Geography and Urban Research

The Impact of Cultural Elements on the Organization of the City Entrance (Case Study: The Khoy-Qotur City Entrance)

Document Type : Article extracted from the dissertation

Authors

Mehdi Varmaziar
Ali Mosayebzadeh

Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism & Art , University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22130/gur.2025.2050529.1006
Abstract
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.

Keywords

City Entrance
Cultural Elements
Urban Identity
Khoy City
Geography and Urban Research
Volume 2, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 86-98

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