Exploring the Impacts of Technology on Enhancing the Quality of Urban Public Spaces within the Framework of Smart Cities, Case Study: Iran Mall, Tehran

The advance of information and communication technologies and digitalization has led to significant transformations in cities and urban life dimensions. Technology is recognized as a facilitator of processes and an enhancer of urban quality of life, particularly in public spaces. The emergence of the smart city concept as an urban policy and dominant paradigm reflects these transformative impacts. This study aims to explore the influence of technology on the theoretical and practical domains of cities through a qualitative approach and thematic literature review, with an emphasis on enhancing the quality of urban public spaces in smart city framework. The study examines the macro and micro impacts of technology in cities, with a focus on the smart city paradigm. Iran Mall has been selected as the case study to analyze the theoretical and practical impacts of technology on its public spaces.The findings indicate that, theoretically, technology has led to the development of new urban theories, including digital cities, cyber cities, creative cities, knowledge-based cities, learning cities, and, notably, the smart city as the prevailing discourse. Practically, technology can address urban challenges across various dimensions, such as economic, social, transportation, environmental, and governance aspects. At the micro scale, technology enhances the connection between humans, spaces, and technology in urban smart spaces, resulting in improved quality of life in public spaces. The case study of Iran Mall illustrates the realization of these concepts on both macro and micro scales, where advanced technologies are integrated into physical structures and urban functions, enhancing the urban experience for visitors. Finally, practical recommendations are provided to improve the performance of Iran Mall and maximize the potential of existing technologies based on the research findings.