فصلنامه تحقیقات جغرافیایی
سال سی و هفتم شماره 3 (پیاپی 145، تابستان 1401)

There are many criticisms and suggestions in the field of urban planning laws and rules and regulations of urban development plans, but the roots and context of the emergence of such rules that have been criticized or proposed to amend them are not clear and have not been addressed. The purpose of this study was to reach the sources of problems and inefficiencies in the rules and regulations of Iran's urban development plans.

Data collection was done by documentary research method, in the form of open codes related to criticisms, inefficiencies, and suggestions presented in 200 written documents between 2000 and the end of 1400. Axial organization and coding, code selection, and categorization were performed following the data-based research method and with the help of Access 2016 software. The research process and results were confirmed with the participation of 5 experts and evaluation based on 9 Cresol questions.

The study showed that the roots of the mentioned inefficiencies go back to the category or fields of vision, governance structure and organization, a system of formulation and approval, rules-rules and regulations, planning institutions, and  Legislative authorities each of which has smaller categories and their central codes are theoretical base, manpower, theoretical shortcomings, the inadequacy of supreme laws, shortcomings of institutional elements and approach and theoretical shortcomings, respectively.

The results of this study indicate that the shortcomings and inefficiencies of the rules and regulations of Iran's urban development plans have multiple roots that, when clarified, pave the way for their correction. The axis of the six constructive fields is paradigm transition, respectively; Politics and lack of cooperation and coordination; Participation, the interdisciplinary nature of urban planning laws, inconsistency of elements and inconsistency of views and approaches, which have been the cause of inefficiencies due to inadequacy in words and lack of common language.

Due to its location in the Middle East, Iran is affected by its climatic and geological characteristics. Since one of the main sources of airborne particulate matter is desert, issues such as sandstorms, high concentrations of airborne particles, and reduced visibility are some of the major recent climate and meteorological problems in the country, especially in the western border provinces. The purpose of this study is to simulate the size of atmospheric dust particles to reveal the sources that send them to the western region of the country.

In this regard, numerical modeling and remote sensing methods were used for severe dust events in June 2016, November 2017, and October 2018. The data used include the weather codes of the synoptic station, the aerosol optical depth product of the moderate resolution imaging spectro radiometer sensor, and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/NFL data for the implementation of the weather rcscarch forcast-CHEM  model.

The results showed that the outputs of the weather rcscarch forcast-CHEM numerical model in all three dust events, the regions located in the northwest of Iraq (border between Iraq and Syria), the regions of northern Saudi Arabia, and the eastern regions of Iraq are the main sources. Dust particles were detected in the study area. Dust originating from these areas in a northwest-southeast direction and with a significant spatial and temporal extent affects more than 3 days and the spatial expansion of western regions of Iran, especially Kermanshah.

Based on the results of this study, aerosol optical depth  images of the Modis sensor and simulation of the weather rcscarch forcast-CHEM model have an acceptable performance to identify the characteristics and sources of heavy dust entering the Kermanshah region.

The issue of health and mental health is one of the hidden goals in the urban regeneration approach that has been less discussed so far. Also, urban regeneration, as it is currently pursued in the country, has serious problems in terms of supporting mental health indicators. On the other hand, the effects of such projects on various aspects of mental health are not well known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to the pathology of urban regeneration programs to support mental health indicators.

In this study, a survey method based on semi-structured interviews and completing a weighting questionnaire of experts was used. Snowball sampling was performed on 17 experts in the form of three groups of “academic researchers”, “experts in the field of urban regeneration” and “managers of Tehran urban management institutions” and the results were analyzed using open and axial coding techniques. Then, the dimensions affecting mental health in urban regeneration projects were evaluated in the form of a 39-item questionnaire using the effect spectrum method.

An urban regeneration program to support mental health components should create 8 positive features and prevent 4 negative features. These dimensions are the externalities or external effects of projects that can be measured in the form of impact assessment techniques. Barriers to achieving a mental health support rehabilitation program can also be pursued in three areas: “policy approaches”, “preparation and implementation process” and “monitoring and evaluation process”. According to other results, the negative consequences of current rehabilitation programs on mental health are greater than their positive consequences, the most important of which are “discrimination and inequality” and “stress and anxiety”.

In order to integrate the components of mental health as much as possible in the heart of regeneration programs, the mechanisms related to policy-making, preparation, approval, implementation, and monitoring of these programs should be changed and fundamentally revised.

Resilient cities are cities that support the development of wider resilience in economic and social life, its infrastructure, and institutions; resilient cities also reduce vulnerability to severe events and creatively respond to environmental, economic, and social changes to increase their long-term sustainability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to model the city's resilience to hazards.

The method used in this research is to use GIS software version 10.3 in order to determine points with greater resilience and to use genetic algorithm methods and particle swarm intelligence and their programming in the MATLAB environment in order to use it to determine the most important components of city resilience and effective strategies to strengthen resilience are identified.

The present study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, first, using the analytical hierarchy process model, the degree of resilience of urban areas against landslides was determined and then, by combining all the mentioned components, the final hazard map was prepared. In the second stage, to determine The most important components of resilience in the city This time, 32 indicators of resilience components based on 4 criteria (physical-spatial, economic, social, institutional) were compiled and examined using a genetic algorithm, which finally 3 points of the city, respectively (Talar park, Shahid Watani Stadium, Siraj Park) were selected and prioritized as areas with more resilience. Then, to confirm and compare the research findings by genetic algorithm, the Particle Swarm Intelligence method was used.

There is a difference in terms of resiliency among the city areas, and increasing the resiliency of Qaimshahr city in the first stage requires strengthening and modifying the structures of the natural environment and then maintaining the safe environment.

Aims :

This research aimed to introduce an optimal method for water body extraction from multispectral satellite images.

Methodology : 

The applied research method is practical and based on the case study. In order to the extraction of water from Landsat 8 satellite images, the modified normalized difference water index along with three thresholding methods including the average method, Otsu’s algorithm, and zero-limit thresholding were applied. For evaluation of the results, the Sentinel 2 image was classified using the support vector machine method then the class of water was used as the reference to calculate the
confusion matrix and correlation coefficients.

Findings:

 The results showed that applying the zero-limit thresholding on modified normalized difference water index for water extraction from Landsat 8 satellite images is not suitable as it cannot identify shallow areas near the coastline. In contrast, Otsu’s thresholding method was able to accurately identify water and had good spatial matching with the reference data.

Conclusion :

Modified normalized difference water index method can successfully identify water areas on multispectral images but choosing the right threshold to separate water from land has a great impact on output accuracy. Most of the past research, use zero-limit thresholding, while the low efficiency of this thresholding method was proven in the current research. Otsu’s thresholding method, in addition to increasing the accuracy, does not require user intervention and uses image statistical information, so it is ideal for the automation of the process of water body extraction from satellite images

Cities have always been population absorbent because of having specific economic and social characteristics. These geographical movements are not only for immigrants and Residents of cities are also constantly moving to intend to improve their social status. All these socio-spatial variations have profound effects on the pattern of urban settlement which doubles the complexity of the urban planning process. So it is very important to be aware of the factors affecting these variations. Therefore, this paper, through the social ecology approach, identified the factors affecting the urban settlement pattern.

The present research has been carried out using content analysis in 2021. The content has been selected from English-language sources from social ecology theorists who have dealt with issues related to urban Settlement and have been published between 1925 to now, so eighteen Primary sources were selected and the process of summarization, coding, and categorization was performed on them. Finally, quantitative analysis was carried out on all units including concepts, categories, and factors.

The results of the analysis on the first variable, show that the concepts with the social, cultural, and economic approach, respectively, had the highest frequency. The results of the analysis on the second variable, also show that among the ten factors affecting the Settlement pattern, "social distance" and "socio-spatial movement" had the highest frequency. The results of correlation analysis between the ten factors, also show that "social homogeneity" by a direct relationship and strong correlation with six other factors, has the greatest impact on urban settlement patterns.

The results indicate that the final ten factors, through a network of interactives, shape socio-spatial variations and change the pattern of urban settlement.

As a public space, attendance in the market environment make vitality and has a particular effect on the quality of the urban environment. This research aimed to evaluate the role of the quality of internal connection on the attendance rate of people in the traditional market of Shiraz.

This qualitative-analytical research was carried out in the traditional market of Shiraz in 2022-2023. The studied variables were physical continuity (form continuity and spatial integrity) and functional continuity (use continuity and activities transformability). Data were collected using interviews and field observation. The statistical sample was 350 market visitors who were interviewed for one week. Data were analyzed using content analysis through Depthmap software and a T-test in SPSS 24 software.

The highest and lowest attendance rate of people was observed in South Vakil and Ordo Bazar of the traditional market of Shiraz by 95% and 30%, respectively. The lowest continuity in shape was observed in paths Bazar Morgh and Ordo Bazar and the highest was observed in paths North Vakil and South Vakil, the highest spatial integration was observed in South Vakil and Shah Cheragh and the lowest was observed in paths 5 and 1, the highest mean compatibility values was observed in North Vakil and South Vakil, and its lowest level was observed in the Ordo Bazar. The highest rate of diversity was observed in the South Vakil and North Vakil and the lowest level was observed in the Ordo Bazar, respectively.

Physical and functional continuity are important factors in promoting attendance in the market. Spatial integrity, form continuity, convertibility, and continuity of uses are among the most important factors related to the quality of continuity in the interior space of the markets, which affects the presence in the market.

The present study aimed to investigate and predict the changes in metrics and Landscape change processes in the Gorganrood watershed in Golestan province.

First, land cover maps were prepared in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. Then predict land cover changes for future conditions, under two scenarios (1) continuation of the current trend of change for 2040 and (2) land cover changes for 2040 based on the ecological potential of the land, using land change modeling. Metrics and processes of land change in the studied years and scenarios were extracted using Fragstats software and their changes were analyzed during the study period (1990 to 2020). According to the results obtained during the study period, deforestation (279.53km2), reduction of rangeland lands (542.598km2), agricultural development (413 km2), and development of residential areas (133.81km2) have occurred in the Gorganrood watershed.

According to the predicted land cover for 2040 under two management scenarios, the area of ​​forest, agriculture, and rangeland in the first scenario (based on the current trend of change) with a change of -58.37, 35.8, 8.28 km2 to 1364.98, 2396.09 and 3481.18km2 will be reached. Meanwhile, in the second scenario (based on ecological potential), the area of ​​forest, agriculture, and rangeland changed by 4.27, -100.86, and 96.58 km2 to 1427.54, 2258.55 and 3567.49km2 will receive.

Increasing and decreasing the number of patches in human and natural uses, respectively, indicate the destructive trend of the landscape during the research period. Forest degradation, rangeland segregation and creation processes in agriculture and residential areas have occurred during the 30-year research period in the Gorganrood watershed.

The best way to deal with natural hazards, especially earthquakes, is to improve residential resilience in different dimensions. Therefore, understanding the resilience of the current situation has a vital role in reducing the vulnerability of cities. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the physical and economic resilience of the 12th district of Tehran in the face of an earthquake.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted. The attribute library method was used for data collection and ArcGIS and Super Decision software and FANP and Anselin Local Morans models were used for data analysis.

The highest coefficient among the indicators affecting the resilience of the region was related to the movement and access network (4.261), building condition (3.925), uses (3.218), economic stability (3.211), density ( 3.002), and properties of the substrate were (1.544). The state of very low resilience covered 8,895,457m2 of the area and 522,081m2 (19.7%) were in the state of very high resilience. There was a significant difference in terms of resilience between the six regions of district 12. In terms of physical resilience, areas six and one had the highest level of resilience, and area three had the lowest level of resilience. In terms of economic resilience, Bazar, Baharestan, and Mokhtari neighborhoods had the best situation and Pamnar and Harandi neighborhoods had the worst situation.

The southern regions of the district are in a very low resilience situation compared to the northern regions, which requires quick planning in order to increase resilience.

One of the most important approaches in critical geopolitics; is Understanding the function of the discourse in geopolitical actions emergence of political units.  In this approach, the geopolitics territorial expansion has a meaning that the interpreter should understand according to constructed components in the text. From the "Laclau" and "Mouffe" perspectives, this geopolitical text; at some point in history has been constructed by the socio-political discourse and from an identity, perspective has gained meaning from distinction with other discourses.  In this regard, the territorial expansion pattern of the Rashidun Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Omar, and Uthman) era between 11 and 35 A.H. was the basis for a semantic break with the geopolitical paradigm of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Because in the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) era, Islamic world borders expansion was interpreted in direction of Islamic teachings expansion, which was different from the territory expansion discourse pattern in the Rashidun Caliphs era. This research has analyzed the discourse components effective on territorial expansion policy creation during the Rashidun Caliphs leadership from the "Laclau” and "Mouffe" perspectives.

In the Rashidun caliph’s era, with the signifier formation of Islamic territory expansion as a religious mission; the Islamic government's geopolitical policies changed. So, a type of alienation was formed in the Islamic government’s geopolitical discourse which turned the Islamic empire borders into a holy matter in front of non-Muslims. In addition, wealth growth resulting from territorial expansion among the Prophet's companions as well as the first Muslims was effective in the transformation of territorial expansion into the Rashidun Caliphs discourse signifier. On this basis, the Islamic caliphate gained more satisfaction from other Muslim tribes; invited them to participate in territorial conquests, and considered more benefiting from the booty to be dependent on participating in the war and gaining victory in the new territorial conquest.

The economic growth and development of Asian countries, which began in the late 1970s were so rapid, so that at the end of the 20th century, in addition to Japan as the Asian economic giant, several other Asian countries, including China and India, were among the major economies. It can be said the most important factor influencing the rise of Asian countries and their position among the great powers has been significant economic growth and development. The emergence of China as the center of a new geostrategic region is related not only to the weak US and Russian influence in the West and North Pacific but also to changes in China itself and its politico-economic environment. The purpose of this descriptive-analytical study was to study the political-economic environment of China by relying on the method of interpreting the research background to understand the geopolitical situation in Southeast Asia. Data were collected using a search of library resources and research background.

In today's Chinese society, economic, political, and social stability is paramount among the public and the country's political elite. The reforms were not aimed at disrupting the existing political order, but at increasing the role of the law, gradually expanding participation, and establishing a system of formal control and supervision. The result of these reforms is the expansion of accountability to the people, transparency, and confidence-building. China's cultural structure also plays an important role in the development and strengthening of its domestic and international power in the flourishing of its capabilities.

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.

 Employment is one of the needs of any society in which its reduction is the source of many economic, social, and cultural anomalies. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting job creation in the agricultural sector in Bahar city, Hamadan province.

 This survey study was conducted using a combined approach in 2021 in Bahar city. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire prepared using a semi-structured interview by assessing expert opinions. Concepts were coded using the grounded theory method. The CVR and CVI of the questionnaire were evaluated using expert opinions. The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula [n=250]. Samples were selected using a random sampling method. Effective criteria were ranked using hierarchical analysis and the ANP model.

 Based on the hierarchical analysis findings, the economic criterion had the highest rank (0.556) among the criteria affecting employment in Bahar city. Then, environmental, social, and behavioral criteria with the ranks of 0.270, 0.252, and 0.201, respectively, have been the next priorities affecting agricultural employment. The findings of the ANP model were slightly different from the results of the hierarchical analytical model.

 Considering the natural and human resources and the role of villages in agricultural employment, there is a necessity for a comprehensive view of socio-economic, environmental, and behavioral factors, providing opportunities for material and spiritual support and promoting employment in the agricultural sector of the city.

The multiplicity of management and incoherence of government organizations is one of the most important challenges of metropolitan management in Tehran. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of integrated management of Tehran from the perspective of government institutions.

This applied-descriptive research was conducted in 2022 in Tehran. The effective indicators were designed using content analysis. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population was the managers and urban planning specialists of Tehran. To determine the criteria width, the AHP method was used to emphasize expert opinions, and the TOPSIS method was used to prioritize indicators.

The priority was observed in the criterion of "the existence of an extra-organizational center" in the cohesion index. In the management structure index, the priority was observed in the "correlation between organizational managers" and "the existence of a systematic view" and the least importance was observed in "the existence of a common view among the work actions of the custodian organizations". In the good governance index, the priority was observed in the "public participation" and "reporting to the competent institutions" and the least importance was observed in the "knowledge exchange meetings". In the participatory structure index, the highest and lowest priorities are related to the "effective interaction with citizens" and "the existence of information infrastructure", respectively. In the coordination index, the first and last priorities were in the sub-indices of "coordination of organizations in charge of urban affairs” and "coordination of human and financial resources". According to the TOPSIS method, the indicators of cohesion, management structure, governance, organizational structure, and coordination were the priorities for urban management by government organizations.

The results indicate that coherence, management structure, urban governance, coordination, and organizational structure have respectively priority for the realization of integrated urban management concerning government institutions.

 The mission of scientific journals is to publish scientific articles and disseminate information and the results of research about current developments in a scientific field. Today, the quantity and quality of scientific articles and journals published in a country are considered indicators of development and scientific credibility at the international level. One of the development main factors in any country is the amount of production and impact of scientific publications in that country. The Geographical Researches journal is one of the most credible journals of geography that has an important role in the expansion of this science. Therefore, the function of this journal and its strengths and weaknesses are the effective step in its development and progress. The purpose of this study was to review the articles published in the Geographical Research Journal in terms of thematic orientation, duration from reviewing to publishing, number of authors, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative content of articles.

  All articles were reviewed from 2010 to 2020. The research community contained 500 articles. Data were analyzed quantitatively using SPSS 22, Excel, and ArcGIS software and qualitatively by MAXQDA software.

 Findings of the research include two parts: a quantitative and descriptive review of the submitted articles and classification of them in the first step and then qualitative studies and content analysis of the articles' keywords in different fields and sections.

 The results indicate a reduction in the time of acceptance to the publication of articles and a high share of provinces such as Isfahan, Tehran, and Khorasan Razavi in ​​submitting articles to this quarterly, other results were presented along with statistical analysis.

based on the ecotourism potential of Iran, there is a greater chance to benefit from the field of ecotourism to help the development of the country, and in this area, paying attention to the development of Eco lodges is a solution to achieving the desired results. The purpose of this research was to investigate the development capacity of ecotourism resorts in the provinces of Iran.

This descriptive-analytical research was conducted during 2023-2024. The geographical scope was the provinces of Iran. Effective criteria on the development capacity of eco-lodge were prepared using the research background study. The criteria for each of the provinces were examined by studying relevant research background (2012-2022), statistical yearbooks, and reports of competent authorities. TOPSIS method was used to rank the provinces of the country. The weight of criteria in the TOPSIS method was determined through the Entropy model. The final map of the eco-lodge development capacity was provided by GIS.

The highest capacity for eco-lodge development were obtained for Yazd, Isfahan, Tehran, Fars, and North Khorasan, and the lowest capacity was obtained for Ilam, Lorestan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Sistan Baluchistan and Hormozgan.

Eco-lodge development is a strategy for ecotourism development, which can be implemented according to several factors such as natural attractions, eco-lodge management, and infrastructure development. The provinces of Ilam, Lorestan, Kohgiluyeh, Boyar Ahmad, Sistan Baluchistan, and Hormozgan have the lowest capacity to develop ecotourism residences, which require appropriate planning and strategies to improve this capacity.