Urban Design
Azin Ahmadi; Yaser Goldust; Vida Makani
Abstract
With the expansion of apartment living and increasing residential density, attention to the quality of sociable spaces in residential complexes has emerged as a major concern in environmental design and management. Various studies have been conducted over the years to identify the factors affecting sociability ...
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With the expansion of apartment living and increasing residential density, attention to the quality of sociable spaces in residential complexes has emerged as a major concern in environmental design and management. Various studies have been conducted over the years to identify the factors affecting sociability in residential complexes design. However, owing to the context-specific nature of this concept, considerable diversity in perspectives and a lack of consensus among researchers remain evident. Accordingly, the present study seeks to address this knowledge gap and converge the fragmented findings of the existing literature by developing a classified list of the factors affecting sociability in residential complex design. In terms of its nature, this study falls within the category of qualitative research and adopts a meta-synthesis approach. The research population comprised Persian-language studies published in the National Publications Database between 2011 and 2025. The screening process was conducted sequentially at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Of the 88 studies initially identified, 45 studies were ultimately included in the coding stage following screening, application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessment. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings indicated that, following the integration of semantically similar items and the removal of redundancies, the factors affecting sociability could be formulated into 21 concepts, which were organized into eight categories: legibility, social presence, conviviality, diversity, user health, facilities, aesthetic, and sense of place attachment. By converging the fragmented findings of previous studies, the results of this research can provide a useful basis for researchers, designers, and housing policymakers in decision-making related to the design of sociable spaces in residential complexes.
Urban Tourism
esmaeel ghaderi; boshra mohajer
Abstract
HighlightsMeta-synthesis is a qualitative approach that enables the systematic integration, reinterpretation, and synthesis of findings from previous studies, thereby generating new theoretical insights beyond individual research results.Achieving low-carbon tourism, particularly in urban destinations, ...
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HighlightsMeta-synthesis is a qualitative approach that enables the systematic integration, reinterpretation, and synthesis of findings from previous studies, thereby generating new theoretical insights beyond individual research results.Achieving low-carbon tourism, particularly in urban destinations, requires multi-level coordination, cross-sectoral collaboration, and a systemic perspective that links macro-level governance and policies with micro-level behavioral and operational components.The proposed conceptual framework can enhance tourist satisfaction, reduce environmental footprints, strengthen destination competitiveness, and contribute to the realization of sustainable development goals in urban tourism systems. IntroductionLow-carbon tourism (LCT) has emerged as a central strategy in global sustainable development agendas, given the increasing contribution of tourism-related activities to greenhouse gas emissions. Within this broader context, low-carbon urban tourism (LCUT) holds particular significance, as cities represent complex and dense environments where large numbers of residents, tourists, services, and infrastructures interact. Urban destinations are major hubs of cultural exchange, mobility, accommodation, and consumption, making them both vulnerable to environmental pressures and well-positioned for transformative sustainability initiatives.Despite the rising recognition of LCUT as a vital pathway for reducing emissions and creating environmentally responsible tourism systems, existing research remains fragmented, often focusing narrowly on specific themes such as transportation, accommodation, or policy.Consequently, there is a notable absence of comprehensive, integrative frameworks capable of guiding policymakers, urban planners, and tourism managers toward coherent strategies.This study aims to address this gap by conducting a systematic meta-synthesis of research on LCUT. The objective is to identify the principal macro and micro dimensions shaping low-carbon tourism in urban settings and to develop a holistic conceptual framework that can support strategic planning and implementation.MethodologyThe research employs the meta-synthesis qualitative approach, chosen for its capacity to merge diverse qualitative findings into a unified conceptual structure. Following Erwin et al.’s (2011) six-step meta-synthesis protocol, the study initiated with an analytical review of existing research gaps concerning LCUT and established the overarching aim of designing an integrated conceptual framework.In the second step, a comprehensive and systematic literature search was conducted using international databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, as well as Persian-language databases such as SID and Magiran. Keywords such as “low-carbon tourism,” “urban tourism,” “low-carbon strategies,” and “sustainable tourism development” were employed. The search included English and Persian publications produced up to the year 2023.The third step involved a rigorous quality assessment. Using the CASP checklist, 780 initially identified studies were screened for methodological robustness, conceptual relevance, and thematic alignment. Ultimately, 79 studies met the inclusion criteria and formed the basis of analysis.In the fourth step, data extraction and thematic coding were performed. Key concepts were identified and categorized into two overarching domains: macro-level factors and micro-level components. In the fifth step, these categorized findings were synthesized into a coherent conceptual framework. Visual schematics and tables were used to improve clarity and facilitate conceptual integration.Finally, step six involved reflection and validation. Through consultations with experts in tourism studies, sustainability, and urban planning, the internal coherence, applicability, and robustness of the framework were assessed. This iterative feedback process ensured that the resulting model captures the multifaceted dynamics of LCUT and addresses real-world needs in urban tourism management.Results and DiscussionThe findings reveal that the effective development of LCUT depends on the simultaneous integration of macro-level enabling conditions and micro-level operational and behavioral factors.At the macro level, six principal domains were identified:1. Political factors, including governance structures, inter-agency coordination, and strategic policy direction.2. Economic factors, such as incentives, investments, and market mechanisms supporting low-carbon transitions.3. Socio-cultural dimensions, involving public awareness, cultural norms, and societal readiness for sustainable practices.4. Environmental measures, including emission reduction targets, conservation policies, and ecological protection regulations.5. Legal frameworks, which enforce sustainability standards and regulate high-emission activities.6. Technological advancements, such as smart mobility systems, renewable energy technologies, and digital management tools.At the micro level, the LCUT system relies on three core pillars:Supply-side components, including green accommodations, low-emission transportation, eco-friendly attractions, sustainable food services, and education initiatives.Demand-side factors, encompassing tourist behavior, environmental awareness, value perception, and willingness to engage in sustainable activities.Destination management, covering managerial structures, environmental stewardship, infrastructure development, investment planning, and sustainable marketing strategies.The interaction between these macro and micro factors illustrates that LCUT must be viewed as an integrated socio-ecological system rather than a set of isolated actions.ConclusionThis study underscores the necessity of multi-layered, collaborative, and systemic approaches to advance low-carbon urban tourism. Governments must spearhead initiatives by establishing supportive regulatory environments and investing in green infrastructure such as renewable energy networks, sustainable mobility systems, and urban green spaces. Simultaneously, tourism businesses, residents, and visitors must adopt environmentally responsible practices.The conceptual framework developed through this meta-synthesis provides a comprehensive roadmap for scholars and practitioners. It clarifies the structural and operational dimensions required for LCUT and offers a foundation for future empirical research. Future studies should focus on developing measurable indicators to assess LCUT performance, evaluating the model’s applicability across diverse urban contexts, and exploring climate change implications for tourism sustainability.Acknowledgment This research was conducted with the financial and moral support of the Kurdistan Province Gas Department. The author expresses sincere gratitude to this institution for its invaluable contributions to the advancement of this doctoral study.
Urban Design
mehrdad hedayatian; Alireza Einifar
Abstract
HighlightsThe concepts of presence, sociability, and environmental quality often overlap and lack clear conceptual boundaries in domestic urban studies.Recent theoretical shifts regard urban space not as a passive backdrop, but as an active agent in shaping social interactions.Canter’s place model ...
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HighlightsThe concepts of presence, sociability, and environmental quality often overlap and lack clear conceptual boundaries in domestic urban studies.Recent theoretical shifts regard urban space not as a passive backdrop, but as an active agent in shaping social interactions.Canter’s place model is integrated with key dimensions of social interaction in urban open spaces.Presence, sociability, and environmental quality each align most strongly with one of the spatial, behavioral, or perceptual dimensions.Sustainable social interaction requires balanced integration of presence, sociability, and environmental quality in urban design. IntroductionUrban open spaces constitute vital arenas for everyday social life, enabling a wide range of encounters, collective practices, and cultural expressions. However, the conceptualization of the mechanisms through which these spaces facilitate social interactions remains fragmented. Among the most frequently invoked but ambiguously defined concepts are presence, sociability, and environmental quality. While often mentioned in research, these constructs are applied inconsistently, with overlapping meanings and unclear boundaries.This study aims to clarify their conceptual positions and interrelations by constructing an analytical framework grounded in Canter’s theory of place. Through a qualitative meta-synthesis of 373 domestic articles, supplemented by insights from international scholarship, the research develops a five-component model of social interactions in urban open spaces. The goal is to contribute a theoretically informed and practically applicable framework that can guide urban designers, planners, and policymakers toward creating spaces that are both socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Theoretical FrameworkEvolution of Theories on Social Interaction in Urban Open SpacesThe relationship between space and social interaction has been theorized through several distinct phases:Classical and Structuralist Theories (pre-1960s): These approaches treated space as a passive container, with social interactions determined largely by societal structures, hierarchies, and institutions rather than spatial form.Human-Centered and Experiential Approaches (1960s–1980s): Inspired by Jane Jacobs and others, this perspective emphasized urban space as an active setting for lived experience, spontaneous encounters, and informal social life.Spatial and Quantitative Approaches (1980s–2000s): Analytical methods such as Space Syntax highlighted the relationship between spatial configuration and behavioral patterns, focusing on how design and layout influence movement and interaction.Contextual and Participatory Approaches (2000s–present): Recent theories integrate notions of spatial justice, sustainability, digital technology, and community agency, reflecting a multi-layered and dynamic understanding of urban interactions.Components of Social Interactions in Open SpacesBased on theoretical and empirical studies, five overarching components shape social interactions in urban open spaces:Spatial–EnvironmentalBehavioral–ActivityPerceptual–PsychologicalContextual–CulturalTechnological–DigitalInterpretation via Canter’s Place Model: This study aligns three primary components with Canter’s model of place:The spatial–environmental dimension corresponds to form;The behavioral–activity dimension relates to spatial actions;The perceptual–psychological dimension aligns with meaning.Contextual–cultural and technological–digital dimensions are treated as moderating factors, influencing the intensity and quality of interactions. The final model conceptualizes social interaction as a triad of form–activity–meaning, surrounded by cultural and technological mediators. This holistic perspective allows for a deeper explanation of how urban open spaces foster social life. MethodologyThe research adopts a qualitative, fundamental–descriptive approach, employing the meta-synthesis method based on Sandelowski and Barroso’s (2006) seven-step model.Data Collection: An initial pool of 687 domestic articles was identified. After applying PRISMA-based inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles were selected for detailed analysis.Analysis Tool: MAXQDA software was used to code, categorize, and interpret findings.Key Gap: Domestic literature often uses presence, sociability, and environmental quality without systematic differentiation, leading to conceptual ambiguity.The analysis demonstrates that each of the three core concepts is structured around the three main dimensions (physical–environmental, activity–behavioral, and perceptual–psychological), supported by seven sub-dimensions. Importantly, each concept exhibits a dominant orientation:Presence → Physical–EnvironmentalSociability → Activity–BehavioralEnvironmental Quality → Perceptual–Psychological Results and DiscussionPresence: Presence reflects the capacity of a space to attract and retain users. It is strongly associated with the physical–environmental dimension, including amenities, accessibility, and spatial organization. Yet, mere physical occupation does not guarantee meaningful interaction; it is a prerequisite rather than a sufficient condition.Sociability: Sociability corresponds to the activity–behavioral dimension, emphasizing participatory environments, collective events, and opportunities for face-to-face engagement. This highlights the role of programming and design for activity in enabling vibrant urban life.Environmental Quality: Closely tied to the perceptual–psychological dimension, environmental quality involves users’ perceptions of safety, comfort, attractiveness, and belonging. These subjective evaluations strongly influence whether individuals choose to linger, engage, or avoid a space.Together, these findings underscore that social interaction is a multidimensional phenomenon, shaped by an interplay of physical, behavioral, and perceptual elements. Recognizing the distinct but complementary orientations of presence, sociability, and environmental quality provides a theoretical foundation for integrated urban design strategies. ConclusionThe proposed conceptual framework clarifies the overlapping domains of presence, sociability, and environmental quality while situating them within a multidimensional model of social interaction in urban open spaces.Key conclusions include:Each concept exerts a distinct influence on social interactions, yet they are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.Presence functions as a prerequisite, enabled by spatial accessibility and environmental amenities.Sociability is enhanced through participatory programming, collective activities, and inclusive design.Environmental Quality shapes users’ psychological perceptions and willingness to remain, creating conditions conducive to interaction.Sustainable social interaction requires balanced integration across physical, behavioral, and perceptual domains. Overemphasizing one while neglecting others produces limited results.By adopting this integrated perspective, urban planners and designers can create spaces that are not only functionally efficient but also socially inclusive and psychologically engaging. Such environments form the backbone of sustainable and socially resilient cities.
Urban Ecology
elnaz khalili; Seyed Muslim Seyedolhosseini; toktam hanaee; sanaz saeedi mofrad
Abstract
HighlightsThis article emphasizes the fundamental relationship between placemaking and biophilia.Biophilic placemaking indicators are categorized into five core dimensions.Natural peri-urban spaces are identified as key platforms for rebuilding the human–nature connection.The concept of “biophilic ...
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HighlightsThis article emphasizes the fundamental relationship between placemaking and biophilia.Biophilic placemaking indicators are categorized into five core dimensions.Natural peri-urban spaces are identified as key platforms for rebuilding the human–nature connection.The concept of “biophilic placemaking” is proposed as an emerging theoretical framework. IntroductionRapid and often unregulated urbanization has profoundly disrupted natural ecosystems, degraded green infrastructure, and weakened the physical and psychological bonds between humans and nature. These disturbances have exacerbated environmental issues such as air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and the urban heat island effect. As a result, contemporary urban design is compelled to adopt strategies that address ecological degradation while also enhancing human health and well-being.This study investigates how integrating biophilic design principles into placemaking processes can provide a nature-based framework for reshaping urban environments—enhancing livability, fostering environmental resilience, and supporting healthier communities. Specifically, it examines how nature-based solutions, grounded in ecological and psychological principles, can respond to pressing urban and planning challenges while encouraging citizens to reconnect both emotionally and functionally with their surroundings.Placemaking is an interdisciplinary approach aimed at designing meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable spaces that foster a sense of belonging, identity, respect for nature, and social participation. While previous research has explored various social, cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions of placemaking, the incorporation of nature-centric design principles—often referred to as biophilic or nature-based urbanism—remains relatively underexplored.Accordingly, the central research question is: How can nature-based design principles be effectively integrated into urban placemaking to enhance the quality of urban life and the built environment?To answer this, the study conducts a qualitative meta-synthesis of global scholarly literature to explore the intersection between placemaking and biophilia. By synthesizing current research, this study seeks to uncover patterns, identify key findings, offer conceptual insights, and evaluate how the integration of these paradigms has evolved in recent years. Theoretical FrameworkThis research is anchored in two interrelated theoretical foundations: placemaking and biophilic design.Placemaking is conceptualized as a holistic, people-centered approach to designing urban public spaces. It emphasizes the creation of meaningful environments that promote social interaction, inclusivity, cultural identity, and emotional attachment. In parallel, biophilic design builds on E.O. Wilson’s hypothesis of humans’ innate affinity for nature, asserting that integrating natural elements into built environments can enhance mental, emotional, and physical health.Through a comprehensive literature synthesis, the study explores how these two frameworks intersect—uncovering synergies where biophilic strategies can enrich place-based urban design, especially in nature-adjacent and peri-urban contexts. MethodologyThis study employs a qualitative meta-synthesis approach, based on the seven-step model introduced by Sandelowski and Barroso. This method facilitates the systematic aggregation and reinterpretation of qualitative findings from diverse case studies, aiming to generate new theoretical insights.The literature review was conducted across major academic databases—including Web of Science, Scopus, and Semantic Scholar—focusing on peer-reviewed publications from 2017 to 2023. A total of 25 qualitative studies were selected using rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed through inductive coding using MAXQDA software. The extracted themes were then validated using the CASP checklist and reviewed by experts in urban design to ensure credibility and transferability. Results and DiscussionThe analysis resulted in the identification of five main thematic dimensions—environmental, social, economic, functional, and physical—encompassing 12 subcategories and 28 indicators. These themes reflect how placemaking and biophilia converge across spatial and disciplinary scales to enhance urban quality.Environmental Dimension: Integration with nature enhances biodiversity, regulates microclimates, and improves air and water quality.Social Dimension: Biophilic public spaces strengthen community ties, promote inclusivity, and support psychological well-being.Economic Dimension: Green infrastructure contributes to increased land value, stimulates tourism, and reduces operational and maintenance costs.Functional Dimension: Biophilic design enhances usability through improved comfort, sensory engagement, and spatial adaptability.Physical Dimension: The use of natural aesthetics and materials reinforces place identity, emotional attachment, and cultural continuity.These findings demonstrate that placemaking and biophilic design are not isolated frameworks but mutually reinforcing paradigms. Together, they form the conceptual foundation for biophilic placemaking—an integrated strategy for creating healthier and more sustainable urban environments. ConclusionThis study concludes that biophilic placemaking provides a compelling, multidimensional strategy for addressing the social, environmental, and psychological needs of urban populations. By bridging the divide between built environments and nature, this approach fosters the development of spaces that are not only sustainable and resilient but also restorative, inclusive, and culturally meaningful.As an emerging theoretical framework, biophilic placemaking offers new possibilities for reimagining urban futures—through designs that are ecologically grounded, socially engaging, and deeply connected to human well-being.
Urban Planning
Mehdi Moeini; Bahareh Ebrahimpour
Abstract
Following the industrial revolution, the development of urbanization, and the expansion of cities, the oldest form of human movement, i.e. walking, was replaced with the use of automobiles. Therefore, the ease of traverse for pedestrians around cities is less significant now than a century ago. Today, ...
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Following the industrial revolution, the development of urbanization, and the expansion of cities, the oldest form of human movement, i.e. walking, was replaced with the use of automobiles. Therefore, the ease of traverse for pedestrians around cities is less significant now than a century ago. Today, there is a growing interest in enhancement of walking habits in urban areas in order to reduce pollution and other problems associated with motor transportation and to improve public health. Therefore, the issue of walking habits has been included on the agendas of many cities. Highlighting its significance, a large number of studies have been conducted around the world and in Iran over the past few decades to address the issue. The increasing trend in the past decade in the publication of high-quality articles addressing the topic of pedestrians demonstrates its importance and the expert concern for it in the field of urban planning and design. The present article aimed to investigate the issue of pedestrians quantitatively and qualitatively, analyzing and interpreting research published in Iran as high-quality articles and to avoid unnecessary replication in the field. It involved meta-synthesis, using encoding to analyze and interpret previous studies. Thisprovided a valuable opportunity for researchers to access an overview of the existing research activity, which could be very useful and effective in definition of research projects and adoption of new orientations on specific topics. The present paper resulted from an investigation of 80 high-quality articles focused on pedestrians, and sought to draft a vision on pedestrian research by studying the structures and contents of relevant high-quality Persian papers. The results of the research indicated that the volume of pedestrian research has been growing rapidly in the past two decades, with orientations toward walkability and footpaths. In most articles focused excessively on footpaths, however, promotion of walkability in cities to a basic level with the aim of improving quality and meeting the needs of citizens has been neglected. In fact, pedestrian research should be focused not only on expansion of footpaths but also on flexibility in promotion of the basic principles of walkability and, consequently, the desire to walk around cities, of which footpaths are only a part. The most important issues found through a review of the existing pedestrian studies include the unnecessary replication of the contents of pedestrian research, repetitive selection of case studies, application of inconsistent terminology, and lack of concern for particular target groups including children, women, and the disabled. The review also indicated that the majority of the studies had been conducted only at the micro-scale (sidewalk-street), and no mention was found of other types of space used for pedestrians, such as neighborhoods. Many articles have dealt with the issue of pedestrians in isolation, while pedestrian studies are part of the research on transportation systems, and need to be linked to investigations of other modes of transportation. Finally, the most common topics associated with the issue of pedestrians were extracted, including activity-behavior, vision and perspective, social issues, environmental qualities, safety and security, health, and tourism. Thus, future research will need to disregard repetitive topics and focus instead on other relevant, influential issues in the area.
