Investigating the Factors Affecting the Design of the Biophilic City

This study aimed to use theory and innovative functions presented in recent studies to provide effective components for the design of the biophilic city.

This comparative analytical research was done in 2023-2024. The statistic population was 309 studies, published in ISI, WoS, ESI, IWSC, Scopus databases, and Persian studies in SID, Mogiran, Civilica, etc. databases in 2001-2016. 54 studies were selected using the inclusion criteria including the keywords "biophilic" and "green city design" through purposive sampling. In addition, an interview with a panel of experts was also used to identify effective elements. These experts were selected using snowball sampling. Then, variables affecting the biophilic city design were extracted. The reliability of the components was evaluated using a questionnaire and experts' opinions. Data were analyzed using structural equations through Micmac software.

Based on the findings, 54 effective components of biophilic city design were identified. The highest influence and lowest affectability were observed in adjusting the laws, biophilic programs, and the existence of budgets for biophilic and biomimicry activities. And the components of improving physical and mental health, performance and health, and human compatibility with nature have the most affectability and the least influence. The important effective, impressionable, independent, and bimodal components included 22, 14, 7, and 11 components, respectively.

Urban planners can use effective components based on structural equations and their impact on each other to design a biophilic city and increase human-nature interaction.