نشریه معماری و شهرسازی ایران
پیاپی 27 (بهار و تابستان 1403)

Behavioral science is a dynamic and evolving field shaped by the context of its broader environment. This evolution is marked by a bidirectional relationship involving a two-way interaction, where behavioral science both influences and is influenced by other scientific disciplines. Consequently, research in this field adopts various perspectives, tailored to factors such as age, gender, physical, and environmental conditions, depending on the study’s objectives. The diversity of perspectives results in a wide range of valid research methodologies, with each study employing distinct methods, tools, and approaches to meet its goals. However, despite this diversity, there is a notable lack of consistency and coherence in the methodological approaches used across behavioral science studies. This inconsistency affects multiple aspects of research, including data collection and analysis tools, methods, strategies, aims, and overarching paradigms. The outcome is a proliferation of varied research approaches that often lack alignment, leading to dissonance among different research components. This methodological inconsistency presents significant challenges, limiting researchers’ ability to effectively achieve their objectives. Given the inherent complexity of urban issues within behavioral and social sciences, there is a strong need for innovation throughout all stages of research. This need extends from the initial phases of problem formulation and the definition of objectives and hypotheses to the development of various theories. Achieving such innovation and ensuring research effectiveness in this field requires the creation of a systematic methodological framework. This study aims to address this critical gap by proposing a suitable methodological framework to improve the efficiency, coherence, and overall vision of research in behavioral sciences. To achieve this, the study utilizes a Meta-Method approach, reviewing methodological considerations in behavioral sciences research conducted from 2011-2023.

The research methodology for this study is qualitative, involving a comprehensive content analysis of existing behavioral sciences studies related to behavioral sciences. The approach is grounded in Meta-Method considerations, which offer a structured framework for the analysis. The Meta-Method approach follows a seven-stage process: 1) Formulation of the research question, 2) an extensive literature review and selection of relevant articles, 3) a systematic review of the articles, 4) data extraction, 5) data analysis and findings, 6) presentation and interpretation of findings, and 7) drawing conclusions based on the analysis. Initially, 70 articles related to the research topic were identified from reputable domestic scientific databases. A rigorous selection process was then applied to exclude articles with minimal relevance, involving a detailed review of titles, abstracts, and full texts. This ultimately led to the selection of 30 articles for in-depth analysis. To further refine the methodological framework, the onion model of research was used in analyzing these studies, with the aim of proposing an appropriate methodological model for conducting research in behavioral sciences.

The analysis of the selected studies uncovered a significant gap in the methodological orientation of behavioral sciences research. Many studies lack a clear methodological framework that aligns with their research objectives, often concentrating narrowly on one or two behavioral aspects, such as walking or standing, without using a structured methodology. Furthermore, most of these studies are field-based and focus on micro-urban and meso-urban scales, reflecting a localized and indigenous approach to problem-solving. While this localized focus is valuable, it limits the ability to generalize and apply findings to broader contexts within behavioral sciences research. Additionally, these studies primarily follow a pragmatism paradigm, employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Common tools include interviews, questionnaires, observations, and statistical analysis, all aimed at practical, applied research rather than foundational or developmental studies.

To address the identified gaps, this study presents a new methodological model tailored to the specific research questions and objectives in behavioral sciences. This model provides a clear research pathway, outlining the appropriate methodological approach based on the nature of the research question. According to this model, behavioral sciences research can be divided into three distinct types. The first type includes revelatory and descriptive studies that focus on “what” questions, using strategies like surveys, ethnography, and case studies to explore user behaviors within the environment. The second type consists of explanatory and understanding studies that tackle “why” questions related to urban issues, employing a combination of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, along with strategies such as surveys, correlation studies, ethnography, and case studies. The third type involves intervention studies, which focus on “how” questions, following the stages of revelation, explanation, description, and understanding. These studies use mixed methods within a pragmatism paradigm, incorporating a survey strategy aimed at achieving environmental and behavioral change.

The transition from tradition to modernity, which began about a century ago in Afghanistan, has deeply affected the core of society and, consequently, its architecture and urban fabric. The planned housing pattern in Kabul has been shaped by Afghanistan’s historical and political events, which have, in turn, influenced the city’s social structure. It is crucial to examine the evolution of housing within the socio-political context of Afghanistan, especially in Kabul, which serves as a model for these changes and reflects the country’s future needs. To design housing that is both suitable and compatible with user requirements, it is essential to study and analyze the various factors that influence housing development. This research aims to explore the relationship between the architectural transformation of housing and the changes in the socio-political structure of society, while also analyzing the factors affecting the transformation of planned housing in Kabul from the 1960s to 2021.

The research paradigm is qualitative, utilizing a survey method, a questionnaire with a Likert scale, and exploratory factor analysis to examine the impact of socio-political factors on the planned housing pattern of Kabul City. Initially, the historical, political, and social contexts of Afghanistan were considered to identify the components affecting Kabul’s planned housing. These components include population, immigration, social interactions, social groups, family structure, education, security, social justice, and political factors. To assess these socio-political components and determine the key factors driving the transformation of planned housing in Kabul over the past six decades, a survey methodology was used. This involved a 40-question questionnaire with a Likert scale, followed by data analysis. The questionnaire was administered using SPSS software version 26. The KMO value for this data set is 0.521, and the Bartlett’s test value exceeds 95% confidence, confirming the appropriateness of factor analysis for this data set.

The exploratory factor analysis method was employed to extract ten factors from the variables in the questionnaire, with eigenvalues greater than one. These factors accounted for more than 76% of the cumulative changes. In this analysis, variables with factor loadings greater than 0.4 were placed under the factor with the highest numerical value of factor loadings. The indicators placed under each factor and their conceptual analysis were used to determine the factor’s name, based on the factor’s common characteristics. The exploratory factor analysis of the socio-political components affecting planned housing development in Kabul city over the past six decades indicates that social interactions, internal politics, education and training, housing planning, social trends, social system, women and family, population decline, foreign policy population movement are the most significant factors influencing housing development.

The results of the research indicate that social interactions have had the greatest impact (21%) on the architectural evolution of planned housing in Kabul over the past six decades. The research findings reveal that key factors influencing planned housing in Kabul over the past decades include Afghanistan’s domestic policy (10.1%), education and training (8.5%), housing planning (8.5%), social trends (6.2%), the social system (5.5%), the role of women and family (4.7%), population decline (4.3%), foreign policy (3.9%), and population displacement (3.3%), among other factors. The impact of these factors has fluctuated significantly over time. The majority of changes in housing occurred during the last two decades, which coincided with the period of the Islamic Republic. In contrast, the impact on the planned housing construction process was negative during the period of the Islamic State and the period of the Islamic Emirate. The growth of urbanization in Kabul has increased significantly during the last two decades, with the population of the city increasing sixfold during this period. This has led to a corresponding increase in the construction of settlements, residential complexes, institutional and planned apartments, and high-rise buildings. Many of these constructions have been made in imitation of non-native and foreign examples without consideration of the social and cultural characteristics of the society. Additionally, the examination of the patterns of traditional and planned housing in Kabul City reveals that the aforementioned factors have led to alterations in architectural indicators, including housing typology, architectural style, mass and space ratio, spatial diversity, access method, gender-specific space, interior space organization, communication, horizontal and vertical circulation, architectural decorations and details, facades, materials, and techniques.

The formation of the urban landscape, as a reflection of a city’s culture and identity, involves both objective and subjective dimensions. In recent years, urban planning in Iran has encountered difficulties in managing the urban landscape. The failure to implement urban projects effectively highlights the absence of control and visual guidance regulations, which serve as tools for urban policies, thereby complicating efforts to address urban landscape issues. Comprehensive research has not yet focused on identifying and ranking the semantic-identity challenges of Iran’s urban landscape. Although numerous studies have explored urban landscapes, a comprehensive approach to categorizing, prioritizing, and addressing these challenges has been largely overlooked, forming the basis for this research. The overall goal of this study was to identify and rank the challenges of Iran’s urban landscape based on expert opinions.

This research adopted a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative components, to thoroughly identify and prioritize the semantic-identity challenges of the urban landscape in Iran. A comprehensive and focused search was conducted across domestic and international databases, as well as reputable publications in landscape architecture, using relevant keywords such as “landscape,” “urban landscape,” “urban image” (visual aspect of landscape), and “historical and contemporary landscape.” A total of 256 articles were collected, and more than 40 domestic and international studies from the past decade were carefully selected for further analysis. Content analysis of these studies was performed to extract the semantic-identity challenges facing Iran’s urban landscape. The identified challenges were categorized using the “Trilogy Analysis model” for a more structured approach. In the third step, expert opinions were gathered by asking a sample group of professionals in fields related to urban landscape (urban planning, architecture, and landscape) to rank the challenges within each category. For ranking, the one-sample t-test and Friedman test were applied using SPSS 24 software. A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed online to experts using the snowball technique, and 118 were completed within seven days.

“Structural challenges” in the urban landscape primarily relate to urban governance and decision-making processes. These challenges include issues such as the failure to convert urban landscape development plans into actionable outcomes. A major contributing factor to this problem is the inefficiency of regulatory systems. In Iran’s urban planning system, the monitoring and evaluation aspects are often overlooked. Specifically, there are no proper criteria for visual control of the urban landscape, or they are neglected. Additionally, the lack of adjustment in protection programs for historical cities has resulted in significant changes in recent urban developments. In addressing the challenges in the “content and behavioral” sector, attention was also given to the behavior of urban landscape professionals and the general public. Limited public participation in Iran’s urban planning system has long been an issue. The absence of public involvement in the design phase leads to a neglect of the visual and perceptual aspects of the city in the minds of citizens, as well as the cognitive and semantic dimensions of projects. As a result, many urban landscapes fail to establish meaningful connections with users, contributing to a sense of placelessness and lack of identity in cities. Furthermore, a significant challenge in the urban planning system is the absence of a common language between the academic community, professionals, and urban managers, leading to ineffective communication between these groups.The findings showed no significant differences between the averages. However, based on expert opinions and the one-sample t-test, the three contextual challenges with the highest averages were:1. Crisis and chaos in the landscape of contemporary cities.2. Transformation of the cityscape and the loss of balance in the city’s appearance.3. The disconnection between the historical and contemporary landscapes in cities.In the category of “structural challenges,” inefficient oversight systems and the lack of evaluation and assessment in implemented plans are identified as the most critical issues. Challenges related to the behavior of professionals and citizens in the urban landscape fall under the content (behavioral) branch. Among these, the disregard for the concept of meaning is a key factor contributing to the phenomenon of placelessness in cities. This issue highlights the need for urban management to focus on the perceptual and visual aspects of citizens, which can be addressed through active public participation in creating the landscape.

This research, which specifically addresses the challenges within a particular area of the urban planning system, will be more effective in resolving issues in this field and can more purposefully determine the path of future actions in the urban landscape. Despite the abundance of studies focused on the urban landscape, a comprehensive examination of the semantic-identity challenges of the urban landscape, addressing both the objective and subjective aspects, has not been sufficiently explored. The findings of this research can be valuable and the results indicate that the three-part classification of 1) content (behavioral) challenges, 2) structural challenges, and 3) contextual challenges ranked in order of importance from first to third. To tackle the issues and challenges of the urban landscape, priority should be given to addressing “behavioral challenges.” Conversely, contextual challenges, such as the lack of sufficient knowledge in the landscape field or the adaptation of global guidelines to local ones, rank last in importance.

A place is any environmental setting where individual or group actions, experiences, intentions, and meanings come together spatially. The physical and social interactions that shape a place and define its character and values can be understood through theories of place attachment. Educational environments, being key spaces for adolescent growth and development, are among the most important of these places. As these environments play a significant role in the lives of adolescents, who form emotional connections to them during their education, their design is especially important. Place attachment influences individuals’ behaviors, often driving them toward collective action aimed at improving the well-being of the community rather than personal gain, aligning with the spirit of community activism. Both tangible and intangible elements of a place evoke emotions in its users, fostering place attachment, strengthening social bonds, and encouraging protection of the space. Several theories on place attachment have been proposed, including Seamon’s place attachment theory. This research seeks to identify the components influencing place attachment in schools, specifically through the lens of Seamon’s attachment theory. The study aims to explore how Seamon’s “processes of place attachment (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018)” can enhance our understanding of place attachment in educational settings and inform school management practices.

This research is a descriptive-analytical study. In order to achieve the research goals, the research began with an in-depth examination of Seamon’s place attachment theory through surveys and bibliographic review. Accordingly, key components influencing place attachment were identified and presented as a theoretical framework. These components were then prioritized and their relationships analyzed using confirmatory analysis. The statistical population comprised 7,404 7th-grade female students attending public schools in Municipal District 2 of Urmia during the 2022-2023 academic year, with a sample size of 365 determined by the Cochran formula. All students had been in these schools for at least three years. Simple random sampling was used to select the participants, and data was collected through a researcher-developed questionnaire.

Results indicated that, among the endogenous variables of Seamon’s attachment theory—such as place interaction, place identity, place release, place realization, place creation, and place intensification—the factors most influencing students’ place attachment were place intensification, place realization, and place creation. These three components accounted for 5% of the changes in place attachment. Place intensification and place creation explained 18% of the variance in place realization, and place intensification explained 3% of the variance in place creation. Additionally, the indirect effect of place creation on place attachment was positive and significant at the 0.01 level, with a value of 0.06, mediated through the physical characteristics of the place. Therefore, the body of place plays a mediating role in the relationship between place intensification and place attachment. This effect is introduced through place realization; therefore, place realization played a mediating role between place intensification and place creation. The total effect of place intensification on the sense of place attachment is 0.15 positive and significant at the 0.01 level.

This study provided deeper insights into place-based community groups and their motivations to either preserve or promote changes in place development and management. Each place requires a tailored approach to place management in order to effectively mobilize resources and partnerships. According to Seamon’s theory, place attachment is influenced by six main factors, divided into two categories: “Becoming of Place,” which includes place realization, place creation, and place intensification, and “Being of Place,” which includes place interaction, place identity, and place release. In this study, the effective factors in schools were identified, with place realization serving as a mediator between place intensification and place creation. Enhancing place intensification was found to boost place realization, which in turn enhanced place creation, ultimately improving place attachment. The indirect effect of place intensification on place realization was positive, with a value of 0.07, and significant at the 0.01 level.

The historical bazaar is a critical and effective element in the formation of Iranian cities and represents a wide array of interconnected values. These values play a significant role in both the preservation of the bazaar and the development and promotion of tourism. However, insufficient protection of this heritage has led to the deterioration of some of its values, which, in turn, has resulted in a decline in tourism. Therefore, this study aims to explain protection strategies by recognizing and addressing the pathology of the essential values of the historical Tabriz Bazaar, with a focus on developing heritage tourism.

This research uses a mixed-methodology approach, with data collection conducted in both theoretical and practical dimensions, based on bibliographic and field studies. The theoretical aspect involved gathering data on key concepts such as architectural heritage, heritage values, and heritage tourism through a review of scientific literature, analysis of documents and international conventions, and examining the intellectual frameworks of scholars in the field of value protection of historical-cultural heritage. This was aimed at developing a conceptual model for understanding the subject. In the practical aspect, a questionnaire and interviews were used to measure and evaluate factors and variables derived from the theoretical framework. The statistical sample for the questionnaire comprised 384 tourists and citizens visiting the Tabriz Bazaar over a one-year period, selected using simple random sampling. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 30 business owners and 15 knowledgeable experts, chosen based on theoretical data saturation.

Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, inferential t-tests, and exploratory data analysis. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis, coding, and categorization. The results showed that, under the “urban value” variable, all indicators except for the urban role factor were found to be in unfavorable conditions, with a significance level of less than 0.05. For the “architectural value” variable, only the “compatibility” index had a significance value above 0.05 and a negative t-value, indicating unfavorable conditions. Indicators of “aesthetic value” showed better conditions, with a significance level below 0.05 and a positive t-value. Overall, the findings suggest that aesthetic values have experienced the least damage compared to other values, while urban values have suffered the most, with many urban development capabilities of the bazaar severely damaged or lost due to contemporary developments. Architectural values have also been impacted, though the damage was less severe compared to urban values. From the interviews, 160 codes related to tangible heritage values and 50 codes related to damages were identified. After categorization and removing duplicates, the codes were reduced to 118 and 22, respectively.

The interview results also confirmed the statistical findings, revealing that most of the remaining values of the bazaar are aesthetic, while many of the original urban and architectural values have suffered significant damage and continue to decline. If these issues are not addressed, these values will gradually deteriorate. The conclusion outlines practical solutions and recommendations for protecting and restoring the damaged urban, architectural, and aesthetic values of the Tabriz Bazaar by verifying the type of damage caused by the tangible valuesof the Tabriz Bazaar. It is expected that those working in architectural heritage protection will give greater consideration to the preservation and continuity of these historical-cultural identities, in light of the achievements and findings from studies in this field, to ensure that key heritage tourism sites in the region are not destroyed.

Tourism activities have wide-ranging effects in various fields, and their development relies on various factors. In small cities within deprived areas, inadequate urban facilities and infrastructure are significant barriers to reaching optimal tourism levels, leading to limitations and problems. The success of tourism development programs and the achievement of their goals depends on the presence of favorable economic, social, infrastructural, and environmental conditions. In cities lacking these favorable conditions, tourism does not flourish. Small cities, in particular, experience reduced tourism dynamics due to fewer and more limited infrastructure services compared to larger cities. Delbaran, is a small city in Qorveh County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. This city is an example of not having a dynamic tourism sector despite attractions like the nearby Babagargar Spring, vineyards, religious events such as Haleem cooking, and access to Ali-Sadr Cave. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze the obstacles to tourism development in Delbaran city and its surrounding areas and present sustainable approaches for tourism development in small cities.

The study is applied research focused on identifying the obstacles to tourism development in Delbaran City and proposing strategic solutions. A mixed-method approach (quantitative and qualitative) was employed to collect, process, and analyze data. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze relationships between research variables via Smart PLS software. Initially, a field survey was conducted by the jihadi problem-solving group of Iran’s National Elites Foundation (INEF) of Kurdistan Province to gather data on problems and limitations related to the tourism industry in Delbaran and its sphere of influence. Then, the problems and limitations were categorized into three categories: inefficiency of the economic system, weakness of infrastructures (communication and services), and weakness of socio-cultural structures. In the second step, the relationships between the problems and obstacles to tourism development were determined based on the theoretical knowledge of tourism to form the conceptual and structural model. In the third step, a Likert scale questionnaire was used to score and examine the status of the issues related to the stagnation of tourism in Delbaran City and its sphere of influence. Local elites aware of the issues in the studied city and region participated in the survey.

The results reveal a significant relationship between the “weakness of infrastructures” and “inefficiency of the economic system” factors, accounting for 94% of the stagnation in tourism activities. The inefficiency of the economic system and weak infrastructures had effect sizes of 0.401 and 0.394, respectively. While infrastructure weaknesses had a slightly smaller direct effect on tourism stagnation than economic inefficiency, its indirect effect (0.311) made it the most critical variable influencing tourism dynamics. Based on the relationships between the problems and obstacles to tourism development, three priority approaches were recommended: 1. Improvement and development of communication and service infrastructures; 2. Enhancement of the economic system; and 3. Empowerment of socio-cultural structures. Executive policies for each strategy were also proposed to achieve sustainable tourism development.

Many studies have mentioned tourism as an important factor influencing the economic situation in countries, but to harness its full potential, a detailed and fundamental approach is necessary to identify and address all relevant aspects. In this context, while tourism has various positive impacts across different sectors, it is also affected by economic, social, political, and other conditions. If environmental, economic, social, political, and infrastructural conditions are lacking, tourism activities will not achieve the intended positive outcomes. In small cities within deprived areas, inadequate service infrastructures and facilities hinder dynamic and prosperous tourism. The research findings highlight two key issues: 1. In deprived areas, many small cities with valuable attractions struggle to utilize their existing potential due to factors that obstruct tourism development; and 2. The second issue stresses the influence of these factors, indicating that challenges related to communication and service infrastructures not only have direct effects on tourism activities but also indirectly weaken them.

The history of Iranian-Islamic architecture is filled with remarkable and magnificent works created by artists who utilized geometric knowledge and principles. Geometry served as a common language among architects in designing these structures. With advancements in technology and new geometric knowledge, innovative design methods have emerged. Parametric architecture is one of the approaches that enables the exploration of relationships between masses and complex shapes within computer environments. Experts suggest that these architectural works stem from the application of parametric design thinking throughout the planning and design processes. However, examining these principles within architectural knowledge is challenging due to the diversity across various fields, including functional and structural and other aspects. This research focuses on this process as it pertains to temporary residences, such as caravanserais.

This research relies on bibliographic studies and computational methods to identify the geometric and mathematical principles used in the design of notable suburban caravanserais. The data are analyzed using reliable software that algorithmizes and simulates parametric problems, visually displaying results to support the hypothesis.

The findings indicate that artists skillfully controlled and recreated design principles according to the existing criteria and conditions of their time, resulting in remarkable works that fulfilled contemporary needs. The design process explored in this study is confined to producing square or rectangular plans, though this constraint can be adjusted by parameterizing the initial information to generate polygonal plans such as hexagons or octagons. This approach also elucidates several hexagonal and octagonal designs in Iranian-Islamic caravanserais, which closely resemble quadrilateral plans in spatial organization. A notable characteristic of Islamic architecture is its multi-functionality; Iranian-Islamic architecture produced “complete building forms” adaptable for various purposes. A single building plan might serve for both fortresses and caravanserais, often making it difficult to differentiate them by plan alone. Thus, the parametric framework established in this project can apply not only to caravanserai buildings but also to desert castles, palaces, and schools with similar designs. It is important to note that the diversity of Islamic architectural types means that the parametric order developed here does not claim to encompass all caravanserais. Rather, it offers a design approach rooted in Iranian-Islamic principles, analyzed through Grasshopper software using three case studies.

Parametric design is a design paradigm where the relationships between elements dictate the reproduction of geometry and complex forms, allowing the outcome of a system or equation to be modified by adjusting specific parameters and variables. The results indicate that this rule-based methodology aligns with the geometric design production techniques of Iranian-Islamic architecture. By introducing constituent parameters and employing algorithmization in Grasshopper software, the parameterization of the overall plans for four-balcony out-of-town caravanserais is validated. This conclusion can extend to caravanserai plans and similar building functions, such as schools, in other architectural styles, including double-sided and polygonal designs. Furthermore, the significant advancements in architectural technology allow designers to leverage the rich knowledge of historical architecture using contemporary programming languages. Consequently, applying parametric architecture principles and tools like Grasshopper enables programming based on crucial parameters that influence the creation and development of valuable architectural works. The principles and rules governing algorithm creation are derived from the knowledge of Iranian-Islamic architectural design, allowing for the development of algorithms in parametric language through the analysis of caravanserai plans.

In the process of educating students in the basic design studio, it is essential to develop skills in study, planning formation, architectural creation of an idea, and social interaction. Therefore, effective education that facilitates learning while simultaneously enhancing the students’ ability to design and collaborate in building knowledge in the Architectural Basic Design Studio is crucial. There is a recognized need to explain the collaborative education model as a support for architectural activities and objectives. The key question is: what educational methods are involved in the collaborative architecture learning model in the basic design studio? The aim is to clarify this model in the context of architectural basic design studio. According to previous research, various collaborative learning methods across disciplines, especially in theoretical courses, have been shown to produce positive learning outcomes. However, the present study specifically seeks to explain the collaborative learning model for basic design studio, an area where research findings are less documented. According to the research aim and questions, this study focuses on identifying both collaborative learning methods and suitable activities for the architectural basic design studio.

A qualitative research strategy and an action research method were used in this study. The research process involves the cycle of cognition and recognition, model suggestion, model application, performance observation, and the explanation of the collaborative education model in the architectural basic design studio. Data collection techniques include document and bibliographic analysis, such as books and articles on collaborative and architectural education, and observation methods, including note-taking as an instructor, photographs, and videos during the model’s implementation in the architectural basic design studio. Data analysis and interpretation are conducted in three steps. Data analysis and interpretation consists of three steps. Data is categorized and hypotheses are formed. Conceptual codes of architectural education control indicators and collaborative education activities were defined and general review and corrections were implemented in the model.

In the first session, the instructor should explain the methods and benefits of collaborative learning in both architecture education and the profession. This includes explaining the methods and goals of the design studio, the importance of collaboration in architectural design, the student assessment process, and the promotion of both individual and collective abilities. It is possible to change the layout based on the training method and for modeling activities, presenting posters and various items in the space of design studios. The collaborative learning model was applied in the architectural basic design studio III. Based on observations and evaluations, three criteria were used to measure success: how information was received, creating space by expanding data, and the level of collaboration Five people participated in the creativity test in the pre-test stage, and after training in participatory methods in the middle of the creativity test, participation in production and presentation reached 100%. To assess students’ understanding of building analysis, a descriptive test was conducted using images of buildings, with two of the ten buildings not discussed in the studio. Sixty-one percent of students analyzed all of the buildings, while the remaining students analyzed an average of 75%. In the final exam, 79% of students participated in the presentation and construction. The teaching methods showed good variety, aligning well with architectural education practices and contributing to improved learning outcomes for architecture students.

The collaborative learning model in the architectural basic design studio is divided into four parts: brainstorming, group discussion, jigsaw, and evaluation. Creativity testing, building analysis, and volume and space design activities are carried out within the framework of these methods. Collaboration among all students is essential for understanding the content. Therefore, participation in studies, model design, building analysis, and sketches by all students in the studio is mandatory, with critiques from the entire group. In building analysis questions and answers, isolated students should be encouraged to actively participate. At the beginning of the semester, students are introduced to collaborative learning methods such as brainstorming and group discussion on architectural design topics, helping them to better understand each other’s ideas and professional skills. In the second half of the semester, the jigsaw method is introduced, where each student builds and completes part of the final project. All students work toward the same goal, fostering a sense of responsibility both to themselves and their peers. Critical and creative thinking is promoted when students’ designs are interconnected, allowing them to critique each other’s work. It is recommended to reiterate t assessments at the beginning and middle of the semester, because the content of the lesson and teaching strategies can be changed by using the pre-test and recognizing the students’ abilities. This approach enhances student motivation, helps them better evaluate themselves and their peers, and enables the teacher to more accurately assess learning progress and the effectiveness of teaching methods. The final evaluation involves completing and critiquing the design, presentation, and collaboration. In the design studio, a deeper understanding of the problem can be achieved by expanding knowledge and clarifying ambiguous or complex aspects.

In the modern world, urban spaces, on the one hand, and contemporary citizens, on the other hand, are heavily influenced by the effects of smart and virtual spaces and technologies. Hence, it is pivotal to establish spaces that would simultaneously meet the health needs of contemporary humans and pay special attention to the smart dimensions of contemporary life. The concepts of a healthy city and a smart city are emerging ideas that were introduced towards the end of the twentieth century, driven by the rapid growth of urban populations and the resulting challenges, along with economic and technological changes brought about by globalization. The concept of healthy cities was developed within an initiative framework by the World Health Organization and was introduced in the wake of the search for promoting health by a general entity of the international sphere (Taylor, 2010). The concept of smart cities was also initiated by technological companies in the private sector and refers to the utilization of innovations and technological sources in urban infrastructure and services. Accordingly, just as there are a large number of innovative approaches, there are common indicators used both in healthy cities and in smart cities. Assuming a general health priority, the subject of smartization in urban space is regarded as a strategic objective, causing the fatality of pandemic and non-pandemic diseases to be fewer and thus helping to create a prosperous and competitive economy. The present study aims to explain the components affecting a smart and healthy urban space and to provide a general conceptual framework in this connection.

From a goal perspective, the study was applied, and from the nature of information and its analytical perspective, it was qualitative, falling under documentary research. The present study was also considered a mixed research method. In this direction, the dimensions and components of a healthy and smart city, raised by professionals and experts, were first collected and were then coded by using content analysis, leading to the determination of a general healthy and smart city framework. Next, the determined indicators were firstly incorporated and then scored and ranked by ten experts by using the five criteria of urban space scales, health and smartization relevance, easiness of access to information, measurability, and spatial diversity changes via the Goeller scorecard method. Because the five criteria are not equally important, the AHP method and Expert Choice software were used to assign weights to the criteria. To calculate the final score, the score of each indicator was multiplied by the weight of the relevant criterion, and then all the scores resulting from the indicators were added up, leading to a final score of 10. The indicators that received a score of higher than 5 were selected and the “general conceptual framework of a healthy city with a smart city approach” was explained. Finally, to control the quality of the extracted framework, the Cohen’s Kappa Index was used to compare the researcher’s view with an expert’s to finally provide an ID of indicators.

The explained conceptual framework consisted of 5 economic, social, managerial, physical and environmental dimensions, encompassing 12 components and 52 indicators of a healthy and smart urban space. The economic dimension consists of the component of economic prosperity and the indicators of strengthening local markets, tourism, and business diversity. The social dimension consists of the component of social communications with the indicators of social engagement, social and ethnic plurality, participation in social life, the component of social facilities with the indicators of accessibility and the awareness-raising of cultural events, accessibility and the awareness-raising of recreational events, access to sports amenities, access to welfare services, access to high-speed Internet, wireless coverage, and finally the component of health with the indicators of access to healthy food, promoting bodily exercises, awareness-raising and training health principles, and access to healthcare services. The managerial dimension consists of the component of urban management that involves the indicators of cultural heritage preservation (regeneration), citizens’ satisfaction with urban management performance, administrating the effective programs of garbage collecting and recycling and traffic management. The physical dimension consists of five components titled as accessibility with the indicators of access to public transportation, access to pedestrian zones, access to cycling paths, access to places of rest, access to green spaces, access to clean public spaces, access to washrooms, access to parking lots, safety with the indicators of the safety of cycling paths, the safety of pedestrian zones, traffic safety, the quality of urban pathways, security with the indicators of lighting and illumination of urban spaces, 24-hour land uses, the new generation of rescue police, social monitoring (urban smart cameras), transportation with the indicators of various and diverse options of vehicles, providing the Internet in public transportation, timers indicating the time of arriving at the destination, the applications showing the position of the public vehicles, the quality of public transportation (using sensors to improve public mobility), non-motorized public transportation (EVs, hybrids, and scooters), and environmental design with the indictors of land use diversity, design proportionate to peoples’ needs, diverse greenery, the quality of urban furniture, and place attachment. The environmental dimension consists of two components of energy with the indicator of using renewable sources and the environmental quality with the indicators of air, sound, and visual quality, water quality, and surface water collection and disposal.

According to the scores calculated, the environmental dimension with a score of 9.4 held greater importance than other dimensions and should be paid special attention in urban planning and designing. As all indicators of environmental quality received a score of 9.9, a key requirement for creating a healthy urban space with a smart city approach is to focus on air and water quality, reduce sound and visual pollution, and manage and collect surface waters effectively. The physical dimension with a score of 8.6 ranked second, followed by the social dimension (a score of 8), and economic and managerial dimensions with scores of 7.6 and 6.9, respectively.

The hot and humid region of Iran experiences extremely hot summers with high humidity, making it one of the most challenging climates globally. Analyzing the features of vernacular houses in these areas can offer valuable insights for modern housing design. One of the key challenges researchers encounter in architectural typology studies is selecting appropriate case studies. Bandar Kong, a coastal city along the Persian Gulf, features traditional houses with four main components: windcatchers, Sabat (shaded walkways), main rooms (living areas), and yards, along with non-living spaces. Understanding the organization of these elements can help develop a typology of vernacular houses in Bandar Kong.

One of the key applications of machine learning methods recently employed in architectural research is the measurement of similarity in architectural images. Categorizing and describing architectural features within each category is essential for identifying architectural types. Previous studies have utilized cosine similarity for measuring the similarity of architectural plans. Cosine similarity measurement criterion is particularly effective for evaluating sparse vectors and is commonly used in positive spaces with a range of [0,1]. Due to the diverse nature of architectural data, this method has proven effective for evaluating plan image similarities. The aim of this research is to apply machine learning techniques to select case studies and cluster the houses of Bandar Kong based on the shape and arrangement of windcatchers, sabat, courtyards, and living spaces. For this, Anaconda version 3.9 and Jupiter 6.4.5 were utilized. The cosine distance algorithm was employed to measure similarity in terms of shape and spatial relationships. The hierarchical algorithm, using the average linkage method, was used to extract and categorize the features of each plan.

According to the analysis, the architectural plans of Bandar Kong houses can be divided in 3 different clusters. Scatter diagrams of each cluster can shows characteristics of each cluster. According to the scatter diagram, the length, width, and height consistently fall within the ranges of 2.5-3.5 meters for length and width, and 9-9.5 meters for height. By analyzing the scatter diagram of the characteristics of each cluster, the following results have been extracted. In the first cluster, the windcatcher is located in the east, and the sabbat or courtyard is located on the west side of it. The main rooms are mostly located on the north side and the service spaces are located on the east and west sides. In the second cluster, the windcatcher is centrally placed on the west side of the house. Here, the plan layout tends to extend along a north-south axis, with living rooms positioned on both the west and east sides. In the third cluster, the windcatcher is located on the west side of the plan. In this category, the extension of the plans is mostly east-west. The northern side of the windcatcher typically features the Gatieh room, and in most plans in this group, the wind room connects to either the northern room or the Gatieh. According to the similarity measurement, the plans of Younesi, Golbat and Karchi houses have the highest shape similarity and spatial relationships with other plans.

Nowadays, with the growing volume of data and the complexity of data analysis, software solutions are increasingly used across various fields, including architecture, to minimize errors. One major challenge in architectural research is the classification and selection of case studies for analyzing architectural types. In this study, after evaluating the shape similarity and spatial relationships of architectural plans, the Younesi, Karchi, and Golbat houses were selected as case studies due to their highest similarity in both shape and spatial relations compared to other plans. Using a hierarchical classification method with average linkage, the plans were grouped into three main categories. The defining characteristics of each category were extracted from the charts and compared with the corresponding case study from each group. As a result, the Karchi house represents the first category, the Golbat house represents the second, and the Younesi house represents the third, with their respective features aligning closely with the extracted characteristics of each category.

Along with the emergence of the industrial revolution in the 18th century and the rapid growth of urbanization, many challenges for policymakers and planners in formulating urban management strategies arose. Among these challenges is the integrated and coordinated planning of urban development along with the development of public transportation in cities. To solve this problem, transit oriented development (TOD) is emphasized. This model, by preventing urban sprawl, aims to achieve sustainable development, which ultimately brings many positive economic, physical, and environmental effects to cities. The experiences of other countries in this regard also indicate a reduction in urban residents’ dependency on private cars. This study, by providing a brief review of the theoretical foundations of the subject and examining similar research, seeks to implement TOD principles in the surrounding areas of selected bus stations in the city of Shiraz. The bus fleet, as the most important public transportation mode in Iran, which is not dependent on specific routes and has lower establishment costs compared to other modes of public transportation, has been neglected. While,  most of domestic studies in the field of TOD focus on metro stations (mass transit). Furthermore, the bus network in Shiraz has evolved over time based on temporary needs and demand-driven approaches, aiming to provide services in line with the city’s physical and population growth. However, for various reasons, it currently accounts for a small share of urban transportation. Therefore, to increase the role of bus services in intra-city transportation, and in parallel with strengthening Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), the bus stations of Shiraz have been selected for study. So,This research aims to investigate the degree of adaptation of peripheral developments of selected bus stations in Shiraz with TOD principles by using SAW and TOPSIS methods, and provide effective solutions to upgrade and improve the condition of the surrounding areas of selected bus stations in Shiraz city.

The present study is considered an applied research, as it seeks to improve an urban infrastructure. Both library and field methods were used to collect information and data for this research. The research process begins with identifying the dimensions and indicators of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) by considering the frequency of indicators used in similar studies and preparing a questionnaire to determine the weight of the indicators. The sampling method used in this research is the snowball method. This method is used to identify experts in the field of TOD (Transit-Oriented Development). The weight of the indicators are also calculated using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP Fuzzy) method. Next, the value of each indicator in each area is measured using GIS software, and finally, the area with the highest alignment with TOD principles is identified using the SAW method. In the end, the most optimal area in each dimension is determined using the TOPSIS method. The significance of this work lies in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each area based on the TOD dimensions and providing suitable solutions for each area.

The findings of this research lead to the identification and prioritization of the most important indicators used in studies related to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Additionally, the level of alignment between the development surrounding selected bus stations in Shiraz and TOD principles, as well as their strengths and weaknesses in each dimension, are identified. Ultimately, this research revealed that, despite appropriate policymaking, the areas surrounding bus stations in the city of Shiraz have not experienced desirable development.

Overall, the results of this study show that the areas surrounding the Shahid Dastgheyb, Valiasr, and Namazi bus stations have the highest level of alignment with TOD principles, respectively. The indicators of Entropy, density of existing metro stations and bus stops in the area and Average cost of land and buildings are identified as the most important factors influencing the implementation of TOD. Among the various dimensions of TOD, the dimensions of diversity and design are the most significant. The study also highlights that most TOD research has focused on metro stations, neglecting bus stations despite their importance in the urban transportation system. As a result, many weaknesses were found in this area, indicating the need for further attention and research.

The demand for mass housing has led to a focus on building structures while often neglecting the open spaces in residential complexes. Due to the educational and psychological importance of play and social interaction, children are particularly affected by the underutilization of these spaces. The lack of understanding of the concept of “Presence-ability,” which results in the creation of unplanned areas, highlights the urgent need to reevaluate the design of open spaces in residential complexes. This research aims to develop a model that demonstrates the relationship between the components of presence and the physical factors of residential complexes, as well as to understand the impact of each variable on “Presence-ability.” Drawing on previous studies and theories by Schultz and Heidegger, the research aims to identify the concept of presence, explore its components, and establish its connection to the physical characteristics of open spaces in residential complexes.

The research methodology consists of two distinct qualitative and quantitative stages. Initially, with qualitative approach, the study delves into existing literature and draws upon Schultz’s theory of ‘presence’ to differentiate it from the concept of ‘existence’. Subsequently, logical reasoning is utilized to explore the relationship between various dimensions of presence, such as function, comprehension and implementation, and then its subcomponents, including orientation, accustom, memory, and identification, in relation to physical factors within residential complexes. To ensure precise results and uncover correlations between variables, physical factors within residential complexes are categorized into fixed factors (mass and open space) and semi-fixed factors (outdoor furniture and children’s play equipment). Following this categorization, components are measured through a questionnaire distributed among selected complexes in Sari city, targeting parents of children residing in these complexes. Collected data is analyzed using Lertap software, with further examination conducted through multiple regression and ANOVA tests in SPSS software to assess the relationships between components within each case.

The research findings indicate that the “Presence-ability” of open spaces can be evaluated based on four key factors: orientation, familiarity, memory, and identification. Additionally, within these factors, the specific characteristics of the place and meaningful motifs in identification, spatial transparency and the sequence of signs in orientation, natural background, activities and events in memory, and recognition of physical changes along with the use of indicators in familiarity have the greatest impact on the “Presence-ability” of open spaces.

In conclusion, design solutions can be proposed based on the findings of the research to enhance the “Presence-ability” of open residential spaces for children, highlighting the significance of physical factors over non-physical ones. Key physical interventions may include removing visual obstacles such as trees, signs, and light poles, constructing a playground centrally or near residential blocks, installing lighting or other rhythmic elements, and creating guiding signs like color blocks, window frames, or façade materials to aid children’s orientation in the open space. Additionally, defining boundaries around the complex with walls, incorporating play equipment in various colors within the play area, and designing the play space with specific dimensions can help children personalize their surroundings. Other memorable elements could include the arrangement of blocks that encourage recreational activities and interactions among residents or peers, maximizing the use of green spaces through gardens, tree planting, and decorative pots, which can foster lasting memories for children. Finally, features such as fencing around playgrounds, allowing children to engage with their environment by planting flowers or modifying the playground to their liking, arranging play equipment in a peripheral layout, and constructing play areas with distinct geometric shapes are design solutions that can promote a sense of identification with the environment in children.

It has been over four decades since design disciplines, especially industrial design, started up in Iran. Particularly in the last two decades, these fields have seen remarkable educational growth, with design programs available in many state and private universities, even up to the doctoral level. In other words, design fields in Iran have developed in line with global trends and should not be considered undeveloped, fledgling, or even scarce. However, initial exploratory studies indicate that design areas, especially in fields like industrial design or fashion design, still suffer from low scientific and research status. This situation highlights shortcomings in policy-making related to design disciplines. One reason for this is that systematic reviews and meta-analyses are essential in any scientific field, as they help assess the current state and guide future planning. However, in the field of design studies in Iran, there is a significant scientific gap. This gap undermines any planning or policy making in design studies, leading to a lack of concrete foundations. To gain a thorough understanding of the scientific status of design studies in Iran, the following question was posed: What is the quantitative and qualitative state of design studies in Iran? Answering this requires a benchmark, leading to the preliminary question of this research: What is the quantitative and qualitative state of design studies globally? To answer these two questions, a set of inquiries was formulated and addressed through various research and study stages.

This research is a meta-analysis study (based on the PRISMA method). In terms of data nature, this research is qualitative, and regarding data collection methods, it is a documentary research. A grounded theory categorization method was used to classify and analyze the data. After identifying the selected categories, a reasoning-based discussion and conclusion were developed. The research process started with a series of key questions, including: What is the state of design studies globally? What are the main areas and subfields of design studies? What are the statistics on researchers and academic research documents? And, what is the quantity and quality of articles related to design studies in Iranian (Persian-language) journals?

In this research, we initially identified thirty-three scientific journals in the field of design studies, focusing on the two databases JCR and SJR. Then, a sample of articles from 2010 to 2021 was categorized in detailed tables over three stages. This review indicates the existence of nine core categories, which are: “Design Methodology (Design Cognition),” “Philosophy and Theory of Design,” “Design Education,” “Communication of Design and Form,” “Design and Creativity,” “Specialized-Professional Studies,” “Interactive Design,” “Design Context,” and “History, Critique, and Aesthetics of Design.” In the second step, the research focused on the scientometrics of design studies in Iran, which generally underscores the weak presence of Iranian researchers on the international stage. No reputable specialized journals in Persian were identified; only six scientific journals were found that accept articles in the field of design studies. The findings show that, out of a total of 248 issues from these journals, only 168 articles are related to design studies. Of these, 112 are based on student theses (mostly at the master’s level), which also raises concerns about the quality of the articles.

The discussions around the findings reveal diverse outcomes, including the fact that design studies are experiencing significant growth worldwide, particularly in the UK and the USA. However, even at a global level, certain topics and dimensions of design remain underexplored, such as design economics, design aesthetics, design critique, design history, and traditional design. Overall, it appears that design studies have not seen substantial growth in interdisciplinary dimensions and have yet to establish a distinct discourse, despite being outward-facing. In other words, although design studies are growing globally, compared to other scientific fields, they still face challenges and imbalances across various domains. In analyzing the state of design studies in Iran, a range of information was gathered, revealing significant weaknesses in both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. These include the quantity and scientific structure of the research, the depth and impact of the research content, the lack of support and funding for research, especially from non-university institutions, and the misalignment of research with the country’s scientific, practical, and educational needs. Even in a superficial comparison with other scientific fields and the arts in Iran, design studies are in a notably poor condition.

In recent times, spatial critical studies have become well-established as an alternative to the positivist traditions of urban studies. This perspective views urban space as a socio-economic product that reflects the dominant political and economic conditions of society. Consequently, the spatial political economy approach serves as an appropriate framework to study built space, which is inherently a fundamental element of the capitalist mode of production and a commodity that contributes to economic growth, accumulation, and surplus value production. By conceptualising space as a commodity, it encompasses both exchange value and use value, becoming an inseparable attribute and driving force of the economy in generating surplus value. We explore the formation of value and the process of creating value within space production. We ask: What types of values are embedded in urban spaces? How have different forms of value been shaped and directed? Who is impacted by these values? And how can a balance between these values be achieved?

This paper aims to define the concept of value in the production of space and to recognise the formation of value embedded within it. Through a conceptual understanding of value, we explore the trends and controversies in the creation of the built environment, particularly the tendency to prioritise exchange value over use value. The methodology adopted combines interpretivism, with an emphasis on hermeneutic and normative approaches, and post-positivism, with a focus on critical approaches. The central premise is that understanding social realities is insufficient without considering political economy relations.

Employing a deductive strategy, we present several assumptions and observations in Tehran to develop a conceptual framework for creating value in the creation of space. For instance, housing is a clear example where use value is defined by its characteristics in providing a shelter and privacy, while its exchange value lies in its property value and economic driving force. In Tehran, however, with almost 350,000 to 500,000 vacant properties, housing prices have surged by more than 1200 percent in the last decade. This increase has led to social exclusion and poor housing conditions among the lower and middle social strata, indicating a shift from the social and use value of housing to exchange and capital value, effectively depriving housing of its social function. Furthermore, the inner city of Tehran, a historic area that should be vibrant with high-quality public spaces, has seen a predominance of commercial land use on a large scale. Supportive activities such as warehouses and workshops have dramatically reduced the quality of living and public life, resulting in physical dereliction of the urban fabric. This commercial dominance highlights the prioritisation of exchange value over use value, turning the area into one of the most problematic sites in terms of social decay. Similarly, shopping malls and commercial complexes have proliferated across Tehran in recent decades. Although these establishments serve recreational purposes and meet the public’s daily needs, their genuine function has been altered by the restrictions and controls imposed on them. These fully privatised spaces lack publicness, and their inappropriate locations have caused issues for neighbouring residents. This again illustrates the dominance of exchange value, adjusting public spaces to maximise profit at the expense of social value.

The research findings reveal that a coalition of urban political actors and capital holders has formed a consensus to transform urban space into a platform for profit-making and the acquisition of exchange value. However, urban space is also a public realm for citizens, who should be given primacy in terms of use value. In this context, it is crucial to prioritise use value in our urban spaces, or at least to regain a balance between exchange and use values, to prevent disparities in spatial development and enhance the quality of the built environment. In order to achieve spatial and social justice and improve the quality of the built environment, the gap between exchange value and use value must be bridged by balancing the interests arising from both values. As long as the development of urban spaces is driven solely by exchange value and financial profits, disregarding public interests and social value, the decline in the quality of public places is inevitable. Given that the market and investors invariably pursue higher profit margins, urban planners and policymakers must identify and address stakeholders’ concerns and needs, especially the intangible ones, to foster the creation of inclusive urban spaces.

The study of the architectural history of the houses from the first Pahlavi period in western Iran, particularly in the city of Sanandaj, reveals that this topic has been largely underexplored. The changes and transformations in the city have also led to shifts in residential architecture, introducing various architectural influences. Contributing factors include the presence of immigrant groups such as Qajar princes, administrative and civil officials, as well as marriages between governors’ children and Qajar princes or government appointees. Architects and artists from other cities, notably Tehran, were also involved in the design and construction. According to research, no systematic or cohesive studies have been conducted specifically on the physical-cultural typology of Sanandaj houses. Given the importance of this subject, this article first examines the houses from various perspectives, followed by an analysis of the typology of Sanandaj houses from the First Pahlavi period, and finally discusses the physical-cultural characteristics of these homes. The aim of the article is to investigate and understand the cultural-physical characteristics of Sanandaj houses and their typology during the Pahlavi period. The aim of the article is to investigate and understand the cultural-physical characteristics of Sanandaj houses and their typology during the Pahlavi period. The research seeks to explore the relationship between the architecture of Sanandaj houses and the culture of the Kurdistan region, to understand the architectural styles of Sanandaj houses from the First Pahlavi period from a cultural perspective of the Kurdistan region, and to analyze the characteristics of the existing types of houses in Sanandaj based on the examination and analysis of their structures.

The present study, following a qualitative approach, falls within the interpretive paradigm in terms of its epistemological framework. It is considered a theoretical research in terms of research aim and it uses an inductive reasoning method. A historical method serves as the research strategy, and both descriptive and analytical methods are employed due to the nature of the subject. The descriptive method is applied in the review of theoretical perspectives and literature review. Initially, written sources such as domestic and international publications and journals were searched and selected. Using relevant content from these sources, and after consulting with experts, supervisors, and advisors, the structure of the theoretical and experimental sections was developed. In the next phase, to identify causal relationships and understand the correlations between variables and indicators, the analytical method was employed. Data was collected from the selected statistical population through a survey study, and after classification and extraction, the data was measured and scientifically analyzed.

Following the field investigations of residential typology in Sanandaj, the influence of central region architecture and its dominance over the form and design of native and foothill architecture becomes evident. A combination of principles from western Iranian mountain architecture and the use of pillared porches is present in the majority of houses. The research samples were evaluated based on the relationship between components and space functionality, facade decorations, volume, staircase placement, introversion and extroversion, orientation, identity, and privacy. The results from the analysis of ten houses are summarized below. A qualitative method was used to analyze the findings, incorporating various indicators. Physical indicators included spatial communication, view, volume analysis, and staircase location. Housing dimension indicators examined the overall shape (introversion and extroversion), orientation, and the location in relation to neighborhood scale and type. Cultural indicators focused on identity, privacy, and the social status of the homeowner.

The investigation of First Pahlavi period houses in Sanandaj reveals that these houses are relatively adapted to the climate and engage with nature. The courtyard is very respected and serves to organize different parts of the house, preserve interior views, and maintain privacy. It is evident in the surveys that architects emphasized the importance of courtyard as a key element in these houses. In some cases, the spaces were designed to incorporate nature and outdoor areas, which was not fully justified by Sanandaj climate. However, these spaces were created due to the demand of the residents and to observe the principles of visual privacy. These houses were not solely designed based on climatic factors; when cultural and climatic considerations conflicted, cultural factors were given more weight. Ultimately, the culture of the region played a direct role in shaping the interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces, such as the use of pillared porches. The analysis of First Pahlavi period houses in Sanandaj indicates two main types: Type A, which is heavily influenced by the architecture of the Kurdistan region, and Type B, which is influenced by the architecture of central Iran.

Elderly individuals, those over 60, represent a growing demographic worldwide. By 2050, this group is projected to comprise 22% of the global population. Aging has emerged as one of the demographic and social challenges of the 21st century. To tackle this challenge, the World Health Organization has introduced the concept of age-friendly cities, considering the increasing urbanization in the coming century. Neighborhood-centric approaches are central to this concept. Consequently, age-friendly cities establish neighborhoods that are designed to accommodate the needs and limitations of elderly individuals by distributing functions and services in a spatially organized manner. In these neighborhoods, elderly residents can access services and facilities with minimal reliance on others. Additionally, they have particular requirements and preferences regarding the utilization of public spaces and their involvement in community activities. Urban neighborhoods, as spatial-social units of cities, should offer suitable environments for the social interactions of their elderly residents. Understanding the features of neighborhoods that promote social interactions among the elderly is a notable gap in urban design studies. This study aims to identify and prioritize the spatial and social qualities that affect the social interactions of elderly residents in neighborhoods, taking into account their preferences. To achieve these goals, Dardasht neighborhood, located within the historical context of Isfahan, was selected as the research study area. This neighborhood, which has a history of approximately 400 years, is home to a substantial number of elderly residents.

The methodology of the current study is qualitative, forming an in-depth examination of the social and spatial lived experiences of elderly residents in the neighborhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 older adults, aged 60 to 75 (mean age 66 years; 11 males and 12 females), each having resided in the neighborhood for a minimum of three years or more. Before conducting the interviews, pedestrian and bicycle surveys were conducted to gain a general understanding of the capacities and barriers that elderly residents face in social engagement within the neighborhood. These surveys also aided in designing more effective interview questions. In four stages, all interviews were systematically coded, categorized, and conceptualized. In the initial stage, initial concepts were derived from the interviews through open coding, consisting of phrases or sentences that were directly mentioned during the interviews. In the second stage, secondary concepts were organized by categorizing the initial concepts based on semantic similarities. In the third stage, sub-themes and their associated locations were derived from these secondary concepts. Finally, during the thematic synthesis stage, researchers identified and formulated the main themes.

Using a four-stage coding process, 337 codes, 15 sub-themes, and eight main themes were identified from the interview texts. The eight main themes, ranked by importance, include: 1. preserving the social and historical roots of the neighborhood related to historical sites and native neighbors; 2. ensuring physical comfort; 3. enhancing public spaces; 4. engaging in physical activities safely and comfortably in streets and parks; 5. sequential availability of complementary activities, optional and mandatory activities; 6. mental security, including an increasing sense of safety, eliminating others’ abnormal behaviors, and having personal space; 7. spiritual atmosphere related to mood and religious places; 8. women’s presence in their own secure and tranquil spaces. The study demonstrated that the elderly residents’ sense of social-historical belonging to their 400-year-old neighborhood was essential. They were profoundly attached to the physical and historical aspects of the space, which was evident in their strong desire to preserve the neighborhood’s original character. Additionally, the sense of belonging that older adult residents experienced in these social spaces was underscored by concepts such as neighborliness and a willingness to participate in activities and socialize within the neighborhood. Also, the resistance to multiculturalism in the neighborhood and efforts to limit the number of non-Iranian residents may support this finding.

This research identified and prioritized the spatial-social qualities that influence social interactions among elderly residents in neighborhoods through a qualitative study. Ultimately, by discussing these findings within the existing research context, the study developed its findings into a proposed model. This model formulates the socio-spatial characteristics that impact the social presence and activities of elderly residents in residential neighborhoods. The model consists of 8 main key concepts and 15 secondary concepts structured hierarchically within an integrated framework. This model also enables researchers and urban designers to thoroughly understand and examine the spatial-social aspects required for elder-friendly public spaces in neighborhoods, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Implementing and testing this model in various neighborhoods could uncover new insights, potentially leading to changes in the research’s exploratory priorities or the discovery of new characteristics.

Cities worldwide serve as hubs of thought, competition, and growth. Knowledge-based urban development (KBUD) is a practical facet of sustainable development, addressing contemporary urban challenges. A knowledge-based city, the result of KBUD, thrives on a knowledge-driven regional economy with high value-added exports, created by research, technology, and intellectual capital and designed to encourage and strengthen knowledge. This study aims to identify and analyze the drivers of KBUD in the metropolis of Tehran.

The current study is a descriptive-analytical research and considered a practical research in terms of purpose. Key drivers were identified through qualitative content analysis using the Delphi method, which involves multiple rounds of expert surveys. In this method, the survey is conducted over two or more rounds, with the results of the first round provided to participants in the second round, allowing them to revise their initial evaluations or add to their previous comments if desired. The Delphi method in this research was evaluated by 20 expert screeners in three stages using a two-way matrix, covering 9 dimensions and 43 indicators. The structural analysis followed four stages: initial discovery, probabilistic stage, integration stage, and implementation stage, utilising MicMac software. Cross-effects analysis was used to determine the direct and indirect impacts of these drivers on the future of knowledge-based urban development in Tehran. It is important to note that analysing these systems is more complex than stable systems due to the involvement of multiple factors. These factors are categorised into five groups: 1) Determining or influencing factors; 2) Two-faceted factors, further divided into risk and target subgroups; 3) Influential factors, representing system outcomes; 4) Independent factors, which are split into discrete and secondary leverage factors; and 5) Regulatory factors.

After analysing the perspectives of experts over three different decades and studying the experiences of various cities and countries in both theory and practice, as well as examining urban development patterns, the criteria were evaluated qualitatively. This analysis relied on the consensus of 20 urban experts, including professors, managers, and specialists in the field, derived from the Delphi method. The criteria encompassed physical, human, technological, communication, planning, political, educational and research, cultural, and infrastructure factors. In physical infrastructure, sub-criteria included a coordinated approach to building, physical form, and urban structure. In human infrastructure, the experts highlighted enhancing the skills of residents and employees, social order, social quality, highly skilled organizations, strengthening human capital, social justice, knowledge worker overflow, and motivating population knowledge. For technical infrastructure, sub-criteria like technical capacity, technological knowledge, technology dissemination, and knowledge-enabling technologies were identified. In communication infrastructure, criteria such as communication and transportation, strong spatial relationships, accessibility, and connectivity emerged.In strategy and planning infrastructure, sub-criteria included knowledge policies, city management planning, people-centered planning, coordination between public and private sectors, quality administrative environments, and local planning. In political infrastructure, key sub-criteria were social participation, market-oriented management, transparent policymaking, political activity integration, active society, knowledge managers, and equality. Cultural infrastructure involved sub-criteria like cultural institutions, cultural diversity, and communication. Lastly, in educational and research infrastructure, expanding and systematizing research capabilities, educational innovation, and triple helix communication (government, private sector, and university) were emphasized, while location infrastructure highlighted location quality, fairness, permeability, and proximity. Among the variables analyzed, the most influential were: market-oriented management from political infrastructure with a direct impact of 408 (ranked first); human capital strengthening from human infrastructure with a direct impact of 400 (ranked second); and knowledge managers and integration of political activities from political infrastructure, both with a direct impact of 361 (ranked third). Additionally, the integration of political activities (political infrastructure) had a direct impact of 361 (fourth place), and social quality from human infrastructure had a direct impact of 356 (fifth place).

The study concluded that political and human infrastructures are the most influential factors in KBUD in Tehran. Drivers like market-oriented management, human capital strengthening, and integration of political activities have a significant impact. Strengthening these drivers can help overcome social barriers and create opportunities despite resource limitations. In a knowledge-based city or region, the government’s focus is on providing the necessary infrastructure for knowledge-based development, which, unfortunately, has not yet been achieved in Tehran. The lack of an integrated approach to knowledge-based urban development is a significant challenge for countries seeking progress but still outside the development loop, and this confusion in urban management is evident in Tehran. In this context, the government’s role in policymaking and developing infrastructure to support knowledge-based activities is crucial. KBUD heavily relies on human intellect, making education and the training of skilled human resources essential. An effective and efficient educational system that continually enhances knowledge at all levels is necessary for this. To realize knowledge-based urban development, in addition to producing and distributing knowledge, it is vital to focus on applying knowledge effectively to expand capacities and improve resource utilization, which is key to creating a knowledge-based city. The expansion and specialization of labor have boosted market efficiency and productivity, driving technological economic growth and increasing the interdependence of people.

Water shortage is one of the basic problems of today’s world and it has various consequences in the supply of suitable water for living organisms and related environmental crises. Due to the lack of proper use of water resources by humans and due to changes in weather conditions, if this amount of water consumption continues for a long time, it can lead to the destruction of entire habitats. Although educational spaces have a smaller share in the city per capita, but paying attention to the approach of sustainable architecture in schools has a special place. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the components affecting the water efficiency index in the sustainability assessment system (LEED), studying how and the mesasure of the impact of each component and achieving a model for the water efficiency index in a semi-arid climate. In the “water efficiency” index, Lead investigated the components of:1- reduction of drinking water consumption in the site, 2- use of innovative technologies in the wastewater sector, 3- reduction of water consumption inside the building and 4- water consumption reduction process, and for compliance with each The item assigns a point. In total, 11 points from 110 total points in Leed belong to the “water use productivity” index components. The purpose of the “reduction of potable water consumption in the site component” is to limit or eliminate the use of potable water or other natural surface or underground water sources available on the site or around the project site for irrigation of the site. The reduction of drinking water consumption in the site is investigated in 2 options: option 1: 50% reduction in Potable water consumption for irrigation (2 points). option 2: Non-use or very little use of potable water in irrigation (4 points). The objective of the component “use of innovative technologies in the wastewater sector” is to reduce the production of wastewater and reduce the use of potable water while increasing the local aquifer reserve. Although the title of this component shows that it is related to sewage, in fact, the issues raised in it are somewhat broader and it addresses two solutions: option 1: The drinking water used to be transferred to the sewage system should be reduced by at least 50% using saving equipment in drinking water or non-potable water. option 2: At least 50% of the (used) water is purified on site according to the standards and then used on the site or purified to infiltrate the underground aquifers again. The purpose of “reducing water consumption in buildings” is to increase water use efficiency inside buildings in order to reduce the burden on urban water supply and sewage systems. 30% reduction in the use of potable water in the building leads to obtaining 2 points. A reduction of up to 35% brings an additional point, and a 40% reduction in potable water consumption is the final point. And The purpose of “water consumption reduction process” is to maximize water use efficiency inside buildings to reduce the load on urban water supply and sewage systems.

The theoretical basis of this research is using library documents and the research method is conducted through case study. In the research carried out, 160 schools worldwide from the BSK climate (semi-arid climate) according to the climate classification of the coupon and from the countries of America, Mexico, Spain, Turkey and China and from the four levels of Leed certification (platinum, gold, silver and certified) were selected based on the 2009 version of Leed. Then their information was collected and the points received in their Leed checklist were entered into SPSS 22 software for analysis with factor analysis method. Due to the fact that the current research has several subjects, therefore, the COMPUTE VARIABLE command was used to define a new variable and categorize the data based on it. Then, with the entry of information related to new variables, in AMOS software, these variables were converted into a model so that with its help we can obtain the relationship of the variables in the “water use productivity” index with each other. Also, with the help of the relationships obtained from this model, the importance and weight of each component in the indicators was determined, and this information helps us to analyze the data and find the results in the continuation of the research process.

The findings show that the three variables of using innovative water and wastewater technologies, reducing the consumption of drinking water in schools and increasing the efficiency of irrigation in the school grounds are effective in the water efficiency index. Also, the variable of using innovative water and sewage technologies is the most effective variable to increase water efficiency, respectively, has 71 and 54% of the impact is on reducing drinking water and irrigation systems consumption in schools. The purpose of using innovative technologies in the wastewater sector is to “reduce wastewater production and reduce drinking water demand while increasing local aquifer storage.” To reduce the production of wastewater and reduce the transfer of drinking water used to the wastewater, there are various strategies that can be used to reduce the production of sewage and consumption of drinking water. The most important strategies used in the study and review of these 160 schools are: 1- sewage treatment 2- using filtration systems 3- using solutions to reduce runoff 4- storm water management and 5- using water saving equipment. In the meantime, the solution to using water saving equipment has the most impact.

According to research, replacing low-consumption flash tanks with normal flash tanks has led to a 15% reduction in water consumption, and the gray water can be reused with a simple treatment for landscape and vegetation irrigation, flash tanks, and uses that do not require drinking water and by using alternative water sources such as absorbing well water, treated sewage and rain water, water needs can be met. Therefore, the use of water saving devices (such as washrooms, ambulatory washroom) or non-potable water (such as collected rainwater, recycled gray water, and on-site treated wastewater) decreases transfer drinking water consumption to the building’s wastewater. According to the results obtained from the present research, in the next step, it is possible to localize the methods of increasing “water productivity” by examining the laws, guidelines, regulations and design criteria in Iran.

Given Reconstruction, renovation, and reuse of existing buildings are key strategies for achieving a sustainable built environment. In light of rapid technological advancements, it is essential to assess the condition of existing buildings to ensure they can accommodate the new developments and conditions. Given the technological development, changes in educational methods, and the natural aging of school facilities, many schools across the country now require large-scale renovation. Managing the existing building stock, especially on a large scale, necessitates thoughtful decision-making and planning. Prioritizing buildings for adaptive reuse is a crucial aspect of this approach. Adaptive reuse involves repurposing buildings that have reached the end of their useful life, based on their condition and the needs of the community. This strategy helps create a sustainable built environment by extending the lifespan of existing structures and preserving their structural, social, economic, physical, environmental, and cultural value. This paper aims to provide an effective framework for prioritizing buildings for adaptive reuse and renovation.

The Adaptive Reuse Potential (ARP) model serves as the primary tool for prioritizing buildings for reuse. This model assesses a building’s potential for adaptive reuse by factoring in its useful life, current age, and predicted physical lifespan. The ARP model generates scores: an ARP score below 20% indicates low reuse potential, a score above 50% indicates high potential, and scores between 20% and 50% indicate moderate potential. The building’s potential for adaptive reuse and the optimal timing for reuse intervention are key criteria for prioritizing school renovations. Schools with higher adaptive reuse potential are prioritized for renovation, and those with less remaining time until the best reuse intervention point are given higher priority. In this study, eight schools in Gilan province are analyzed as case studies, focusing on schools between 25 to 35 years old, with consideration of their geographical distribution. Some of the necessary data and information about schools were obtained from the Organization for Development, Renovation and Equipping Schools of Gilan Province and some through field visits and interviews with the school principals.

According to the results, the maximum ARP score among the case studies is 78%, the minimum is 49%, and the average is 63%. This indicates that, overall, the case studies show a high potential for adaptive reuse. Building obsolescence, defined as the loss of utility and functionality, was significant in the school buildings. The maximum obsolescence rate observed was 0.0121, the minimum was 0.0073, and the average rate of obsolescence across all case studies was 0.0101. This high obsolescence rate contributes to a reduction in the buildings’ useful life. The research shows that the average effective useful life of the school buildings is 50%, which represents the percentage of the predicted lifespan that is actually utilized. This means that, on average, only half of the buildings’ expected life will be realized, with the other half lost. Therefore, these findings highlight the importance of reusing such buildings.

Renovation and adaptive reuse of older buildings are essential strategies for preserving the existing building stock. However, addressing these buildings requires careful decision-making. Prioritizing buildings for adaptive reuse is a key challenge, particularly on a large scale, as each building has a different priority based on its condition and potential. This paper utilizes the Adaptive Reuse Potential (ARP) model, focusing on building reuse potential and the optimal time for reuse intervention as the two main evaluation criteria, to offer a robust decision-making model for prioritizing buildings for adaptive reuse and renovation. Considering both criteria simultaneously allows for a more precise and comprehensive prioritization. In cases where multiple buildings have the same adaptive reuse potential, evaluating the available time until the optimal reuse intervention can enhance prioritization accuracy. Conversely, if several buildings share the same available time, their reuse potential can be reassessed to determine the best reuse ranking.