Geography and Urban Research

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.