Geography and Urban Research

Abstract Due to rapid climate change, the risk of environmental hazards such as flooding has increased considerably. On the other hand, psychological concepts such as place attachment not only govern human-environment relationships, but also influence the extent of damage caused by environmental hazards through risk perception and preventive behavior. Given the above problem, the present research hypothesizes that the relationship between place attachment, environmental risk perception, and preventive behavior varies across countries with different cultural contexts. A cross-cultural comparison was made between two cities where flooding is very likely, namely Vibo Valentia (Italy) and Babol (Iran). To investigate the study's objectives, a three-way interaction moderation multiple regression analysis was used. The results of the study showed that a high degree of place attachment makes people more likely to engage in risk perception and preventive behavior. It also showed that the influence of place attachment on environmental risk perception and preventive behavior is greater in Babol than in Italy.

Abstract The phenomenon of an increasing elderly population is one of the most significant economic, social, and health challenges of the 21st century. This paper is provided to target spatial analysis of demographic indicators of the elderly in the neighborhoods of Ghaemshahr.
The research method of the present study is descriptive-analytic and based on the purpose applied. The raw data was extracted from statistical blocks of the city of Ghaemshahr in 2010 and 2015. To investigate the status of the elderly in the 20 neighborhoods of Ghaemshahr city, indicators of the elderly ratio, elderly dependency ratio, elderly index, and aging index were studied. For spatial analysis of elderly population indicators, Arc Gis software was used and methods of hot spots and spatial autocorrelation moran were utilized.
By studying the age pyramid of Ghaemshahr City from 2010 to 2015, it was determined that the elderly population ratio has increased in comparison with other age groups in the recent period. Neighborhoods 2, 18, 9, and 3 respectively had the highest rates of growth in the elderly population from 2010 to 2015. The growth rate of the elderly population of the total city is also 4.18 percent.
The studied indexes show a cluster spatial pattern in the city and their values are higher in the central neighborhoods in comparison with those in the peripheral neighborhoods. According to the research findings, it is essential that urban managers and policymakers consider the spatial distribution of the elderly in the planning process.

Abstract The landscape refers to the spatial structure and organization of natural and human elements in a region, shaped by human activities and natural processes. Metrics serve as key analytical tools in assessing and measuring the characteristics and performance of the landscape. This research examines the ecological structure of the city of Urmia, emphasizing the concept of landscape and its metrics, in order to propose corrective actions for improving its ecological processes. To identify the components of the landscape of Urmia, land use maps were utilized. Subsequently, for data modeling, landscape metrics (CA, NP, MPS, MSI, ED, SHEI, SHDI) were analyzed using the Patch Analyst extension. Finally, after hexagonal grid mapping of the area using a patch grid, the desired metrics for the hexagonal networks were calculated. The results obtained from the metrics indicate that the increase in distance and dispersion of patches, along with the reduction of their ecological connectivity, has led to fragmentation and a decrease in the integrity of the green space in the city of Urmia. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the use of landscape metrics can help identify the challenges and opportunities present in the sustainability of green spaces and improve the quality of life for residents.

Abstract Note 3 of Article 101 of Iran’s Municipal Law, amended in 2011, authorizes municipalities to receive a portion of land (or its monetary equivalent) from owners of plots larger than 500 square meters during land subdivision processes, for public services and infrastructure. Despite its intended public benefit, the practical application of this provision has raised serious legal and equity concerns. These include the collection of shares from plots smaller than 500 square meters, reliance on informal and illegal subdivisions, disregard for previously allocated public spaces, and the imposition of forced agreements on landowners. This study, through a descriptive-analytical method and a comparative legal analysis with Turkey’s urban planning system (İmar Kanunu), critically evaluates the legality and fairness of current municipal practices in Iran. The findings reveal that the Iranian implementation often exceeds the legal limits, infringes upon private property rights, and lacks transparency and judicial oversight. In contrast, Turkey’s legal framework offers a clearer, more regulated, and equitable approach to urban land readjustment. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for regulatory reform in Iran to align its practices with legal standards and the principles of public trust and justice.

Abstract Urban furniture is considered as a fundamental component of urban space, whose quantity, quality, aesthetic appeal, comfort, durability, and placement play a crucial role in achieving a beautiful and healthy city. Beautification is one of the significant factors of urban furniture. One factor that has received less attention is the issue of color and identity within urban spaces. Its appropriate design and context-sensitive application in parts of the city known as urban spaces (such as parks, squares, pedestrian walkways, commercial centers, etc.) significantly impact the quality of urban life. The provision of urban furniture by various managers and planners, alongside population growth and the physical expansion of cities, aims to ensure the tranquility and comfort of citizens. Beyond meeting physical needs, it can also address the psychological, spiritual, and cultural needs of its inhabitants. The objective of this research is to investigate and evaluate the factors influencing the design and planning of urban furniture in Zabol. This study is based on a combination of descriptive-analytical methods, relying on library, documentary, and field studies. The statistical population of this research is the city of Zabol. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, the T-test, the ARAS (Additive Ratio Assessment) decision-making model, and ARC GIS software. The results from the ARAS model indicate that District 2, with a coefficient of (1.000), received the highest rank, while District 4, with a coefficient of (0.828), received the lowest rank. Furthermore, the one-sample T-test revealed that the overall state of urban furniture in Zabol is not at a desirable level. Although the theoretical factors influencing the design of urban furniture in Zabol have been identified, the current performance is not evaluated as satisfactory due to reasons such as improper implementation, neglect of climatic and visual considerations, and the inequitable distribution of facilities. This study highlights the necessity for a fundamental revision of the urban furniture planning and design process in Zabol, emphasizing an integrated, climate-responsive, and equitable approach.

Abstract Environmental psychology, as a branch of psychology and a subset of the behavioral sciences, studies human behaviors in relation to deteriorated urban settlements or the physical environment, as well as the environmental capacities and needs and the mutual relationship between humans and the environment. Since deteriorated fabrics face economic, physical, environmental, and other problems, paying attention to the issue of livability and its standards is effective in reducing the mentioned problems and improving the quality of life and the efficiency of urban management.The present study has been conducted with the aim of examining the role of environmental psychology in enhancing the livability of urban spaces in the city of Rafsanjan. This research, in terms of method, is descriptive–analytical, and in terms of purpose, is applied. The questionnaire was distributed among 80 people using simple random sampling, and four factors influencing the livability of Rafsanjan were examined. The DEMATEL method was used for data analysis.
The results showed that the factors that have a better condition within the deteriorated fabric of Rafsanjan are those that have greater importance. Accordingly, based on the research results, in this study, the indicators of residents’ willingness to live in the deteriorated fabric, the level of social corruption in deteriorated areas, the sense of place attachment, residents’ satisfaction with the facilities and amenities of the deteriorated fabric, the economic value and cost-effectiveness of the fabric, accessibility to public services and urban infrastructure, income-generating opportunities through tourism attractions, private sector willingness to invest in the fabric, air quality, households with access to standard sewage systems, quality of surface water collection, tranquility and absence of noise pollution, building compactness and small-scale structure in the fabric, population density in deteriorated areas, and permeability have the greatest influence on improving the livability of the deteriorated fabric.