Urban Planning
Roya Moghabeli; Alireza Mohammadi; Mohammad Hassan Yazdani
Abstract
The growing prevalence of building violations in urban areas is not merely a matter of ignoring technical and legal regulations; it reflects deeper dysfunctions in land policy systems, inefficiencies in permit issuance processes, weak regulatory institutions, and legal loopholes in urban construction ...
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The growing prevalence of building violations in urban areas is not merely a matter of ignoring technical and legal regulations; it reflects deeper dysfunctions in land policy systems, inefficiencies in permit issuance processes, weak regulatory institutions, and legal loopholes in urban construction governance. In many Iranian cities, this issue has evolved into a structural challenge, contributing to the expansion of informal settlements, spatial disorganization, decreased urban environmental quality, and disruption of spatial order. Despite the expanding body of research, there is still a notable lack of data-driven and spatio-temporal analyses at the urban scale. This study aims to examine the typology, density, and spatial distribution patterns of building violations by analyzing 23,897 recorded cases submitted to the Article 100 Commission of Ardabil Municipality between 2021 and 2022. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, employing Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for spatial analysis. Spatial clustering and directional trends were analyzed using the Average Nearest Neighbor (ANN) model, Standard Deviational Ellipse, and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), and thematic maps were generated for each violation type. The results indicate that the three most frequent violation types were: "construction inconsistent with permit" (7,934 cases), "excess built area" (5,957 cases), and "construction without permit" (4,502 cases). Higher densities were observed in Municipal Districts 2 and 3, while District 4—despite its physical deprivation—showed lower reported violations, likely due to underreporting and lack of formal monitoring. Moreover, a reduction of 2,639 cases was observed in 2022 compared to 2021. The findings provide a foundation for rethinking control policies, improving oversight mechanisms, and promoting spatial technologies for ongoing monitoring of urban construction activities. The spatial analytical findings revealed that building violations were clustered and concentrated in the central areas of the city, with approximately one-fourth of the urban area identified as high-high clusters of violations.
Urban Planning
esmail DALIR
Abstract
Highlights
- Citizens' bioethics is influenced by various dimensions of social justice.
- The habitual practice of bioethical principles is fostered through fairness.
- Commitment to alleviating the suffering of others is achieved through equality.
- Economic, social, cultural, and educational foundations ...
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Highlights
- Citizens' bioethics is influenced by various dimensions of social justice.
- The habitual practice of bioethical principles is fostered through fairness.
- Commitment to alleviating the suffering of others is achieved through equality.
- Economic, social, cultural, and educational foundations enhance the effectiveness of social justice in bioethics.
Introduction
Bioethics serves as a fundamental pillar in establishing a moral society and fostering a genuine sense of justice. Addressing social and ethical challenges is a priority for global institutions, including the United Nations, which highlights bioethics as a means to uphold human dignity and equality. A critical aspect of bioethics is its relationship with justice, particularly social justice, which involves the equitable distribution of societal benefits among its members. Bioethical principles must therefore encompass multiple ethical standards such as equality, necessity, capability, effort, and social needs. This study aims to assess the influence of social justice on bioethics and evaluate its realization across the urban areas of Ardabil.
Theoretical Framework
Potter posits that humanity faces a moral and ethical crisis, impacting not only socio-economic development but also the ethical integrity of society. Bioethics, in this context, serves as a corrective measure to realign individuals with moral principles. Rentorf and Kemp argue that justice should be the ultimate goal of bioethics and biological rights. Social justice, when framed through the principles of fairness, equality, necessity, and economic individualism, significantly strengthens bioethics by promoting respect, non-exploitation, benevolence, and fairness.
John Rawls' theory of social justice is foundational to this study, emphasizing two key principles: the principle of freedom and the principle of difference. The latter suggests that social and economic disparities should be structured to ensure equitable opportunities for all. In essence, "fair equality of opportunity" dictates that every individual should have the same chances of success, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Methodology
This study adopts an applied research approach with a descriptive-analytical method to explore the impact of social justice on bioethics in Ardabil. The degree of social justice realization was measured through four key variables:
Fairness (cooperation, benevolence, sympathy, compassion)
Equality (equal opportunities, freedom, elimination of discrimination, unity, respect for laws)
Necessity (security, participation, health and hygiene, education, equal share)
Economic individualism (domestic goods, economic freedom, private property, personal interests, competition)
Each variable was assessed using five indicators, resulting in a total of 20 items. A structured questionnaire consisting of 40 research questions, rated on a Likert scale (1=very little to 5=very much), was distributed to a statistically representative sample of 383 individuals drawn from Ardabil's population of 529,374, using the Cochran formula. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and Excel, and GIS mapping was employed to rank the urban areas based on their realization of social justice indicators.
Results and Discussion
Factor analysis revealed that the fairness variable had the highest realization level (16.95), indicating that cooperation, benevolence, sympathy, and compassion were the most influential aspects of bioethics among Ardabil’s citizens. The equality variable ranked second (15.27), reflecting significant social justice elements such as equal opportunities, freedom, elimination of discrimination, and respect for laws. The necessity variable (13.82) took the third place, emphasizing the importance of security, participation, education, health, and equitable distribution of resources. The economic individualism variable ranked lowest (13.73), suggesting that aspects such as private property, economic freedom, and competition had the least impact on bioethical considerations.
Using the WASPAS model, the urban areas were ranked as follows based on the realization of social justice indicators:
Region 1 - Qi 0.5393 (slightly above average)
Region 2 - Qi 0.4258 (42.58% realization of social justice in bioethics)
Region 5 - Qi 0.4099
Region 3 - Qi 0.3978
Region 4 - Qi 0.3803 (lowest realization of social justice in bioethics)
Conclusion
This study underscores the importance of integrating social justice principles into urban planning policies to enhance bioethics among citizens. Addressing social challenges through bioethics must be rooted in justice, ensuring that both individual and collective needs are met through equitable policies and practices. The findings highlight the necessity for targeted interventions to promote fairness, equality, and social well-being across different urban areas.
Urban Planning
Sahar Fahimi Hamidabad; Tohid Hatami Khanghahi; Vahid Vaziri
Abstract
Highlights:
- Physical and safety considerations alone are insufficient to enhance the quality of life for the elderly.
- Urban spaces adapted to the needs of the elderly positively impact social well-being.
- Improved social well-being fosters increased social interactions and participation.
- Elderly-friendly ...
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Highlights:
- Physical and safety considerations alone are insufficient to enhance the quality of life for the elderly.
- Urban spaces adapted to the needs of the elderly positively impact social well-being.
- Improved social well-being fosters increased social interactions and participation.
- Elderly-friendly cities align most effectively with the preferences and requirements of the elderly.
- Enhancing social well-being reduces medical costs associated with chronic diseases in the elderly.
Introduction:
Scientific projections predict a significant increase in the elderly population in the coming years, emphasizing the need to address their diverse needs and social interactions. This demographic shift necessitates urban spaces that evolve to support the well-being and productivity of the elderly. The economic and social implications of an aging population underscore the importance of attending to the social needs of the elderly, as neglect limits their social participation and diminishes their overall quality of life. Research indicates that maintaining an active lifestyle and regular social interactions can significantly contribute to preventing dementia. While existing studies often focus on the physical needs of the elderly in public spaces, insufficient attention has been given to their social needs, particularly in urban settings. This study aims to assess the impact of environmental and physical factors on the social well-being of the elderly in urban public spaces, using Mosalla Park and Sheikh Safi Sidewalk in Ardabil City as a case study.
Theoretical Framework:
The concept of active aging, initially centered on maintaining health and productivity through physical activity, has evolved to emphasize personal decisions, independence, and increased quality of life for the elderly. "Active aging" involves participation in social, economic, and civic life to maintain well-being, emphasizing opportunities for meaningful activities that facilitate independence. The World Health Organization highlights the crucial role of urban public spaces and social factors, in addition to genetics and personal characteristics, in determining the health and well-being of individuals. Elderly-friendly cities are those where the distribution of public facilities aligns most closely with the preferences and limitations of the elderly.
Methodology:
This descriptive-analytical study employed both library research and surveys to collect necessary information. The research was conducted in two stages at Mosalla Park and Sheikh Safi Sidewalk in Ardabil, Iran. Physical factors were classified, and a researcher-made questionnaire was utilized to gather expert opinions on the impact of these factors on social well-being. Subsequently, elderly participants answered the Keyes standard social well-being questionnaire. Data from both stages were analyzed using SPSS 26 software.
Results and Discussion:
Comparison of physical factors between the two case samples, assessed through the Wilcoxon non-parametric test, revealed that Sheikh Safi Sidewalk exhibited more favorable conditions than Mosalla Park. The Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test demonstrated a positive correlation between physical factors and social well-being in the elderly, with Sheikh Safi Sidewalk participants reporting better social well-being. Notably, "Footpaths with a slope of less than 5%" emerged as the most influential factor affecting the social well-being of the elderly.
Conclusion:
The study emphasizes the need for planners and designers to reconsider physical criteria, particularly those related to the architecture and design of urban spaces, to enhance the social well-being of the elderly. Collaboration between social health advocates, urban designers, and architects is crucial to formulate policies and strategies that address the needs of the elderly, promoting their active involvement in social life and reducing the medical costs associated with chronic diseases.
