https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/ Town and Country Planning en daily 1 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0330 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0330 https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106260.html https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_105212.html Spatial transformations in metropolitan Region, particularly in regions with high population density and economic activities, have always been the focus of researchers. Tehran, as one of Iran's most concentrated and largest metropolises, has undergone significant structural changes in recent decades. This research aims to investigate spatial transformations in the Tehran metropolitan area and analyze the transition from a centralized structure to a polycentric one. By employing network analysis, hierarchical analysis, and cluster analysis, the spatial structure of the region was examined at three levels: nodes (urban centers), links (connections between centers), and graphs (overall network structure). The results indicate that while Tehran still serves as the main center of the region, there is a growing trend towards the emergence of secondary centers and increased connections between them. This suggests that the spatial structure of the Tehran metropolitan area is gradually shifting from a centralized to a polycentric structure. Based on the findings, a model for developing a polycentric spatial structure in the Tehran metropolitan area has been proposed. This model emphasizes strengthening the role of secondary centers, improving inter-city connections, and ensuring a more equitable distribution of activities and facilities across the region. By implementing this model, a more sustainable and efficient spatial structure can be achieved in the Tehran metropolitan area. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_105280.html This research aimed to analyze land cover and land use changes in the Lar-Evaz communication axis during the period from 2004 to 2024 and to investigate the factors affecting these changes. To achieve the research objectives, Landsat 7 and 8 satellite images (ETM+ and OLI sensors) were used. Land cover and land use classification was performed using the maximum likelihood method for the years 2004, 2014, and 2024 in ENVI 5.6 software. The kappa coefficient was evaluated to examine the accuracy of the maps as 94%, 97%, and 96%, respectively. Subsequently, the changes that occurred were examined using the post-classification comparison method. In the next step, to examine the factors affecting the occurrence of changes, the logistic regression model was used in the TerrSet software, and the parameters under study were examined as independent variables, including altitude, land slope, proximity to roads, proximity to residential centers, and proximity to water sources (water wells). The results indicated that barren lands decreased by 46.9% over a 20-year period, from 276.0005 km² in 2004 to 249.89 km² in 2024. The largest changes were related to built-up areas, which increased from 7656.35 km² in 2004 to 4785.60 km² in 2024, a  69.1% growth. The vegetation cover of the region has also increased by about 47.3%, from 2879.40 km² in 2004 to 6851.41 km² in 2024. In examining the factors affecting the occurrence of changes using the logistic regression model, it was found that proximity to water sources (wells), slope, and proximity to the road had the greatest impact on causing changes in the Lar-Evaz region. The evaluation of the logistic regression model with ROC and Pseudo-R² indices of 0.939 and 0.426, respectively, indicated the high capability of the model in describing changes and determining areas susceptible to change. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_104023.html This research was conducted with the aim of planning urban green infrastructures based on landscape ecology principles (structure, function, change). For this purpose, land-use/land-cover maps for the years 2003, 2013, and 2023 were prepared using satellite images and ENVI 5.3 software. Then, using the CA-Markov model, changes in the year 2033 were predicted in the TerrSet 18.3 software. Additionally, landscape metrics were analyzed at the class and landscape levels in the Fragstats v4.2 software, and spatial processes were identified using the Decision-Tree-Algorithm. Finally, by utilizing practical planning principles, strategies were presented to enhance the natural structure and promote environmental performance in the process of geospheric landscape change. Based on the results, between 2003 and 2033, the expansion of construction areas, along with the process of spatial aggregation, has led to an increase in the area (CA) and cohesion of construction spots (COHESION), and a decrease in spatial fragmentation and complexity (decrease in IJI, ENN-MN, ED, PD, NP, LSI). In contrast, green infrastructures, such as vegetation-cover and wastelands, have faced a significant decrease in spatial indices, indicating an increase in erosion processes, structural discontinuity, functional limitation, and ultimately, an adverse impact on the process integrity of the landscape. Furthermore, the gradual decrease in PD, NP, SHDI, ED, and LSI metrics and the increase in CONTAG at the landscape level indicate a decrease in diversity, the expansion of construction, and the simplification of the landscape structure. Based on the analytical framework of the research, by adjusting structural continuity, the environmental performance of multi-functional planning increases and green-gray infrastructure solutions perform better. Therefore, observing the principles of "structural continuity," "multi-functional planning," and "green-gray integration," along with the principle of "social participation" in the process of identifying needs and acquiring landscape services, will be more effective; and finally, urban development plans will be implemented based on green infrastructure network assessment, planning strategies, stakeholder participation, and implementation. In this way, in order to promote natural structure, allocate environmental function, and geospheric landscape change, it becomes possible to manage the structural durability and functional sustainability of urban green infrastructures. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_103887.html While cities face numerous challenges, the most important problem that threatens them is poverty. The existence of poverty in cities has led to the emergence of social, economic, and physical issues, creating problems in the sustainability and development of these cities. The aim of this research is to investigate, identify, and analyze the spatial zones of poverty in economic, social, and physical dimensions at the level of statistical blocks of Ilam city. The present research is descriptive-analytical in nature and applied in purpose. The data used were obtained from the statistical blocks of the Statistical Center of Iran in 2016. The indicators used in this research were examined in three dimensions: economic, social, and physical. In order to spatially analyze the zones of poverty in Ilam city, the Hot Spot Analysis technique using the Getis-Ord Gi index in the Arc GIS software environment was used. The results of the urban poverty index integration show that 16.58 percent of the area of ​​Ilam city is located in poor and highly poor areas. The highest concentration of these areas is in the Ban Barz and Sabzi Abad districts (Region 2). Additionally, some of these areas are scattered in the Governorate, Hanivan, Tepe Shahed, Markazi (Region 1), Nowruz Abad (Region 3), and Azadegan (Region 4), indicating the existence of poverty spots in other parts of the city. A total of 21.4 percent of the area of ​​Ilam city is located in affluent areas. These are mostly located in the areas behind the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation, Pich Ashouri and Shad Abad (Region 3), and Razmandegan and Janbazan (Region 4). A total of 62.02 percent of the city area is located in the medium urban poverty zone and is scattered in all areas of the city, especially in Region 1. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106082.html Purpose: This study aimed to systematically review the literature and propose a novel classification of key indicators for evaluating green cities. Given the abundance and dispersion of existing indicators, developing a coherent classification framework is crucial for a more comprehensive understanding and operationalization of the concept.  Method: The research was conducted using a systematic review approach based on the PRISMA 2020 protocol Searches in domestic and international databases led to the identification of 35 relevant documents. Data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis and the extracted indicators were refined, merged, and categorized in a three-stage process.  Results: The analysis resulted in the identification of 23 key indicators, organized into a four-dimensional conceptual framework. Environmental-Ecological Dimension (7 indicators; e.g., air quality, waste management, and per capita green space).  Socio-Cultural Dimension (7 indicators; e.g., equitable access to parks and urban services, citizen participation, and preservation of cultural heritage). Physical-Infrastructural Dimension (5 indicators; e.g., public transportation, renewable energy, and pedestrian-oriented urban form).  Economic and Governance Dimension (4 indicators; e.g., green employment, strategic planning, and capital attraction).  Conclusion: The findings confirm that the concept of a "green city" is multidimensional, integrated, and balanced, requiring simultaneous attention to four pillars: environmental, social, physical, and governance. The proposed framework can serve as a strategic tool for planners, urban managers, and researchers in formulating policies, evaluating performance, and conducting comparative studies. This research emphasizes the necessity of moving beyond a one-dimensional perspective and adopting a holistic approach in the pursuit of sustainable urban development. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106201.html Iraq in general and the Middle Euphrates provinces in particular suffer from fundamental weaknesses in the collection and safe disposal of municipal solid waste. The lack of national strategies and the high production of waste, especially during religious occasions, have highlighted the need for urgent action to implement a cost-effective and sustainable waste management approach. The strategic decision of local managers, which was reached as a result of expert meetings with experts in the field, including the researchers of the present study, is based on locating suitable land for centralized waste disposal in each province and constructing sanitary landfills in accordance with engineering standards. The legal weakness in Iraq and the lack of transparent criteria for location was followed up in this study by reviewing the study history and presenting a set of effective criteria appropriate to the conditions of Iraq and weighting them using the SRS method. Finally, with a future study to estimate population growth and the increase in the number of religious tourists, an estimate of the amount of waste produced was provided, and locations with sufficient surface area for the construction of a landfill were selected and proposed from among highly desirable lands in a combined GIS map in a way that would have the ability to accept waste over the next 50 years. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106089.html The continuous growth of international maritime cargo transportation has exerted increasing pressure on the country’s major seaports. Capacity limitations and restricted opportunities for physical expansion have resulted in operational delays and reduced efficiency. In this context, the development of dry ports as a complementary solution can play a significant role in alleviating congestion at coastal ports and enhancing the overall performance of the logistics network. Given the strategic geographical position of Sirjan County, this study aims to identify and analyze the challenges and future prospects of establishing a dry port in this region using a system dynamics approach. This research adopted a mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, key challenges were identified through thematic analysis based on in-depth interviews with 12 experts. In the quantitative phase, fuzzy DEMATEL was employed to examine the cause–effect relationships among the identified challenges, while system dynamics modeling and scenario analysis were applied to explore the dynamic behavior of the system under different policy scenarios. The results indicate that the challenges can be classified into causal and effect groups. Economic–financial, socio-cultural, and legal–institutional challenges were identified as causal factors, whereas managerial–organizational, environmental–sustainability, and technical–infrastructural challenges were classified as effect factors. The fuzzy DEMATEL analysis revealed that the economic–financial challenge is the strongest causal factor, while the technical–infrastructural challenge represents the strongest effect factor in the system. Furthermore, the system dynamics analysis demonstrated that the implementation of the proposed strategies and policies—particularly under the optimistic scenario—leads to a significant reduction in the intensity of challenges and substantially improves the prospects for the successful establishment of a dry port in Sirjan County. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_105913.html Start-up businesses play an essential role in creating employment and increasing production, while various factors are effective in their expansion at both the micro and macro levels. In the present study, factors affecting the distribution of new and smart businesses in North Khorasan region were investigated using arc map software and GWR method. The distribution of startups was considered as a dependent variable, and indicators (village, rain, land use, soil fault, rail) were treated as independent variables. The statistical population included all the companies based in North Khorasan province. The results of the GWR model showed that the investigated indicators in the northern parts of the studied area of Raz and Jerglan had negative spatial autocorrelation, while in the southern and southwestern parts of Jajarm and Garmeh, they had moderate autocorrelation. In the city of Garmeh, there has been weak autocorrelation. Similarly,  in the city of Faruj, the red color indicates that  there has been a negative spatial autocorrelation between startups and measured indicators. Based on the frequency index of clusters or start-ups in the cities of Esfrain, Bojnord, and Shirvan, there is also a positive and moderate spatial autocorrelation between start-ups and the index (village, rain, land use, soil fault, rail). The findings indicate that these cities had a favorable environment for accepting start-ups and exhibited a correlation with the indicators stated within it. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106199.html Environmental pollution has increased along with the world's energy demand, contributing to the energy crisis and global warming. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gases, accounting for 58% of global energy consumption. Therefore, given the importance of carbon dioxide emissions, the present study seeks to investigate the effect of land prices on carbon dioxide emissions in Iran’s industrial sector by using quantile regression method over the period of first quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2023. The research findings indicate that in all deciles, land prices, value added of industrial sector and urban population growth rate have a significant positive impact on carbon dioxide emissions in Iran's industrial sector and the square of value added of industrial sector has a significant negative impact on carbon dioxide emissions in Iran's industrial sector. Regarding the positive impact of land prices on carbon dioxide emissions, it was concluded that as land prices increase, financing constraints on companies are exacerbated, increasing carbon dioxide emissions by limiting their ability to finance environmentally friendly projects or adopt innovative technologies, as well as by pushing them to reduce research and development costs and rely on cheaper, carbon-intensive energy sources. Therefore, According to the results of the research, it is recommended that economic policymakers a) provide the necessary basis for reducing land prices and subsequently reducing carbon dioxide emissions by implementing tax-disincentive policies such as capital gains tax to reduce land speculation and land hoarding. b) provide the basis for economic growth along with pollution reduction by improving the efficiency of energy input consumption in production units. c) formulate urban development plans in line with environmental issues. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_104873.html The rapid pace of urbanization and extensive alterations in land-use patterns, particularly in developing regions, have led to critical challenges in sustainable land management, natural resource depletion, and disruption of ecological equilibrium. This study aims to conduct a spatiotemporal analysis of land-use changes in Kirkuk city from 1990 to 2024 and to forecast future trends until 2036 by employing advanced remote sensing techniques and modeling approaches. Multitemporal Landsat 5 and 8 imagery were utilized, and following rigorous geometric and radiometric preprocessing, land-use classification was performed using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm within the ENVI software environment. The classification accuracy was assessed through an error matrix, Kappa coefficient, and overall accuracy, yielding values of 88% (Kappa = 0.90) for 1990 and 91% (Kappa = 0.94) for 2024. Subsequently, a combined Cellular Automata–Markov (CA–Markov) model implemented in IDRISI software was used to project land-use changes up to 2036. Model results indicate that urban areas are projected to expand from 6.8% to over 22.3%, while barren lands are expected to decrease from approximately 88% to less than 74%. Minor increases in orchard and waterbody areas were also observed. These patterns suggest a dispersed and unsustainable urban expansion primarily toward the southern and western parts of the city. The outcomes of this study highlight the effectiveness of integrating SVM and CA–Markov algorithms for monitoring and forecasting land-use dynamics in complex urban environments. Furthermore, the findings provide valuable insights for spatial planning, guiding policies to control unplanned urban sprawl, and supporting sustainable management of natural resources. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_104443.html Geotourism, as a key branch of sustainable tourism, supports geoheritage conservation and enhances public geoliteracy. This study quantitatively assesses geotourism potential for three representative geomorphosites in Ardabil Province (Heyran Pass, Neor Lake, and Verge-Saran Bridge). Data were collected through documentary review, field observations, and secondary analysis. Two established models were applied: Comănescu (evaluating scientific, aesthetic, cultural, economic, and management values) and Serrano–González Trueba (focusing on intrinsic–scientific, cultural, and functional–management values). Results indicate that Heyran Pass achieved the highest scores in both models (70 in Comănescu, 20.9 in Serrano), whereas Neor Lake ranked the lowest due to access and management constraints. The convergence of rankings across models strengthens the reliability of the prioritization and informs the design of spatial and managerial policies. Based on the findings, we recommend, beyond infrastructure improvement, interpretive programs, carrying-capacity management, and protective–operational zoning, particularly for lower-scoring areas, to align geotourism development with sustainability principles. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_104195.html Analyzing passenger flows can also assist urban planners in better understanding how to distribute services and infrastructure in a way that meets the needs of various populations. This research aims to analyze the settlement system of Iran using a network-based approach and to examine air flows between cities with active airports (from 2011 to 2021), contributing to a better understanding of spatial patterns and urban interactions. This study, based on the positivist paradigm, employs a quantitative research method that is descriptive and analytical in nature. The results indicate that Tehran, as the central hub, plays a dominant role in the urban network, which can have significant impacts on the distribution of services and infrastructure in other cities. The existence of secondary hubs within this settlement system indicates the formation of a polycentric pattern that can contribute to a more balanced development of different regions. These hubs may act as strengths within the settlement system, helping to attract population and new investments. This research can serve as a foundation for future policy-making in urban and regional development and can enhance the quality of life in cities. Ultimately, focusing on the analysis of flow data and utilizing advanced modeling tools can enrich studies of the settlement system in Iran, leading to the development of more effective solutions in both urban and regional management. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_102065.html Urban sprawl, characterized by uncontrolled and dispersed expansion of built-up areas, is a common pattern of city growth. This phenomenon alters runoff patterns and urban flooding risks by increasing impervious surfaces, ultimately exacerbating flood hazards in developed areas. This study aims to examine the impact of urban sprawl on runoff and flood extent by analyzing land cover changes in Ahvaz from 2017 to 2023. To this end, Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, along with the XGBoost machine learning model, were employed to classify land into built-up and non-built-up areas. Furthermore, Shannon entropy was utilized to assess urban growth patterns, while runoff and flood-prone areas were delineated using Otsu’s thresholding method. The Shannon entropy analysis indicates that built-up areas have expanded towards the urban periphery, leading to an increase in impervious surfaces and intensified runoff. Consequently, over 2 hectares of newly developed land were affected by runoff during the study period. Additionally, more than 15 hectares of built-up areas were inundated during the floods of April 2019 and December 2020. Moreover, multiple regression analysis reveals that urban expansion, alongside precipitation levels, plays a significant role in increasing the occurrence of runoff and flooding events. The findings of this study underscore the necessity of intelligent urban development management through the implementation of permeable infrastructure, the expansion of green spaces, and the optimization of drainage systems to mitigate runoff and flood-related risks. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_103397.html Protected areas are among the most important biological reserves and resources providing ecosystem ‎services, and the need to identify environmental hazards and preserve and optimally utilize these ‎resources is essential. Therefore, in the present study, in order to identify environmental hazards in the ‎Sefidkuh ‎protected area, the threatening factors were evaluated within the framework of the DPSIR ‎conceptual model, including driving force, pressure, status, impact, and response. Subsequently, after ‎identifying the most important environmental hazards, these hazards were prioritized and ranked using ‎the TOPSIS method. According to the results obtained, 37 factors play a role in the occurrence of ‎environmental hazards in the Sefidkuh ‎ protected area, 32 of which  have human origins, while 5 ‎factors have environmental origins. The results obtained indicate that the threatening drivers in human factors include population growth, poor management, cultural weakness, and the development of human activities, and in relation to natural factors, we can mention climate change in the region. The results of weighting and prioritizing ‎environmental hazards showed that, among the threat factors, the highest total weight was assigned to ‎the development of human activities (0.0187), while the lowest total weight was assigned to cultural ‎weakness (0.065). The major environmental risks with the highest weight and rank in the region ‎include, respectively, "the lack of protective forces and facilities," "weak monitoring and the control of ‎human activities in the region," "poor performance in law enforcement," "illegal hunting," "excess ‎livestock entering the rangelands during unauthorized and sensitive seasons," "tourism beyond the ‎region's capacity," "the development of inappropriate economic activities in the region (agriculture, ‎industry, and mining)," and "land use/cover changes (agriculture to industry, forest to agriculture)." ‎Therefore, controlling these risks requires comprehensive planning and integrated management at the ‎regional level. The results of this study can help decision makers and planners in formulating a ‎management plan and taking strategic measures in this area by providing a range of environmental ‎hazards and the degree of vulnerability of the Sefidkuh ‎protected area‏.‏ https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_105501.html The increasing importance of sustainable land management, land protection, and prioritizing regional protection has become an essential issue in regional planning. One of the requirements for prioritizing conservation is to pay attention to environmentally sensitive areas. In order to prioritize the criteria for identifying environmentally sensitive areas in Alborz Province, 9 criteria and 38 sub-criteria were obtained from reviewing and summarizing 50 domestic and international studies. The identified criteria and sub-criteria were presented in the form of a Delphi questionnaire to relevant experts and specialists for screening and prioritization. Based on the importance coefficient, the results indicated that 9 main criteria—including ecological vulnerability, human threats (conflicts and threats), plant biodiversity, animal biodiversity, human dependence, climate, land features, and natural hazards—comprising 25 sub-criteria mammals, surface water, birds, water status, land degradation, habitat sensitivity, precipitation (aridity), groundwater, vegetation function, soil sensitivity, plant type, reptiles, land sensitivity, hydrological hazards, aquatic life, plant sensitivity, social components, recreational importance, temperature, vegetation density, economic importance (land use and activity), topography, soil type, management, and scientific and educational importance are significant for identifying environmentally sensitive areas in Alborz Province and are prioritized accordingly. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106123.html Rural areas, as dynamic spaces, are influenced by social, economic, and spatial factors that shape household settlement patterns and interactions. Geographic dispersion, cultural diversity, and distance from urban centers contribute to the formation of unique interlocal relations among rural households. These relations include the flow of people, goods, technology, information, and finances, reflecting households’ participation in networks extending beyond village boundaries. Analyzing such relations requires spatial and network-based approaches. This study employs a quantitative, survey-based methodology using questionnaires. The statistical population comprised 437 rural households from the counties of Khorramabad, Dorud, and Kouhdasht. Data were analyzed using one-sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Spatial analysis utilized global and local Moran’s I indices, Getis-Ord Gi* statistics, and kernel density estimation to identify patterns of dispersion, concentration, and clustering in interlocal relations. Results indicate that the mean values of all dimensions of interlocal relations exceed the theoretical threshold, with the flow of goods and technology exhibiting the highest intensity, while flows of people, finances, and information are at moderate levels. Spatial analysis revealed a relatively dispersed and polycentric distribution of these relations, with only a few villages serving as active nodes or relative focal points. These findings suggest that interlocal networks in Lorestan Province are primarily driven by goods and technology exchanges and play a crucial role in enhancing livelihood resilience and connecting villages to broader economic and social networks. Spatial and network analyses of these relations can inform rural development planning and the design of targeted interventions in rural areas. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106165.html Town and Country planning or organizing the land has attracted the attention of many countries in recent years. The present study aims to analyze the articles published in the Journal of Town and Country Planning (Amayesh-e Sarzamin) of College of Farabi, University of Tehran. This research is fundamental in purpose. The dominant approach in this study is inductive and it uses a qualitative method. The statistical population of the research... (Note: original text had incomplete sentence) The data collection method of the research is library-based. By reviewing the journal's sixteen issues from 2009 to 2024 (1388 to 1403 in the Iranian calendar), four subjects were evaluated: the research methods of the articles in terms of quantitative, qualitative, or mixed approaches; the authors’ universities; the article topics; and the case study regions of the articles. After necessary indexing, the resulting data were finally plotted as charts using Excel. The findings showed that, from the first to the latest issue of the journal, more than 60 percent of the published articles were quantitative, with qualitative and mixed-method articles ranking next. In terms of the number of published articles across the sixteen issues, the University of Tehran has published the largest number of articles in this journal, followed by the Islamic Azad University, which has contributed articles in all issues. The most frequent topics published across the issues of this journal are, in order: sustainable development, theoretical topics, various urban topics, urban development, and location-allocation (site selection). Among the country’s 31 provinces, Tehran Province accounts for the highest number of articles published in the Journal of Town and Country Planning. After Tehran, Razavi Khorasan Province ranks next with articles published across nine issues of this journal. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106528.html The adoption of innovative approaches in urban planning and design systems requires the groundwork and flexibility in the overarching principles and procedures governing spatial planning, such as the principles of the political economy of space. This alignment can herald transformations and the realization of structural and functional changes in the decision-making and policy-making system of urban development planning. This study seeks to elucidate the role of the political economy of space in realizing an interactive planning approach in the urban development planning of Tehran's metropolis. Utilizing a mixed-method research approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, along with targeted Delphi and survey methods using questionnaire tool, the research data were collected. The results obtained through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) revealed that the political economy of space plays a positive and significant role in realizing the interactive planning approach in the urban development planning process of Tehran's metropolis. Indeed, the findings indicate that the role of the political economy of space in achieving the structural and functional transformations envisioned by the interactive planning approach for urban development planning in Tehran's metropolis is positive and significant. This study highlights the role of the political economy of space and its alignment with modernist transformations in fostering constructive and efficient changes in the decision-making and policy-making system of urban development plans. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106813.html Higher education planning is a strategic approach for identifying and analyzing challenges and opportunities within the education system. Using a systematic review method and qualitative content analysis, this study examined 67 articles published between 1994 and 2004. The findings indicate that the most significant challenges include a lack of inter-sectoral coordination, ineffective policy implementation, and the neglect of regional needs—all of which have reduced the effectiveness of planning programs. Conversely, properly executed planning offers key opportunities, such as reducing geographical inequalities in educational access, promoting balanced regional development, improving educational quality, and enhancing student employability. This article proposes operational solutions to improve the implementation of planning policies, the most important of which are: strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration, fostering strategic thinking, establishing an effective monitoring and evaluation system, leveraging new technologies, and redesigning processes. Achieving the goals of higher education planning depends on adopting these solutions and conducting further applied research, which can ultimately lead to educational equity and sustainable national development. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_106963.html Tourism ecological capacity assessment is an estimate of the capabilities and limitations of land for tourism development, which determines and grades the environmental capacity for the establishment of infrastructure and recreational activities by measuring the ecological characteristics of the land. On the other hand, tourists tend to settle in a place that has the highest degree of comfort and favorable climatic conditions. Therefore, assessing the ecological capacity of tourism and determining the number of months that are favorable for the presence of tourists in the region is of great importance. Accordingly, the present study assessed the climate of comfort and ecological capacity for the development of sustainable tourism in Khuzestan Province. According to the results obtained, the ecological capacity for development in Khuzestan Province is equivalent to 13457.18 km², with a significant portion of these areas located in the southwestern regions of the province. Moreover, this province has 57101.28 km2 of ecological capacity for the development of extensive tourism. As the results showed, the best time for tourism in the province is autumn and winter (November to March), and night comfort in most areas is more desirable than during the day, and cities such as Dezful, Gotvand, and Shushtar have night comfort for up to 12 months. Additionally, Dehdez was recognized as the best tourist destination in all seasons, with 12 months of comfort, according to the TCI index. Accordingly, according to the results of the ecological capacity and climate comfort obtained from the Khuzestan Province, it is possible to allocate appropriate tourism infrastructure and develop recreational activities commensurate with the capacity of region, providing a logical relationship and sustainable compatibility between the natural capacity of the environment and the needs of tourists. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_107685.html The increasing volume of spatial data has amplified the need for their classification, sharing, and processing in disaster management. During a disaster, large-scale and macro-level decisions are required to manage the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible. In such critical conditions, the availability of decision support tools, rapid information collection, and agile reporting from up-to-date databases is essential. In this context, a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) can provide a platform for the collection, standardization, and sharing of spatial data, thereby facilitating integrated management. This study investigates the role of spatial data infrastructure as a platform for achieving integrated management in disaster risk reduction, with an emphasis on land subsidence. The research methodology includes a systematic review of technical literature, content analysis of relevant laws and regulations, and the use of structured questionnaires and interviews to gather opinions from university professors and managers of responsible organizations. The findings indicate that existing laws primarily focus on controlling groundwater extraction, while neglecting other critical dimensions such as subsidence rate monitoring, hazard zonation, and infrastructure resilience. Data analysis led to the identification of five key categories of actions (phenomenon identification, monitoring, control, remediation and strengthening, and prediction) and the determination of data requirements for each responsible organization. Based on this research, it was determined that the establishment of an SDI based on a distributed database model, coupled with legal revisions and mandating organizations to share standardized data, can provide a platform for the integrated management of land subsidence crises. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_107686.html The present study seeks to identify the components of planning and restructuring disciplines in the basic sciences in order to propose a conceptual framework for the higher education system. The planning and reorganization of disciplines aim to optimize their distribution, prevent duplication, enhance educational quality, and respond effectively to the demands of the labor market and society. This research is a fundamental qualitative study conducted through a systematic review of the literature combined with thematic analysis of selected sources, following the PRISMA guidelines. Data were collected through library and documentary methods. A total of 523 primary sources published between 2010 and 2025 were reviewed, from which 47 sources were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Through data analysis and coding, the key components of planning and restructuring basic science disciplines were identified. This exploratory study attempts to provide a comprehensive and precise definition of higher education planning in the basic sciences so that the proposed model can be applied practically across universities and other educational institutions. The synthesis and categorization of the extracted codes revealed five main dimensions for identifying the components of planning and restructuring basic science disciplines: (1) Spatial territorial (2) content-related, (3) policy and governance, (4) economic-functional, and (5) educational. From 105 initial codes, five concepts were extracted for the policy and governance dimension; from 53 initial codes, three concepts were identified for the content-related dimension; from 23 initial codes, four concepts were identified for the Spatial territorial dimension from 30 initial codes, three concepts emerged for the economic-functional dimension; and from 63 initial codes, five concepts were obtained for the educational dimension. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_107687.html In recent decades, cities have acquired a new role within the international relations system and have evolved from purely local actors into active participants in transnational interactions. One of the most important tools cities use to expand their influence and cooperation is sister-city relationships. In recent years, the city of Tehran has also concluded a number of sister-city agreements and memoranda of understanding with various cities around the world. However, studies indicate that many of these relationships have not been able to play an effective role in urban development due to the absence of a clear strategic framework, the lack of operational programs, managerial discontinuity, and an excessive focus on ceremonial interactions. As a result, many of these partnerships have remained limited to symbolic and short‑term activities. Therefore, revising and redesigning Tehran’s sister-city policies based on successful global experiences has become both necessary and unavoidable. The main objective of this study is to identify successful patterns of sister-city relations at the international level and to propose a framework for redesigning Tehran’s intercity cooperation policies. To achieve this objective, the research adopts a multi‑method approach, including a systematic literature review, thematic analysis, and expert evaluation. In the first stage, 318 documents related to intercity cooperation were identified. After screening based on criteria of credibility, relevance, and applicability, 40 successful global experiences were selected for more detailed analysis. In the next step, using thematic analysis, 212 basic themes were extracted from the data, each representing key dimensions of effective intercity relations. To validate and prioritize these themes in the context of Tehran metropolis, the views of eight experts and specialists in urban management and city diplomacy were collected and analyzed. Subsequently, the Friedman test was used to rank the importance of each cooperation axis. https://jtcp.ut.ac.ir/article_107934.html The expansion of informal settlements in metropolitan areas such as Mashhad has posed serious challenges to the provision of basic infrastructure. This study aimed to identify and analyze the spatial logics of collective actions in local infrastructure provision within informal settlements of Mashhad, with a case study of the Khajeh Rabi neighborhood.Methods: The research employed a mixed-method approach (quantitative-qualitative) with a sequential exploratory design. In the quantitative phase, 370 questionnaires were distributed and analyzed using stratified sampling and systematic random sampling. In the qualitative phase, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with local activists, community trustees, and residents with a history of participation in infrastructure-related activities.Findings: The findings indicated that collective infrastructure-provision actions in the Khajeh Rabi neighborhood follow three distinct spatial logics: local reactive logic (33.8% of the sample), center-periphery logic (29.4%), and fragmented or piecemeal logic (36.8%). The center-periphery logic, which was primarily formed around social nodes such as mosques and Hussainiyas, was associated with social capital (β = 0.43) and perceived security of tenure (β = 0.29) as the strongest predictors. The regression model accounted for 51% of the variance in infrastructure-related actions (R² = 0.51). Qualitative analysis revealed the mechanism by which spatial isolation leads to collective action failure at the neighborhood edges—a mechanism that extends from reduced neighborly capacity to weakened trust, increased individualism, and the reproduction of fragmented logic.Conclusion: The results demonstrate that infrastructure provision in informal settlements is not merely a response to service deficits but rather a reflection of the complex interaction among social structure, institutional security, and the spatial organization of the neighborhood. Therefore, urban policymakers should utilize existing social nodes as primary channels for infrastructure planning, rather than imposing top-down solutions. Furthermore, targeted intervention at neighborhood edges, prioritizing improved physical access and connectivity to social nodes, is essential.