Agile City: Concept, Principles, Characteristics, and Implementation Challenges

The concept of the Agile City has emerged in recent decades in response to the emerging challenges of urbanization, aiming to improve quality of life, provide innovative and flexible solutions aligned with human needs, and ultimately increase the efficiency of civic services. The objective of this research is to introduce the concept, principles, characteristics, and implementation challenges of this approach in today's cities. This study is theoretical in terms of its purpose and employs a descriptive-analytical method based on a systematic review of theoretical literature in the field of urban planning. Resources were collected through library research and by searching relevant books and articles from reputable and recognized scientific databases. The research findings indicate that this concept, proposed in line with achieving sustainable urban development, emphasizes components such as urban air quality, use of renewable energies, water resource management, green spaces and biodiversity, sense of social belonging, and attracting sustainable investment. Additionally, factors such as improving coordination between institutions, utilizing new technologies, developing supportive policies, active citizen participation, and developing digital infrastructure can significantly contribute to enhancing the performance and sustainability of the agile city. Moreover, financial and technical challenges have been identified as the main obstacles in implementing the agile city, requiring targeted investment and international cooperation. This research can serve as a basis for improving urban design and management methods in Iran and provide strategies for creating sustainable and agile cities