Planning and preparing strategies for the realization of night city in Mashhad metropolis, with emphasis on urban vitality indicators

Today, due to the complexity of urban life and everyday problems of cities, including traffic and traffic jams, use of night time is suggested as a way of spending leisure time and responding to the presence and vitality of citizens; therefore, the purpose of this research was to plan and prepare strategies for realizing night city in Mashhad metropolis with an emphasis on urban vitality indicators. The research method used in this research was of descriptive-analytical type. At first, the most important strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to urban vitality and night city were obtained by completing the questionnaire by 30 managers and experts from organizations and institutions related to urban issues. Then, the strategies were evaluated and prioritized by using SWOT and ANP techniques in Super Decision software. The research findings indicated that the three following strategies were selected as the main priorities for the realization of night city in Mashhad metropolis: 1. Preparation and improvement of existing infrastructure to create 24-hour urban services; 2. Designing suitable urban spaces to create a safe city throughout the day, especially in the central area of the city; and 3. Appropriate and purposeful lighting, along with decorating places and walking paths for the night presence of pilgrims and people. The results of this research showed that, given the annual millionaire entry of pilgrims and the presence of more than three million citizens in the city as well as having commercial, recreational, and religious activities including the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) and other urban utilities, this city has the potential of creating a night city. If proper planning and active management system are implemented to create safe spaces and healthy activities in accordance with the needs and values of the community at night, the ground for the presence and vitality of the people in night city will be provided.