Role of Low-Carbon Components in Transportation of Jolfa and Jananlo Cities, Iran, (Aras Free Region) using a Future Research Approach

The transportation sector in Iran produces about a quarter of the total carbon dioxide in the country, which is a significant share. Transportation in the cities of Jolfa and Jananlo, located in the Aras Free Zone, as medium size cities, plays a significant role in the production of carbon dioxide. This study aimed to identify the variables influencing the carbon reduction of Jolfa and Jananlo cities.

This study was carried out using the descriptive-analytical method in 2022 using structural analysis using the MICMAC method. Effective indicators on carbon reduction were prepared by studying the research background and interviewing the expert panel. 30 experts in sustainable urban development were selected using purposeful sampling and interviewed. The indicators were extracted using text coding and were provided to the expert panel to measure priority. Data reliability was confirmed in MICMAC software. Data were analyzed using extracting influential variables and their relationship using MICMAC software.

The key variables included electronic transportation, smart transportation, and the use of renewable energy. Intermediate variables included fuel cost, transportation infrastructure, management decisions, the mix of uses, urban compaction, transportation management, substitution, use of renewable energy, appropriate accessibility, public transportation culture, non-motorized transportation, and travel time reduction.

Macro-management policies, improvement of urban infrastructure in various fields, including urban transportation, application of electronic transportation technologies, and improvement of inner and outer city road networks, respectively, have the highest effectiveness in creating low carbon city in Jolfa and Jananlo cities.