Journal of Geography and Regional Development
Year:2023 | Volume:21 | Issue:1(پیاپی42)|Papers Count:10

Multiple factors affect the livability of a place, among of are the presence of people, mixed use, housing, safety and security, sense of belonging, efficiency, and the environment. The natural environment is a prerequisite for health, hence it plays an essential role in livability. Mashhad as the second most populous and the largest religious city of Iran hosts large number of domestic and foreign pilgrims annually. The main goal of this research is analyzing urban livability based on environmental indicator in Mashhad metropolis. The sample of this descriptive-analytical study includes 402 participant, chosen from Mashhad metropolis with the population of 2766258. To investigate the urban livability in terms of environment, objective indicators and subjective index (questionnaire) were analyzed. Firstly, Entropy model was used to determine the weight of each index, which is as follows: Carbon monoxide = 0. 0035, particulate matter (PM2. 5) = 0. 5974, sulfur dioxide = 0. 0122, nitrogen dioxide = 0. 0019, ozone pollutant = 0. 0162, air quality index (AQI) = 0. 0038, per capital green space = 0. 2515, noise pollution = 0. 0394, household waste = 0. 0534, and subjective index = 0. 0029. Zone 9 of Mashhad metropolis is the best zone in terms of environmental indicator, followed by Zones 7 and 8, respectively. By contrast, Zones 1, 2 and 6 have the worst conditions in terms of environmental indicator, respectively.

The informal sector has been a very important issue and a challenge in recent decades in the cities of developing countries. In this regard, migration as one of the most important influencing factors in Khorasan Razavi province plays a very important role in rural households. Since most rural households do not have enough skills and ability to work in urban workspace, they turn to the informal sector. The informal sector has had economic, social, cultural, and legal impacts on immigrant families. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impacts and consequences of the informal sector on migrant rural households in Roshtkhar village located in Khorasan Razavi. Field studies were done at the village and household levels. For the descriptive-analytical study 300 immigrants were included. First, after documentary studies and initial field visits, a wide range of indicators were determined according to the conditions of the studied villages. Then data collection was done based on selected indicators. Statistical and spatial analysis, SPSS software, and Kupras technique were used for data analysis. According to the Friedman test, the economic factor with an average of 4. 21 has the highest rank and cultural factor with an average of 3. 46 has the lowest rank. The findings of this research can be used to improve the sustainability of households at village level.

In recent decades, the relationship between the city and villages in developing countries has undergone many changes. The changes in some rural areas have led to changes in the structure of the areas, shape of houses, land use, and so on. Over the years, capitals from cities have entered the villages and played an important role in rural development. This research aimed to evaluate the role of urban financial capital in Sanbolabad district in Abhar Township. Statistical methods (one-sample t-test and multivariate regression) and Vicor model were used to analyze the data of this descriptive-analytical study. The findings of the one-sample t-test showed that there is a significant and positive relationship between all components, which indicates the positive impact of financial capital on rural development. The results of the regression fitting model showed that the entry of capital into rural areas with a significance level of 0. 715 explains the relationship between independent and dependent variables in the study area. Finally, the spatial analysis of the distribution of villages regarding services, industry, infrastructure and agriculture shows a significant difference. So, Sanbolabad village with a rank of 0. 005 is the highest and Shalvar village with a rank of 1, due to the lack of communication infrastructure and geographical isolation, is the worst in terms of possessing financial capital coming from cities.

This study aimed to identify and evaluate the historical patterns of the urban development, and to simulate and predict the amount and method of development of Zahedan in future. It sought identify the intervening factors that determine the smart direction of urban areas and tried to answer this question: Will the development of urban areas of Zahedan be according to the planning patterns and in accordance with the population growth of the city? This study was done using archived data, remote sensing images of Landsat satellite for ten-year periods from 1991-2021, SLEUTH-3R model for seeing the growth of the urban areas in the past and forecast its future until 2051, ArcGIS, and Envi software. The results showed that the historical growth pattern of Zahedan had been based on the organic growth, closeness to roads, and the growth of urban areas in the form of edges. Moreover, the future development of the city will be internal and then the skirts of city. The results of the future development of Zahedan showed that the city will develop towards the west and some parts of the south, which would be suitable and reasonable considering the desirable lands in the west half and the size of the development in future. The results on the physical and demographic development shows decrease in in the population dense from 89 to 57 people per hectare. The issue indicates the more growth of physical dimension of the city than population growth. That is, the city will develop horizontally and dispersedly. Considering the results on the development of the city in the future, the best option for the development of Zahedan will be internal development or intermediate development, which will be on empty and barren lands of the city.

The main goal of this research is measuring the level of social stability in Tehran’s District 1, Region 9. Neighborhood as a physical-social basis can play a very important role in the sustainability of cities, and its dimensions are used as important tools in planning. Based on sample size and spatial sampling, 383 households were selected and questionnaires were distributed among them. McGranahan technique was used for data analysis, and spatial analysis was performed using Global Moran’s I and hot and cold spot statistics in Arc GIS software. The results of McGranahan technique were calculated based on urban blocks and identified with the final map of social sustainability. The results of spatial analysis also showed the cluster pattern of social sustainability values. Accordingly, social stability situation in the western parts of the district, i. e. the southern parts of OstadMoein Neighborhood and the western part of Dastgheib neighborhood, is suitable, but this issue in the eastern part of the district, i. e. the southern part of Hoshiar Neighborhood and the eastern part of Dastgheib is not suitable. The highest level of sustainability belongs to OstadMoein Neighborhood and the central and western parts of Dastgheib and the lowest level of sustainability belongs to Hoshiar Neighborhood. In order to increase social sustainability in Tehran’s District 1 of Region 9, it is necessary to create areas to facilitate the renovation, improve participation, and increase residents’ security and satisfaction.

Globalization and rapid changes on the globe has made regional competitiveness become increasingly important for accelerating regional development. In this regard, this study tries to analyze the factors affecting regional competitiveness in East Azerbaijan province using futures study. To collect the required data, library and field methods were used. By using library method, the theoretical foundations, the background of the subject, and influencing factors in the competitiveness of East Azerbaijan Province were studied. Using Delphi method and various questionnaires, the required data were collected. The dimensions and indicators obtained from library method were given to the members of Delphi panel, which finally selected 84 variables in different dimensions to examine the regional competitiveness of East Azerbaijan province. Mic-Mac software was used for data analysis. The results showed that out of 84 influencing factors, 16 factors had played a key role in the regional competitiveness of this province, among of which 8 variables are pertaining to the economic dimension (quality control of goods and services, foreign investment, private sector investment, exchange rate, ease of doing business, export potential, financial rules, and policies, innovation/innovation potential), 3 variables were related to the institutional-political dimension (level of relations with domestic and foreign neighbors, political stability in Iran and region, government support for knowledge-based and innovative businesses), 3 variables were related to socio-cultural dimension (entrepreneurial spirit, investment security, human capital), and 2 variables were related to infrastructural dimension (quality of workforce and infrastructure development).

Regional development can play a significant role in sustainable development of rural or urban areas and drastically impact upon the comprehensive development of various provinces. Ilam province has many socio-economic capacities, showing its potential to experience sustainable development, but so far, the capacity has not been used. Considering all related issues of Ilam province, his study tried to formulate strategic policies for its regional development. The data needed for the descriptive-analytical study were collected using documentary and survey (Questionnaire) methods. At first, Meta SWOT was used for strategic planning. Using this model, the regional sustainable development strategies were determined and the resources and capabilities of the province were identified for comparing its regional competitiveness with neighboring provinces. Moreover, using PESTSL, the following results were achieved. From among the major factors affecting the investment in the private sector, such issues as trade due to its closeness to the borders, increase in provincial budget and credits, avoiding political decisions in managing the province, and Iran’s high level managing issues have had the highest impact on the regional development of Ilam province. Moreover, the most importance capabilities of regional development of the province that mostly strategic fit with macro factors are border transportation, industries and mines, border markets, water resources and agricultural lands. Therefore, regarding the competitive capability for socio-economic development of the region, one can say that Ilam province equals the western provinces of Iran. So, considering the proposed strategies, the status should be taken to introduce the region as the development pole.

Excessive migration from rural areas to cities is one of the most challenges of most developing countries like Iran. A significant way is encouraging reverse migration to rural areas. So, many studies have focused so far on identifying the factors affecting reverse migration. This study tried to identify the factors affecting reverse migration from urban areas of Kermanshah to its rural areas. This survey used researcher-made questionnaire to collect the data. The data analysis was done using the descriptive-analytical method. The statistical population constituted the households that have migrated to different rural areas of Kermanshah over the last 5 years. Questionnaires were randomly distributed among 384 households, and 371 questionnaires were completed. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. The results showe 9 factors that could explain 62% of the variance of 38 items, pertaining to factors affecting reverse migration from urban areas to rural areas in Kermanshah: housing, costs-income of the families, cultural-biological issues, level of access to educational and health services, the physical factor, job opportunities in rural areas, sense of belonging and being native, and tourism attractions and handicrafts. Moreover, the least affecting factor on reverse migration policies was supporting policies of governments for the villagers. From among the variables, the availability of educational facilities for children (having a factor load of 85%) and the governments’ support for the agricultural sector regarding providing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and so on (having a factor load of 84%) have the greatest impact on reverse migration, respectively.

Housing as one of the basic human needs has a significant impact on the health and improvement of people’s quality of life, and housing quality as one of the main foundations of a comprehensive program, has a special place in urban planning and biophilic architecture. The purpose of this research is to identify the indicators of improving the quality of conventional urban housing with an emphasis on biophilic architecture and to evaluate them in District 1 of Tehran. The data collection of this descriptive-analytical study was done using documentary and field methods. Using content analysis, the research indicators were identified and then evaluated by questionnaire and Delphi method (10 people). After confirming the indicators, Tehran's District 1 was evaluated by 150 people in terms these indicators. Analyzes were done using SPSS software and Friedman's test. The results of the Delphi method showed that 45 indicators are effective in improving the quality of housing based on biophilic architecture and these indicators were categorized into 5 general components. Moreover, the satisfaction indicators of conventional housing were classified into two categories of internal and external factors (20 indicators). The results of Friedman's test at the level of less than 0. 05 confirmed that there is a significant difference between the indicators of the quality of conventional housing in the District 1 of Tehran. Road condition index (regarding the coverage and width of roads) with an average of 30. 88 and then historical preservation and urban restoration with an average of 29. 17 have a better condition than other indicators. Pearson’s correlation also showed that there is a significant relationship at a level of less than 0. 01 between the components of quality of conventional urban housing in terms of biophilic architecture.

Building second homes without legal permission and outside the legal boundaries of villages and suburban areas is one of the problems that the urban and regional management system in Mazandaran province (Iran) has faced in recent years. This phenomenon does not happen in all regions of this province and many variables have affected it. This research tried to investigate and determine the factors affecting the creation of second homes in the peri-urban areas of the central part of Mazandaran province. This applied research was done descriptively and used library sources and field study. The statistical population consists of 2886 owners of second homes. Using Cochran's formula and error value of 0. 05, the sample size was determined to be 339. Moreover, twenty experts from Jahad Organization, Environment Organization, Mazandaran Governorate, and Mazandaran University were selected using snowball sampling. The Delphi technique and MikMak analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that from among the 19 drivers which identified by Delphi MikMak, the followings are key drivers: Speculation by real estate consultants, ineffectiveness of laws and regulations on construction in peri-urban areas, separation of lands due to the law of inheritance, the adaptation of the proposed village area to the future spatial development models. These factors can be controlled and may impact the dynamics and changes of the system. Moreover, out of evaluable relationships in the cross-impact matrix, the score 79 was for zero relationship, 58 for one relationship, 99 for two, and 61 for three.