Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Department of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Highlights
Coordinated and aesthetically pleasing urban design and management enhance tranquility, psychological satisfaction, and positive social interactions among Qom’s residents.
Disordered spaces with inadequate infrastructure and multiple pollutants negatively affect the physical and mental health of residents in Qom’s informal settlements.
Pollution, high population density, and the lack of green spaces in the shrine area seriously threaten the health of citizens and pilgrims in Qom.
Introduction
One of the critical concerns in urban studies is understanding how environmental changes impact urban health. The growth of informal settlements and rapid transformations in urban areas often lead to challenges such as poor environmental quality, scarcity of green spaces, pollution, and inadequate housing—factors that collectively harm both the physical and mental well-being of citizens.
In Qom, especially in peripheral areas, these issues are particularly pronounced. Informal settlements suffer from environmental degradation, diverse forms of pollution, insufficient healthcare and sanitation facilities, and disorganized urban structures. These physical issues, coupled with socioeconomic difficulties, pose serious threats to public health.
As a religiously significant city in Iran, Qom faces unique urban health challenges. Beyond physical and architectural issues, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions substantially influence residents’ quality of life. This study aims to assess how these environmental factors affect urban health and quality of life in Qom, while identifying key challenges across multiple dimensions of health.
Theoretical Framework
Urban environmental quality is a multidimensional concept involving physical, social, economic, and psychological components. Research has consistently shown that the quality of the urban environment significantly influences public health. Lansing and Marans (1966) emphasized that a high-quality environment enhances residents’ well-being and satisfaction, which directly contributes to their overall health.
Urban environmental quality is closely associated with indicators such as quality of life, citizen satisfaction, environmental perception, and urban livability—all of which affect health outcomes. Poor urban design can lead to a range of physical, psychological, and social problems.
In this context, the medical and social models of health offer distinct perspectives. The medical model focuses on individual clinical interventions, whereas the social model highlights the influence of socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural conditions. The Ottawa Charter (1989) identifies essential prerequisites for health, including peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, and social equity. These principles form the basis for evaluating environmental impacts on public health in Qom.
Methodology
This study adopts a descriptive-analytical and survey-based approach to examine how environmental factors affect urban health in Qom. Data were collected through both library research and fieldwork. The field study included photography, on-site observations, citizen interviews, and standardized questionnaires administered to household heads.
The statistical population comprises households residing in various parts of Qom, particularly in informal settlements, where environmental degradation and health challenges are more acute.
Results and Discussion
A key question of the study was to identify the major health-related challenges faced by Qom's residents. The findings reveal that psychological and social health issues are more pressing than physical ones. According to the Friedman test, these two dimensions rank higher in severity.
Visual and physical environmental quality emerged as critical factors influencing all dimensions of health. As shown in Table 14, visual quality positively affects mental, physical, and social well-being, whereas poor physical conditions have a negative impact on physical and social health.
In essence, urban environments with high visual quality can foster feelings of calm, satisfaction, and reduced stress. Conversely, chaotic and disordered environments can provoke stress, dissatisfaction, and a sense of instability.
Conclusion
The analysis confirms that the quality of the urban environment significantly influences the physical and mental health of residents. Environments lacking visual and physical harmony are associated with elevated stress, anxiety, and discomfort. In Qom—especially in peripheral zones and around the Hazrat Masumeh shrine—these issues are especially visible. Urban disorganization, inadequate green spaces, pollution, and flawed urban design are among the most critical concerns.
This study underscores the need for urban planning strategies that prioritize environmental quality and public health. Based on the research findings, efforts to improve visual and physical quality, expand green spaces, reduce pollution, and address residents’ psychological and social needs are crucial to enhancing quality of life.
Therefore, urban design in Qom should be health-centered and environmentally responsive to ensure better living conditions for its citizens.
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