نشریه پژوهش های جغرافیای اقتصادی
پیاپی 1 (پاییز 1399)

In recent decades, the issue of the quality of the urban environment has become a specialized and public issue in societies, and people's attention has shifted from material goals to the nature of life in dysfunctional urban complexes. What is clear is that all urban problems are of an environmental quality component. In other words, many environmental problems will quickly turn into urban problems. For this reason, in recent years, environmental sustainability, quality of desired urban environment, quality of life, and healthy communities have paid more attention to the quality dimensions in urban environments. In this research, the quality of the urban environment in District 5 of Tabriz Municipality is assessed. The approach of the present study is exploratory (at both descriptive and analytical levels) and it avails of survey method of research. Using Cochran's formula, the sample size of the studied neighborhoods was calculated to be 380 people. Using one-sample t-test, the quality of the urban environment was measured and in the next step, using the hierarchical analysis method of multiple regression, the indicators affecting the quality of the urban environment were identified. The results of one-sample t-test showed that from the residents' point of view, the quality of the urban environment of District 5 of Tabriz Municipality is not at a high level and there is no high satisfaction with the quality of the urban environment of the region among the residents. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that at the level of physical-spatial characteristics, the indices of Access and Roads Organization have the greatest impact (B= 0.518) on the level of citizens' satisfaction. At the level of functional-service characteristics, the sub-index of social welfare services (B= 0.531) have the most impact on the citizens satisfaction. At the level of content characteristics, sub-indices of environmental health (B= 0.680) and (B = 0.627) have the greatest impact on their satisfaction.

Spatial construction of cities as an onion; although looks simple from outside, is literally beguiling because it is of many layers; if each layer is examined separately, we would lose the whole in entirety. In the study of the spatial construction of worn-out fabric and its content (sustainability status), its causes and factors should not be viewed only from one angle. Viewed hence, the present study is an attempt to understand the macro driving forces rhythms affecting the present construction of worn out fabric of Zanjan city, and to examine the degree to which such rhythms have an effect on the current status of the same area. To these ends, using library study and field observation (interview with heads of households  residing the fabric (491 people) and experts (30 people)), the data were collected and then analyzed using ArcGIS and LISREL software. The results showed that macroeconomic structural factors with a significance coefficient of 9.99 and an impact factor of 0.92explain, to a greater extent, the spatial construction of the worn-out fabric of Zanjan. In other words, a centralized and state-oriented economic structure, oil economy and its impact on the spatial transformations of the city, and spatial allocation of financial resources in a homogeneous manner have managed to exert the greatest impact factor on the spatial construction of the present worn-out fabric of Zanjan city. Also, macro-physical factors occupy the second level of influence and explain the multi-layered spatial construction of Zanjan’s worn-out urban fabric. Renovation of the first shell of the building blocks at the edge of the main thoroughfares has ended in relying on commercial spaces. Width of passages and incentive approvals for renovation of old fabric have provided the possibility of high-rise construction and an increase in buildings’ height, culminating in the development of new "spatial envelopes" in stark contrast to the second and third layers of the fabric.

Today, due to population growth and physical-structural development of cities, the structure and spatial form of urban development is of great importance and the compact city serves as a model for urban management and development of tomorrow's cities and smart growth. One of the factors of urban sustainability is the relationship between the shape and physical form of the city (spatial-physical structure). This article examines the situation and major indicators of sustainable city form and its dialectical relationship with other factors, and sheds some light on pros and cons of  urban sprawl of Lamerd city (including its morphology, i.e. structure, form and spatial development of the city). This study, employing library study method of research, adopts descriptive-analytical and comparative approach to data collection. The data of the urban sprawl indicators are collected through cognitive, functional information and studying comprehensive and detailed plans of the city.. By reviewing the literature and using the necessary and effective parameters obtained through analyzing the urban density of Lamerd city, an attempt is made to explain the reasons behind the sprawl and extensive urban development of the city. In the end,  the theories related to sustainable urban forms and morphology, their convergences and divergences, and finally the functional aspects and the implications of the theories in question for the city status are touched upon, concluding by making some suggestions. According to the studies and analyses conducted in 1345-85, the surface area and population of Lamerd city has increased about six and five times, respectively. During these years, the gross population density of the city has decreased from 131.3 people to 30.1 people per hectare. The lack of a sharp decrease in gross population density in different years indicates the excessive expansion of the city and the vacancy of many spaces and inactive urban areas and finally the horizontal, expanded, sprawl  development of neighborhoods in Lamerd, bringing about urban unsustainability in optimal distribution of services and access to facilities for the city residents, and in a rise in infrastructural costs and energy waste. The net residential density in 1985 is 85.85 people per hectare and in 1995 the net residential density and population density are  73  and 29 people per hectare, respectively.

The city of Rasht, as one of the strong centers for its peripheral and immediate areas, has played a special role in the development of rural economy in Gilan province and even neighboring provinces. Objectives This study tries to determine the share and role of Rasht city in the development of rural economy and strengthen the urban-rural relations of the province by presenting hypotheses and considering the effective indicators in determining the efficient interaction between rural-urban areas. It has been used to determine the continuous repetition of supply and sale of products by villagers and intermediaries and strengthen the rural household economy using the T test method; Also, by using the regression equation and examining the significance of the regression slopesatisfaction from the point of view of sellers or suppliers of products and finally the multiple linear regression method to examine the physical-spatial and social dimensions of Rasht on the criterion of local vendors satisfaction criterion. Findings show that the city of Rasht for reasons such as close distance and the possibility of easy communication with villages and their immediate areas, the existence of surplus product in the villages of the province, the need for income and no other job by many villagers, incentives such as achieving More profit, the desire of the people of Rasht to use quality agricultural, livestock and dairy products, etc. have been considered by many villagers. The comparison of the two groups (permanent, intermittent and periodic vendors) by t-test statistics is equal to 8.46 and there is a significant difference between the groups in terms of economic prosperity in terms of the volume of agricultural products in Rasht. Also, the correlation coefficient between satisfaction and economic prosperity of agricultural vendors in Rasht is 0.425 which is significantly related to the 95% confidence factor and the correlation coefficient between agricultural vendors satisfaction and the physical and spatial and social dimensions of Rasht is 0.584. We conclude that the factors are significantly related to each other

Informal settlements are areas shaped and expanded in almost all major and middle cities of the Iran cities including the city of Ardabil. In the face of areas as such, as of today various ways have been put into test. A number of these ways include demolition, relocation, site and services, upgrading, and enablement of poor communities. However, none of these approaches have managed to bring about sustainable regularization of informal settlements. Therefore, the present study is aimed at selecting an appropriate approach to regularizing these neighborhoods. The study is a descriptive and analytical one that uses the survey method to collect data. Four approaches, among many others, including site and services, enablement, upgrading, and community-based upgrading were assessed by 45 experts, drawing on 11 criteria. DEMATEl and Super Decision software programs are used to analyze the data and select appropriate approaches. DEMATEL method is used to determin the relationship between the criteria and the Analytic Network Process (ANP) to give weight to the criteria and acheive the ultimate option. The approaches community-based upgrading with a coefficient of 0.104358, enablement 0.084083, upgrading  0.036029, and finally site and services 0.008924 are identified, in order of priority, as regularizing approach to r Iran Abad informal settlement. In addition, among 11 criteria, three criteria including improving the quality of housing and roads with a coefficient  0.286799, operationalizability  0.112727, and the owner partnership with the municipality 0.105613 are of the utmost importance and influence  in selecting the most appropriate approach to regularizing the neighborhood. Among the various approaches to regularizing informal settlements, the community-based planning approach serves the best option for regularizing the Iran Abad neighborhood

In today's world, most urban planners and experts are trying to, employing appropriate strategies, resolve such problems as extreme centralization and regional disparities. Paying  attention to the development and strengthening of central cities and recognizing their capabilities and potential could solve many problems. Viewed hence, cognizant of the central cities capabilities and potential and formulating the corollary objectives and planning, this study is an attempt to  highlight the necessity of calling attention to these cities in order to regularize urban areas in question. As an applied, developmental study, the method is descriptive. Elaborating on  the role and importance of central cities in urban network, library and archival study is drawn on to investigate the current potential of and challenges to Shahriar Country as a middle city, and to outline, referring to expert view, its goals and ways to achieve them. To examine the subject in question, Meta- SWOT software program  is used. Examining the situation and identifying and designating the city capabilities and potential and its regional competitors as well, it was found that Shahriar of more proper distance than metropolises of Tehran and Alborz is the most important advantage of the city; appropriate communication infrastructures and affordable housing are also of the highest strategic fit. On the other hand, the parameters including improvement and coordination of higher order projects and an increase of private sector investment have the highest influence, and more proper distance than Tehran and Alborz and the business environment development in the county are of the highest degree of necessity.