Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association Sustainable city 2476-6631 8 3 2025 10 23 Analysis of the consequences of the ecological footprint of Tehran metropolis on its sustainability Analysis of the consequences of the ecological footprint of Tehran metropolis on its sustainability 1 21 228117 10.22034/jsc.2025.476326.1801 FA Babak Moradi Department of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran 0009-0005-1590-711X Farzaneh Sasanpur Department of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran Ali Shamai Department of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 06 02 <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T Ecological footprint indicates the amount of natural resource consumption and services needed by humans and is equal to the amount of land or water required to meet the consumption needs of society and absorb their waste production. This study used ecological footprint methods and GIS software for data analysis and sustainability assessment. The ecological footprint and biocapacity of Tehran city were used using this quantitative method, and ecological footprint and biocapacity, descriptive-analytical method, and library resources were used. The analyses showed that Tehran's ecological footprint equals 6.12 hectares, and its biocapacity is 0.0141 hectares. Compared to its biocapacity and ecological footprint, Tehran city is suffering from environmental deficiency and is in an ecologically unstable state. Its biocapacity is facing an ecological balance deficit of 74,632,890.7 hectares. Based on calculations, the Tehran metropolis is ecologically unsustainable, and with current consumption patterns, its residents are unable to meet their needs through domestic production. The consumption rate in this city has exceeded the global ecological limit, and the tolerable biological capacity of the environment does not meet the needs of the residents. It is necessary to take comprehensive and multifaceted measures to address the problem of unsustainability and reduce the ecological footprint. These measures include resource management, reducing consumption, improving urban infrastructure, and increasing public awareness. Implementing these solutions will help reduce pressure on natural resources, improve the quality of life of citizens, and create a sustainable city. Extended Abstract Introduction Rapid urbanization has transformed the functions and identity of the city and has affected its sustainability in various environmental, social, economic, cultural, political, and environmental aspects in recent decades. This has made urban management one of the most complex and important areas of interaction between people and the government. Ecological footprint is a method and approach that shows the extent of human intervention in nature. This estimate shows how much of the land and sea surface has natural production capacity to meet their residents' vital needs and lifestyles. In recent decades, Tehran has faced numerous challenges and problems in managing city affairs. These problems indicate excessive pressure on the ecological capacity of the region and cause its instability. It is clear that the Tehran metropolis requires a continuous flow of goods and resources from the supporting region for its survival and, equally, exports significant amounts of waste and garbage to this region. Methodology The method of this research is descriptive-analytical in type and applied in purpose. Ecological Footprint computational methods are used to analyze the data, and then GIS software is used to display the results. In the first stage, the required information will be collected and extracted using documentaries, libraries, and Internet websites, as well as by descriptive methods and referring to relevant organizations. In the second stage, we will evaluate the Ecological Footprint of the Tehran metropolis using the combined method of "Ecological Footprint," which includes a combination of two inductive and deductive approaches. In the third stage, GIS software will also be used to analyze and display the data. Results and discussion According to the calculations, Tehran depends on a much larger area than its current area to meet its biological and sustainability needs. With the current consumption pattern continuing, Tehran will need about 432 times its current area to provide food, energy, and land required to absorb carbon dioxide. These results show that this city's biological capacity and ecological footprint are inconsistent with the current consumption of sustainable resources. The goods and services sector in Tehran has the highest ecological footprint index among other consumer sectors, and approximately 50 percent of the total ecological footprint of Tehran belongs to this sector. The per capita ecological footprint in the goods and services sector for each city resident is estimated to be about 2.99 hectares, which indicates that this city needs a land area of about 36,534,859 hectares to provide goods and services to its residents. The findings of this study show that the ecological footprint of the Tehran metropolis is equal to 6.12 hectares for each resident of this city, while the ecological footprint of each person in the world in 2022 is 2.85 hectares. Also, the per capita biocapacity calculated in the Tehran metropolis is 0.0141 hectares. In contrast, based on the Living Planet Report, the per capita biocapacity of each Iranian in 2022 is equal to 0.75 hectares per person. According to the results of the Tehran metropolis's ecological footprint and biocapacity calculations, this city has an ecological deficit of 74,632,890.7 hectares. Conclusion -Individual solutions: · Reducing energy consumption; · Using public transportation; · Reducing water consumption; · Waste management and recycling; · Changing food consumption patterns. -Urban and infrastructure solutions · Increasing urban green space CO₂; · Developing renewable energies; · Improving public transportation; · Proper waste management. -Policy and management solutions: · Enact strict environmental laws; · Encourage reduction in fossil fuel consumption; · Education and culture; · Financial incentives for green buildings. -Raising awareness and changing citizens' lifestyles: · Educational and cultural campaigns; · Financial incentives and discounts; · Ecological footprint calculation applications. -Urban and infrastructure measures: · Green space development; · Support for sustainable transport; · Green buildings; · Better waste management. -Macroeconomic policies: · Environmental law reform; · Subsidies for clean energy; · International cooperation; · Industrial optimization; · Creation of performance indicators. -Continuous monitoring and evaluation: · Data analysis and smart decision-making; · Encouraging sustainable cities. -Focus on the development of small and medium-sized cities: · Incentive policies for settling in other areas; · Increasing awareness and population planning. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All authors approved the manuscript's content and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest, but none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T Ecological footprint indicates the amount of natural resource consumption and services needed by humans and is equal to the amount of land or water required to meet the consumption needs of society and absorb their waste production. This study used ecological footprint methods and GIS software for data analysis and sustainability assessment. The ecological footprint and biocapacity of Tehran city were used using this quantitative method, and ecological footprint and biocapacity, descriptive-analytical method, and library resources were used. The analyses showed that Tehran's ecological footprint equals 6.12 hectares, and its biocapacity is 0.0141 hectares. Compared to its biocapacity and ecological footprint, Tehran city is suffering from environmental deficiency and is in an ecologically unstable state. Its biocapacity is facing an ecological balance deficit of 74,632,890.7 hectares. Based on calculations, the Tehran metropolis is ecologically unsustainable, and with current consumption patterns, its residents are unable to meet their needs through domestic production. The consumption rate in this city has exceeded the global ecological limit, and the tolerable biological capacity of the environment does not meet the needs of the residents. It is necessary to take comprehensive and multifaceted measures to address the problem of unsustainability and reduce the ecological footprint. These measures include resource management, reducing consumption, improving urban infrastructure, and increasing public awareness. Implementing these solutions will help reduce pressure on natural resources, improve the quality of life of citizens, and create a sustainable city. Extended Abstract Introduction Rapid urbanization has transformed the functions and identity of the city and has affected its sustainability in various environmental, social, economic, cultural, political, and environmental aspects in recent decades. This has made urban management one of the most complex and important areas of interaction between people and the government. Ecological footprint is a method and approach that shows the extent of human intervention in nature. This estimate shows how much of the land and sea surface has natural production capacity to meet their residents' vital needs and lifestyles. In recent decades, Tehran has faced numerous challenges and problems in managing city affairs. These problems indicate excessive pressure on the ecological capacity of the region and cause its instability. It is clear that the Tehran metropolis requires a continuous flow of goods and resources from the supporting region for its survival and, equally, exports significant amounts of waste and garbage to this region. Methodology The method of this research is descriptive-analytical in type and applied in purpose. Ecological Footprint computational methods are used to analyze the data, and then GIS software is used to display the results. In the first stage, the required information will be collected and extracted using documentaries, libraries, and Internet websites, as well as by descriptive methods and referring to relevant organizations. In the second stage, we will evaluate the Ecological Footprint of the Tehran metropolis using the combined method of "Ecological Footprint," which includes a combination of two inductive and deductive approaches. In the third stage, GIS software will also be used to analyze and display the data. Results and discussion According to the calculations, Tehran depends on a much larger area than its current area to meet its biological and sustainability needs. With the current consumption pattern continuing, Tehran will need about 432 times its current area to provide food, energy, and land required to absorb carbon dioxide. These results show that this city's biological capacity and ecological footprint are inconsistent with the current consumption of sustainable resources. The goods and services sector in Tehran has the highest ecological footprint index among other consumer sectors, and approximately 50 percent of the total ecological footprint of Tehran belongs to this sector. The per capita ecological footprint in the goods and services sector for each city resident is estimated to be about 2.99 hectares, which indicates that this city needs a land area of about 36,534,859 hectares to provide goods and services to its residents. The findings of this study show that the ecological footprint of the Tehran metropolis is equal to 6.12 hectares for each resident of this city, while the ecological footprint of each person in the world in 2022 is 2.85 hectares. Also, the per capita biocapacity calculated in the Tehran metropolis is 0.0141 hectares. In contrast, based on the Living Planet Report, the per capita biocapacity of each Iranian in 2022 is equal to 0.75 hectares per person. According to the results of the Tehran metropolis's ecological footprint and biocapacity calculations, this city has an ecological deficit of 74,632,890.7 hectares. Conclusion -Individual solutions: · Reducing energy consumption; · Using public transportation; · Reducing water consumption; · Waste management and recycling; · Changing food consumption patterns. -Urban and infrastructure solutions · Increasing urban green space CO₂; · Developing renewable energies; · Improving public transportation; · Proper waste management. -Policy and management solutions: · Enact strict environmental laws; · Encourage reduction in fossil fuel consumption; · Education and culture; · Financial incentives for green buildings. -Raising awareness and changing citizens' lifestyles: · Educational and cultural campaigns; · Financial incentives and discounts; · Ecological footprint calculation applications. -Urban and infrastructure measures: · Green space development; · Support for sustainable transport; · Green buildings; · Better waste management. -Macroeconomic policies: · Environmental law reform; · Subsidies for clean energy; · International cooperation; · Industrial optimization; · Creation of performance indicators. -Continuous monitoring and evaluation: · Data analysis and smart decision-making; · Encouraging sustainable cities. -Focus on the development of small and medium-sized cities: · Incentive policies for settling in other areas; · Increasing awareness and population planning. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All authors approved the manuscript's content and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest, but none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

https://www.jscity.ir/article_228117_3a6374b614892b76ce54fbb442608688.pdf

Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association Sustainable city 2476-6631 8 3 2025 11 09 An Analysis of Urban Development and Environmental Damages Related to Land Use Changes: A case study of Bonab City An Analysis of Urban Development and Environmental Damages Related to Land Use Changes: A case study of Bonab City 23 38 228119 10.22034/jsc.2025.497671.1825 FA Manijeh Lalepour Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, Maragheh University, Maragheh city, Iran 0009-0007-9188-5914 Marziah Esmailpoor Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, Maragheh University, Maragheh city, Iran 0000-0002-4470-3678 Hamed Ashraphy Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, Maragheh University, Maragheh city, Iran Journal Article 2025 06 02 <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T According to Article 50 of the Constitution of Iran, environmental protection is a public duty. In this regard, integrating environmental considerations with land-use policies is considered an approach to prevent environmental damage. The importance of this issue lies in demonstrating the role of land-use planning in preserving environmental resources. However, over the past half-century, the conversion of agricultural lands and orchards around cities has put vital ecosystem resources at risk. This study examines this issue in Bonab, located in East Azerbaijan Province. The study's data spans the years 2002, 2012, and 2022. For image processing, the Fuzzy Art Map method was used. The cross-tabulation method and the Kappa coefficient were chosen to monitor land-use changes. The results indicate that approximately 1,830 hectares of agricultural land, including orchards and rain-fed farms, were converted to urban development between 2002 and 2022. The intensification of construction over the years has placed significant pressure on the ecological base, especially agricultural lands. The largest land use change occurred between 2012 and 2022, indicating an increasing rate and intensity of agricultural land degradation in recent years. As a result of these changes, the quality of groundwater resources and soils in the surrounding areas has severely declined due to reduced permeable soil surfaces, leachate infiltration from waste, and the inflow of large volumes of domestic and industrial wastewater. Preserving and restoring these vital resources requires the integration of environmental revitalization strategies into land-use decision-making and planning. Extended Abstract Introduction Urbanization is a primary driver of land-use change, which, in addition to causing problems on a global scale, leads to the loss of land and its resources at local and urban levels. The present study examines this issue in Bonab, a city in East Azerbaijan Province in northwest Iran. According to 2015 statistics, Bonab has a population of 85,274. Investigations reveal that the physical expansion of Bonab in recent years, driven by natural population growth, rural-to-urban migration, and urban development plans aimed at addressing housing needs, has encroached upon agricultural lands and gardens on the city's outskirts. This research uses satellite imagery to quantify changes in the use of garden and agricultural lands caused by the city's peripheral developments.<span dir="RTL" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> The study addresses the following research questions: <span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">- What has been the status of land-use changes around Bonab from 2002 to 2022? <span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">- What are the environmental impacts of urban development and land-use changes around Bonab? The significance of this research lies in highlighting the critical role of land-use planning and decision-making in preserving environmental resources. Methodology <span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The steps of conducting the research were, first, the land-use changes around Bonab city were extracted, and in the next step, the effects of recent urban expansions on the vital environmental resources of the region were explained, which was done using library documents and field studies. The spatial data of the research was extracted through satellite images, which were analyzed and classified while comparing time and place through geographic information system and remote sensing software such as Idrisi. Landsat satellite images of three periods, namely 2002, 2012, and 2022, have been used to determine the physical development process of Bonab city. For the classification of satellite images, the Fuzzy Art Map supervised method of artificial neural networks has been used due to its high accuracy and higher speed than other algorithms. Results and discussion The analysis of changes reveals that Bonab city has expanded by approximately 1,836 hectares during the years under review (2002–2022).<span dir="RTL" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> Over this period, the city experienced physical growth of about 2,210 hectares, representing an increase of roughly 3.5 times its original size. The primary direction of Bonab’s expansion has been towards the east, particularly the northeast. This rapid growth in recent years has been characterized by a significant rise in urban constructions, exerting substantial pressure on the ecological base, especially agricultural lands. The spatial expansion of the city has been most intense in the eastern half, where the northeastern and southeastern parts are expected to merge. This intensity highlights the dynamic and unregulated nature of growth in this area. Signs of scattered urban development have also emerged, resulting in inconsistencies across various parts of the city. Historically, Bonab’s physical development was limited to the main city center and constrained by natural barriers. On the eastern side, natural obstacles served as boundaries, while on the western side, Urmia Lake acted as a significant limiting factor. However, in recent decades, a population boom and increased rural-to-urban migration have imposed a heavy demographic burden on the city. This surge in population necessitated large-scale physical expansion, which has often been unplanned and directed towards areas lacking proper geographic assessment. This uncoordinated growth has exacerbated environmental and spatial challenges in Bonab. Conclusion Landsat satellite images from different time frames were utilized as raw data to analyze the land-use changes in Bonab city. After processing these images, land-use change analysis methods were applied to determine the extent of urban expansion during 2002, 2012, and 2022. The findings indicate that Bonab experienced a physical growth of approximately 2,210 hectares over the review period (2002–2022), representing a 3.5-fold increase in its urban area. The primary direction of this expansion has been towards the east, particularly the northeast. The predominant land use converted into urban built-up areas has been agricultural land. Notably, this process accelerated between 2012 and 2022, leading to an increased rate of agricultural land conversion to urban areas. This trend has placed significant pressure on the ecological base, especially on agricultural resources. Furthermore, scattered urban growth patterns have emerged, resulting in inconsistencies and uncoordinated development across many parts of the city.<span dir="RTL" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> In recent decades, population growth and rural-to-urban migration have imposed a heavy demographic burden on Bonab, necessitating large-scale physical expansion. However, much of this urban growth has been unplanned, occurring in areas where no proper geographic assessments were conducted. It is crucial to recognize that urbanization can lead to environmentally harmful land-use changes without strategic decisions on land use and resource management. Individuals, productive sectors, and, most importantly, government bodies and organizations responsible for environmental resource management must adopt and implement environmental standards and criteria to mitigate these effects. This approach will help preserve the region’s environmental resources while supporting sustainable urban development. 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. <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T According to Article 50 of the Constitution of Iran, environmental protection is a public duty. In this regard, integrating environmental considerations with land-use policies is considered an approach to prevent environmental damage. The importance of this issue lies in demonstrating the role of land-use planning in preserving environmental resources. However, over the past half-century, the conversion of agricultural lands and orchards around cities has put vital ecosystem resources at risk. This study examines this issue in Bonab, located in East Azerbaijan Province. The study's data spans the years 2002, 2012, and 2022. For image processing, the Fuzzy Art Map method was used. The cross-tabulation method and the Kappa coefficient were chosen to monitor land-use changes. The results indicate that approximately 1,830 hectares of agricultural land, including orchards and rain-fed farms, were converted to urban development between 2002 and 2022. The intensification of construction over the years has placed significant pressure on the ecological base, especially agricultural lands. The largest land use change occurred between 2012 and 2022, indicating an increasing rate and intensity of agricultural land degradation in recent years. As a result of these changes, the quality of groundwater resources and soils in the surrounding areas has severely declined due to reduced permeable soil surfaces, leachate infiltration from waste, and the inflow of large volumes of domestic and industrial wastewater. Preserving and restoring these vital resources requires the integration of environmental revitalization strategies into land-use decision-making and planning. Extended Abstract Introduction Urbanization is a primary driver of land-use change, which, in addition to causing problems on a global scale, leads to the loss of land and its resources at local and urban levels. The present study examines this issue in Bonab, a city in East Azerbaijan Province in northwest Iran. According to 2015 statistics, Bonab has a population of 85,274. Investigations reveal that the physical expansion of Bonab in recent years, driven by natural population growth, rural-to-urban migration, and urban development plans aimed at addressing housing needs, has encroached upon agricultural lands and gardens on the city's outskirts. This research uses satellite imagery to quantify changes in the use of garden and agricultural lands caused by the city's peripheral developments.<span dir="RTL" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> The study addresses the following research questions: <span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">- What has been the status of land-use changes around Bonab from 2002 to 2022? <span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">- What are the environmental impacts of urban development and land-use changes around Bonab? The significance of this research lies in highlighting the critical role of land-use planning and decision-making in preserving environmental resources. Methodology <span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The steps of conducting the research were, first, the land-use changes around Bonab city were extracted, and in the next step, the effects of recent urban expansions on the vital environmental resources of the region were explained, which was done using library documents and field studies. The spatial data of the research was extracted through satellite images, which were analyzed and classified while comparing time and place through geographic information system and remote sensing software such as Idrisi. Landsat satellite images of three periods, namely 2002, 2012, and 2022, have been used to determine the physical development process of Bonab city. For the classification of satellite images, the Fuzzy Art Map supervised method of artificial neural networks has been used due to its high accuracy and higher speed than other algorithms. Results and discussion The analysis of changes reveals that Bonab city has expanded by approximately 1,836 hectares during the years under review (2002–2022).<span dir="RTL" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> Over this period, the city experienced physical growth of about 2,210 hectares, representing an increase of roughly 3.5 times its original size. The primary direction of Bonab’s expansion has been towards the east, particularly the northeast. This rapid growth in recent years has been characterized by a significant rise in urban constructions, exerting substantial pressure on the ecological base, especially agricultural lands. The spatial expansion of the city has been most intense in the eastern half, where the northeastern and southeastern parts are expected to merge. This intensity highlights the dynamic and unregulated nature of growth in this area. Signs of scattered urban development have also emerged, resulting in inconsistencies across various parts of the city. Historically, Bonab’s physical development was limited to the main city center and constrained by natural barriers. On the eastern side, natural obstacles served as boundaries, while on the western side, Urmia Lake acted as a significant limiting factor. However, in recent decades, a population boom and increased rural-to-urban migration have imposed a heavy demographic burden on the city. This surge in population necessitated large-scale physical expansion, which has often been unplanned and directed towards areas lacking proper geographic assessment. This uncoordinated growth has exacerbated environmental and spatial challenges in Bonab. Conclusion Landsat satellite images from different time frames were utilized as raw data to analyze the land-use changes in Bonab city. After processing these images, land-use change analysis methods were applied to determine the extent of urban expansion during 2002, 2012, and 2022. The findings indicate that Bonab experienced a physical growth of approximately 2,210 hectares over the review period (2002–2022), representing a 3.5-fold increase in its urban area. The primary direction of this expansion has been towards the east, particularly the northeast. The predominant land use converted into urban built-up areas has been agricultural land. Notably, this process accelerated between 2012 and 2022, leading to an increased rate of agricultural land conversion to urban areas. This trend has placed significant pressure on the ecological base, especially on agricultural resources. Furthermore, scattered urban growth patterns have emerged, resulting in inconsistencies and uncoordinated development across many parts of the city.<span dir="RTL" style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> In recent decades, population growth and rural-to-urban migration have imposed a heavy demographic burden on Bonab, necessitating large-scale physical expansion. However, much of this urban growth has been unplanned, occurring in areas where no proper geographic assessments were conducted. It is crucial to recognize that urbanization can lead to environmentally harmful land-use changes without strategic decisions on land use and resource management. Individuals, productive sectors, and, most importantly, government bodies and organizations responsible for environmental resource management must adopt and implement environmental standards and criteria to mitigate these effects. This approach will help preserve the region’s environmental resources while supporting sustainable urban development. 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://www.jscity.ir/article_228119_3afdf57cf0459c15c1ca946d8e2a1a5a.pdf

Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association Sustainable city 2476-6631 8 3 2025 10 23 Identifying and ranking factors influencing desirable urban management in Tehran metropolis Identifying and ranking factors influencing desirable urban management in Tehran metropolis 39 54 233892 10.22034/jsc.2025.519236.1841 FA Saeid Khatam Department of Management, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Vali Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran. 0000-0003-3533-8688 Hosein Kazemi Department of Management, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Vali Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran. 0000-0003-4898-8946 Mostafa Hadavinejad Department of Management, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Vali Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran. 0000-0003-4496-6774 Sayed Abbas Ahmadi Department of Political Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0001-8691-4564 Journal Article 2025 06 03 <span dir="LTR" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T This study seeks to identify and categorize the factors shaping effective urban management in the Tehran metropolitan area. Its primary objective is to examine the interrelationships among these factors and to determine the key variables that drive improvements in urban management. Initially, the factors influencing effective urban management were identified through semi-structured interviews with 17 experts and practitioners in the field, selected via purposive and judgmental sampling. Subsequently, a comprehensive interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach was applied to classify the factors, and data analysis was conducted using MICMAC software. The findings reveal that “voluntary activities,” positioned at the fourth hierarchical level, constitute the cornerstone of the model. At the third level, “urban spatial justice” and “quality of civil society” exhibit a reciprocal relationship and exert influence on “outdated managerial practices,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors.” In contrast, the variables of “integrated management,” “urban future-building,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” and “inflation of urban regulations” exert no direct influence on other factors. The analysis highlights robust interconnections among the model’s components and underscores the significance of certain latent variables in shaping desirable urban management in Tehran. Variables such as “integrated management,” “urban future-building,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” “intra-urban spatial justice,” “quality of civil society,” “outdated managerial practices,” “inflation of urban regulations,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors” are interlinked in terms of both impact and effectiveness. In this sense, these variables demonstrate both strong influence and high dependency. Among them, “voluntary activities” emerges as a key independent variable with substantial impact on desirable urban management across the Tehran metropolis. Extended Abstract Introduction A review of studies addressing both urban challenges faced by citizens and the management of urban affairs reveals that the current governance system lacks the authority to resolve its inherent problems, yet it retains the capacity and mechanisms to respond to emerging issues. Proposed solutions include decentralizing centralized authority, fostering public participation in urban management, enhancing managerial efficiency, and improving urban quality of life. If effectively implemented, these measures are expected to elevate the overall quality and effectiveness of urban governance. Realizing these objectives requires an urban management system capable of overseeing and directing the city’s entire spatial and functional domains, while coordinating all relevant institutions, stakeholders, and urban territories. Methodology This study adopts a qualitative research design, with the modeling component conducted through the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach. The research is applied in nature, and a snowball sampling technique was employed to identify relevant experts across different organizations. In total, 17 experts were identified and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected through two instruments: (1) a semi-structured Likert-scale questionnaire, designed to assess dimensions of desirable urban management in Tehran based on ISM constructs derived from the literature; and (2) an interpretive structural modeling questionnaire. The closed questionnaire, consisting of 11 items, aimed to evaluate and refine the concept of desirable urban management in Tehran by drawing on participants’ experiential knowledge alongside insights from the research literature. Results and Discussion The findings indicate that “voluntary activities,” positioned at the fourth hierarchical level, serve as the cornerstone of the model. Accordingly, the stratification of latent variables influencing desirable urban management in the Tehran metropolis begins with this factor and extends to the others. At the third level, “intra-urban spatial justice” and “quality of civil society,” which are closely interrelated, influence the factors situated at the second level. The second level comprises “outdated managerial practices,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors,” which are interrelated and exert influence on the first-level factors. The first level includes “integrated management,” “urban future planning,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” and “inflation of urban regulations.” These variables are interconnected with one another but exert no direct influence on other factors independently. The findings further reveal that no variable falls within the independent category (Group One), underscoring the strong interconnections among the model’s components. Similarly, no variable belongs to the dependent category (Group Two), suggesting the presence of more critical latent variables shaping desirable urban management in the Tehran metropolis. Variables such as “integrated management,” “urban future planning,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” “intra-urban spatial justice,” “quality of civil society,” “outdated managerial practices,” “inflation of urban regulations,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors” fall within the related variables category (Group Three) in terms of both influence and impact. Conclusion The MICMAC analysis reveals that none of the variables fall into either the autonomous or dependent categories, highlighting the strong interconnections among components and the inherent complexity of urban management. Integrated management refers to the coordination and synergy among diverse institutions and organizations involved in urban governance. This approach is particularly vital in metropolitan contexts, where multifaceted challenges are more pronounced. Within an integrated management framework, all stakeholders, including government bodies, municipal authorities, the private sector, and civil society, must be actively engaged in both decision-making and project implementation. Such an approach reduces institutional overlap and conflict while enabling more efficient allocation of resources. The findings further suggest that integrated management enhances the quality of urban services and contributes to higher levels of citizen satisfaction. A coordinated system facilitates the timely identification of citizens’ needs and enables more effective responses. Ultimately, integrated management fosters the development of sustainable and resilient cities in which all stakeholders play an active role in shaping urban futures. 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. <span dir="LTR" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T This study seeks to identify and categorize the factors shaping effective urban management in the Tehran metropolitan area. Its primary objective is to examine the interrelationships among these factors and to determine the key variables that drive improvements in urban management. Initially, the factors influencing effective urban management were identified through semi-structured interviews with 17 experts and practitioners in the field, selected via purposive and judgmental sampling. Subsequently, a comprehensive interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach was applied to classify the factors, and data analysis was conducted using MICMAC software. The findings reveal that “voluntary activities,” positioned at the fourth hierarchical level, constitute the cornerstone of the model. At the third level, “urban spatial justice” and “quality of civil society” exhibit a reciprocal relationship and exert influence on “outdated managerial practices,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors.” In contrast, the variables of “integrated management,” “urban future-building,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” and “inflation of urban regulations” exert no direct influence on other factors. The analysis highlights robust interconnections among the model’s components and underscores the significance of certain latent variables in shaping desirable urban management in Tehran. Variables such as “integrated management,” “urban future-building,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” “intra-urban spatial justice,” “quality of civil society,” “outdated managerial practices,” “inflation of urban regulations,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors” are interlinked in terms of both impact and effectiveness. In this sense, these variables demonstrate both strong influence and high dependency. Among them, “voluntary activities” emerges as a key independent variable with substantial impact on desirable urban management across the Tehran metropolis. Extended Abstract Introduction A review of studies addressing both urban challenges faced by citizens and the management of urban affairs reveals that the current governance system lacks the authority to resolve its inherent problems, yet it retains the capacity and mechanisms to respond to emerging issues. Proposed solutions include decentralizing centralized authority, fostering public participation in urban management, enhancing managerial efficiency, and improving urban quality of life. If effectively implemented, these measures are expected to elevate the overall quality and effectiveness of urban governance. Realizing these objectives requires an urban management system capable of overseeing and directing the city’s entire spatial and functional domains, while coordinating all relevant institutions, stakeholders, and urban territories. Methodology This study adopts a qualitative research design, with the modeling component conducted through the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach. The research is applied in nature, and a snowball sampling technique was employed to identify relevant experts across different organizations. In total, 17 experts were identified and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected through two instruments: (1) a semi-structured Likert-scale questionnaire, designed to assess dimensions of desirable urban management in Tehran based on ISM constructs derived from the literature; and (2) an interpretive structural modeling questionnaire. The closed questionnaire, consisting of 11 items, aimed to evaluate and refine the concept of desirable urban management in Tehran by drawing on participants’ experiential knowledge alongside insights from the research literature. Results and Discussion The findings indicate that “voluntary activities,” positioned at the fourth hierarchical level, serve as the cornerstone of the model. Accordingly, the stratification of latent variables influencing desirable urban management in the Tehran metropolis begins with this factor and extends to the others. At the third level, “intra-urban spatial justice” and “quality of civil society,” which are closely interrelated, influence the factors situated at the second level. The second level comprises “outdated managerial practices,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors,” which are interrelated and exert influence on the first-level factors. The first level includes “integrated management,” “urban future planning,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” and “inflation of urban regulations.” These variables are interconnected with one another but exert no direct influence on other factors independently. The findings further reveal that no variable falls within the independent category (Group One), underscoring the strong interconnections among the model’s components. Similarly, no variable belongs to the dependent category (Group Two), suggesting the presence of more critical latent variables shaping desirable urban management in the Tehran metropolis. Variables such as “integrated management,” “urban future planning,” “citizen participation,” “informal relations,” “intra-urban spatial justice,” “quality of civil society,” “outdated managerial practices,” “inflation of urban regulations,” “citizen satisfaction,” and “intervention by informal actors” fall within the related variables category (Group Three) in terms of both influence and impact. Conclusion The MICMAC analysis reveals that none of the variables fall into either the autonomous or dependent categories, highlighting the strong interconnections among components and the inherent complexity of urban management. Integrated management refers to the coordination and synergy among diverse institutions and organizations involved in urban governance. This approach is particularly vital in metropolitan contexts, where multifaceted challenges are more pronounced. Within an integrated management framework, all stakeholders, including government bodies, municipal authorities, the private sector, and civil society, must be actively engaged in both decision-making and project implementation. Such an approach reduces institutional overlap and conflict while enabling more efficient allocation of resources. The findings further suggest that integrated management enhances the quality of urban services and contributes to higher levels of citizen satisfaction. A coordinated system facilitates the timely identification of citizens’ needs and enables more effective responses. Ultimately, integrated management fosters the development of sustainable and resilient cities in which all stakeholders play an active role in shaping urban futures. 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://www.jscity.ir/article_233892_3d3229e0d4cec21eda78fb6b5a2427ee.pdf

Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association Sustainable city 2476-6631 8 3 2025 11 10 A Structural Analysis of Effective Entrepreneurial Development in the Sustainability of New Cities: A case study of Parand new town A Structural Analysis of Effective Entrepreneurial Development in the Sustainability of New Cities: A case study of Parand new town 55 74 234138 10.22034/jsc.2025.540423.1869 FA Ehsan Darvishi Department of Geography, YI. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Ali Shamsoddini Department of Urban Planning, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran 0000-0001-9757-4331 Mohammad Hemmati Department of Geography, YI. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 06 03 <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T The development of new cities in Iran, especially Parand, is a key strategy to alleviate the population pressure on megacities and achieve regional balance. However, many of these cities, including Parand, have become dependent and unproductive settlements due to weak economic links, poor infrastructure, and a lack of sustainable employment opportunities. This research aims to analyze the role of entrepreneurship in the sustainability of new cities, with a focus on Parand. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining descriptive-analytical and exploratory-explanatory methodologies. The qualitative phase involved interviews with 20 experts, identifying six main themes and 28 indicators for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the quantitative phase, data from 384 residents were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software. The results revealed that institutional structures and supportive policies, local leadership, and collective action are the most influential factors in promoting entrepreneurship and urban sustainability. Economic dependence and weak urban identity emerged as significant barriers to entrepreneurial development. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating institutional, infrastructural, and cultural interventions in development policies for new cities and offers a conceptual framework for promoting sustainable entrepreneurship. Extended Abstract Introduction Rapid urbanization and population growth have presented significant urban planning challenges, impacting housing, employment, and quality of life. To address these issues, many governments, including Iran, have adopted new city development policies to manage urban growth and achieve regional balance. Cities like Parand were established to alleviate demographic pressure on metropolises, improve urban living, and ensure equitable service access. However, these initiatives often face substantial obstacles, including weak economic infrastructure, insufficient sustainable employment opportunities, and a lack of organic connections with the mother city, leading to dependent settlements. Parand, despite its physical and demographic potential, largely functions as a dormitory city due to limited local economic prospects. Urban entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for economic revitalization, social dynamism, and enhancing resilience in new cities. It acts as a multi-dimensional tool to address job scarcity, economic dependence, and low social capital, simultaneously impacting economic, social, and institutional sustainability. Beyond mere economic activity, entrepreneurship transforms social and institutional processes, fostering new job creation, promoting innovation, strengthening local belonging, and generating knowledge networks. This research aims to structurally analyze the effective development of entrepreneurship in the sustainability of new cities, with a case study of Parand New Town, by exploring the interconnectedness of entrepreneurial ecosystems. These ecosystems involve various actors, institutions, policies, resources, and social interactions that facilitate business creation and growth. This study highlights the need to foster sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems that integrate institutional, infrastructural, and cultural interventions, moving these emerging cities towards economic independence and a distinct urban identity. Key components of successful entrepreneurial ecosystems include access to skilled labor, supportive social culture, financial capital, intermediary institutions, inter-sectoral collaboration, and stable supportive policies. Methodology This applied research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining descriptive-analytical and exploratory-explanatory methodologies, to improve entrepreneurial development in new cities for urban sustainability. The study population includes experts, urban managers, entrepreneurial activists, and residents of Parand New Town, which serves as the case study area. For the qualitative phase, 20 experts in urban planning, entrepreneurship, and urban planning were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling. In the quantitative phase, a stratified random sampling method was applied to 384 Parand residents, with the sample size determined using Cochran's formula at a 95<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">% confidence level. Data collection involved library and documentary studies for the theoretical framework and literature review. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for residents and entrepreneurs, while semi-structured interviews with academic elites and urban managers provided in-depth analysis of institutional and policy factors. Field observations also documented physical and institutional challenges and capacities in Parand. Content validity of the questionnaire was assessed through expert opinions and the CVR index, and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's Alpha (values above 0/7). Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software, employing Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Path Analysis, one-sample T-test, and Friedman test. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Results and discussion <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The qualitative phase, based on interviews with 20 key stakeholders in Parand, identified six main themes and 28 indicators for the entrepreneurial ecosystem: Entrepreneurial and Innovation Culture, Supportive Structures and Policies, Human Capital Development and Networking, Access to Capital and Infrastructure, Challenge of Urban Identity and Economic Independence, and Local Leadership and Collective Action. This structured approach aimed to enhance precision in the subsequent quantitative modeling. <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Quantitative analysis of data from 384 residents using SPSS and LISREL confirmed the conceptual model's strong statistical fit (RMSEA = 0.067, p < 0.0000, χ2/df = 2.90). Most factor loadings were above 0.6, indicating robust relationships between indicators and their respective themes. High factor loadings were observed for indicators such as "public culture supports innovative ideas," "administrative processes for starting a business are facilitated," "possibility of networking with other entrepreneurs exists," and "access to new and innovative technologies is available," underscoring their critical importance. The t-value model further confirmed the statistical significance of all relationships (most t-values > ±2.58), indicating high reliability and generalizability. The Structural Model (Y-model) revealed that "Supportive Structures and Policies" and "Local Leadership and Collective Action" had the strongest direct impacts on entrepreneurial sustainability in Parand New Town. "Access to Capital and Infrastructure" acted as a significant mediator between institutional structures and local economic development. "Entrepreneurial and Innovation Culture" indirectly influenced urban sustainability by facilitating human capital development and network interactions. Conversely, "Challenge of Urban Identity and Economic Independence," characterized by strong dependence on Tehran and a lack of local job opportunities, emerged as a significant structural barrier, negatively impacting institutional linkages and sustainable development. These findings highlight that for new cities, a qualitative approach to development is crucial, moving beyond mere quantitative growth to foster genuine economic independence and identity. Conclusion This research aimed to structurally analyze effective entrepreneurial development in the sustainability of new cities, focusing on Parand New Town. Qualitative findings identified six core themes for the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which formed the theoretical framework for the quantitative model. Quantitative analysis confirmed the conceptual model's strong statistical fit and the validity of its indicators. The structural model revealed that supportive policies, local leadership, and collective action are the most influential factors. Human capital, technological infrastructure, and initial investment also play crucial mediating roles. For Parand, developing skilled training, strengthening financial support, and fostering collaborative entrepreneurial spaces are vital due to lacking local institutions, university-industry ties, and technological infrastructure. While entrepreneurial culture has a less direct impact, it facilitates internal ecosystem capacities through human capital and networking. The "challenge of urban identity and economic independence," reflecting Parand's strong reliance on Tehran and lack of local opportunities, was identified as a significant structural impediment, underscoring the need for new cities to transition from dependent residential areas to value-producing centers. The study concludes that achieving sustainable entrepreneurship in new cities necessitates integrating institutional reforms, infrastructure and human capital development, and the reconstruction of cultural and social entrepreneurial foundations. These findings offer a practical framework for policy design, entrepreneurial ecosystem evaluation, and localized entrepreneurial models for other emerging cities in Iran. 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. <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A B S T R A C T The development of new cities in Iran, especially Parand, is a key strategy to alleviate the population pressure on megacities and achieve regional balance. However, many of these cities, including Parand, have become dependent and unproductive settlements due to weak economic links, poor infrastructure, and a lack of sustainable employment opportunities. This research aims to analyze the role of entrepreneurship in the sustainability of new cities, with a focus on Parand. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining descriptive-analytical and exploratory-explanatory methodologies. The qualitative phase involved interviews with 20 experts, identifying six main themes and 28 indicators for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the quantitative phase, data from 384 residents were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software. The results revealed that institutional structures and supportive policies, local leadership, and collective action are the most influential factors in promoting entrepreneurship and urban sustainability. Economic dependence and weak urban identity emerged as significant barriers to entrepreneurial development. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating institutional, infrastructural, and cultural interventions in development policies for new cities and offers a conceptual framework for promoting sustainable entrepreneurship. Extended Abstract Introduction Rapid urbanization and population growth have presented significant urban planning challenges, impacting housing, employment, and quality of life. To address these issues, many governments, including Iran, have adopted new city development policies to manage urban growth and achieve regional balance. Cities like Parand were established to alleviate demographic pressure on metropolises, improve urban living, and ensure equitable service access. However, these initiatives often face substantial obstacles, including weak economic infrastructure, insufficient sustainable employment opportunities, and a lack of organic connections with the mother city, leading to dependent settlements. Parand, despite its physical and demographic potential, largely functions as a dormitory city due to limited local economic prospects. Urban entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for economic revitalization, social dynamism, and enhancing resilience in new cities. It acts as a multi-dimensional tool to address job scarcity, economic dependence, and low social capital, simultaneously impacting economic, social, and institutional sustainability. Beyond mere economic activity, entrepreneurship transforms social and institutional processes, fostering new job creation, promoting innovation, strengthening local belonging, and generating knowledge networks. This research aims to structurally analyze the effective development of entrepreneurship in the sustainability of new cities, with a case study of Parand New Town, by exploring the interconnectedness of entrepreneurial ecosystems. These ecosystems involve various actors, institutions, policies, resources, and social interactions that facilitate business creation and growth. This study highlights the need to foster sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems that integrate institutional, infrastructural, and cultural interventions, moving these emerging cities towards economic independence and a distinct urban identity. Key components of successful entrepreneurial ecosystems include access to skilled labor, supportive social culture, financial capital, intermediary institutions, inter-sectoral collaboration, and stable supportive policies. Methodology This applied research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining descriptive-analytical and exploratory-explanatory methodologies, to improve entrepreneurial development in new cities for urban sustainability. The study population includes experts, urban managers, entrepreneurial activists, and residents of Parand New Town, which serves as the case study area. For the qualitative phase, 20 experts in urban planning, entrepreneurship, and urban planning were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling. In the quantitative phase, a stratified random sampling method was applied to 384 Parand residents, with the sample size determined using Cochran's formula at a 95<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">% confidence level. Data collection involved library and documentary studies for the theoretical framework and literature review. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for residents and entrepreneurs, while semi-structured interviews with academic elites and urban managers provided in-depth analysis of institutional and policy factors. Field observations also documented physical and institutional challenges and capacities in Parand. Content validity of the questionnaire was assessed through expert opinions and the CVR index, and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's Alpha (values above 0/7). Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software, employing Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Path Analysis, one-sample T-test, and Friedman test. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Results and discussion <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The qualitative phase, based on interviews with 20 key stakeholders in Parand, identified six main themes and 28 indicators for the entrepreneurial ecosystem: Entrepreneurial and Innovation Culture, Supportive Structures and Policies, Human Capital Development and Networking, Access to Capital and Infrastructure, Challenge of Urban Identity and Economic Independence, and Local Leadership and Collective Action. This structured approach aimed to enhance precision in the subsequent quantitative modeling. <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'B Mitra'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Quantitative analysis of data from 384 residents using SPSS and LISREL confirmed the conceptual model's strong statistical fit (RMSEA = 0.067, p < 0.0000, χ2/df = 2.90). Most factor loadings were above 0.6, indicating robust relationships between indicators and their respective themes. High factor loadings were observed for indicators such as "public culture supports innovative ideas," "administrative processes for starting a business are facilitated," "possibility of networking with other entrepreneurs exists," and "access to new and innovative technologies is available," underscoring their critical importance. The t-value model further confirmed the statistical significance of all relationships (most t-values > ±2.58), indicating high reliability and generalizability. The Structural Model (Y-model) revealed that "Supportive Structures and Policies" and "Local Leadership and Collective Action" had the strongest direct impacts on entrepreneurial sustainability in Parand New Town. "Access to Capital and Infrastructure" acted as a significant mediator between institutional structures and local economic development. "Entrepreneurial and Innovation Culture" indirectly influenced urban sustainability by facilitating human capital development and network interactions. Conversely, "Challenge of Urban Identity and Economic Independence," characterized by strong dependence on Tehran and a lack of local job opportunities, emerged as a significant structural barrier, negatively impacting institutional linkages and sustainable development. These findings highlight that for new cities, a qualitative approach to development is crucial, moving beyond mere quantitative growth to foster genuine economic independence and identity. Conclusion This research aimed to structurally analyze effective entrepreneurial development in the sustainability of new cities, focusing on Parand New Town. Qualitative findings identified six core themes for the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which formed the theoretical framework for the quantitative model. Quantitative analysis confirmed the conceptual model's strong statistical fit and the validity of its indicators. The structural model revealed that supportive policies, local leadership, and collective action are the most influential factors. Human capital, technological infrastructure, and initial investment also play crucial mediating roles. For Parand, developing skilled training, strengthening financial support, and fostering collaborative entrepreneurial spaces are vital due to lacking local institutions, university-industry ties, and technological infrastructure. While entrepreneurial culture has a less direct impact, it facilitates internal ecosystem capacities through human capital and networking. The "challenge of urban identity and economic independence," reflecting Parand's strong reliance on Tehran and lack of local opportunities, was identified as a significant structural impediment, underscoring the need for new cities to transition from dependent residential areas to value-producing centers. The study concludes that achieving sustainable entrepreneurship in new cities necessitates integrating institutional reforms, infrastructure and human capital development, and the reconstruction of cultural and social entrepreneurial foundations. These findings offer a practical framework for policy design, entrepreneurial ecosystem evaluation, and localized entrepreneurial models for other emerging cities in Iran. 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://www.jscity.ir/article_234138_bfb1675893b7de6eea7edfdc17e3d9f7.pdf

Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association Sustainable city 2476-6631 8 3 2025 11 11 Pathology of Discrete Urban Development with Emphasis on National Housing Movement: A case study of Yazd city Pathology of Discrete Urban Development with Emphasis on National Housing Movement: A case study of Yazd city 75 95 233958 10.22034/jsc.2025.519093.1840 FA Zahra Ramezani Department of Urban Planning, School of Art and Architecture, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran 0009-0007-3479-6149 Reza Akbari Department of Urban Planning, School of Art and Architecture, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran Mohsen Rafian Department of Urban Planning, School of Art and Architecture, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran Journal Article 2025 06 04 A B S T R A C T Urban sprawl and the proliferation of discontinuous housing schemes have become pivotal challenges for sustainable city-making. Focusing on Iran’s “National Housing Movement” projects with Yazd as the case, this study diagnoses how separated, peripheral developments jeopardize urban sustainability across spatial, environmental, social, and economic dimensions. We combine a multi-stage qualitative design: a targeted literature review to elicit an initial set of indicators; semi-structured interviews with residents to elicit lived experiences; expert validation; and a cross-impact analysis (MICMAC) to prioritize the most influential drivers. Atlas.ti supported coding and visualization of interview data (word clouds), while MICMAC examined interdependencies among 58 candidate indicators and identified high-leverage ones. Findings show eight key risk factors: erosion of traditional architectural identity; weak land-use mix; diminished place attachment; cultural frictions; limited job opportunities; inadequate, car-dependent transport; underdeveloped digital/“smart city” infrastructures; and weak participatory governance. Together, these produce long commutes, social fragmentation, loss of ecological continuity, and inefficient land consumption, outcomes at odds with compact, transit-oriented, and resilient urban futures. The paper argues for integrating heritage-sensitive design, mixed uses near transit, employment-housing balance, people-centered participation, and digital infrastructure into a coordinated governance model to realign large-scale housing delivery with sustainable city objectives. Extended Abstract Introduction Large-scale, state-supported housing has re-emerged as a central policy tool to address affordability and backlog. When delivered as separated peripheral enclaves, such programs often disconnect residents from jobs, services, and cultural life. They prioritize short-term unit counts over long-term urban quality. In Yazd, a hot-arid UNESCO-listed city whose identity is strongly tied to its vernacular morphology and social texture, these tensions are magnified as peripheral layouts challenge climate-responsive forms, encourage private-car dependence, and risk weakening place attachment. International narratives around the city emphasize compactness, transit orientation, mixed uses, digital readiness, and socio-ecological resilience. Discontinuous projects undermine precisely these ingredients by scattering growth, diluting infrastructure efficiency, and partitioning communities along socio-economic and cultural lines. Against this background, this study asks which mechanisms most strongly drive the harms of today’s separated developments, and how policy might recalibrate mass-housing delivery toward a sustainable urban trajectory. The research synthesizes theory with situated evidence from Yazd to move beyond generic critiques of sprawl. Methodology We employed a four-stage qualitative design with analytic triangulation. (1) Scoping review, A focused reading of urban sustainability, sprawl, compact city, and housing-policy literatures generated a long-list of 58 potential risk indicators spanning spatial form, mobility, environment, social cohesion, cultural identity, economic opportunity, governance, and digital infrastructure. (2) Resident perspectives, Semi-structured interviews captured lived experiences of accessibility, safety, identity, and daily routines within or near discontinuous projects. Texts were coded in Atlas.ti; word-clouds and co-occurrence queries highlighted salient concepts (e.g., distance from services, car reliance, identity loss, night-time insecurity). (3) Expert validation, Fourteen domain experts (urban planning, transport, housing delivery, heritage, governance, and digital systems) reviewed and refined indicator definitions, eliminating redundancies and clarifying causal directions. (4) Cross-impact structuring (MICMAC), Experts scored directional influences among indicators; the resulting matrix, highly filled, was analyzed to distinguish drivers from outcomes and to detect feedbacks. We used influence–dependence maps to identify high-leverage factors whose mitigation would propagate benefits system-wide. By combining resident narratives (depth), expert judgment (credibility), and MICMAC structuring (systemic perspective), the study produced a prioritized, policy-ready set of risks and countermeasures tailored to Yazd yet generalizable to similar contexts. Results and discussion MICMAC highlighted eight high-leverage risks shaping the pathology of separated growth. (1) Erosion of traditional architectural identity, peripheral estates often neglect climate-responsive typologies and material cultures, weakening neighborhood distinctiveness and everyday comfort. (2) Insufficient land-use mix, mono-functional housing forces long trips for work, education, and care, inflating household time and cost burdens. (3) Weak place attachment. distance from heritage cores, limited public life, and generic design reduce belonging and stewardship. (4) Cultural frictions, rapid in-migration into uniform estates with scarce shared spaces can intensify social distance and reduce informal support networks. (5) Employment–housing mismatch, locating projects far from job centers entrenches commuter dependence, especially where transit is limited. (6) Inadequate, car-dependent transport, sparse transit supply and discontinuous street grids amplify vehicle kilometers traveled, emissions, and inequities for non-drivers. (7) Underdeveloped digital/smart infrastructures, limited broadband, data platforms, and civic tech constrain service delivery, safety, tele-work, and participation. (8) Weak participatory governance, weak stakeholder engagement and low administrative capacity yield one-size-fits-all layouts and poor maintenance, eroding trust. These drivers co-produce outcomes misaligned with future-city principles as fragmented ecological corridors, heat-island intensification, inefficient land consumption, and vulnerability to shocks. In Yazd, the loss of vernacular climatic logic, compact blocks, shaded passages, and social courtyards exacerbates thermal stress and public-realm underuse. International models such as compact city and TOD are relevant only if translated locally as mixed-use clusters around transit, block-scale shading and micro-climate design, heritage-sensitive form-based codes, and distributed digital infrastructures for mobility, safety, and service access. Prioritizing the eight levers above promises cascading benefits, for example, improving land-use mix and transit simultaneously strengthens place attachment (through active streets), reduces emissions, and lowers household transport poverty. Conclusion Separated housing can meet short-term production targets yet set cities on an unsustainable path if spatial integration, mobility, identity, governance, and digital readiness are neglected. Our structured diagnosis for Yazd shows that addressing eight high-leverage risks, architectural identity, mixed uses, attachment, cultural cohesion, jobs–housing balance, transit, digital infrastructure, and participatory capacity, aligns mass housing with resilient, low-carbon, and inclusive futures. Practically, we recommend (i) heritage-sensitive, climate-responsive design at block and building scales; (ii) mixed-use and service clustering within walking distance and around transit; (iii) employment integration via zoning incentives and incubators; (iv) transit-first street networks and last-mile solutions; (v) digital infrastructure for services, safety, and engagement; and (vi) co-production with residents and strengthened inter-agency coordination. These steps convert housing delivery from a peripheral land-consumption machine into a catalyst for sustainable city-making. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content 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. A B S T R A C T Urban sprawl and the proliferation of discontinuous housing schemes have become pivotal challenges for sustainable city-making. Focusing on Iran’s “National Housing Movement” projects with Yazd as the case, this study diagnoses how separated, peripheral developments jeopardize urban sustainability across spatial, environmental, social, and economic dimensions. We combine a multi-stage qualitative design: a targeted literature review to elicit an initial set of indicators; semi-structured interviews with residents to elicit lived experiences; expert validation; and a cross-impact analysis (MICMAC) to prioritize the most influential drivers. Atlas.ti supported coding and visualization of interview data (word clouds), while MICMAC examined interdependencies among 58 candidate indicators and identified high-leverage ones. Findings show eight key risk factors: erosion of traditional architectural identity; weak land-use mix; diminished place attachment; cultural frictions; limited job opportunities; inadequate, car-dependent transport; underdeveloped digital/“smart city” infrastructures; and weak participatory governance. Together, these produce long commutes, social fragmentation, loss of ecological continuity, and inefficient land consumption, outcomes at odds with compact, transit-oriented, and resilient urban futures. The paper argues for integrating heritage-sensitive design, mixed uses near transit, employment-housing balance, people-centered participation, and digital infrastructure into a coordinated governance model to realign large-scale housing delivery with sustainable city objectives. Extended Abstract Introduction Large-scale, state-supported housing has re-emerged as a central policy tool to address affordability and backlog. When delivered as separated peripheral enclaves, such programs often disconnect residents from jobs, services, and cultural life. They prioritize short-term unit counts over long-term urban quality. In Yazd, a hot-arid UNESCO-listed city whose identity is strongly tied to its vernacular morphology and social texture, these tensions are magnified as peripheral layouts challenge climate-responsive forms, encourage private-car dependence, and risk weakening place attachment. International narratives around the city emphasize compactness, transit orientation, mixed uses, digital readiness, and socio-ecological resilience. Discontinuous projects undermine precisely these ingredients by scattering growth, diluting infrastructure efficiency, and partitioning communities along socio-economic and cultural lines. Against this background, this study asks which mechanisms most strongly drive the harms of today’s separated developments, and how policy might recalibrate mass-housing delivery toward a sustainable urban trajectory. The research synthesizes theory with situated evidence from Yazd to move beyond generic critiques of sprawl. Methodology We employed a four-stage qualitative design with analytic triangulation. (1) Scoping review, A focused reading of urban sustainability, sprawl, compact city, and housing-policy literatures generated a long-list of 58 potential risk indicators spanning spatial form, mobility, environment, social cohesion, cultural identity, economic opportunity, governance, and digital infrastructure. (2) Resident perspectives, Semi-structured interviews captured lived experiences of accessibility, safety, identity, and daily routines within or near discontinuous projects. Texts were coded in Atlas.ti; word-clouds and co-occurrence queries highlighted salient concepts (e.g., distance from services, car reliance, identity loss, night-time insecurity). (3) Expert validation, Fourteen domain experts (urban planning, transport, housing delivery, heritage, governance, and digital systems) reviewed and refined indicator definitions, eliminating redundancies and clarifying causal directions. (4) Cross-impact structuring (MICMAC), Experts scored directional influences among indicators; the resulting matrix, highly filled, was analyzed to distinguish drivers from outcomes and to detect feedbacks. We used influence–dependence maps to identify high-leverage factors whose mitigation would propagate benefits system-wide. By combining resident narratives (depth), expert judgment (credibility), and MICMAC structuring (systemic perspective), the study produced a prioritized, policy-ready set of risks and countermeasures tailored to Yazd yet generalizable to similar contexts. Results and discussion MICMAC highlighted eight high-leverage risks shaping the pathology of separated growth. (1) Erosion of traditional architectural identity, peripheral estates often neglect climate-responsive typologies and material cultures, weakening neighborhood distinctiveness and everyday comfort. (2) Insufficient land-use mix, mono-functional housing forces long trips for work, education, and care, inflating household time and cost burdens. (3) Weak place attachment. distance from heritage cores, limited public life, and generic design reduce belonging and stewardship. (4) Cultural frictions, rapid in-migration into uniform estates with scarce shared spaces can intensify social distance and reduce informal support networks. (5) Employment–housing mismatch, locating projects far from job centers entrenches commuter dependence, especially where transit is limited. (6) Inadequate, car-dependent transport, sparse transit supply and discontinuous street grids amplify vehicle kilometers traveled, emissions, and inequities for non-drivers. (7) Underdeveloped digital/smart infrastructures, limited broadband, data platforms, and civic tech constrain service delivery, safety, tele-work, and participation. (8) Weak participatory governance, weak stakeholder engagement and low administrative capacity yield one-size-fits-all layouts and poor maintenance, eroding trust. These drivers co-produce outcomes misaligned with future-city principles as fragmented ecological corridors, heat-island intensification, inefficient land consumption, and vulnerability to shocks. In Yazd, the loss of vernacular climatic logic, compact blocks, shaded passages, and social courtyards exacerbates thermal stress and public-realm underuse. International models such as compact city and TOD are relevant only if translated locally as mixed-use clusters around transit, block-scale shading and micro-climate design, heritage-sensitive form-based codes, and distributed digital infrastructures for mobility, safety, and service access. Prioritizing the eight levers above promises cascading benefits, for example, improving land-use mix and transit simultaneously strengthens place attachment (through active streets), reduces emissions, and lowers household transport poverty. Conclusion Separated housing can meet short-term production targets yet set cities on an unsustainable path if spatial integration, mobility, identity, governance, and digital readiness are neglected. Our structured diagnosis for Yazd shows that addressing eight high-leverage risks, architectural identity, mixed uses, attachment, cultural cohesion, jobs–housing balance, transit, digital infrastructure, and participatory capacity, aligns mass housing with resilient, low-carbon, and inclusive futures. Practically, we recommend (i) heritage-sensitive, climate-responsive design at block and building scales; (ii) mixed-use and service clustering within walking distance and around transit; (iii) employment integration via zoning incentives and incubators; (iv) transit-first street networks and last-mile solutions; (v) digital infrastructure for services, safety, and engagement; and (vi) co-production with residents and strengthened inter-agency coordination. These steps convert housing delivery from a peripheral land-consumption machine into a catalyst for sustainable city-making. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content 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://www.jscity.ir/article_233958_7ccd9dc499d398ff0bf95c3dbe84c415.pdf

Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association Sustainable city 2476-6631 8 3 2025 11 11 Exploring Key Drivers of Urban Liveability towards Achieving the Healthy City Approach: A case study of Qaemshahr Exploring Key Drivers of Urban Liveability towards Achieving the Healthy City Approach: A case study of Qaemshahr 97 120 237013 10.22034/jsc.2025.549019.1884 FA Jamileh Qaeipasha Department of Geography and Urban Planning, No.C., Islamic Azad University, Nour, Iran 0000-0003-4954-0190 Qolamreza Janbaz Qobadi Department of Geography and Urban Planning, No.C., Islamic Azad University, Nour, Iran 0000-0003-2030-7475 Sadrodin Motavalli Department of Geography and Urban Planning, No.C., Islamic Azad University, Nour, Iran 0000-0003-1969-472X Journal Article 2025 06 04 A B S T R A C T Rapid urbanization and population growth in developing cities pose significant challenges to human health and urban sustainability. Urban livability, closely linked to the concept of a healthy city, has emerged as a critical framework for improving quality of life, well-being, and social equity. This study aims to identify and prioritize key drivers of livability in Qaemshahr and to propose a strategic framework for achieving a healthy city. Employing a mixed-methods, descriptive-analytical approach, the study involved 30 urban experts and managers selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected via a specialized questionnaire and in-depth interviews, with validity confirmed using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and reliability verified through test-retest. Quantitative results indicate that among 13 livability drivers, recreational and cultural services (mean = 8.7) and institutional–managerial factors (mean = 8.4) are most influential, followed by healthcare services (mean = 8.2) and access to consumer goods (mean = 7.9). Transportation infrastructure and urban green space scored moderate impact levels (means = 7.5 and 7.3), while housing had the lowest effect (mean = 6.0). MICMAC analysis revealed institutional and managerial indicators as leverage drivers, whereas physical and environmental indicators serve foundational roles. Qualitative findings highlight that social and cultural factors—citizen participation, social capital, and public space quality—exert indirect but significant influence, with neglect potentially limiting other drivers’ effectiveness. Coordination among infrastructure, services, and governance emerged as a key factor in enhancing livability. The study presents a hierarchical and networked framework, demonstrating that integrating smart management, cross-sectoral policies, and simultaneous attention to foundational and leverage indicators can effectively improve urban quality of life and promote sustainable development. This framework provides a scientific and practical guide for strategic decision-making in developing Iranian cities. Extended Abstract Introduction Rapid urbanization in the twenty-first century has posed unprecedented challenges to human health and the sustainability of ecological systems. In response, the concept of urban livability has emerged as a central paradigm in urban planning and design, aiming to create environments that not only support basic living conditions but also enhance quality of life, well-being, and human flourishing. Urban livability is increasingly intertwined with the notion of a healthy city, emphasizing equity in health, community participation, and the integration of cross-sectoral actions to develop supportive physical and social environments. Philosophically and theoretically, urban livability can be approached from structural-institutional perspectives, which highlight the role of governance, institutional capacity, and resource distribution, and from systems-complexity perspectives, which view the city as a dynamic network of social, spatial, and environmental components where drivers act as nodes or catalysts of change. Despite theoretical consensus on the importance of these concepts, a significant gap persists between discourse and practical implementation, particularly in rapidly developing urban contexts with limited resources and complex challenges. Identifying key drivers of urban livability is essential for navigating the trade-offs among economic, social, and environmental dimensions and for advancing integrated and sustainable urban development. Methodology The present study adopts an applied, descriptive-analytical approach, combining content analysis with interpretive structural modeling (ISM) based on expert opinion. Experts in urban management were selected through snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Initial data collection involved a literature review and in-depth interviews to identify potential drivers of urban livability. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess the influence and interdependence of these drivers. The validity of the instrument was confirmed through content validity assessment, while reliability was verified using a test-retest method, demonstrating strong consistency in expert responses. Data were processed using ISM and MICMAC analysis to determine the hierarchical relationships and classification of drivers. This process involved constructing a structural self-interaction matrix, converting it into a binary reachability matrix, and analyzing direct and indirect relationships to identify leverage points and the hierarchical positioning of each driver within the urban livability system. Results and discussion The findings reveal a multi-layered, complex structure of urban livability in the case study city, characterized by interdependent physical, environmental, social, economic, and institutional dimensions. Physical and environmental drivers, including infrastructure quality, mixed land use, and environmental conditions, form the foundational level, exerting broad potential influence on other factors. Social and institutional drivers, such as citizen participation, governance effectiveness, and access to health and recreational services, emerge as key leverage points with high influence and relatively low dependency, indicating their critical role in system-wide interventions. The hierarchical analysis demonstrates that urban livability is not driven by isolated factors; instead, effective outcomes require the alignment and integration of foundational infrastructure, environmental quality, social cohesion, and institutional governance. MICMAC classification highlights the importance of focusing on high-impact, low-dependency drivers for strategic planning, while dependent drivers require supportive structural interventions. Overall, the analysis indicates that interventions targeting physical infrastructure alone, without systemic consideration of social and institutional interactions, are insufficient to produce sustainable improvements in urban livability. Conclusion This study underscores that achieving urban livability and the healthy city paradigm in rapidly developing urban contexts necessitates a systemic, network-based approach. By integrating structural-institutional and systems-complexity perspectives, the research identifies critical drivers, their hierarchical positioning, and interdependencies, providing a roadmap for evidence-based urban policy and planning. Key drivers such as institutional governance, health and recreational services, and social engagement act as leverage points that can catalyze system-wide improvements. The findings also highlight that while foundational physical and environmental drivers are essential, their effectiveness depends on coordination with social and institutional mechanisms. The proposed framework enables urban planners and policymakers to prioritize strategic interventions, optimize resource allocation, and design integrated policies that promote sustainable, equitable, and health-oriented urban development. Ultimately, a networked understanding of urban livability offers actionable insights for enhancing the quality of life in complex urban settings and provides a replicable model for other rapidly developing cities seeking to implement the healthy city approach. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All authors approved the manuscript's content and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest, but none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. A B S T R A C T Rapid urbanization and population growth in developing cities pose significant challenges to human health and urban sustainability. Urban livability, closely linked to the concept of a healthy city, has emerged as a critical framework for improving quality of life, well-being, and social equity. This study aims to identify and prioritize key drivers of livability in Qaemshahr and to propose a strategic framework for achieving a healthy city. Employing a mixed-methods, descriptive-analytical approach, the study involved 30 urban experts and managers selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected via a specialized questionnaire and in-depth interviews, with validity confirmed using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and reliability verified through test-retest. Quantitative results indicate that among 13 livability drivers, recreational and cultural services (mean = 8.7) and institutional–managerial factors (mean = 8.4) are most influential, followed by healthcare services (mean = 8.2) and access to consumer goods (mean = 7.9). Transportation infrastructure and urban green space scored moderate impact levels (means = 7.5 and 7.3), while housing had the lowest effect (mean = 6.0). MICMAC analysis revealed institutional and managerial indicators as leverage drivers, whereas physical and environmental indicators serve foundational roles. Qualitative findings highlight that social and cultural factors—citizen participation, social capital, and public space quality—exert indirect but significant influence, with neglect potentially limiting other drivers’ effectiveness. Coordination among infrastructure, services, and governance emerged as a key factor in enhancing livability. The study presents a hierarchical and networked framework, demonstrating that integrating smart management, cross-sectoral policies, and simultaneous attention to foundational and leverage indicators can effectively improve urban quality of life and promote sustainable development. This framework provides a scientific and practical guide for strategic decision-making in developing Iranian cities. Extended Abstract Introduction Rapid urbanization in the twenty-first century has posed unprecedented challenges to human health and the sustainability of ecological systems. In response, the concept of urban livability has emerged as a central paradigm in urban planning and design, aiming to create environments that not only support basic living conditions but also enhance quality of life, well-being, and human flourishing. Urban livability is increasingly intertwined with the notion of a healthy city, emphasizing equity in health, community participation, and the integration of cross-sectoral actions to develop supportive physical and social environments. Philosophically and theoretically, urban livability can be approached from structural-institutional perspectives, which highlight the role of governance, institutional capacity, and resource distribution, and from systems-complexity perspectives, which view the city as a dynamic network of social, spatial, and environmental components where drivers act as nodes or catalysts of change. Despite theoretical consensus on the importance of these concepts, a significant gap persists between discourse and practical implementation, particularly in rapidly developing urban contexts with limited resources and complex challenges. Identifying key drivers of urban livability is essential for navigating the trade-offs among economic, social, and environmental dimensions and for advancing integrated and sustainable urban development. Methodology The present study adopts an applied, descriptive-analytical approach, combining content analysis with interpretive structural modeling (ISM) based on expert opinion. Experts in urban management were selected through snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Initial data collection involved a literature review and in-depth interviews to identify potential drivers of urban livability. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess the influence and interdependence of these drivers. The validity of the instrument was confirmed through content validity assessment, while reliability was verified using a test-retest method, demonstrating strong consistency in expert responses. Data were processed using ISM and MICMAC analysis to determine the hierarchical relationships and classification of drivers. This process involved constructing a structural self-interaction matrix, converting it into a binary reachability matrix, and analyzing direct and indirect relationships to identify leverage points and the hierarchical positioning of each driver within the urban livability system. Results and discussion The findings reveal a multi-layered, complex structure of urban livability in the case study city, characterized by interdependent physical, environmental, social, economic, and institutional dimensions. Physical and environmental drivers, including infrastructure quality, mixed land use, and environmental conditions, form the foundational level, exerting broad potential influence on other factors. Social and institutional drivers, such as citizen participation, governance effectiveness, and access to health and recreational services, emerge as key leverage points with high influence and relatively low dependency, indicating their critical role in system-wide interventions. The hierarchical analysis demonstrates that urban livability is not driven by isolated factors; instead, effective outcomes require the alignment and integration of foundational infrastructure, environmental quality, social cohesion, and institutional governance. MICMAC classification highlights the importance of focusing on high-impact, low-dependency drivers for strategic planning, while dependent drivers require supportive structural interventions. Overall, the analysis indicates that interventions targeting physical infrastructure alone, without systemic consideration of social and institutional interactions, are insufficient to produce sustainable improvements in urban livability. Conclusion This study underscores that achieving urban livability and the healthy city paradigm in rapidly developing urban contexts necessitates a systemic, network-based approach. By integrating structural-institutional and systems-complexity perspectives, the research identifies critical drivers, their hierarchical positioning, and interdependencies, providing a roadmap for evidence-based urban policy and planning. Key drivers such as institutional governance, health and recreational services, and social engagement act as leverage points that can catalyze system-wide improvements. The findings also highlight that while foundational physical and environmental drivers are essential, their effectiveness depends on coordination with social and institutional mechanisms. The proposed framework enables urban planners and policymakers to prioritize strategic interventions, optimize resource allocation, and design integrated policies that promote sustainable, equitable, and health-oriented urban development. Ultimately, a networked understanding of urban livability offers actionable insights for enhancing the quality of life in complex urban settings and provides a replicable model for other rapidly developing cities seeking to implement the healthy city approach. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All authors approved the manuscript's content and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest, but none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

https://www.jscity.ir/article_237013_6c893527758e03423ad014245fda9169.pdf