نشریه جغرافیا و آینده پژوهی منطقه ای
سال دوم شماره 4 (پیاپی 7، زمستان 1403)

In the 21st century, the rapid growth of urbanization and urban populations have necessitated the enhancement of life quality and livability in cities. Urban expansion and population density in urban centers have created a challenge in finding sustainable transportation solutions. Sustainable transportation has emerged as a critical issue in developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization, making it imperative to consider the impact of sustainable transportation on urban livability. This research aims to structurally model the influence of sustainable transportation indicators on urban livability in Ahvaz, Iran, with a future-oriented perspective. This applied research employed a descriptive-analytical method, utilizing a researcher-designed questionnaire to examine the impact of various economic, environmental, physical, and social factors on the livability of Ahvaz. The sample size was calculated using the SamplePower software to be 200 questionnaires, which were then used for structural equation modeling to draw scientific inferences. Results indicated that the environmental factor, with a factor loading of 0.57, was the most influential indicator among the studied sustainable transportation indicators. The social factor, with a factor loading of 0.34, had the least impact on sustainable transportation indicators affecting livability among respondents. The environmental factor, as the most influential indicator, emphasizes the need to focus on environmental issues and develop infrastructure related to sustainable transportation in the future. Additionally, the least impact of the social factor on livability highlights the need for public awareness campaigns and programs in this area.

Nowadays, social vitality is one of the most important needs of human societies, as citizens, especially those living in large cities, have less opportunity to think about themselves and their needs and may suffer from depression. Since happiness is influenced by various structures of urban society, it can also impact the development and prosperity of citizens and urban communities. This study, using a descriptive-analytical method, aimed to locate a playground in the metropolis of Shiraz based on the criteria of a happy city. Initially, by reviewing the literature, 8 criteria of a happy city including suitable slope (less than 15 degrees), placement in non-agricultural and unprotected areas in terms of natural resources, distance from water channels, distance from fault lines, availability of required vacant lands, access to main city thoroughfares, access to metro, and distance from existing parks were extracted for playground location. Then, the information layers of these criteria were prepared in Shiraz using the geographic information system, and after fuzzyfication, the layers were overlapped. The results showed that the fuzzy multiplication operator, due to its greater caution compared to other operators, provides more ideal locations for playground construction. The fuzzy multiplication operator introduced four optimal sites for playground construction, which after further investigations using satellite images, it was determined that two sites located in the vicinity of Barfforoushan towards Bazine Township and near Husseinieh Hashemi and Dr. Hasabi highways, and the other in the lands at the entrance of the new Sadr City and near Dr. Hasabi highway and Golistan Township, are more desirable and suitable for playground construction considering the criteria of a happy city.

Poverty is caused by the lack of proper mechanisms in human societies. Poverty hinders the development and sustainability of a country, and the allocation of resources for poverty alleviation is considered a very important factor for future-oriented societies and governments. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze effective urban poverty measures with a futures research approach in Sistan and Baluchestan province and to examine the extent and manner in which these measures affect each other in order to promote and build a desirable future in the province. The present study is an applied development based on the type of objective. In terms of the nature of the research, it is analytical-exploratory, and the method of collecting information is library, documentary, and field methods. The statistical population of the present study is 40 urban planning experts and specialists, senior municipal managers, and social science experts, provided that they have the necessary research experience on urban poverty. First, the literature was reviewed to identify the influential criteria for poverty. Then, the criteria for urban poverty were identified in the form of the final 6 components using the Delphi method and expert opinion. The cross-effects matrix (MICMAC) was used to analyze the data. Finally, 26 criteria were identified from 6 social, economic, cultural, physical, environmental, and basic infrastructure and services components, of which 12 key criteria, which are 2 economic components, 3 social components, 2 physical components, 4 infrastructure and basic services components, and 1 environmental component, had the greatest impact on the situation of urban poverty in Sistan and Baluchestan province.

Contemporary urban planning in many developed cities faces challenges in fostering children's social development. For the sustainable development of Bandar Abbas, it is crucial to consider the creation of urban environments that facilitate and encourage children's social interaction. The child tourist is an inspiration to the world of tourism, a missing link that has received less attention. Tourism, by exposing children to experiences beyond their everyday lives, offers significant opportunities for cognitive development, fostering learning and potentially exceeding the educational impact of parental guidance. These novel experiences can have profound and lasting effects on a child's understanding of the world. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the indicators of tourism development in regional development with an emphasis on a child-friendly environment, a case study of the city of Bandar Abbas. The research method is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of this study is 200 seventh-grade students (first secondary school in Bandar Abbas), one hundred of whom are girls and one hundred of whom are boys. For descriptive and inferential analysis of the data, the T-Test statistical test was used in SPSS software. The results of the T-test indicated the significance of the indicators of fatalism, social trust, and cultural capital in social mobility. This study's findings indicate a strong correlation between the future of tourism and the well-being of future generations, particularly children. Furthermore, the trend toward smaller family units underscores the increasing importance of addressing children's needs and preferences within the tourism sector. From the perspective of the statistical population, that is, children, most of the studied variables are significant. Among the tourist destinations, the sea is the priority. Tourism in desert areas is lower than the average. Regarding travel vehicles, the tendency to use buses is not approved, but personal and public vehicles such as trains and aeroplanes are approved. Regarding the season for traveling, spring is the most popular of all seasons, however, winter is not very popular. Regarding the safety and security index, having health services and related equipment and proximity to treatment centers and medical emergencies was more important than other variables and of great importance for planning tourist areas.

Cities, as centers of wealth, energy, and technology accumulation, play a key role in the process of sustainable development. Since cities are the focal points of economic, cultural, and social activities, proper planning and optimal use of resources can lead to sustainable growth and enhance the quality of life at the national level. In this regard, development strategies for cities should be designed in a way that aligns with both today's needs and future visions. The goal of regional development strategy is to improve the economic, social, cultural, and environmental conditions of various regions within a country. This strategy is designed to reduce regional disparities, improve living conditions in less developed areas, and optimize the use of local resources and competitive advantages of different regions. The objective of this research is an analytical study of the future of regional development in Makran. The research method, in terms of purpose, is applied, and in terms of type,  is descriptive-analytical, based on future studies models with documentary and survey synthesis. The future of regional development in Makran can fall into three scenarios, depending on how resources are managed, governance, and cooperation between different sectors. Optimistic scenarios can lead to sustainable growth and development in the region, but in intermediate and pessimistic scenarios, serious challenges may slow down or even halt the development process. To achieve a positive and sustainable future, attention to integrated governance, investment in infrastructure, and effective management of natural resources is of great importance.

The primary objective of this research is to enhance labor productivity across the Iranian territory through the components of a knowledge-based economy. In a knowledge-based economy, the production, distribution, and utilization of knowledge are the main drivers of economic growth, wealth, and employment at all organizational levels. Knowledge leads to improved productivity, increased production, and sustainable economic growth. This study examines the impact of four components categorized as composite components of a knowledge-based economy, along with explanatory variables such as Gross Domestic Product, government expenditures, and inflation, on improving labor productivity in 31 provinces of Iran. To achieve the research goals, the panel data econometrics method (Fully Modified Least Squares) and version 12 of the EViews software were used. To examine the dynamics and stationarity of the variables, the unit root and Kao tests were employed. For the significance level, the fixed and random effects model was tested using the F-Limer and Hausman tests. With a 95% confidence level, it was confirmed that the model was panel data-based and had fixed effects. The results of this study indicate that the composite components of the knowledge-based economy have a positive and significant impact on labor productivity in the provinces of Iran. Moreover, the variables of Gross Domestic Product and government expenditures also have a positive and significant impact on labor productivity, while a negative and significant relationship exists between inflation and labor productivity. We conclude that enhancing labor productivity across the Iranian territory is influenced by the composite components of the knowledge-based economy. Therefore, economic policymakers aiming to improve labor productivity in the provinces of Iran should prioritize the development of science and technology parks, expansion of growth and entrepreneurship centers, human resource skills development, technological infrastructure development, and the promotion of training and research programs.

Today, the approach to the quality of urban life, following the concepts of welfare and social justice and highlighting the social aspects of development, has acquired more importance in the field of urban planning. In the present research, while using documentary-library and survey methods, the quality of urban life has been assessed by emphasizing the components of place attachment in the four zones of the historical context of Urmia city. The statistical population and sample size of the study consist of two groups of experts, thinkers and managers in the field of urban sciences (N = 60) and residents in the historical context under study (N = 379 using Cochran’s method and emphasizing the latest population statistics). In quantitative analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Spearman correlation, Shannon entropy and Cocoso methods were used. Findings indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between spatial attachment variables and quality of urban life. In addition, the existence of open and public spaces was identified as the component of highest importance, whereas cheerfulness and empathy were considered the components of lowest importance. According to the cocoso method in ranking the option, zones 3, 4, 1 and 2 are located in the most appropriate and favorable conditions in terms of quality of urban life, respectively.