Geography and Urban Research

Abstract The rapid growth of urban populations has placed increasing pressure on the built environment, resulting in a reduction of outdoor spaces and a decline in environmental quality. These challenges have intensified the need for outdoor thermal comfort studies to better address the consequences of urbanization and climate change. Objectives: This study aims to critically review the recent literature (from the last four years) on outdoor thermal comfort in urban environments. It examines both micro-scale (qualitative) and macro-scale (quantitative) approaches, identifies key research gaps, and suggests future research directions, with emphasis on standardizing thermal indices and integrating psychological dimensions of comfort. A systematic review was conducted using major academic databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria through title, abstract, and full-text screening, 50 relevant peer-reviewed articles were selected. These were analyzed based on scope, methodologies, indices used, and geographical distribution. The review identified a lack of consensus on thermal comfort indices across climate zones, and limited integration of psychological and adaptive factors. Moreover, research efforts are unevenly distributed, with some regions receiving disproportionate attention while others remain understudied. There is a critical need for standardizing thermal comfort metrics and defining climate-specific neutral value ranges. Future research should adopt interdisciplinary approaches, combining environmental and psychological insights to improve understanding and design of thermally comfortable urban spaces. This review serves as a reference for academics, designers, and planners seeking to enhance thermal comfort in increasingly dense urban environments. The review underscores that standardized cooling strategies without contextual adaptation to local climate, urban morphology, and materials show limited efficacy, urging region-specific solutions.

Abstract Urban sprawl in metropolitan cities is a phenomenon that has affected the surrounding rural areas. Therefore, studying the effects of this event is of great importance. In this article, the city of Kermanshah has been studied and the effects of urban sprawl in this city on three villages of Deh Pahan, Nokan and Cheshme Sefid have been studied.The research method was descriptive-analytic. The sample size was 60 individuals. The reliability of the research was confirmed through Cronbach's alpha and the validity of the research was also confirmed through a panel of rural and urban geography experts. The results of the research prove that in the environmental dimension, the effects of urban sprawl have been negative. However, in the economic, social and physical dimensions, there have been both positive and negative effects. The results also show that all four economic, social, physical and environmental dimensions of urban sprawl have a significant relationship with each other at the 0.05 level, which indicates the influence of these dimensions on each other and urban sprawl in general. In the physical dimension, urbanization leads to the reconstruction of old housing, but in return it has led to the change in agricultural land use. In the agricultural dimension, it has led to the development of small industries, but in return local products have decreased. In the social dimension, it has caused conflicts and increased migration, but has increased the level of education. In the environmental dimension, it has only led to an increase in pollution. Finally, there is a significant relationship between economic, social, environmental and physical dimensions with urban sprawl.

Abstract With the emergence of multiple social, cultural, economic, physical, and environmental crises in cities across the world during the second half of the twentieth century the desirability of urban space, particularly in developing countries, has declined. Accordingly, in recent years this issue has become one of the most fundamental topics within the fields of human and environmental studies. The evaluation of urban space quality is undertaken not only on the basis of the objective environment but also according to individuals’ perceptions of the environment to which they belong. In this regard, the present study aims to assess the desirability of the urban space of Sarab. The research is applied in nature and employs a descriptive–analytical method. Data were collected through a survey using a questionnaire. Sarab has a population of approximately 45,031 people, and based on Cochran’s formula, 380 questionnaires were randomly distributed among citizens over 15 years of age. The research components include environmental (13 items), accessibility and comfort (14 items), aesthetics and identity representation (13 items), and security (10 items). SPSS software was used for data analysis, employing statistical tests including the one-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, stepwise regression, and Tukey’s test. The findings reveal that the status of Sarab across all examined components—environmental (2.90), accessibility and comfort (2.49), aesthetics and identity representation (2.62), and security (2.94)—was below the average threshold, namely the value of 3. Regarding the research components, the results indicate that the security component, with a beta value of 0.179, carries relatively greater importance in shaping the desirability of urban spaces in Sarab, whereas the aesthetics and identity representation component, with a beta value of 0.060, holds the least significance. Overall, the urban space of Sarab does not exhibit a desirable condition in terms of desirability. Therefore, urban managers and planners in Sarab must, through proper and efficient management, take measures to enhance the desirability of urban space and thereby ensure the welfare, comfort, and security of citizens.

Abstract This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the status of urban tourism and environmental sustainability in the cities of Sharqat and Tikrit. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach, and the data were collected through a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire distributed among 220 residents (111 from Tikrit and 109 from Sharqat). Data analysis was performed using the independent samples t-test and Levene’s test. The examined indicators include the economic dimensions of tourism (tourism-generated income and the number of incoming tourists), social dimensions (residents’ satisfaction), the quality of tourism services and infrastructure, as well as environmental indicators such as air quality, drinking water quality, waste management, noise pollution control, and the protection of natural resources. The results indicate that Tikrit outperformed Sharqat across all examined indicators. In the economic dimension, the mean tourism income in Tikrit was 3.92 compared to 2.75 in Sharqat, while the number of visiting tourists recorded means of 3.64 and 2.77, respectively. Residents’ satisfaction with tourism development was higher in Tikrit (3.52) than in Sharqat (2.73). Similarly, the quality of tourism services (3.66 vs. 2.61) and tourism infrastructure (3.62 vs. 2.67) showed superior performance in Tikrit. Regarding environmental indicators, Tikrit demonstrated a significant advantage: air quality (3.70 vs. 2.68), drinking water quality (3.58 vs. 2.68), waste management (3.62 vs. 2.60), noise pollution control (3.60 vs. 2.72), and protection of natural resources (3.62 vs. 2.66). All observed differences were statistically significant at the 0.000 level. The findings suggest that Tikrit represents a successful model of sustainable tourism development, achieving a desirable balance between economic growth and environmental protection. The city exhibits greater potential for sustainable urban tourism development and provides more favorable conditions for attracting tourists while preserving environmental quality. In contrast, Sharqat requires a reassessment of its policies and the adoption of integrated planning strategies to improve its current situation.

Abstract Sustainable urban development has, over recent decades, emerged as one of the most fundamental and pressing concerns of urban planning, policy-making, and management systems at local, national, and global scales. As complex socio-spatial systems, cities serve as primary centers of population concentration, economic activity, and social interaction, and therefore play a critical role in advancing the objectives of sustainable development. However, evidence drawn from global experiences indicates that insufficient attention to ethical foundations and human values within urban governance processes has resulted in policy inefficiency, the intensification of spatial and social inequalities, weakened urban justice, and a gradual decline in social capital and public trust.
This study adopts an analytical–explanatory approach to examine the role and significance of ethics-oriented governance in achieving and reinforcing sustainable urban development. It seeks to analyze the position and function of key human values, including justice, accountability, transparency, human dignity, and citizen participation, within the frameworks of urban management and regional planning. In this context, particular emphasis is placed on the interconnections between ethical principles, governance structures, and urban decision-making processes as essential prerequisites for the realization of comprehensive urban sustainability. The research methodology is descriptive–analytical, and data were collected through documentary research, systematic analysis of relevant theoretical literature, and a review of credible domestic and international studies. The findings reveal that ethics-oriented governance, as both a normative and functional framework, contributes to enhancing public trust, strengthening the accountability and responsiveness of urban institutions, and aligning managerial decisions with collective interests and public welfare. Furthermore, the integration of ethical components into regional planning systems not only leads to improvements in urban quality of life but also enhances the capacity of cities to build resilience and effectively respond to complex and multidimensional contemporary challenges.

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.