A B S T R A C T
The intensification of social and economic inequalities in cities around the world has led to the emergence of new urban theories. Inclusive cities are of great importance due to their ability to improve the quality of life of all residents and reduce inequalities. This research aimed to identify the influential factors and how these factors influence each other, which in a way affect the future of the city of Sari and its inclusive status, so that by identifying these factors and driving forces, the necessary basis and context for efficient decision-making in the field of inclusive cities can be provided. Analyzing the structural relationships between indicators will reveal a clearer vision of the city's future. Data and information were collected in the form of documents and fieldwork. The statistical population of the study included 20 experts and specialists, and the sampling method was also carried out purposefully. MICMAC software (for cross-effects calculations) was also used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that urban planning and management indicators, land-based financing, access to financial resources, affordable land and housing, and public space reconstruction are key and effective indicators for realizing an inclusive city. Also, cross-effects calculations showed that the distribution of indicators in the coordinate diagram indicates the unsustainability of the inclusive city system of Sari.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The rapid increase of urbanization had undesired consequences for urban inhabitants, especially for deprived and vulnerable people. Urban planners and international institutions proposed new urban paradigms in order to reduce inequality.  Also, the emergence of participatory planning ideas and the inefficiency of conventional planning approaches led to the idea of an inclusive city in planning literature. Indeed, the inclusive city, as articulated in Sustainable Development Goal 11 specifically and in other goals more generally, and to reduce inequality, goes beyond only shelter. The concept of inclusion is opposed to exclusion, which results from physical, social, or economic barriers that prevent specific groups from fully participating in urban life and services. Studies show that rapid urbanization and unequal development in Iran have led to the concentration of poverty and inequality in urban areas, which is one of the major challenges to realizing an inclusive city in Iranian cities. Sari is the political-administrative center of Mazandaran province and one of its most populous areas. The population of this city in the 2016 census was 309,820 people. In the process of rapid population growth and high immigration in recent years, it has faced various problems and challenges, one of which is the existence of different manifestations of the quality of life in its different areas. The formation of neighborhoods around Sari such as Nobaniad, Ghaffari Alley, Rahband neighborhood, etc., and the annexation of some peripheral villages to the city indicate the difference in planning of areas and neighborhoods and inequality in the city's infrastructure, which has led to disruption of the environmental balance and the visibility of inequality and deprivation of many income and social groups.
 
Methodology
The present study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical. Documentary and library research methods were used to collect information, and the data analysis method using the futures research software MICMAC and the cross-matrix analysis method. The common thread of all reports and documents related to inclusiveness is the great complexity and difficulties in collecting quantitative data. The following study was no exception to this; for this reason, the present study was conducted from a qualitative perspective and from the point of view of experts who are familiar with the discussion of inclusiveness and with regard to their knowledge and expertise of the characteristics of the city of Sari. Then, the qualitative data was entered into the software in quantitative form. Next, a descriptive statement of the research and how it was conducted was given in the form of explaining the concepts related to the subject. In this way, while becoming more familiar with the research literature, operational and applied definitions were obtained from the research concepts, and in accordance with them and obtaining the views of the research elite community, the initial variables related to the MICMAC analyses were selected. The data collection tool was an expert questionnaire, and the Delphi method was used in four stages.
 
Results and discussion
As mentioned, 20 indicators have been considered for the inclusive city. This stage examines the interactive effects of the 20 indicators from the experts' perspective. For this purpose, system analysis was used in the MICMAC software. In the MICMAC software, the indicators were first entered, and the experts completed the 20x20 matrix of the mutual effects of the indicators. In fact, in this stage, a qualitative assessment was carried out by the experts, and each of the experts, based on their knowledge and experience, assigned a degree of influence from 0 to 3 (no influence to high influence) to the relationship between the two variables and, in fact, the degree of their influence and influence on each other. The degree of filling of the matrix with 2 rotations is 54.72 percent, which indicates the high validity of the questionnaire and its responses. Out of 80 evaluable relationships in this matrix, 120 relationships were zero, meaning that the factors did not influence or were not influenced by each other.
The influence graph shows the relationship between indicators (factors) and the extent of their influence on each other. This graph is represented by red and blue lines, which indicate the intensity of the influence of the indicators. Red lines indicate strong influence, and blue lines with different thicknesses indicate moderate to weak relationships. As can be seen, the intensity of the relationship between indicators in the direct relationship matrix is ​​strong. Also, the indirect matrix's relationships between indicators are relatively strong. In this matrix, the relationship between land-based financing indicators and basic services to the urban poor is strong. Impact indicators: Out of 20 indicators, several indicators have been identified as driving indicators (impactors). Examining the direct and indirect relationships of the indicators has shown that the impact indicators in direct impacts have also been repeated in indirect impacts. The only difference is in the ranking of the indicators. The key impact indicators for the city of Sari from the experts' perspective include the following indicators as urban planning and management (A1), land-based financing (B3), access to financial resources (C1), affordable land and housing (A3), reconstruction of public space (B2). Dependent indicators as dependent indicators, like the impact indicators, were also repeated in direct and indirect impacts. Notably, the difference in the ranking of the indicators was very small. Impactor indicators include the following as basic services to the urban poor (A2), affordable land and housing (A3), improvement of the condition of slums (B1), and security of tenure (A4).
 
Conclusion
Urban planning and management were identified as the most important indicators of direct impact. Urban planning and management are very important in realizing an inclusive city. In this approach, urban planning and management provide urban services and facilities to citizens, regardless of social, economic, and cultural differences. Urban management can reduce social and economic inequalities by providing services such as information and communication technology, planning for citizen participation, improving urban infrastructure, educating and empowering citizens, and increasing access to urban facilities. Providing the above services leads to improving citizens' quality of life and contributes to sustainable and balanced urban development. The next important impact indicator is land-based financing. Land-based financing can help realize an inclusive city by improving infrastructure, increasing access to affordable housing, strengthening social and economic participation, and reducing inequalities and marginalization. This indicator can also help manage resources and prevent sustainable environmental degradation. This method can help preserve natural resources and reduce environmental degradation through proper planning and optimal urban land use. The third effective indicator, closely related to the previous indicator, is the index of access to financial resources. This index can help develop and improve urban infrastructure. This infrastructure includes housing, transportation, water and sanitation, and other essential services necessary for a quality urban life. Improving infrastructure can reduce inequalities and increase access to basic services for all citizens.
 
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.