words, polarization of functions is observable in this city. In terms of the suitability of functions with the population, the most desirable relationship pertains to district 1-1 and to some extent district 2-1. In other areas, there isn’t a good balance between functions and population, and they are in a dire situation. Also, in terms of accessing these functions, only about 14% of the city’s built-up area is in a good condition, and around one-third (about 35%) of the built-up area is outside the range where these functions are accessible. Ultimately, it can be said that the distribution of these functions exhibits a clustered pattern, centered around the city’s formation core, which is Phase 1. Consequently, a spatial imbalance in the distribution of the city’s functions is evident. Therefore, the distribution of functions in Sahand New City is in contrast with the paradigm of urban prosperity.

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.
Keywords
Spatial balance
Spatial structure
Urban prosperity
Sahand New City
Function
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Sustainable city
Volume 9, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 17-34