Urban and Regional Development Planning
Jafar Saeedi
Abstract
Understanding the causes and determinants of development and underdevelopment has emerged as a crucial focus within the realm of social and economic studies over the past five decades. Regional development, as a fundamental requirement for progress, encompasses diverse dimensions aimed at achieving ...
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Understanding the causes and determinants of development and underdevelopment has emerged as a crucial focus within the realm of social and economic studies over the past five decades. Regional development, as a fundamental requirement for progress, encompasses diverse dimensions aimed at achieving regional equilibrium, reducing infrastructural disparities, and addressing structural and territorial gaps. This developmental model not only exhibits exceptional efficiency in terms of resource management and harnessing regional potential, but also strives to narrow or eradicate disparities within and between regions through the spatial organization of socio-economic and structural activities, capitalizing on local capacities unique to each region. This particular study seeks to conduct a comprehensive structural analysis of the drivers influencing regional development in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Employing an applied theoretical framework, the research employs a descriptive-analytical survey approach. Data and information were gathered through an extensive examination of relevant academically-sound sources alongside field observations, including interviews and questionnaires. Quantitative analysis, employing cross-impact analysis and Micmac software, was employed to analyze the collected data. Twenty key factors were thus extracted and identified as crucial drivers influencing regional development in the province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.
Introduction
Regional development is driven by the objectives of reducing socio-economic disparities among different regions and promoting spatial decentralization, ultimately aiming for sustainable socio-economic progress. By recognizing and understanding the factors that contribute to regional development and formulating plans for achieving sustainable development, regions can take essential steps towards closing the gap between them. These disparities manifest as a reflection of various elements, such as environmental factors, political economy, shortcomings in spatial planning systems, insufficient integrated territorial management, and a lack of coordination among responsible organizations involved in spatial and regional development. The Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, encompassing a significant territorial extent in Iran, benefits from extensive capacities within economic, social, cultural, and natural resource domains, indicating a favorable environment for growth, development, and overcoming challenges. Nonetheless, despite numerous programs designed and implemented to foster infrastructure development and enhance social services, unfavorable conditions persist in major economic, social, and infrastructure indicators. Inefficient management practices, operational inadequacies, and insufficient attention towards harnessing the province's potentials have led to diverse issues and challenges impeding its development. Consequently, it becomes evident that regional imbalances and the neglect of development drivers within the province are reflected across economic, social, cultural, and infrastructure indicators. Thus, recognizing the influential factors and drivers that underpin regional development in the province and establishing a solid foundation for regional development planning based on these drivers becomes critically significant. Such an approach serves as a gateway to addressing and alleviating the problems and shortcomings associated with underdevelopment and deprivation. Thus, the primary objective of this research centers on conducting a structural analysis of the drivers shaping regional development. Specifically, it seeks to address the following question: What are the key driving forces influencing regional development in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province?
Methodology
The present research adopts an "applied-theoretical" approach in terms of its purpose, while employing a "descriptive-analytical" methodology that aligns with its nature and methodological framework. The research methodology for this study combines both quantitative-survey and qualitative techniques, in accordance with the research objectives. In addition to gathering insights from experts through the Delphi method, documentary analysis of various sources such as the provincial spatial planning document, reports, plans, and development plans of the province has been utilized as part of the research methodology. The statistical population for this study consists of academic experts, professionals, and institutional-organizational managers who possess ample knowledge and experience in the field of regional development within the study area. These experts were purposefully selected and included in the research sample, following the method of purposive sampling. To analyze the structure of regional development drivers in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, a total of 21 academic experts, institutional-organizational experts, and managers were chosen as representative samples. Selection criteria were based on the experts' expertise, willingness to participate, as well as the complexity of the methods, stages, and implementation conditions associated with the Delphi technique. This study encompasses various dimensions and drivers of regional development, including economic, social, infrastructural, environmental, agricultural, and institutional-organizational aspects, in addition to urban and rural development considerations. These drivers were prioritized based on the expert opinions' importance, and the identification of key drivers was accomplished through the utilization of the Cross-impact analysis method along with Micmac software.
Discussion and Results
Aligned with the primary objective of the present research, the structural analysis and identification of key drivers that impact regional development in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province were carried out using the Cross-impact analysis (CIA) method. This method facilitated the identification and assessment of the influence exerted by these drivers on the region. Through a comprehensive analysis that involved examining the relationship between variables, assessing the stability and instability of the studied system, constructing a matrix of direct influences (MDI), a matrix of indirect influences (MII), ranking variables, and calculating the coefficient of displacement for each variable under varying conditions, a total of 20 factors were extracted and selected as the key drivers influencing the regional development of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces. Table 1 presents the ranking of drivers affecting the regional development of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, based on their direct and indirect dependencies and influences.
Table 1. Key drivers influencing the regional development of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province
Code
Drivers
Final score
Rank
MDI
MII
MDI
MII
V1
Employment and labor market
227
226
1
1
V20
Human resource management and the use of local and expert manpower in the development management of the province
222
221
2
3
V54
Migration management (rural-urban and outside the province)
220
220
3
2
V49
Coordination and constructive inter-organizational interaction
216
212
4
4
V22
Coherence in social management of the province
211
209
5
5
V4
Deprivation policies and poverty reduction
203
202
6
6
V41
Development of infrastructure and urban and rural water supply networks
202
200
7
7
V39
Utilization of tourism capacities and tourism development infrastructures
200
196
8
9
V11
The optimal distribution system of investment and economic resources between different regions of the province
197
195
9
11
V51
The existence of comprehensive crisis management plans and programs
197
194
10
8
V12
Economic competitiveness at the national and transnational level
194
194
11
10
V60
Management of urban and rural population spatial distribution system
194
194
12
12
V55
Appropriate distribution of infrastructure, services, and balancing to the urban and rural residential network
192
193
13
13
V25
Protection, exploitation, and management of water resources (organizing and development of water resources, containment and transfer of surface water, and improvement of efficiency in exploitation of water resources)
191
190
14
17
V28
Management and exploitation of agricultural resources
191
190
15
15
V47
Development and equipping of infrastructures, and facilities related to the field of crisis management
189
189
16
14
V62
Resilience of settlements
187
187
17
18
V64
Evaluating the effects of urban and rural development plans
187
185
18
16
V33
Environmental and social management of water transfer projects
184
182
19
22
V34
Management of environmental hazards and pollution (polluting sources of water, soil, and air and the emerging phenomenon of dust storm with extra-regional origin)
181
178
20
19
Conclusions
The present study has been conducted with the primary objective of conducting a comprehensive analysis and identification of indicators and drivers that contribute to regional development in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. To achieve this goal, an examination of spatial planning and development documents specific to the province, as well as consultations with academic and organizational experts, were conducted. Through this process, a prioritization of 20 drivers was accomplished, highlighting the key drivers that significantly influence regional development. It is crucial to attain a correct comprehension of these key drivers within the development dimensions of the province in order to effectively implement regional development policies in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. By doing so, integrated management, sustainable planning, and collaboration at national and provincial levels can be fostered. This collaborative effort aims to overcome obstacles to development and capitalize on opportunities in alignment with the province's capabilities.
Urban and Regional Development Planning
Elham Soveyzi; Qadir siaami; Maleeha Salahi
Abstract
Abstract
Land use planning plays a crucial role in urban planning by addressing urban needs, tackling land scarcity challenges, and determining the physical growth of cities. Urban redevelopment, specifically the revitalization of vacant and abandoned lands, serves as an effective strategy to optimize ...
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Abstract
Land use planning plays a crucial role in urban planning by addressing urban needs, tackling land scarcity challenges, and determining the physical growth of cities. Urban redevelopment, specifically the revitalization of vacant and abandoned lands, serves as an effective strategy to optimize land utilization, mitigate pollution, and enhance the socioeconomic urban environment. In this study, a foresight approach is adopted, employing descriptive-analytical methods to conduct a structural analysis of the factors involved in infill development in the Bronsi barracks brownfields located in Mashhad. Data collection was conducted through secondary research and surveys, with a statistical sample comprising eight purposively selected urban experts. A total of 15 variables associated with sustainable brownfield planning were identified, encompassing physical-spatial, socioeconomic, managerial-institutional, and environmental aspects. These variables were further classified into five groups: influential, double-faceted, susceptible, independent, and regulatory. To evaluate the relationships among the variables, the Micmac software was utilized, and subsequent scenarios including probable and favorable outcomes were determined. The analysis highlighted the priority of three key factors in inactive lands: land price, accessibility to services and facilities, and the number of land uses. These findings are of great significance and should be taken into consideration by urban decision-makers not only in the studied sites but also in similar areas.
Keywords: Structural Analysis, Infill Development, Brownfields, Foresight, Micmac, Bronis Barracks.
Introduction
The dispersed development and horizontal expansion witnessed over the recent decades have posed a multitude of challenges for cities. These challenges include issues such as poverty, cultural and citizenship ethics decline, poor local community safety and health, destruction of the natural environment and lands, and environmental pollution. Moreover, this pattern of development has resulted in substantial expenses for infrastructure creation and development on a larger scale. In addition, brownfields, which encompass former industrial sites such as factories, barracks, slaughterhouses, and prisons located on the outskirts of cities, have now found themselves within, and even at the heart of, urban areas due to this distribution pattern. As a result, these brownfields have brought about the aforementioned issues in residential areas. They are currently non-compliant with their surrounding land uses, and may even conflict with them in terms of visual standards and functionality, thereby discouraging citizens from being present in these areas and spreading insecurity.
The redevelopment of brownfields is considered a facilitating strategy for the reuse of inactive lands, and it is one of the effective approaches to address land use problems in Iranian cities. By implementing this strategy, not only can the spatial and physical quality of cities be improved, but it can also serve as a key factor in the pursuit of sustainable communities and a higher quality of life, all while safeguarding rural and agricultural lands. Among the significant brownfield sites officially designated for redevelopment is the 27-hectare Bronsi Barracks in Mashhad. In light of this, the present study utilizes the MICMAC method to identify the factors influencing the redevelopment of these lands and their extent of influence. Additionally, the study aims to propose and evaluate various redevelopment scenarios for the Bronsi Barracks site, in line with its secondary objective.
Literature Review
In their study titled "From Concept to Completion: Critical Analysis of Urban Village," Biddulph et al. (2003) focused on the processes of discourse construction and reconstruction. They concluded that the transformation of concepts into purely theoretical and operational plans led to contradictory lived experiences. Similarly, Aronita (2006) conducted a study titled "Analysis of the relative benefits of the heterogeneity of redeveloping vacant public lands" and proposed that the level of people's dissatisfaction with spaces could be a criterion for identifying brownfields and inefficient urban fabrics suitable for redevelopment.
Durrell (2012) presented a model with an integrated regionalism approach at the organizational level in his book "Economic Objectives of Brownfield Development in Germany." This model aimed to categorize brownfields with an economic orientation. Solitar and Laurier (2012) explored the role of development companies in their research titled "Increasing the Capacity of Urban Development Companies to Renew Worn-out Fabrics: An inner-city Approach." They sought to understand the meaningful economic effects of these companies' contributions to public participation in redevelopment processes. De Sousa (2002) discussed the growing inclination to redevelop urban brownfields in Canada since the 1990s in his study titled "Brownfield Redevelopment in Toronto: An Examination of Past Trends and Prospects."
Ahmadi (2013) conducted a study titled "Using brownfields, a stride toward functional improvement of urban neighborhoods; case study: Koshtargah Neighbourhood, Urmia." He applied land use planning in the infill development approach to revitalize and improve the studied neighborhood, specifically addressing the inactivity and abandonment of the slaughterhouse located within the area. In another study titled "Examining and Revitalizing Brownfields in the Context of Urban Sustainability," Tohidi Rad (2013) discussed sustainable development indicators and principles, examined brownfields, identified their challenges, risks, and characteristics, and proposed land-use alteration as a means to reincorporate these lands into the urban life cycle. Alaei et al. (2015) emphasized the role of brownfield redevelopment as a driver of sustainable urban development in their work, "Identification of factors affecting the redevelopment of brownfields in the context of Iran; Case: Abkoh sugar factory, Mashhad."
Shakri and Monsefi Prapari (2020), in their study titled "Investigation of the Principles and Strategies of Urban Redevelopment with the Brownfield land-use alteration approach," regarded brownfields as a solution to the urban sprawl problem and emphasized their potential as useful and income-generating lands within cities. Nourian and Afradi (2013) conducted a study titled "Application of content analysis to Assess and Identify the brownfield redevelopment process in leading countries." They argued that all redevelopment processes consist of four stages: initiation, cleaning, design planning, and implementation. Hasani and Saiidi Mofrad (2017) employed the social placemaking approach in their study titled "Planning for urban brownfield redesign with a social placemaking approach; Case of Abkoh sugar factory, Mashhad." They utilized scenario-writing techniques and presented three scenarios—minimum, middle, and maximum—ultimately selecting a flexible, accessible, and safe scenario.
In the present study, we adopt a novel approach to structurally analyze the factors involved in infill development in brownfields. This approach is based on the foresight approach, which has not been explored in domestic and international records, specifically in the context of the Bronsi barracks brownfields in Mashhad.
Methodology
Using a descriptive-analytical methodology, the present study examines the factors involved in sustainable land-use planning in the Bronsi Barracks brownfields in Mashhad. The study adopts the scenario-writing approach to prioritize these factors based on their impact on the future of the system and to identify the driving factors with the highest influence. Data collection employed both secondary research and surveys. The former was utilized to investigate relevant literature and examine the studied site, while the latter was conducted using the Delphi method and questionnaires distributed to eight experienced urban management experts in Mashhad.
To illustrate the variables in terms of their influence and susceptibility, a three-stage process was followed. This included the identification of variables across five categories: influential, two-faceted, susceptible, independent, and regulatory. Subsequently, structural-interpretive modeling and the Micmac software were utilized to define the relationships between these variables and identify key variables for further investigation of their respective ranges.
Conclusion
Brownfields have been found to diminish the value of surrounding properties and pose health risks to local communities as they clash with their environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and prioritize the crucial factors involved in the planning of Bronsi Barracks brownfields in Mashhad. The results highlighted the significance of three factors in particular: land price, accessibility to services and facilities, and the number of land uses in inactive areas. These findings hold important implications for urban decision-makers in the studied sites and similar regions, as they strive to attain specific goals and create opportunities for inclusive urban utilization.
An analysis of the four scenarios revealed that the most probable scenario for the redevelopment of Bronsi Barracks brownfields was the first scenario, commonly known as the "center of problems." This scenario emphasized various challenges, including issues pertaining to management and institutions (such as inefficiencies in regulations and documents), environmental concerns, socioeconomic factors, and physical-spatial problems. Conversely, the most favorable scenario emerged as the fourth scenario, named the "all-inclusive barracks." This scenario indicated significant progress in all aspects and key factors, suggesting that socioeconomic and physical-spatial transformations could play pivotal roles in enhancing the area's conditions, based on the coefficients derived from the examination of these key factors.
Acknowledgments
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the urban managers and experts in Mashhad for their invaluable cooperation. We appreciate their willingness to provide answers to our questions and diligently complete the questionnaires, which greatly facilitated the progress of our research. Their assistance was instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution of this study.
