Evaluation of the Mutual Effects of the Environmental Heritage Values of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan and the Quality of Life (QOL) of Surrounding Residents

Preserving the Natural Environmental Cultural Heritage (NECH) and improving the urban Quality of Life (QOL) are among crucial urban planning issues with critical roles in the sustainability of cities. There are several sources on the QOL in cultural heritage documents, i.e., scientific and operational reports, but the relationship between the QOL and cultural heritage has not been appropriately explicated yet. Zayandehrud River in Isfahan City is a natural environmental cultural heritage. It suffers from ignoring its heritage values and human hazards (drought) while depriving citizens of potential and actual capabilities. So, through urban planning, heritage values help to enhance the urban QOL and affect surrounding areas. The present study described the NECH values of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan and the components of the QOL of the surrounding residents and emphasized the importance and extent of the relationship between the two basic concepts. This is an applied study based on quantitative and qualitative (Mixed methods) approaches. Data collection is based on documentaries, field studies, surveys, observation tools, and structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done using document analysis, along with quantitative analyses such as Friedman's test and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The results showed that the NECH values of the Zayandehrud River have a significant impact on the dimensions of the QOL of the surrounding residents, and applying principles adapted to the natural environment heritage of the cities is coextensive with upgrading the resident’s quality of life.