Quarterly Journals of Urban and Regional Development Planning

Abstract Railways, as one of the main urban infrastructures, have played a significant role in transforming urban transportation systems. Despite their economic, environmental, and safety advantages, railway corridors in some cities have caused spatial fragmentation and physical separation within urban fabrics. The passage of railway lines through built-up areas has led to declining land values, the emergence of unsafe spaces, reduced spatial accessibility, and environmental problems. District 16 of Tehran, which hosts the Tehran–Mashhad railway corridor, represents a clear example of these challenges. Accordingly, the main research question of this study is to identify the spatial conflicts arising from the adjacency of railway corridors and urban fabrics and to explain an appropriate approach for their coexistence. The study adopts a qualitative research approach using a case study method. Data were collected through documentary and library studies, field surveys, and interviews with relevant actors. Reviewing laws and regulations, examining international experiences, and identifying challenges within the study area guided the research framework toward a city–rail coexistence approach. The findings indicate that responses to city–rail adjacency range from radical and passive approaches, such as relocating or burying railway lines, to more realistic approaches emphasizing coexistence and positive interaction. The city–rail coexistence approach, by moderating functional conflicts of railway corridors within urban fabrics, facilitates spatial integration between the city and the rail system. Finally, key requirements for organizing and reducing adjacency-related problems in the study area are presented.

Abstract Operational budgeting in municipalities is one of the key tools for improving the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the urban financial system. The present study, with the aim of designing an operational budgeting model in Tabriz Municipality, has used a mixed method of Grounded theory and systems dynamics. In the qualitative part, data collected from three sources of literature review, laws and expert reports, and semi-structured interviews with experts were analyzed in three stages of open, axial and selective coding in the Maxqda2020 software and the system components were identified. Based on the findings, three main subsystems were identified, including budget sources, budget expenditures and performance evaluation subsystem. Then, using the systems thinking approach and CLD diagram, causal relationships between the variables of each subsystem were drawn and analyzed. In order to develop a dynamic operational budgeting model, the final model was developed in the form of a stock-flow model that shows the dynamics between revenue sources, costs, and performance indicators. Then, using the causal relationship structure, a performance-based budget allocation formula was designed. This formula, by combining multi-criteria weighting (efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and urban development priorities), allows for optimal and fair allocation of resources. The simulation results showed that changing the components of the performance indicator has a great impact on the way the budget is distributed and allocated between municipal activities and projects. Therefore, it is recommended to allocate based on performance in order to increase productivity and reduce waste of budget resources.

Abstract approach to examine the functions of these spaces in two distinct contexts: Fahadan in Yazd (an informal model) and CERES in Melbourne (a formal-institutional model). A mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) was employed, involving 101 participants (54 in Yazd, 47 in Melbourne). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires (Likert scale and WHO-5) and thematic analysis. The mean resilience scores were high in both sites (Yazd: 4/48, Melbourne: 4/46), but significant differences were observed: in Yazd, "access to traditional food" was more prominent, while in Melbourne, "participation despite barriers" and "psychological well-being" were more pronounced. Qualitative analysis revealed four main themes: economic survival (42% in Yazd), preservation of traditional identity (31% in Yazd), learning sustainability and intercultural integration (38% in Melbourne), and reduction of isolation (29% in both sites). Psychological well-being emerged as the strongest predictor of resilience (β = 0/58, p < 0/001). The findings underscore the necessity of localizing formal models of community gardens in Iran with an emphasis on climatic and cultural contexts. The results can inform the development of urban regeneration policies centered on social participation and the strengthening of local economies in Iran's historical and migrant-receiving neighborhoods.

Abstract In an era where urban development increasingly embraces human-centric approaches, the regeneration of public spaces has assumed a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of urban life. This study aims to assess the socio-cultural impacts of the Path of "Sarzendegi" project in District 2 of Tehran from the users' perspective. The theoretical framework integrates concepts from social capital and sense of place theories. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research utilized semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and a researcher-designed questionnaire (N=200). Findings indicate the project's success in fostering a distinct identity (4.25), dynamism and vitality (4.19), spatial legibility (4.08), and strengthening intergenerational interactions (4.00). Furthermore, a sense of place attachment (4.08) and collective memory (3.79) were moderately enhanced. However, a significant perceptual gap exists among stakeholder groups concerning nighttime safety and the equitable distribution of amenities (3.25). Qualitative analysis corroborates the emergence of neighborly interactions and improved nighttime safety yet simultaneously reveals a sense of alienation among long-term residents. This experience offers a potential operational model for participatory socio-cultural impact assessments in future Iranian urban regeneration projects.

Abstract Urban happiness is one of the key indicators of quality of life. The present study aims to comparative analyze the impact of urban design components on the happiness of residents in two heterogeneous neighborhoods of Qom; Bajak II (gradually formed texture) and Pardisan (planned texture). The research method is a survey-analytical type and data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire with a sample size of 400 people in each neighborhood and data analysis was performed using Spearman correlation test, exploratory factor analysis and multivariate regression in SPSS software. The results showed that the pattern of the impact of the components on happiness in the two neighborhoods is significantly different. In Bajak II, the regression results assigned the highest weight to environmental perception and aesthetics. Factor analysis also showed that the residents of this texture perceive the components in an integrated mental structure (6 factors) with a focus on social capital and physical function. In Pardisan, the highest explanatory weight was assigned to the components of green space quality and walkability. Factor analysis of this context revealed a disparate mental structure (10 factors) centered on security and compensation for basic physical needs. These differences are due to the fact that residents of this neighborhood seek to compensate for physical gaps, while in Bajak, the priority is to maintain visual advantages and improve the quality of existing environments. The final conclusion confirms that urban design policies should be targeted based on the neighborhood need pattern.

Abstract Women’s multiple social and family roles generate complex travel patterns, making employment accessibility within transport systems essential. This study investigates the challenges affecting employed women’s access to public transportation in mid-sized cities, using Sanandaj as a case study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five urban transportation managers and 30 employed women, comprising office workers and sellers, and analyzed through qualitative content analysis within the Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) framework. Findings indicate that fleet inefficiency, unequal spatial and temporal service distribution, poor hygiene, and security concerns are push factors distancing women from public transportation. Mooring factors vary substantially by occupational and socioeconomic position. Office workers tend to rely on private cars because of stabilizing conditions, including car ownership, workplace parking, access to ring-road routes, and the need for trip chaining. By contrast, sellers, constrained by low incomes and long, split-shift working hours, frequently depend on informal private transport. On the pull dimension, smart shared services are attractive, particularly to sellers, because they offer flexibility, lower costs, and perceived safety. The study concludes that improving women’s employment accessibility requires moving beyond quantitative fleet expansion toward integrating public transportation with flexible complementary services tailored to the economic and temporal constraints of user groups.

Abstract Rapid urban growth and persistent dilapidated fabric in seismically active cities make joint assessment of risk and spatial resilience increasingly urgent. This study analyzes and zonate the spatial resilience of Kerman city, Iran, against earthquakes through an integrated framework combining seismic vulnerability, population exposure, spatial risk, and emergency shelter capacity. The study is applied in purpose and employs spatial multi-criteria analysis within a GIS environment, supported by fuzzy analytic hierarchy process weighting. Results show that approximately 49% of the city's population (257,780 people) resides in zones of high to complete seismic vulnerability, with the highest risk concentrated in the central core and eastern and southeastern districts. FAHP weighting indicates that spatial risk (weight = 0.62) contributes more strongly to resilience than shelter capacity (weight = 0.38). Based on the proposed Spatial Resilience Index, about 31% of the city's area falls into very-low and low resilience classes, while 46% falls into high and very-high classes. The estimated gap between shelter capacity and potential demand is approximately 41,204 people; the SRI map reveals a distinct center–periphery pattern, with the historic core—marked by physical deterioration, high population density, and limited response capacity—exhibiting the lowest resilience. By integrating risk and response capacity into a single measure and subjecting it to systematic sensitivity analysis, the proposed index addresses conceptual, methodological, and analytical gaps in the literature, offering a decision-support tool for prioritizing risk-reduction interventions, urban regeneration, and disaster-management resource allocation in historic, earthquake-prone cities

Abstract Neighborhood sustainability is one of the most important approaches to achieving sustainable development at the micro-urban scale and is proposed as a platform for assessing the quality of life, social cohesion, and efficiency of the urban environment. The present study aimed to investigate the status of neighborhood sustainable development indicators in the Nezamabad neighborhood of District 7 of Tehran Municipality. This study is descriptive-analytical in that four indicators of identity, safety and security, vitality, and place belonging were measured as socio-cultural components of neighborhood sustainable development. After collection, the research data were analyzed using the binomial test, considering the non-normal distribution of most of the variables. The results of the study showed that the indicators of identity, place belonging, and safety and security in the Nezamabad neighborhood are in a stable state, but the vitality index is evaluated as unstable. Despite the relative sustainability of some components, the findings show that Nizamabad neighborhood is not considered an acceptable sustainable neighborhood from an overall perspective. Therefore, strengthening physical, social, and functional components, especially in the area of ​​neighborhood vitality, is essential to improve the sustainability level of this area.

Abstract This research aims to examine the perceptual gap between urban managers and homeless individuals in their encounter with the phenomenon of homelessness in Tehran. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach and narrative inquiry methodology. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with urban managers and homeless individuals, field observations, and documentary sources, and analyzed employing thematic analysis. The findings reveal the existence of a fundamental gap in the understanding and conceptualization of the issue; such that urban managers predominantly perceive homelessness as a security concern linked to urban order, emphasizing control, management, and cleansing strategies for the urban environment. In contrast, homeless individuals regard this condition as a consequence of structural exclusion, systematic poverty, and the violation of their citizenship rights. They demand recognition of their human dignity and civic status, beyond merely receiving supportive services. This perceptual divergence explains the ineffectiveness of purely security-oriented policies and the perpetuation of the homelessness cycle. Accordingly, the research concludes that exiting the current situation necessitates a paradigmatic shift from coercive and regulatory approaches to human-centered, empowering policies grounded in social justice—an approach that begins by listening to the voices of the marginalized and redefining the issue based on their lived experiences.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to understande the professional role of urban planners in confronting the complexities and conflicts within the process and environment of metropolitan planning in Tehran. Professional self-awareness among urban planners about their role is considered a key component in effectively understanding, explaining, and executing urban planning tasks. It is influenced by a set of individual, organizational, institutional, political, and discursive factors and plays a significant role in shaping the planners' approach to addressing urban complexities. The main question of this research is: How do urban planners of Tehran's metropolitan area perceive their professional role in addressing the complexities and conflicts within the planning process and its environment? In line with the objective of this research, the Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) method has been employed to focus on the planners' subjective constructions from an emic or introspective perspective. Following a systematic review of the literature and conducting semi-structured interviews with 18 planners experienced in the metropolitan planning environment of Tehran, the stages of initial, focused, and theoretical coding (comprising 225 initial codes and 33 conceptual categories) were completed to finalize the conceptualization based on the central category. The findings indicate that "professional self-awareness of planners in the field of roles" is the concept shaping the institutional behavior of planners, which plays a crucial role in understanding the geography of agency among metropolitan planners in Tehran.

Abstract The analysis of the role of urban artificial intelligence in managing pandemics (particularly COVID-19) is considered an emerging field within smart urban planning. This study aims to elucidate the level of maturity and the capacity for deploying urban AI technologies in Iran and was conducted in two phases. First, a systematic review of 336 articles indexed in the ScienceDirect database (2020–2025) was carried out using the PRISMA approach, complemented by bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer software. Second, a case-based analysis of measures implemented in Tehran was conducted using qualitative analysis across three dimensions: “prediction,” “diagnosis and treatment,” and “control of transmission,” drawing on research data, official documents, and empirical evidence. The results indicate that while Iran possesses a relatively high level of data infrastructure, the utilization of machine learning models and intelligent algorithms remains at a moderate level, and the existing technological capacity has not yet evolved into “cognitive data-driven governance.” The examination of Tehran’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that the most significant applications of artificial intelligence were in data-driven diagnostics and transmission control through digital surveillance tools and online education, whereas real-time predictive capabilities remain limited. These findings reveal a gap between technological infrastructure and its practical utilization and can serve as a foundation for developing predictive systems and urban health digital twin models

Abstract Good urban governance within the smart city paradigm represents a fundamental transformation in urban management, emphasizing a citizen-centric, participatory, and sustainable approach. This study aimed to identify and stratify the components of good urban governance based on the smart city framework in Shahrekord. Methodologically, this applied research adopted a descriptive, analytical, and survey-based design, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. The statistical population comprised academic and executive experts possessing substantial scientific or empirical background in urban governance and smart cities, alongside a practical familiarity with Shahrekord. Participants were identified and selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The sampling process continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, ultimately involving 26 experts. The findings revealed that through documentary analysis and expert consensus, 22 key components of good urban governance within the smart city context were identified and validated. By employing the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique, these components were organized into an 11-level hierarchical structure. Within this hierarchy, "smart and data-driven governance" was positioned at the base of the pyramid as the most fundamental driver of the system. Conversely, four components, namely "electronic participation", "digital capacity building", "organizational agility", and "evidence-based policymaking", were situated at the apex as the most dependent ultimate objectives. In conclusion, the successful realization of a smart city in urban areas like Shahrekord necessitates the adoption of a systematic, governance-oriented perspective.

Abstract With the increasing population of elderly people in cities, paying attention to the quality of their spatial experience in urban environments has become an important necessity in urban planning and design.Parks are among the urban open spaces that the elderly often visit for leisure and walking. The present article aims to measure and evaluate the environmental components in the reading of urban spaces from the perspective of the elderly, after identifying the needs of the elderly in using urban spaces, including parks, using documentary studies and a survey method and preparing 350 questionnaires and using a t-test from the users of Hamedan People's Park. In this study, two objective factors including functional, environmental and accessibility factors and a subjective factor including perceptual factors, social identity, collective memories, sense of security and attachment to place were identified in the reading of urban spaces from the perspective of the elderly. Accordingly, among the objective factors, the elderly consider the existence of urban equipment, natural factors, and the use of sloping surfaces instead of stairs, and among the subjective factors, the existence of space for social interactions, the visibility of the space, the existence of collective spaces, and various activities in the space to be effective in using urban parks.

Abstract Despite the existence of research regarding the nature of consumer behavior towards luxury goods, there has been limited specific research on the reasons for purchasing and the inclination to reside in luxury housing in Iran. Therefore, the present study aims to explain the factors influencing the willingness to purchase and reside in luxury housing from the perspective of users, including residents, investors, and real estate agents, in the Ghodsi Western and Eastern neighborhoods of Shiraz, which are considered residential areas for affluent and distinguished individuals. The research method is descriptive and causal, and the data were analyzed using maxqda software. Based on the findings, ten main categories and fifty-two sub-factors affecting the purchase and residence in luxury housing were identified, which include structural factors, social factors, economic factors, cultural factors, environmental factors, the superior and distinct values of luxury housing compared to conventional housing, consumer attitudes toward this type of housing, buyers’ motivations for using it, the intent to experience luxury housing consumption, and finally, awareness methods related to purchasing luxury housing, listed from the most to the least important factors in the Eastern and Western Ghodsi neighborhoods of Shiraz. Furthermore, based on the frequency distribution of elements influencing the definition of luxury housing, a definition of this type of housing has been provided.

Abstract Mixed-land use and compatibility are major issues for promoting sustainable development and quality of life in central neighborhoods of cities. However, the multifaceted impacts of urban transformation policies, especially regeneration plans affecting declining fabrics, have not been considered in previous studies. In this regard, the present study examines the impact of urban regeneration policies on the diversity and compatibility of urban land uses in the central district of Tabriz in pre- and post-intervention periods. The data used were mainly secondary and objective, which included land use shapefiles and census block data. Moreover, data analysis has been conducted through the entropy index, compatibility matrix, and spatial analysis tools of ArcGIS software. Results show that urban regeneration actions, in terms of mixed land uses and diversification, have converted the formerly prosperous neighborhoods of the central district, like Gajil, Qarabagh, and parts of Bazaar, into more single-function and monotonous districts which suffer from a lack of diversity and vitality. Hence, although the implementation of urban regeneration in the central neighborhoods of Tabriz caused relative compatibility, it has not resulted in favorable conditions for activities and the pattern of mixed development. As a result, the performance of urban regeneration policy for effective land use management and integrated development of the built environment in the study area needs to be strengthened.

Abstract Cities grapple with numerous challenges, including climate change, exacerbated by the urban heat island effect and environmental pollution, public health crises, and other urban dilemmas, underscoring the imperative for sustainable approaches. As a rapidly evolving sustainability strategy, the biophilic approach prioritizes human well-being while safeguarding natural and biological resources. This approach encompasses green infrastructure, governance, urban design, behaviors, and lifestyles. Conversely, despite its historical status as a sustainable city adapted to a hot and arid climate, Yazd has witnessed its newer urban developments deviate from this paradigm, resulting in challenges related to climatic comfort and energy consumption. Consequently, the biophilic approach could address Yazd's urban challenges. This research aims to align biophilic urbanism indicators with urban planning principles in hot and arid climates, culminating in developing an Interpretive Structural Model (ISM) to facilitate its implementation in Yazd. The study initially extracts biophilic, hot, and arid climate urbanism indicators through documentary research. Subsequently, these indicators are synthesized to derive a final set of biophilic urbanism indicators tailored for hot and arid climates. Furthermore, the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) method is employed, with an initial matrix completed by 15 experts, to determine the relationships between dimensions and indicators. The findings reveal that biophilic governance and biophilic behaviors and lifestyles exert the most significant influence on other indicators, serving as foundational elements across various dimensions. A more pronounced impact can be achieved by strategically modifying these dimensions to foster biophilic urbanism in Yazd.

Abstract Urban planning, functioning as a political-spatial practice, represents a complex arena of discursive struggles and the nexus of power and space, reflecting the dominant ideologies governing the political-economic structure of each era. Aiming to scrutinize the interplay between national development plans, political-economic currents, and global urban planning paradigms, this study employs Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory to analyze twelve national development plans (from 1948 to 2028). The guiding questions of the research are: (1) How are urban development policies within national development plans articulated with the dominant political-economic discourses of their time? and (2) To what extent are these policies aligned with or in opposition to global urban planning paradigms? The findings indicate that planning in Iran has shifted its trajectory from a discourse of state-led modernism and infrastructural development in the pre-revolution era, to a discourse of distributive justice, and subsequently to liberalism within a rentier economy in the post-revolution era. However, despite shifts in nodal points and symbolic vocabulary, a structural continuity in the planning form is observed: the dominance of instrumental rationality, state centralism, and the systematic exclusion of public participation. The results suggest that urban policies have operated not on the basis of indigenous needs and spatial justice, but rather as instruments for consolidating political hegemony and ensuring symbolic conformity with global paradigms such as strategic planning and sustainable development.

Abstract participation in different societies is based on social and cultural structures, norms, laws, etc., and each society has its own specific framework. The theories expressed on the subject of participation in the contemporary period, and especially in the post-modern period, have been mostly derived from Western societies with their specific cultural characteristics. In this study, the researchers seek to explain a model for citizen participation in the Iranian urban planning system with a view and understanding of contemporary theories. Therefore, by studying their thoughts and theories, they first extracted a model related to the consensus of theories, and then, by conducting field surveys and obtaining opinions from scholars and experts, they presented a model appropriate to the situation in Iran.

In this study, tools such as documentary and library studies, field observations, interviews with experts, and also collecting questionnaires from citizens have been used to write the research. The research method in this article is a mixed method to increase the richness and scientific value of the studies. Finally, by examining, reviewing and analyzing the questionnaires and interviews conducted, it has been determined that one of the most important components in people's participation is delegating power to them in decision-making and decision-making and strengthening their spontaneous role in matters related to city administration, in which the support of managers and the provision of incentives can be effective.

Abstract Today,citizens expect urban managers to be able to provide appropriate conditions for their activities by observing justice in its various forms.One of the most important types of justice in urban management is spatial justice, but there is still no complete understanding of the dimensions that constitute its concept,especially in metropolises like Tehran.Therefore,the aim of the present study is to identify and prioritize the dimensions and components of spatial justice in the metropolis of Tehran.This study is applied-developmental in terms of its purpose and is classified as a mixed research.In the qualitative stage,semi-structured interviews with experts and thematic analysis technique were used.For this purpose,semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 experts who were selected purposefully using the snowball method. In the quantitative stage,the statistical population included managers and experts working in Tehran Municipality,and the dimensions and components of spatial justice were prioritized using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique.The participants in this stage included 38 managers and experts working in Tehran Municipality.Based on the findings, five dimensions of material, value, epistemic, ideological and sustainability,and 15 components and 88 indicators were identified for spatial justice in Tehran metropolis.Also,based on the findings of the AHP technique, among the dimensions of spatial justice in Tehran metropolis, the physical dimension,cognitive dimension and ideological dimension have the highest priority.The results of the research showed that spatial justice in Tehran metropolis has a complex and multidimensional concept, and in formulating urban management macro policies, all constituent dimensions should be considered, of course, according to their degree of importance.

Abstract Public spaces have important role in city life, are so effective for cities for appropriate quality of life and economic, social and cultural development.
Public space planning takes place in political, economic and socio-cultural context in planning traditions. The question is how planning traditions affect public space planning? The relation between two concepts above is “public interest” that is common in all planning approaches and overlaps with the subject of public space directly. The research process starts with studying public space criterions (government role, public sphere, complexity, diversity, social goals and participation) and planning traditions, and compares planning traditions regarded to public space by theoretical analysis of intersectional matrix of planning features and public space criterions. The differences, limits and capabilities of planning traditions, make different approaches for reaching social goals and different response to diversity and dynamics of cities. That would be happened according to structural context of planning. The public space with multi-dimensional features includes social interactions and diverse interests and goals. It’s more compatible wth participatory planning approaches which are more focusing on social and non-physical aspects. The participatory approaches take more attention to diverse groups and interests as well as relational and participatory methods in planning processes. Urban planning in Iran needs to be changed to participatory approaches which take attention to diversity and urban dynamics in public space.

Abstract Given the vital role of socio-cultural and psychological components in shaping sustainable neighborhoods, these dimensions have rarely been studied in a comprehensive and systematic manner. With the growing importance of improving the quality of life for children as the future generation, designing sustainable neighborhoods with a child-friendly approach has gained increasing attention. This study aims to identify and prioritize the socio-cultural and psychological components of sustainable child-friendly neighborhoods and to propose a practical framework in this field. Conducted using a qualitative, descriptive method and logical reasoning, the research first employed a systematic review of scientific literature and credible national and international sources to extract relevant components. These components were then prioritized using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on expert input from 20 specialists. Finally, through a comparative analysis, key components were identified at three scales: metropolitan, intermediate, and small cities. The findings indicate that the socio-cultural components include education, justice, interaction and participation, accessibility, well-being and quality of life, cohesion, identity and sense of belonging, responsibility, event-based activities, diversity, and safety and security. The psychological components include spatial and environmental perception, emotional and mental well-being, psycho-social interactions, psychological and social support, psychological resilience, cognitive stimulation and creative learning, sense of belonging and meaning, and personal and character development. These components contribute to enhancing children’s quality of life and support the development of safe environments for their growth. The proposed model serves as a strategic tool for policymakers, planners, and urban designers to integrate children's needs into sustainable development processes.

Abstract This study uses a mixed methodology (quantitative-qualitative) and panel data to examine the impact of the digital economy on green growth in the metropolitan areas of Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, and Karaj during the period 2019 to 2023. Purposive sampling was conducted based on access to complete data and geographic-economic diversity. Data were collected from reliable sources including the Statistical Center of Iran, the Central Bank, and the Environmental Protection Organization. Data analysis was conducted using the Super-SBM model for adverse environmental outcomes, the spatial autoregressive model for spatial spillover effects, and panel data regression with fixed effects. The results show that the digital economy has an impact on green growth through a 30% reduction in resource mismatch and an increase in green technology innovations. Mashhad and Isfahan performed best in this regard with GGI indices of 1.15 and 1.08, respectively, while Tehran failed to reach its full potential due to the 25% share of polluting industries (GGI=0.92). Also, the development of the digital economy in Tehran has had a positive impact on the green growth of Karaj and Islamshahr. To optimally exploit the benefits of the digital economy, it is recommended to formulate green digital transformation programs, establish green innovation funds, and design regional governance frameworks. These results can be a guide for urban policymakers in Iran and developing countries and provide new directions for future research in the field of new technologies.

Abstract The quality of urban public spaces especially historical squares, has faced a crisis in recent decades, as many interventions have been purely physical and the social and cultural consequences of project implementation have been ignored, which has created problems for residents, businesses, and users of the space. This study aimed to assess the social and cultural impacts of the reorganization plan of Shahr-e Rey Square, as one of the historical and religious squares of Tehran. The study used a mixed quantitative-qualitative approach and data were collected through a questionnaire (270 respondents including residents, businesses, and users of the space), semi-structured interviews with 30 experts, and field observation. Data analysis was conducted based on the theories of social impact assessment of vankeli, sense of place and place belonging of Ralph and Tuan, social capital of Putnam, spatial justice of Soja, and public spaces and urban life of Jacobs and Gel. The findings showed that, in addition to improving physical and environmental conditions, the reorganization of the square had limited positive effects on the sense of belonging, social interactions, and cultural identity, but spatial inequality and some dissatisfaction of the business community were also identified as negative consequences that, in the medium term, could increase public dissatisfaction and disrupt the implemented reorganization plan. Considering these results, while emphasizing the importance of simultaneously paying attention to the social, cultural, and physical dimensions of urban regeneration projects, it is necessary to provide solutions to enhance the positive effects and reduce the negative consequences.

Abstract Urban third places are social environments beyond home and workplace that play a significant role in enhancing social interaction, place identity, and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the sense of belonging to third places, using the Einali recreational area in Tabriz as a case study. The research employed a descriptive-analytical method with a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a researcher-designed questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale from a random sample of 384 visitors, of which 355 valid responses were analyzed. Key variables included place attachment, participation in activities, and user loyalty. Instrument reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.928. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between the sense of belonging to urban third places and the research variables. Significant differences were also observed in component scores based on visitation patterns and education levels. Structural equation modeling showed that place attachment indirectly strengthens user loyalty through social bonding and participation in activities. The model explained a substantial portion of the variance in the dependent variables. The results underscore the importance of addressing identity, social, and behavioral dimensions simultaneously to foster a stronger sense of belonging to third places

Abstract Understanding the human-environment interaction within the context of increasing urbanization is a primary challenge in urban studies. Aiming to delineate the intellectual structure and emerging trends in the interdisciplinary field of behavioral sciences and the built environment, this study utilizes a mixed-method approach of scientometric and content analysis. By analyzing bibliographic data from Scopus and Web of Science using VOSviewer and conducting a content analysis of 56 key articles, a comprehensive map of the scientific landscape was developed. The findings indicate a primary research focus on urban planning (33%) and landscape design (21%). Two main and complementary intellectual currents were identified: one focusing on the "psycho-social" dimensions of behavior, and another centered on the impact of "physical form and planning interventions," reflected in leading journals such as the Journal of Cleaner Production and Transportation Research Part A. The results signify a paradigm shift from objectivist to more pragmatic and integrated analyses. By identifying research gaps and hubs, this paper provides a guide for future studies aimed at enhancing the quality of urban spaces through more informed design interventions.