This research was conducted to analyze the impact of cultural-identity elements on the organization of the Khoy-Qotur city entrance and to propose improvement strategies. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, this applied study analyzed data from a survey (380 valid questionnaires from residents and experts) via a one-sample t-test and the DEMATEL technique. The t-test results indicated that all organization indices, especially ‘symbolism,’ are highly significant from both groups’ perspectives. Among cultural symbols, ‘Shams,’ ‘Sunflower,’ and ‘Ayatollah Khoei’ were identified as the most prominent and accepted identity elements, while symbols like ‘Honeybee’ and ‘Important Mosques’ were less favored. The DEMATEL analysis revealed that ‘symbolism,’ ‘inspiration,’ and ‘presence of natural elements’ are the primary causal variables and drivers of the system, directly influencing effect indices such as ‘aesthetics,’ ‘landscape quality,’ and ‘spatial order.’ At the symbol level, ‘Shams’ and ‘Ayatollah Khoei’ also possess a causal and pivotal nature. These findings confirm that strengthening symbolic components is the main prerequisite for enhancing the visual and functional quality of the city entrance. Therefore, mere physical organization, without considering the community-accepted semantic and cultural layers, will not lead to the creation of a sustainable, identity-oriented space.
2.Abdullahi, M.S., Ryu, J.J., Kim, S.N., & Lee, J. (2025). The influence of urban configuration on wayfinding propensity: A video game-based study. Journal of Urban Design, 12(20), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41289-025-00290-7
3.Aelbrecht, P., Arefi, M., & Foroughmand Araabi, H. (2025). New emerging urban design tools. Journal of Urban Design, 30(5), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41289-025-00270-x
5.Askarizad, R., & He, J. (2024). The role of urban furniture in promoting gender equality and static social activities in public spaces. Journal of Ain Shams Engineering, 16(6), 103-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2024.103250
6.Bazargar, M. R. (2017). Investigating the role of urban elements in strengthening physical identity: A case study of Shiraz city. Journal of Scientific and Research Quarterly of Urban Research and Planning, 8(30), 83-100.
7.Ben Ghida, D. (2024). Revitalizing urban spaces: Ten key lessons from the "Viaduc des arts" adaptive reuse and placemaking. Journal of Frontiers of Architectural Research, 13(5), 1095–1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2024.03.011
8.Burattini, C., Bisegna, F., & De Santoli, L. (2024). Street luminance and night-time walking comfort: A new perspective for the urban lighting design. Journal of Urban Design, 30(1), 52–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2024.2351914
9.Castilla, N., Blanca-Giménez, V., Pérez-Carramiñana, C., & Llinares, C. (2024). The influence of the public lighting environment on local residents' subjective assessment. Journal of Applied Sciences, 14(3), 12-34. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031234
10.Celik, E., & Yildirim, O.C. (2025). Wayfinding in historical urban landscapes: Unraveling the spatial-behavioral dynamics in Eskisehir's Odunpazari. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 2(1), 20-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2490298
11.Dalton, R., Abbasi, S., & Han, S. (2023). On-premise signage and placemaking: Aiding lively streetscapes to maintain signage visibility. Journal of Signage and Wayfinding, 7(1), 91-103. https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2470-9670.2023.v7.i1.a136
12.Ellery, P.J., et al. (2024). Urban regeneration and placemaking: A Digital Twin enhanced performance-based framework for Melbourne's Greenline Project. Journal of Urban Design, 13(8), 52-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/07293682.2024.2342793
13.Fazia, C., Catania, G.F.G., & Sortino, F. (2025). The urban light plan: Toward sustainable and resilient cities. Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences Proceedings, 36(1), 11-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/eesp2025036011
14.Grabiec, A.M., Lacka, A., & Wiza, W. (2022). Material, functional, and aesthetic solutions for urban furniture in public spaces. Journal of Sustainability, 14(5), 162-175. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316211
15.Kavorizadeh, A. (2020). Investigating the impact of urban elements on city space identity. National Conference on Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environment.
16.Köksaldı, E., & Turkan, Z. (2023). Urban furniture in sustainable historical urban texture landscapes: Historical squares in the walled city of Nicosia. Journal of Sustainability, 15(9), 92-110. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129236
17.Li, Y., et al. (2024). Integrated design methods for sustainable public seating in urban communities: A Shanghai case study. Journal of Sustainability, 16(20), 90-96. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209096
18.López, M., et al. (2025). Understanding the relationship between public space social capital expressions and pedestrian-oriented design: A case study within the superblock action plan in Barcelona. Journal of Cities, 5(2), 36-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.105469
19.Marshall, N., et al. (2024). Smart street furniture: User and non-user perspectives of the ChillOUT Hub. Journal of Land, 13(12), 20-34. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122084
20.Nainwal, R., Bharmoria, R., & Kaur, R. (2024). Determining the factors for degraded visual quality of a place causing aesthetic variation in urban built environment: A case of Shimla city, India. Journal of Geo, 90(17), 27-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-025-11525-z
21.Natapov, A., Cohen, A., & Dalyot, S. (2023). Urban planning and design with points of interest and visual perception. Journal of Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 51(3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/23998083231191338
22.Ntakana, K., Mbanga, S., & Mosiea, T. (2025). Urban public space development: Themes and trends in the urban planning rhetoric. Journal of Frontiers in Built Environment, 11(6), 70-81. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1456638
23.Ons, B.D., et al. (2024). The emotional design of street furniture based on Kano modeling. Journal of Buildings, 14(12), 38-46. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123896
24.Rezaei, F., Abbasi, H., & Moradi, H. (2021). The role of symbols and urban elements in tourism development of Khorramabad city. Journal of Studies of Mountainous Areas Geography, 2(1), 111-125. https://sid.ir/paper/414912/fa
25.Sádaba, J., Alonso, Y., Latasa, I., & Luzarraga, A. (2024). Towards resilient and inclusive cities: A framework for sustainable street-level urban design. Journal of Urban Science, 8(5), 264-275. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040264
26.Valibeigi, M., Sharifi, A., Maroufi, S., & Danay, S. (2025). Inclusive urban gateways: Towards socially just and open urban systems. Journal of Changing Societies & Personalities, 9(1), 193–217. https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2025.9.1.324
27.Zamparini, A., et al. (2023). Iconic buildings in the making of city identity: The role of aspirational identity artefacts. Journal of Urban Studies, 60(12), 2474–2495. https://doi.org/10.1177/00420980221144157
28.Zaninović, T. (2022). Streets as heritage—"Historical gateway–pathways" and their transformation into urban streets. Journal of Prostor, 30(1), 134-145. https://hrcak.srce.hr/279767
29.Zhang, Y., et al. (2025). Development and application of a street furniture design evaluation framework: Empirical evidence from the Yangzhou Ecological Science and Technology New Town. Journal of Buildings, 15(16), 29-39. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162973
30.Zhu, D. (2025). Toward a practical methodology for smart city planning and design: Key elements, issues, and directions. Journal of Smart Cities and Society, 4(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/27723577251337005
31.Zhu, Y., & Du, R. (2024). Evaluating the impact of urban landscape elements on the sense of security and local belonging — Case study: Tongdejie, China. Journal of Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12(6), 134-145. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1340394
Varmaziar,M and Mosayebzadeh,A . (2026). The Impact of Cultural Elements on the Organization of the City Entrance (Case Study: The Khoy-Qotur City Entrance). Geography and Urban Research, 2(4), 86-98. doi: 10.22130/gur.2025.2050529.1006
MLA
Varmaziar,M , and Mosayebzadeh,A . "The Impact of Cultural Elements on the Organization of the City Entrance (Case Study: The Khoy-Qotur City Entrance)", Geography and Urban Research, 2, 4, 2026, 86-98. doi: 10.22130/gur.2025.2050529.1006
HARVARD
Varmaziar M, Mosayebzadeh A. (2026). 'The Impact of Cultural Elements on the Organization of the City Entrance (Case Study: The Khoy-Qotur City Entrance)', Geography and Urban Research, 2(4), pp. 86-98. doi: 10.22130/gur.2025.2050529.1006
CHICAGO
M Varmaziar and A Mosayebzadeh, "The Impact of Cultural Elements on the Organization of the City Entrance (Case Study: The Khoy-Qotur City Entrance)," Geography and Urban Research, 2 4 (2026): 86-98, doi: 10.22130/gur.2025.2050529.1006
VANCOUVER
Varmaziar M, Mosayebzadeh A. The Impact of Cultural Elements on the Organization of the City Entrance (Case Study: The Khoy-Qotur City Entrance). Geography and Urban Research. 2026;2(4):86-98 (In Persian). doi: 10.22130/gur.2025.2050529.1006
