Geography and Urban Research

Abstract In Tabriz metropolis, per capita green space in some urban districts falls below 3 m², while the WHO global standard is 9 m² and Iran's national standard is 7 m². Despite this significant gap, no systematic study has yet identified precisely which districts and which functional levels (neighborhood, local, district) suffer the most severe shortages. This study aims to fill that gap by analyzing the spatial distribution pattern of urban green spaces in Tabriz using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The methodology is based on precise spatial analysis using standard service radii: 300 m for neighborhood parks, 750 m for local parks, and 1,200 m for district parks. Analytical tools employed include distance analysis, overlay mapping, service radius zoning, and Gini coefficient calculation. The findings reveal a deeply unjust distribution of green space across the ten municipal districts. Districts 2, 4, and 8, with less than 3 m² per capita and accessibility coverage below 60%, are in critical condition, while districts 5, 7, and 10 show per capita green space above 7 m². The Gini coefficient in deprived districts reaches 0/43, indicating severe inequality and demonstrating that the existing distribution follows a structural and biased pattern beyond random fluctuations. Practical strategies proposed include developing small-scale green spaces in deteriorated urban fabrics (pocket parks, green roofs, green walls), creating continuous green networks, and prioritizing investment in deprived districts 2, 4, and 8. Overall, it can be concluded that without targeted, spatially-informed intervention based on spatial justice principles, the spatial gap in Tabriz will only widen further.

Abstract The Creative City, as one of the contemporary approaches to urban development, plays an important role in promoting sustainable development through strengthening innovation, human capital, creative industries, and participatory governance. This study aims to structurally analyze the indicators of the creative city influencing sustainable urban development in Bushehr City. In terms of purpose, the research is applied, and in terms of methodology, it is descriptive–analytical. The study was conducted using structural analysis and MICMAC software. The statistical population consisted of 17 experts in the fields of urban planning, urban management, and sustainable development, selected through purposive sampling. Based on theoretical literature and expert opinions, 25 key creative city variables were identified and analyzed using a 25×25 cross-impact matrix. The findings indicate that urban institutional collaboration, with an influence score of 66, creativity and innovation education with a score of 65, the quality of public spaces along with urban vitality and livability each with a score of 59, and creative urban governance with a score of 58, are the most important drivers of sustainable urban development. The indirect effect analysis also demonstrated complete stability in the ranking of variables, indicating the high validity and robustness of the structural relationships among the indicators. The results suggest that strengthening institutional collaboration, promoting creative governance, enhancing education and innovation, and improving the quality of public spaces are the most effective strategies for achieving sustainable urban development based on the creative city approach in Bushehr. In addition, the findings indicate that synergy between urban institutions and the private sector can play a decisive role in accelerating sustainable development processes and enhancing urban resilience, as well as strengthening environmental sustainability.

Abstract A destination’s tourism appeal extends well beyond its natural landmarks and historical sites. Diverse events hosted throughout the year demonstrate significant potential for fostering the tourism industry; furthermore, these events function as strategic instruments for destination marketing and attracting tourists. This applied study was conducted to identify and assess the impact of five core variables—cultural, social, managerial, environmental, and economic—on the development of event tourism in the city of Karaj, aiming to provide actionable strategies for its enhancement.

Employing a descriptive-survey research design, the study synthesized data from comprehensive library research and empirical field studies. A structured questionnaire was utilized to gather primary data from a sample of 384 tourists interested in event tourism, selected via convenience sampling. The validity and reliability of the research instrument were rigorously evaluated. To analyze the collected data, the study utilized Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) within the framework of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index was calculated to verify sampling adequacy, while Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for all constructs exceeded 0.7, confirming the acceptable reliability of the instrument. Statistical analyses were executed using SPSS 24 and AMOS 24 software packages.

The empirical findings reveal that cultural variables, explaining 45.881% of the total variance, constitute the most significant factor influencing event tourism development in Karaj. This is followed, in descending order, by social, managerial, environmental, and economic variables. Notably, unlike many previous studies that have largely focused on the economic or unidimensional aspects of event tourism, this research provides a comprehensive, multidimensional approach. By integrating five critical variables, it offers a robust framework for understanding and optimizing this industry, providing scholars and policymakers with a broader perspective on the dynamics of event tourism sustainability.

Abstract Increasing urban population, expanding resource consumption, increasing waste production, air pollution, pressure on urban infrastructure, and decreasing quality of living environment are among the consequences that have faced urban management with serious challenges.The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of environmental education on the accountability of citizens in Ahvaz in the process of transition toward a smart city. In terms of purpose, this study is applied, and in terms of method, it is a descriptive–survey study of a correlational type. The statistical population of the study included all citizens of Ahvaz, and the sample size was determined to be 384 individuals using Cochran’s formula. The samples were selected through a multistage cluster sampling method.

The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Its validity was confirmed through expert opinions, and its reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The data were analyzed using SPSS software through descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis.

The findings of the study showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between environmental education, environmental awareness, and civic accountability. Moreover, the results of the regression analysis indicated that environmental education and environmental awareness have a positive and significant effect on citizens’ accountability, and that environmental awareness plays a more influential role in explaining civic accountability.

In this study, civic accountability was examined not only in relation to general responsibility but also in connection with issues such as waste and garbage management, protection of green spaces, and participation in preserving the urban environment. Overall, the results of the study indicate that environmental education and the promotion of public awareness can play an important role in increasing citizens’ responsibility and supporting sustainable development and smart city policies in Ahvaz.

Abstract Perceived security is recognized as one of the fundamental indicators of urban green space quality, playing a significant role in users’ presence, social interactions, satisfaction, and overall experience within urban parks. Users’ sense of security is influenced not only by social factors but also by the physical characteristics and spatial organization of the environment. This study aims to investigate the impact of spatial enclosure on users’ perceived security in Shadi and Mikhak parks in Tabriz, Iran. The research adopts an applied and descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected through user questionnaires and field observations and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings indicate that all examined physical components, including form and space, visual and environmental comfort, spatial dimensions and scale, and spatial organization and permeability, have a significant positive relationship with spatial enclosure and users’ perceived security (Sig < 0.01). Among these components, spatial size demonstrated the strongest correlation with perceived security (r = 0.805), followed by spatial organization and permeability (r = 0.799), visual and environmental comfort (r = 0.730), and form and space (r = 0.653). Furthermore, the results of the ANOVA test revealed significant differences between male and female perceptions of environmental security factors, indicating that women show greater sensitivity toward physical and environmental characteristics affecting perceived security (Sig < 0.05). The findings emphasize the importance of integrated physical design strategies, including enhancing spatial legibility, achieving appropriate spatial scale, maintaining a balance between enclosure and permeability, and improving visual and environmental qualities to strengthen perceived security and enhance the overall quality of urban parks. The results of this study can provide practical guidance for urban planners, landscape architects, and designers of public spaces in creating safer, more user-oriented, and socially responsive urban green environments.

Abstract Nowadays, cities across the globe, acting as the primary habitats for humanity, are constantly undergoing physical growth; this phenomenon is frequently accompanied by various structural and environmental challenges, often leading to intense pressure on surrounding areas, particularly high-quality agricultural and orchard lands. Such processes, which result in significant land-use changes, ultimately threaten the sustainability of natural resources for future generations. In this context, the city of Heris has also been significantly influenced by population growth and physical expansion during recent decades. This research aims to examine the impact of the physical growth trend of Heris on land-use changes over the past three decades (1991–2021) and to predict its future status. In this study, Landsat 5 ™ and Sentinel-2 satellite images were utilized across three distinct time intervals (1991, 2006, and 2021). Data processing was executed through the Google Earth Engine platform along with specialized software including ArcGIS, ENVI, and Idrisi. Furthermore, linear regression was employed to predict the population for 2026, Shannon’s Entropy was applied to assess land extensibility, and a hybrid model combining Markov Chain and Cellular Automata (CA) was used to predict future land-use patterns.

The results indicate that during this 30-year period, Heris has undergone gradual physical growth and horizontal expansion driven by natural population increases. This trend has caused surrounding lands to undergo land-use changes under the progressive influence of human construction. The physical expansion of Heris has led to the conversion of high-quality lands into built-up areas, which underscores the urgent necessity for effective land-use management and strategic urban planning.