A Comparative Investigation of the Urban Form Effects on Citizens’ Health, A Case Study: Regions of 3 and 4 in Urmia City

Rapid growth of urbanization and physical expansion of cities in the recent decades have been accompanied by many negative consequences in different aspects. One of these consequences is the reduction of citizens’ health under the effects of factors such as car dependency, reduction in walkability (as daily physical activity) and inappropriate distribution of activities. In this regard, the issue of health in city has been considered in the recent years. Theatrical studies show that the urban form, which includes a set of physical and non-physical features in the city, affects the increase or decrease of residents’ health. So, the goal of this study is an investigation on the relation between urban form and citizens’ health in Urmia city. In another word, this research wants to recognize the most important elements of urban form which have more effects on public health. The method of this study is descriptive- analytical and also practical- developmental. Data collection is based on documentary studies and survey (distributing a questionnaire among the residents of region 3 and 4). For analysis, TOPSIS method is used. The results of this study showed that among eleven urban form elements in three environmental, social and physical categories, the amount of fabric compactness is the most effective factor on the citizens’ health and after that, there are mixed-use, the quality of pedestrian space, the air quality and the quality of green spaces. The results of TOPSIS analysis showed that according to the residents’ perspectives, the current situation of form in region 4 has more effects on urban health and this show that urban compact form (and its elements) has more effects on public health in comparison with urban sprawl (region 3). These findings are compatible to the theatrical studies. According to the successful pattern of dense development in Urmia city, it is necessary for the health of the citizens Urban planners pay more attention to this aspect of development and development policies of this type of development process to provide.