دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Evaluation of the effectiveness of afforestation in controlling desertification and dust in the sand dunes of Khuzestan, Kerman and Isfahan ارزیابی اثربخشی جنگل‌کاری‌ها در کنترل بیابان‌زایی و گرد و غبار در ریگزارهای خوزستان، کرمان و اصفهان 1 19 4093 10.22034/grd.2026.23897.1677 FA مهران مقصودی استاد ژئومورفولوژی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران طاهره فرهی بوشهری دانشجوی دکتری ژئومورفولوژی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران 0009-0007-3752-1167 Journal Article 2025 10 31 Extended Abstract 1. Introduction Wind erosion in desert regions and the accumulation of aeolian sediments result in the formation of sand dunes, which are the outcome of interactions between wind regimes and sedimentation processes. Due to their dynamic nature, sand dunes have become environmental crisis centers, posing threats to urban and rural settlements, economic infrastructures, and agriculture by reducing productivity through sand movement. Although dunes are part of the natural landscape, their uncontrolled expansion disrupts ecological balance and accelerates desertification. Because of low moisture and insufficient vegetation cover, they are highly prone to wind erosion, making their stabilization essential. In Iran, various measures—including afforestation and the establishment of vegetation cover—have been undertaken to stabilize shifting sands. This method creates a protective plant layer that prevents sand displacement and enhances dune stability. Considering the varying success rates of these vegetation projects in different regions, the present study evaluates the effectiveness of afforestation initiatives implemented in the sand dune areas of Khuzestan, Kerman, and Isfahan provinces. 2. Research Methodology In this study, the main data sources included the digital layer of afforestation areas in Iran, MODIS satellite imagery, and Google Earth images. The primary tools utilized were ArcGIS, Google Earth, and the Google Earth Engine platform. Based on the study objectives, the research was conducted in several stages. In the first stage, the boundaries of the sand dune areas were delineated, and afforested regions were identified. In the second stage, to evaluate dust concentration levels within the sand dune zones, the Google Earth Engine system and MODIS satellite images from 2019 to 2023 were used, and dust concentration maps were produced separately for each province (Khuzestan, Kerman, and Isfahan). In the third stage, Google Earth images from 2005 and 2020 were analyzed to assess the displacement and movement of sand dunes in the study areas. 3. Discussion and results Given the negative environmental impacts of sand dunes, various stabilization methods—such as afforestation—have been implemented in recent years. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of afforestation efforts by examining their environmental impacts in the sand dune areas of Khuzestan, Kerman, and Isfahan provinces. According to the results, the total areas afforested within the dune regions of Khuzestan, Kerman, and Isfahan in recent years were approximately 563, 425, and 1,820 square kilometers, respectively. The evaluation of afforestation impacts on dust concentration levels showed that the greatest effect was observed in the sand dunes of Kerman Province, where the pixel correlation coefficient between vegetation cover and dust concentration was 0.51. This value was 0.44 for Isfahan and 0.23 for Khuzestan. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the established forest cover in the sand dune regions of Khuzestan and Isfahan has had relatively limited effectiveness in reducing dust concentration compared to Kerman. 4. Conclusion The results of evaluating the effects of afforestation on sand dune displacement in the studied regions indicate that the highest level of dune stabilization occurred in the isolated dunes of Khuzestan, which experienced approximately 1 meter of movement. Following this, the dunes surrounding the cities of Kerman and Ardestan showed the next highest degree of stabilization and control, with displacements of less than 10 meters. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the established forest cover has played a significant role in stabilizing sand dunes in some areas; however, in certain regions—such as the central parts of Khuzestan’s dunes, the dunes near Shahdad, and the northern areas of Band Rig in Kashan—its impact on stabilization and control has been limited. Overall, the findings demonstrate that afforestation has had positive effects on reducing dust concentration and controlling sand dune movement. Nonetheless, due to the observed variation in effectiveness, it is necessary to evaluate the types of forest cover used and the quality of implementation in areas with lower impact to identify and address the main causes of reduced effectiveness. To enhance the effectiveness of afforestation efforts, it is recommended that in areas with lower efficiency, native plant species that are resistant to local climatic conditions be used, and periodic monitoring through satellite imagery and wind modeling be conducted to assess the stability of dune stabilization. Additionally, the participation and education of local communities in maintaining afforestation projects can play a significant role in sustaining the results. A combination of biological and mechanical methods, such as planting vegetation and installing windbreaks or surface coverings, is recommended for more effective control of sand dune movement, and the development of a long-term management plan in collaboration with environmental and natural resource agencies is essential for the restoration of critical areas. ریگزارها با اثرات منفی زیست‌محیطی همراه هستند و به همین دلیل در طی سال‌های اخیر سعی شده است تا با استفاده از روش‌های مختلفی از جمله ایجاد پوشش جنگلی، محدوده ریگزارهای تثبیت شود. در این پژوهش به‌منظور ارزیابی کارایی جنگل‌کاری‌های صورت گرفته، به بررسی تاثیرات این جنگل‌کاری‌ها در محدوده ریگزارهای استان‌های خوزستان، کرمان و اصفهان پرداخته شده است. در این تحقیق از لایه رقومی جنگل کاری های صورت گرفته در ایران، تصاویر ماهواره MODIS و تصاویر گوگل ارث، به‌عنوان مهم‌ترین داده‌های تحقیق استفاده شده است. مهم‌ترین ابزارهای تحقیق، ArcGIS، گوگل ارث و سامانه گوگل ارث انجین بوده است. در این تحقیق ابتدا به ترسیم محدوده ریگزارها و شناسایی مناطق جنگل‌کاری شده پرداخته شده است و سپس به ارزیابی تاثیرات جنگل-کاری‌های صورت گرفته بر وضعیت غلظت گردوغبار و جابجایی تپه‌های ماسه‌ای پرداخته شده است. بر اساس نتایج بدست آمده، بالاترین تاثیرگذاری جنگل‌کاری‌های صورت گرفته در کاهش غلظت گردوغبار با ضریب پیکسلی 51/0، مربوط به ریگزارهای کرمان و کم‌ترین آن با ضریب 23/0، مربوط به ریگزارهای خوزستان بوده است. نتایج ارزیابی تاثیر جنگل‌کاری‌های صورت گرفته بر وضعیت جابجایی تپه‌های ماسه‌ای در ریگزارهای مورد مطالعه بیانگر این است بالاترین میزان کنترل و تثبیت تپه‌های ماسه‌ای مربوط به ریگزارهای منفرد خوزستان بوده است که حدود 1 متر جابجایی داشته‌اند و بعد از آن نیز ریگزارهای اطراف شهرهای کرمان و اردستان، با جابجایی کم‌تر از 10 متر، دارای بالاترین تثبیت و کنترل بوده‌اند.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4093_5545e91048144fce42a394e5502fe7fc.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Detecting land subsidence using Sentinel 1 satellite images (Case study: Northern basin of Yazd-Ardakan plain) آشکارسازی فرونشست زمین با استفاده از تصاویر ماهواره ای سنتینل۱(مورد مطالعه: حوضه شمالی دشت یزد-اردکان) 20 35 4026 10.22034/grd.2026.23972.1680 FA کمال امیدوار استاد اقلیم شناسی گروه جغرافیا دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران مریم سادات طباطبایی دانش آموخته کارشناسی ارشد،دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران هاجر طوفانی کوپائی دانشجوی دکتری اقلیم شناسی دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران Journal Article 2025 11 16 Introduction: Land subsidence occurs under several conditions, including subsidence due to excessive exploitation of groundwater, subsidence due to the construction of large dams, and subsidence due to the tectonics of salt domes (Omidvar, 2011). Excessive extraction of groundwater for various urban uses causes land subsidence. For example, in the Venetian Lagoon, the policy of intensive industrialization in the main part of the island led to excessive extraction of groundwater, which also contributed to the effective subsidence of the island cities. The growth and development of the city of Bangkok throughout the Chao Phraya Delta Plain has also been so rapid that the city's inadequate and inadequate water supply is forced and quite extensively carried out by the private sector through illegal extraction of groundwater. The pattern and extent of subsidence caused by pumping can be determined to some extent by the reactivation of faults in the delta's constituent materials (Zamardian, 2017).Meanwhile, the phenomenon of land subsidence, which is the result of the slow and gradual compression of subsurface deposits in the plains, occurs as a displacement of part of the earth's crust downward. This hazard has also raised many concerns, especially in sensitive and strategic centers, and is the result of anthropogenic activities such as various types of mining, water, oil and gas extraction, underground excavation and excavation, including tunnels, metros and dams, and environmental processes such as volcanic activities and lava eruptions, dissolution processes, melting and compaction of snow and glaciers, fault movements, and sometimes both. Human factors and land use change are the main drivers of subsidence, and there is a direct relationship between the increase in the rate of subsidence and the withdrawal of groundwater resources (Bagheri et al., 2021).Land subsidence is the gradual or sudden lowering of the earth's surface, which occurs due to various factors such as tectonic activities, mining, oil and gas fields, and excessive groundwater extraction, and is one of the issues that has put the country's plains at risk in recent years. The northern basin of the Yazd-Ardakan plain is also among the plains that are at risk of land subsidence. The Sentinel-1 satellite is capable of imaging in any atmospheric and ground conditions, and it makes it possible to provide high-quality images at night, in fog and dust, and even under clouds. This satellite provides useful information for remote monitoring of various areas such as agriculture, forests, climate, earthquakes, and land subsidence. It can be said that most researchers have calculated subsidence using various methods such as Sentinel satellite images and radar. And most of the reasons for land subsidence are due to human activities such as excessive extraction of groundwater, the effects of which are manifested in the form of rupture and tilting of well wall pipes, or even natural causes such as volcanic activity and drying of fine-grained sediments. In this study, subsidence and piezometric wells in the northern basin of the Yazd-Ardakan plain were analyzed using Sentinel 1 satellite images. The present study was conducted with the aim of analyzing land subsidence in the northern basin of the Yazd-Ardakan plain. Objective: This study investigates land subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction in the northern basin of the Yazd-Ardakan plain. Methodology: The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating land subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction in the northern basin of the Yazd-Ardakan plain. To achieve this goal, the Sentinel 1 radar satellite, the Landsat satellite, and data from piezometric wells were used in the period (2005-2020). The correlation index has also been used to examine the effect of groundwater level drop on land subsidence. Discussion and Results: The results show that the study area has subsided by 8 cm during the 15-year period, which is a significant figure. The spatial analysis of the subsidence indicates that the highest amount of subsidence has occurred in the areas of Meybod, Februieh, Ardakan and Ahmadabad (which are facing a decrease in groundwater levels). Accordingly, one of the reasons for the subsidence has been the decrease in groundwater resources, but the abnormal behavior of the deep Roknabad well not only has not decreased water, but also 81 cm of water rises every year to an extent that is in line with the slope of the land. Also, the correlation index has been used to investigate the effect of the decrease in groundwater levels on land subsidence, and the results obtained show that no significant correlation has been identified between these two variables. The lack of correlation between groundwater changes and land subsidence can be due to geological, hydrogeological factors or measurement methods and other cases. فرونشست زمین عبارت است از پایین رفتن تدریجی یا ناگهانی سطح زمین که در اثر عوامل مختلفی به وقوع می پیوندد پژوهش حاضر با هدف واکاوی فرونشست زمین براثر برداشت زیاد آب های زیرزمینی در حوضه شمالی دشت یزد-اردکان انجام شده است .برای دستیابی به این هدف ، از ماهواره ای راداری سنتینل ۱ ، ماهواره لندست و اداده های مربوط به چاه های پیزومتری در بازه زمانی (2005-2020) استفاده شده است . نتایج نشان می دهد محدوده مطالعاتی در طی دوره زمانی 15ساله ، 8 سانتی متر فرونشست داشته که رقم قابل توجهی می باشد.آنالیز مکانی فرو نشست رخ داده بیانگر این است که بیش ترین میزان فرو نشست مر بوط به مناطق های میبد، بفروئیه،اردکان و احمد آباد )بوده است که این مناطق با افت سطح آب های زیرزمینی مواجه است ،براین اساس ، یکی از دلایل فرو نشست رخ داده ، افت منابع آب زیرزمینی بوده است اما رفتار ناهنجار چاه رکن آباد عمیق نه تنها افت آب نداشته بلکه هرسال ۸۱ سانتی متر آب بالا می آید تا حدی که همگام با شیب زمین است. همچنین در بررسی تاثیر افت سطح آب های زیرزمینی بر فرو نشست زمین از شاخص همبستگی استفاده شده است که نتایج به دست آمده نشان می دهد همبستگی معنا داری بین این دو متغیر شناسایی نشده است . عدم همبستگی بین تغییرات آب های زیرزمینی و فرونشست زمین می تواند ناشی از عوامل زمین شناسی،هیدروژئولوژیکی یا روش های اندازه گیری و موارد دیگری باشد .

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4026_f997cb43d5e7c01e431a3a0fcd9c02f8.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Analyzing the Role of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem in Sustainable Urban Development of Free Trade–Industrial Zones, with Emphasis on the Smart Tourism Value Chain: A Case Study of Chabahar City تحلیل نقش اکوسیستم کارآفرینی و نوآوری در توسعه پایدار شهری مناطق آزاد تجاری-صنعتی با تأکید بر زنجیره ارزش گردشگری هوشمند: مطالعه موردی شهر چابهار 36 57 4135 10.22034/grd.2026.24379.1688 FA محمدکریم رئیسی استادیار گروه جغرافیا، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. Journal Article 2026 02 24 Extended Abstract Introduction In recent decades, the sustainable development approach has gained increasing attention as a comprehensive strategy in urban and regional planning, aiming to balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. Within this framework, free trade‑industrial zones serve as a policy tool for governments to achieve regional development and strengthen integration with the global economy, established with objectives such as attracting investment, boosting exports, upgrading infrastructure, and improving social welfare. However, empirical evidence from successful countries indicates that a sole focus on physical infrastructure development, without the formation of an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, not only fails to lead to sustainable growth but can also foster unproductive dependence on government resources and weaken the region’s economic dynamism. In response to the limitations of infrastructure‑centric approaches in urban and regional development, the concept of an innovation ecosystem has emerged as a new paradigm in urban and regional policy‑making, emphasizing the interaction among actors, institutions, and knowledge flows. This concept is built on a network of key players—entrepreneurs, universities, incubators, government agencies, and local communities—whose interactions shape the capacity for value creation and local competitive advantage. One of the key arenas for the emergence of such an ecosystem is the tourism industry; within the framework of smart tourism, it provides a platform for the convergence of digital technologies, data analytics, and sustainable experience‑creation, directly influencing urban planning quality, local resource management, and economic prosperity. In this context, innovation across the tourism value chain—from service production to marketing and tourist‑experience management—is recognized as a primary driver of sustainable urban development. Materials and Methods The present study is applied in purpose and descriptive‑analytical in execution. The statistical population comprises the main and specialized actors of the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Chabahar city, including entrepreneurs, investors, institutional officials active in business support, and academic experts related to urban development and innovation, totaling 3,000 individuals. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 341 individuals was selected. The data‑collection instrument was a questionnaire, whose face and content validity were confirmed by specialists and experts, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The obtained alpha values for all variables exceeded 0.70, and the overall questionnaire alpha was 0.83, indicating appropriate reliability. The study employed the independent variable of entrepreneurship ecosystem (comprising six variables: policy and governance, culture and norms, financial resources, human resources, knowledge infrastructure, and knowledge and innovation), the dependent variable of urban development, and the mediating variable of smart‑tourism value chain, along with numerous indicators and items. For data analysis, a one‑sample t‑test and multiple regression analysis were used. Findings The research findings were examined in descriptive and inferential sections. Descriptive results showed that 61% of respondents were male and 39% female. Regarding age, the highest frequency (32%) belonged to the 41–50‑year‑old group, while the lowest (12%) was in the over‑60 group. In terms of education, the highest frequency (36%) was at the bachelor’s level, and the lowest (8%) at the doctoral level. Conclusion The examination of the research findings indicates that Chabahar city has taken effective steps toward becoming a hub of entrepreneurship and sustainable urban development. The overall mean of the main dimensions of the entrepreneurship ecosystem was generally evaluated above the standard desirability level (value 3), suggesting the existence of a positive initial foundation. However, this overall positive assessment conceals substantive and functional differences across dimensions, requiring precise disaggregation for future strategy formulation. Focusing on strengths and addressing structural challenges will be the key to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. The results indicate that in the domain of policy and governance, basic supportive infrastructure is in place; particularly in promoting risk‑tolerant regulations and institutional intervention to remove legal barriers, which exhibited the most favorable status. Concurrently, social culture and norms are largely receptive to entrepreneurs, with the social status of entrepreneurs and the acceptance of failure as a learning experience at a desirable level. These two dimensions, as essential software layers, provide a solid foundation for innovative activities. Despite the general desirability in governance, two serious gaps were identified in this area: the absence of a formal strategic plan and the lack of a single point of contact for entrepreneurial services. These weaknesses suggest that existing support may be scattered and reactive rather than strategic and proactive. To transition from a “supportive” to a “proactive” status, the formulation of a strategic document and the facilitation of services through an integrated portal are essential. The human‑resources and knowledge dimension demonstrated the strongest performance across the entire ecosystem; the low unemployment rate among specialists and the attraction of skilled personnel indicate success in retaining and supplying technical talent. However, the knowledge and innovation sector, despite adequate university collaborations, suffers from a gap between theory and practice. The number of practical innovations (products and business models) and the transfer of specialized knowledge to businesses fall below the desirability level; this means that universities produce knowledge, but the operational outputs and commercialization of this knowledge require significant strengthening. هدف این پژوهش،بررسی نقش اکوسیستم کارآفرینی و نوآوری در توسعه پایدار شهری منطقه آزاد چابهار است.پژوهش حاضر از نظر هدف،کاربردی و از نظر روش،توصیفی–تحلیلی است.جامعه آماری شامل کنشگران اصلی اکوسیستم کارآفرینی و نوآوری شهر چابهار (کارآفرینان، سرمایه‌گذاران، مسئولان نهادی و صاحب‌نظران دانشگاهی) حدود ۳۰۰۰ نفر بود که بر اساس فرمول کوکران، ۳۴۱ نفر به‌عنوان نمونه انتخاب شدند.داده‌ها با استفاده از آزمون t تک‌نمونه‌ای،رگرسیون چندمتغیره و تحلیل مسیر تحلیل شد.نتایج آزمون t نشان داد که میانگین هر سه متغیر اصلی در سطحی بالاتر از حد متوسط نظری قرار دارند؛به‌گونه‌ای که میانگین اکوسیستم کارآفرینی و نوآوری 128/3 میانگین زنجیره ارزش گردشگری هوشمند 151/3 و میانگین توسعه پایدار شهری 089/3 به دست آمد.نتایج تحلیل رگرسیون نشان می‌دهد که در چارچوب اکوسیستم کارآفرینی و نوآوری، بعد منابع انسانی و دانش با ضریب 376/0 قوی‌ترین تأثیر مثبت را بر توسعه پایدار شهری دارد.همچنین این بعد با ضریب بتای 338/0 بیشترین نقش را در تقویت زنجیره ارزش گردشگری هوشمند ایفا می‌کند.علاوه بر این، زنجیره ارزش گردشگری هوشمند با ضریب بتای 452/0 اثر مستقیم، مثبت و معناداری بر توسعه پایدار شهری دارد.همچنین نتایج تحلیل مسیر، اکوسیستم کارآفرینی و نوآوری علاوه بر اثر مستقیم بر توسعه پایدار شهری، از مسیر میانجی زنجیره ارزش گردشگری هوشمند نیز اثرگذار است؛ به‌طوری‌که اثر مستقیم 50/0، اثر غیرمستقیم 216/0 و اثر کل 756/0 برآورد شد. این نتایج بیانگر آن است که تقویت سرمایه انسانی، منابع مالی و سازوکارهای نوآورانه در چارچوب اکوسیستم کارآفرینی می‌تواند از طریق توسعه زنجیره ارزش گردشگری هوشمند، زمینه ارتقای توسعه پایدار شهری چابهار را به‌طور معناداری فراهم آورد.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4135_ad64b957a73fd847b36961c97f7aca36.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 The Morphology of Cohesion: A Spatial Configuration Analysis of Social Network and Their Interface with Urban Form in Kabul’s Fragmented Neighborhoods ریخت‌شناسی انسجام: تحلیل پیکره‌بندی فضایی شبکه‌های اجتماعی و هم‌بستگی آن‌ها با فرم شهری در محله‌های گسسته کابل 58 77 4091 10.22034/grd.2026.24020.1681 FA ایمل فرملی دانشجوی دکتری گروه جغرافیا، دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران 0009-0002-8983-8880 حجت‌اله رحیمی استادیار گروه جغرافیای دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران 0000-0002-8631-3862 مهرانگیز رضائی استادیار گروه جغرافیای دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران 0000-0002-9364-0263 Journal Article 2025 11 28 This study investigates the mechanisms underpinning social cohesion in post-conflict, multi-ethnic urban contexts, emphasizing the dialectical interaction between spatial configuration and social network morphology in shaping social cohesion at the neighborhood scale. The central research problem focuses on understanding how the physical form of the urban environment interacts dynamically with social network structures to produce varying levels of social cohesion within neighborhoods that share similar ethnic compositions. Kabul, Afghanistan, represents a paradigmatic case of such a complex post-conflict, multi-ethnic urban setting, and was selected as the focal site for this investigation due to its intricate spatial patterns, heterogeneous population, and historical experience of urban disruption and reconstruction. Existing literature on urban social cohesion and post-conflict city dynamics exhibits three critical gaps. First, a theoretical gap persists in the absence of a unified conceptual framework that can integrate the spatial and social dimensions of cohesion while accounting for their dialectical co-evolution. Second, a methodological gap exists in the lack of systematic approaches that can simultaneously leverage the quantitative and relational analytical power of Space Syntax and Social Network Analysis (SNA). Third, a contextual gap is evident due to the scarcity of empirical studies in sensitive, non-Western, post-conflict, and multi-ethnic urban contexts, which limits the generalizability of findings predominantly derived from Western cities. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing contextually sensitive theories and practical interventions aimed at enhancing urban cohesion in post-conflict environments. To address these research challenges, the study employs a triangulated, three-layered methodological framework. First, Space Syntax analysis is applied to quantify spatial configuration, measuring key indices such as integration and connectivity that capture the permeability and accessibility of urban form. Second, Social Network Analysis (SNA) is used to map and quantify social network morphology within neighborhoods, analyzing measures including network density, diameter, and inter-ethnic ties to capture the structure and resilience of social relationships. Third, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is employed to rigorously test causal relationships between spatial and network variables and to identify the mediating effects of network morphology on the relationship between spatial configuration and social cohesion. This methodological integration allows for a comprehensive understanding of how physical and social structures co-evolve to produce differential cohesion outcomes. Empirical data were collected from three strategically selected neighborhoods in Kabul—Rikakhana, Karte-Sakhi, and Dahmazang. Data sources included spatial surveys and mapping, structured questionnaires administered to 450 households, and 50 in-depth semi-structured interviews. This combination of quantitative and qualitative data ensures a robust and multi-dimensional understanding of both observable patterns and the underlying mechanisms driving social cohesion. Quantitative results reveal that spatial configuration exerts a direct positive effect on social cohesion (β = 0.35), yet the most substantial influence operates through social network morphology as a mediating variable (β = 0.48 for the direct effect of networks, β = 0.17 for the indirect spatial effect mediated via networks). For instance, Rikakhana, characterized by high spatial integration (1.25) and dense social networks (0.67), exhibits the highest observed cohesion (0.72), whereas Karte-Sakhi, with low spatial integration (0.67) and sparse network density (0.34), records the lowest cohesion (0.48). These findings demonstrate that while spatial accessibility facilitates interactions, the organization and structure of social networks significantly amplify the effects of spatial design on cohesion outcomes. Qualitative findings provide rich contextual understanding of the mechanisms underlying these quantitative patterns. In Rikakhana, public spaces such as marketplaces and open courtyards with high accessibility serve as hubs for inter-ethnic interactions, fostering trust and reciprocity among residents. Conversely, Karte-Sakhi’s predominantly cul-de-sac spatial patterns, combined with a scarcity of collective public spaces, reinforce social isolation and ethnic boundary-making, limiting the formation of bridging social ties. These insights underscore the importance of considering both the physical and relational dimensions of urban life in the design and evaluation of interventions aimed at promoting social cohesion. The study’s theoretical contribution lies in the development of an integrated social-spatial morphology framework that conceptualizes spatial form and network structure as two mutually constitutive dimensions of urban cohesion. Methodologically, the study introduces an innovative protocol combining Space Syntax, SNA, and SEM to empirically examine the co-evolution of urban form and social networks. Contextually, the research produces novel empirical evidence from sensitive, multi-ethnic, post-conflict neighborhoods, enabling the development of theory that is both empirically grounded and sensitive to local urban realities. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that social cohesion emerges from the dynamic co-evolution of spatial configuration and social network morphology. Permeable and continuous urban spaces facilitate everyday encounters, reorganizing networks toward higher density, reduced diameter, and stronger inter-ethnic connections, which in turn reinforce cohesion directly and sustainably. The findings further indicate that, under integrated spatial-network configurations, ethnic diversity can strengthen rather than undermine social cohesion. Accordingly, urban planning in post-conflict, multi-ethnic contexts should prioritize interventions that simultaneously enhance spatial permeability (the “hard” dimension) and foster inter-ethnic social ties (the “soft” dimension), ensuring that both physical and social infrastructures contribute synergistically to cohesive, resilient urban communities. Overall, this research provides a robust, empirically grounded framework for understanding and enhancing social cohesion in post-conflict cities, demonstrating the crucial interplay between urban form and social networks and offering actionable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and scholars engaged in rebuilding socially resilient urban environments. انسجام اجتماعی در شهرهای پساجنگ و چندقومیتی، به‌ویژه در مقیاس محلات، نه صرفاً محصول ترکیب قومی، بلکه حاصل تعامل پیچیده میان فرم کالبدی و ساختار شبکه‌های اجتماعی است. با وجود مطالعات گسترده درباره جدایی‌گزینی فضایی، پژوهش‌های موجود فاقد تحلیل نظام‌مند مکانیسم‌های علی تولید انسجام از طریق تعامل دیالکتیکی پیکره‌بندی فضایی و ریخت‌شناسی شبکه اجتماعی هستند. داده‌های اولیه از محلات کابل نوسان شاخص گسست فضایی-اجتماعی (22/0 تا 68/0) را نشان می‌دهد و این سوال را ایجاد می‌کند که چرا محلات با شرایط کالبدی و ترکیب قومی مشابه، سطوح متفاوت انسجام اجتماعی دارند؟ این پژوهش سه محله ریکاخانه، کارته‌سخی و دهمزنگ را بررسی کرد. روش‌شناسی ترکیبی شامل تحلیل چیدمان فضا برای شاخص‌های هم‌پیوندی و اتصال، تحلیل شبکه‌های اجتماعی مبتنی بر پرسشنامه ۴۵۰ خانوار و ۵۰ مصاحبه عمیق برای سنجش چگالی، قطر و درصد پیوندهای بین‌قومی، و مدل‌سازی معادلات ساختاری (SEM) برای آزمون روابط علی و نقش واسطه‌ای شبکه اجتماعی بود. نتایج نشان داد پیکره‌بندی فضایی علاوه بر اثر مستقیم مثبت بر انسجام اجتماعی (β = 0/35)، از طریق تقویت ریخت‌شناسی شبکه اجتماعی اثر غیرمستقیم معنادار دارد (β = 0/17) و اثر مستقیم شبکه اجتماعی بر انسجام (β = 0/48) قوی‌ترین مسیر علی است. فضاهای عمومی نفوذپذیر تعاملات روزمره را تسهیل و گفتمان هم‌زیستی طبیعی را تقویت می‌کنند، در حالی که معابر بن‌بست‌وار گفتمان انزوا را بازتولید می‌کنند .این پژوهش چارچوب تلفیقی ریخت‌شناسی اجتماعی-فضایی ارائه می‌دهد و نشان می‌دهد انسجام اجتماعی محصول هم‌تکامل پیکره‌بندی فضایی و شبکه اجتماعی است و مداخلات هم‌زمان در ابعاد کالبدی و اجتماعی برای هم‌زیستی پایدار ضروری‌اند.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4091_98502d7f89fc7566d299a7d5adb22ed1.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Analyzing Citizens’ Perceptions of Climate Justice and Its Role in Enhancing the Performance of Climate-Oriented Urban Planning (Case Study: Jahrom City) تحلیل ادراک شهروندان از عدالت اقلیمی و نقش آن در ارتقاء عملکرد برنامه‌ریزی شهری اقلیم‌محور (مطالعه موردی: شهر جهرم) 78 98 4116 10.22034/grd.2026.24407.1690 FA سیاوش قزلی جهرمی عضو هیات علمی گروه شهرسازی، دانشگاه آزاداسلامی جهرم، ایران امیرحسین قزلی جهرمی دانشجوی کارشناسی گروه عمران، دانشگاه آزاداسلامی، جهرم، ایران. Journal Article 2026 03 06 Introduction In recent decades, climate change has become one of the central challenges of urban development, particularly in cities located in hot and arid climates, which experience some of the most severe impacts of global warming and temperature fluctuations. Rising air temperatures, frequent heat waves, and the decline in urban environmental quality have contributed to the emergence of new social and spatial inequalities that directly affect citizens’ well‑being and health. In this context, climate justice has emerged as a relatively new approach in urban studies, focusing on the fair distribution of resources, risks, and benefits associated with climate policies among different social groups and urban areas. Climate justice is not limited to distributive aspects; it also encompasses procedural and intergenerational dimensions. This implies that citizens’ participation in decision‑making processes and the protection of the rights of future generations in the face of climate change are integral components of achieving climate justice. Recent studies have shown that in many cities around the world, the impacts of climate change and access to heat‑mitigation facilities, such as green spaces and shading infrastructure, are unevenly distributed across neighborhoods. Such disparities contribute to a reduced sense of spatial justice among citizens. At the same time, research emphasizes that citizens’ perceptions of fairness in urban policies significantly influence their level of satisfaction with climate‑oriented urban planning initiatives. Materials and Methods This study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive–analytical in nature and method, conducted using a quantitative approach. The analysis is based on citizens’ perceptions of climate justice and their level of satisfaction with urban planning, and the data were collected through field surveys using a questionnaire. The statistical population of the study includes all citizens of Jahrom city, whose population, according to the latest national population and housing census in 2016, was 141,634. Considering the large size of the statistical population and in order to ensure the generalizability of the results, sampling was conducted among the city’s residents. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula, and with a confidence level of 95 percent and an allowable error of 0.05, the final sample consisted of 383 respondents. The sampling method was simple random sampling, and efforts were made to ensure that the respondents represented an appropriate distribution of the urban population of Jahrom. The main instrument for data collection was a researcher‑designed questionnaire developed based on the theoretical framework of the study and recent scholarly literature. The questionnaire included items related to the variables of climate justice, satisfaction with urban planning, and sustainable urban development, and it was structured using a five‑point Likert scale. The content validity of the instrument was confirmed through expert review, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, which was calculated as 0.78. In this research, climate justice was considered the independent variable and was measured through four dimensions: distributive justice, access justice, procedural justice, and intergenerational justice. Satisfaction with urban planning was treated as the dependent variable and conceptually consisted of three dimensions: functional satisfaction, institutional satisfaction, and policy satisfaction. For data analysis, both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed. In the descriptive statistics section, indicators such as frequency and percentage were used to describe the status of the study’s descriptive variables. In the inferential statistics section, a one‑sample t‑test was first applied to evaluate the status of the dimensions of climate justice and the level of citizens’ satisfaction with urban planning in relation to the baseline value (theoretical mean), in order to determine the desirability or undesirability of each variable. Subsequently, to examine the magnitude and direction of the effects of climate justice dimensions on satisfaction with urban planning, multiple regression analysis was employed. This analysis made it possible to identify the contribution of each dimension of climate justice in explaining variations in citizens’ satisfaction with urban planning. Findings The findings of the study were evaluated in two sections: descriptive and inferential analysis. The results of the descriptive findings indicate that 56 percent of the respondents were male and 44 percent were female. In terms of marital status, 63 percent of the respondents were married, while 37 percent were single. Regarding age distribution, the highest frequency (27 percent) belonged to the 41–50 age group, whereas the lowest proportion (9 percent) was related to respondents aged over 60 years. In addition, with respect to educational attainment, the highest proportion of respondents (29 percent) held a bachelor’s degree, while the lowest proportion (8 percent) belonged to those with a doctoral degree. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that citizens’ perceptions of climate justice in the city of Jahrom are generally at a fragile level and close to the moderate threshold. This situation suggests that although certain climate‑oriented initiatives have been implemented, decision‑making processes, resource distribution, and participatory mechanisms have not yet been able to generate a stable sense of fairness among citizens. This result is consistent with the theoretical foundations of the “Right to the City” and with the perspective of Meerow and Woodruff (2024), who argue that the realization of climate justice depends on transparency, accountability, and the genuine participation of stakeholders. Regarding satisfaction with urban planning, the results reveal an imbalance among its different dimensions. Although some physical interventions have created a certain degree of functional satisfaction, weaknesses in institutional and policy dimensions have prevented the formation of deep and sustainable satisfaction. This finding aligns with the results of Heidari and Habibi (2019), who emphasize the ineffectiveness of purely physical improvements in the absence of institutional reforms. The analysis of causal relationships demonstrates that climate justice plays a decisive role in shaping citizens’ satisfaction with the urban planning system. This finding suggests that public satisfaction is influenced less by the quantity of services and more by perceptions of fairness in the distribution and implementation of climate policies—an observation consistent with the arguments of Anguelovski et al. (2023) regarding the relationship between environmental justice and urban governance. Among the dimensions of climate justice, distributive justice had the greatest explanatory power in predicting citizens’ satisfaction. بحران‌های اقلیمی ضرورت بازنگری در مفاهیم عدالت فضایی و رضایت‌مندی شهروندی را در نظام‌های برنامه‌ریزی شهری دوچندان کرده است.هدف اصلی این پژوهش،تحلیل ادراک شهروندان از عدالت اقلیمی و تأثیر آن بر رضایت از برنامه‌ریزی شهری اقلیم‌محور در شهر جهرم است.این پژوهش از نظر هدف کاربردی و از نظر روش توصیفی–تحلیلی بوده و داده‌های آن از طریق پرسشنامه محقق‌ساخته گردآوری شده است.جامعه آماری شامل شهروندان شهر جهرم و متخصصان حوزه مدیریت و برنامه‌ریزی شهری و اقلیم شناسان است.جمعیت شهر جهرم بر اساس سرشماری سال ۱۳۹۵ برابر با ۱۴۱۶۳۴ نفر بوده و حجم نمونه شهروندان با استفاده از فرمول کوکران ۳۸۳ نفر تعیین شد که به روش تصادفی ساده انتخاب شدندهمچنین ۳۰ نفر از متخصصان مرتبط با حوزه برنامه‌ریزی شهری به‌عنوان نمونه انتخاب شدند.نتایج آزمون تی تک‌نمونه‌ای نشان دادمیانگین کلی عدالت اقلیمی ادراک‌شده در شهر جهرم از دیدگاه شهروندان 954/2 و از دیدگاه متخصصان 967/2 است که بیانگر سطحی کمتر از حد متوسط در هر دو گروه است. در مقابل، میانگین رضایت از برنامه‌ریزی شهری اقلیم‌محور ازنظر شهروندان 114/3 و از نظر متخصصان 219/3 بوده و حاکی از ارزیابی نسبتاً مطلوب از وضعیت برنامه‌ریزی شهری در جهرم است.همچنین نتایج تحلیل رگرسیون نشان داد عدالت توزیعی با ضریب بتای 411/0 بیشترین نقش،عدالت رویه‌ای با ضریب 362/0،عدالت در دسترسی با ضریب 290/0 و عدالت نسلی با ضریب 183/0 کمترین نقش را در پیش‌بینی رضایت از برنامه‌ریزی شهری اقلیم‌محور دارند.به طور کلی، ادراک عدالت در توزیع منابع و شفافیت در فرآیندهای تصمیم‌گیری از عوامل کلیدی درافزایش رضایت شهروندان و موفقیت سیاست‌های اقلیمی درشهرجهرم محسوب می‌شود.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4116_5c7744e0d8069b11b0565ebbb0bce113.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Spatial Patterns and Relationships of Industrial Poultry Farming in Razavi Khorasan Province تحلیل الگوها و روابط فضایی استقرار مرغداری‌های صنعتی در استان خراسان رضوی 99 121 4133 10.22034/grd.2026.24271.1686 FA حامد مزینانی دانشجوی دکتری علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران 0009-0007-3735-766X محمدرضا اکبری 2. دانشیار گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران مهرانگیز رضائی 3. استادیار،گروه جغرافیا، دانشگاه یزد، یزد، ایران 0000-0002-9364-0263 سیامک طهماسبی دانشجوی دکتری جغرافیا و برنامه‌ریزی روستایی، دانشکده جغرافیا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران Journal Article 2026 01 28 Introduction Rapid population growth and increasing demand for animal protein have made food security one of the major strategic challenges of the twenty-first century. Among livestock activities, industrial poultry farming is considered one of the most efficient and scalable sources of animal protein because of its relatively low production costs, short production cycle, and high capacity for supplying white meat. In Iran, the poultry industry plays an essential role in employment generation and stabilization of the national food system. Razavi Khorasan Province is one of the most important poultry-producing regions because of its large population, strategic location, and extensive production capacity. Nevertheless, the spatial distribution of poultry farms across the province is uneven. Some areas contain strong concentrations of poultry activities, whereas other areas remain weakly developed or excluded from the production network. In the absence of effective spatial planning, such inequalities may increase environmental pressure, intensify spatial imbalances, and reduce long-term sustainability. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to analyze the spatial pattern of industrial poultry farm distribution in Razavi Khorasan Province and identify the environmental, demographic, and infrastructural factors shaping this pattern. The theoretical framework is grounded in New Economic Geography, which emphasizes the role of agglomeration economies, transportation accessibility, and environmental constraints in shaping the spatial organization of productive activities. Methodology This study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical approach based on quantitative methods and spatial analysis techniques. The data included the geographic locations of 1,935 industrial poultry farms in Razavi Khorasan Province, together with climatic, topographic, demographic, and infrastructural variables. Spatial information related to poultry farms, slaughterhouses, and feed factories was obtained from the Razavi Khorasan Agricultural Jihad Organization and converted into spatial layers through geocoding in a GIS environment. Climatic variables, including long-term mean temperature and precipitation for the 2000–2024 period, were extracted from the TerraClimate database, while elevation data were derived from the Copernicus Digital Elevation Model. Population and road network data were obtained from the Statistical Center of Iran and the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and processed in ArcGIS after coordinate system standardization. The study area was divided into 5×5 km grid cells, and all variables were aggregated at the grid level. In the first stage, the spatial pattern of poultry farm distribution was examined using the Average Nearest Neighbor index, Kernel Density Estimation, and the Standard Deviational Ellipse. Subsequently, the relationships between poultry farm density and natural and human-related variables were investigated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and hierarchical clustering analysis. Because many grid cells contained zero values and the dependent variable exhibited strong positive skewness, a spatial hurdle model was employed. In this framework, the processes of poultry farm establishment versus non-establishment and the intensity of poultry farm density were modeled separately. The first stage was estimated using a logistic regression model, while the second stage was implemented through a log-normal regression model. To control residual spatial autocorrelation, Moran Eigenvector Spatial Filtering was applied by incorporating spatial eigenvectors into the regression framework. Results and Discussion The results of the Average Nearest Neighbor index indicated that the spatial distribution of industrial poultry farms in Razavi Khorasan Province is clustered and statistically significant (ANN = 0.189, p < 0.001). The main concentrations of poultry farming activities are located along the Mashhad–Quchan, Zabar Khan–Firouzeh, Kashmar–Khalilabad, and Torbat-e Heydarieh–Zaveh corridors. Kernel Density Estimation and the Standard Deviational Ellipse confirmed the existence of a directional pole-axis spatial structure in which areal, linear, and hybrid production poles have developed near transportation corridors and population centers. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that poultry farm density has the strongest positive correlation with population density, whereas distance from roads, distance from cities, and distance from feed factories have significant negative correlations with poultry farm density. Temperature, precipitation, and slope also showed negative relationships with poultry farm density, indicating the constraining role of environmental conditions. The results of the spatial hurdle model demonstrated that, in the first stage related to poultry farm establishment and non-establishment, population density exerted the strongest positive effect, whereas distance from cities, distance from roads, distance from feed factories, temperature, precipitation, and slope all had significant negative effects. The coefficients for distance from feed factories (-1.41), temperature (-1.20), and distance from cities (-1.13) represented the strongest negative effects on establishment probability. These findings indicate that poultry farms are more likely to become established in areas with better access to transportation infrastructure, feed supply centers, and consumer markets. In the second stage, which examined the intensity of poultry farm density, distance from roads (-1.40), distance from feed factories (-1.02), and temperature (-0.79) showed the strongest negative effects. Environmental variables such as precipitation and slope also had significant negative effects, suggesting that environmental constraints influence both the initial establishment and the subsequent intensity of poultry farming activities. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that the spatial heterogeneity of industrial poultry farm distribution in Razavi Khorasan Province results from the simultaneous interaction of infrastructural, demographic, and environmental factors and that the spatial organization of this activity follows a clustered and pole-axis pattern. The concentration of poultry farming activities along transportation corridors and around population centers highlights the central role of market accessibility and feed supply chains in shaping the poultry industry. Conversely, environmental constraints such as temperature, precipitation, and slope limit the expansion of poultry farming activities. The results of the spatial hurdle model further revealed that the determinants of poultry farm establishment are not necessarily identical to the determinants of concentration intensity. Although population density increases the probability of establishment, its effect becomes negative in the intensity stage, probably because of higher land prices, urban land-use pressures, and sanitary restrictions in densely populated areas. Overall, the findings emphasize the need to move beyond uniform policies toward intelligent spatial regulation in which poultry development is managed according to environmental capacity, infrastructural accessibility, sanitary considerations, and spatial sustainability. Furthermore, the integration of spatial econometric methods with GIS-based analyses provided a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms shaping the spatial patterns of productive activities across regions. شناخت الگوی استقرار و روابط فضایی واحدهای مرغداری صنعتی، به‌عنوان یکی از ارکان اصلی تأمین پروتئین حیوانی و امنیت غذایی، برای برنامه‌ریزی فضایی و مدیریت پایدار این صنعت اهمیت ویژه‌ای دارد. هدف این پژوهش، تحلیل الگوی فضایی استقرار مرغداری‌های صنعتی در استان خراسان رضوی و تبیین نقش عوامل موثر در شکل‌گیری این الگو است. داده‌های پژوهش شامل واحد مرغداری صنعتی در سال 1403 و مجموعه‌ای از متغیرهای طبیعی، زیرساختی و جمعیتی است. برای تحلیل الگوی فضایی از شاخص میانگین نزدیک‌ترین همسایه، تراکم کرنل و بیضی انحراف استاندارد و برای بررسی روابط میان متغیرها از ضریب همبستگی اسپیرمن و مدل هاردل فضایی استفاده شده است. نتایج نشان داده‌اند که الگوی استقرار مرغداری‌ها به‌شدت خوشه‌ای و معنادار بوده است (ANN=0.316, p<0.0001) و تمرکز اصلی فعالیت‌ها در امتداد محورهای ارتباطی و پیرامون مراکز جمعیتی شکل‌گرفته است. تحلیل تراکم کرنل و بیضی انحراف استاندارد نیز وجود ساختار فضایی قطب-محور و جهت‌دار را تأیید کرده‌اند. نتایج همبستگی اسپیرمن نشان داده‌اند که تراکم مرغداری‌ها با تراکم جمعیت همبستگی مثبت و با فاصله از جاده، فاصله از شهر، فاصله از کارخانه‌های خوراک دام، دما و شیب همبستگی منفی داشته است. نتایج مدل هاردل فضایی نشان داده‌اند که در مرحله استقرار مرغداری‌ها، تراکم جمعیت قوی‌ترین اثر مثبت را دارد (73/46)، درحالی‌که فاصله از کارخانه‌های خوراک دام(41/1-)، دما (20/1-) و فاصله از شهر (13/1-) مهم‌ترین اثرات منفی را بر احتمال استقرار دارند. در مرحله شدت تراکم فعالیت نیز فاصله از جاده (40/1-)، فاصله از کارخانه‌های خوراک دام (02/1-) و دما (79/0) بیشترین اثر منفی و معنادار را نشان دادند.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4133_f0ae534bb2b3ae134f321c34f210cc6f.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Impact of Ecotourism Development on the Empowerment of Rural Women in the Arid Areas of Damghan County تأثیر توسعه اکوتوریسم بر توانمندسازی زنان روستایی در مناطق کویری شهرستان دامغان 122 141 4140 10.22034/grd.2026.23824.1673 FA مختار یوردخانی استادیارجغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی، گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. شهرام باسیتی دانشیار مردم شناسی، گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. 0000-0002-0220-2680 Journal Article 2025 10 16 1. Introduction The impact of ecotourism development on the empowerment of rural women in the desert areas of Damghan County The global challenges of sustainable development, social justice, and natural resource conservation underscore the necessity of women's active participation. Ecotourism, as a form of community-based sustainable tourism, presents a novel strategy for local development by emphasizing nature, conservation, sustainability, and equitable benefit distribution. This study investigates the impact of ecotourism development on the economic, social, environmental, and psychological empowerment of rural women in the arid regions of Damghan County, Iran. Women in these areas, despite their crucial role in household economies and natural resource management, face significant structural, cultural, and economic constraints that limit their participation in development processes. Damghan's unique desert landscapes, cultural heritage, and indigenous knowledge offer significant potential for ecotourism, which can serve as a tool for local economic revitalization. The central research question is: How can the development of ecotourism contribute to the multidimensional empowerment of rural women in these arid regions? 2. Research Methodology This applied-fundamental research employed a quantitative, descriptive-survey methodology with a causal approach. The statistical population consisted of women residing in five villages of Damghan County (Amirieh, Seyed Abad, Abdol Abad, Emrovan, and Ghodrat Abad), estimated at 850 individuals. Using Cochran's formula for a finite population, a sample size of 265 was determined. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure proportional representation from each village. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire, designed based on international standard scales like RETS and TPB, and its validity and reliability were confirmed (Cronbach's alpha between 0.79 and 0.88). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 3 software, primarily utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypotheses and causal relationships within the research model. 3. Results and discussion Descriptive findings indicated that the majority of respondents were married (79.2%), aged 35-45 (32.1%), and had elementary to middle school education (58.5%). Over half (56.6%) were homemakers, and 86.8% of households had a monthly income of less than 10 million Tomans. The structural model analysis revealed that ecotourism development had a significant positive impact on women's empowerment. The path coefficients for the direct effects on the overall empowerment construct were as follows: • Economic Empowerment: β = 0.369, t = 30.756 • Social Empowerment: β = 0.384, t = 33.161 • Environmental Empowerment: β = 0.375, t = 26.596 • Psychological Empowerment: The relationship was not statistically significant (t = 0.022), suggesting its influence is indirect through other dimensions. The mean scores for the empowerment dimensions were: Economic (M=3.13), Social (M=3.29), Environmental (M=3.30), and Psychological (M=3.51), indicating a moderate to high level of perceived empowerment. Crucially, women's empowerment demonstrated a strong, significant, and direct positive impact on ecotourism development itself (β = 0.760, t = 21.410). The coefficient of determination (R²) for the ecotourism development variable was 0.577, indicating that the model explains 57.7% of its variance. The model's goodness-of-fit was acceptable (SRMR = 0.098). 4. Conclusion The study concludes that ecotourism development significantly contributes to the economic, social, and environmental empowerment of rural women in arid regions. Economic empowerment was realized through increased household income, financial management skills, and new job opportunities in homestays, handicraft sales, and tour guidance. Social empowerment manifested as enhanced self-confidence, increased participation in community decision-making, and stronger social networks. Environmental empowerment was evident through improved knowledge and pro-environmental behaviors. Although psychological well-being (satisfaction, hope) was reported as high, its direct statistical link to overall empowerment was insignificant, implying it is reinforced through economic and social gains. The research confirms a virtuous cycle: ecotourism empowers women, and empowered women, in turn, are key drivers of sustainable ecotourism development. To fully realize this potential, the study recommends comprehensive planning focused on: developing tourism infrastructure (e.g., ecolodges, access roads), providing entrepreneurship and skills training, offering institutional and financial support for women-led businesses, promoting local culture and products, and implementing educational programs to address cultural barriers. This research underscores ecotourism's role not merely as an economic activity but as a strategic, community-based approach for achieving gender equality, social justice, and environmental conservation in Iran's rural arid areas. However, cultural barriers, lack of infrastructure, and limited institutional support necessitate comprehensive planning, entrepreneurship training, development of tourism infrastructure, and financial support for women-owned businesses.This research emphasizes the central role of women in sustainable development and suggests that policymaking should focus on supporting women-owned businesses, promoting local culture, and addressing cultural barriers. However, cultural barriers, lack of infrastructure, and limited institutional support necessitate comprehensive planning, entrepreneurship training, development of tourism infrastructure, and financial support for women-owned businesses.This research emphasizes the central role of women in sustainable development and suggests that policymaking should focus on supporting women-owned businesses, promoting local culture, and addressing cultural barriers. Ecotourism development, as a community-based strategy, holds considerable potential for empowering rural women in desert regions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ecotourism development on the economic, social, environmental, and psychological empowerment of rural women in the desert areas of Damghan County. The research is applied in terms of purpose, quantitative in terms of data collection method, and descriptive-survey in nature with a causal-explanatory approach. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient above 0.70. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 3 software. The results revealed that ecotourism development had a positive and significant effect on the empowerment of rural women with a path coefficient of β=0.777and the model was able to explain R2=0.604 of the variance in the dependent variable. Among the four dimensions of empowerment, the psychological dimension ranked first with a mean of 3.51 and a path coefficient of β=0.737 The environmental dimension ranked second with a mean of 3.30 and β=0.355the social dimension ranked third with a mean of 3.29 and β=0.679, and the economic dimension ranked fourth with a mean of 3.13 and β=0.378. Ecotourism development contributed to increased income, strengthened social participation, and enhanced environmental awareness among women through employment opportunities such as hosting eco-lodges, selling handicrafts, . However, the presence of cultural barriers, inadequate tourism infrastructure, and limited institutional support indicate that comprehensive planning, entrepreneurship training, infrastructure development, and financial support for women-led rural businesses are essential to fully leverage the potential of ecotourism.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4140_1a16d3a50cfc97187e21e7cee5e6df0a.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Evaluating the Position of Isfahan Metropolis in the Globalization Process: A Combined AHP-SWOT Approach ارزیابی جایگاه کلانشهر اصفهان در مسیر جهانی‌شدن با بهره گیری از مدل ترکیبی AHP-SWOT 142 165 4143 10.22034/grd.2026.24570.1695 FA فاطمه ظهرابی دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد جغرافیای سیاسی-آمایش سیاسی فضا، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه میبد، میبد، ایران محمود سازگاری اردکانی استادیار گروه جغرافیا، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه میبد، میبد، ایران. سعیده مؤیدفر دانشیار گروه جغرافیا، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه میبد، میبد، ایران 0000-0001-9545-1354 Journal Article 2026 05 14 1. Introduction Globalization has profoundly influenced cities, with certain cities emerging as "global cities"—strategic hubs for decision-making, innovation, and international exchange (Aghaei et al., 2013; Rafieian & Farjam, 2011). According to Friedman (1986) and Sassen (2001), global cities function as command centers and specialized service producers, while Taylor (2004) emphasizes inter-city connections. Globalization also presents challenges requiring strategic planning (Shams et al., 2015). Among 215 candidate global cities, Iranian metropolises lag behind; Tehran fell to 108th globally in 2020 (Kazemi & Mohammadi, 2022). Geopolitical factors such as sanctions and regional tensions have reduced foreign investment and increased inequality. Isfahan, the cultural capital of the Islamic world, holds significant potential to become a global cultural and tourism hub, yet geopolitical and economic challenges hinder its development (Zali & Ashrafi, 2013). Despite these obstacles, globalization remains strategically important for attracting investment, boosting local economies, and strengthening cultural identity (Alderson, 2006; Rahnama, 2007). This research develops a framework to help local decision-makers position Isfahan as a global city. The study addresses: (1) the concept and dimensions of global cities; (2) key indicators affecting urban globalization; (3) Isfahan's current status; and (4) priority components for its globalization process. 2. Research Methodology This applied, descriptive-analytical study employed a mixed-method approach. Library research and systematic literature review were used to extract globalization indicators, while questionnaires and multi-criteria decision-making methods were applied for prioritization. The study focused on Isfahan metropolitan area during 2024–2025. The statistical population consisted of 85 experts in urban planning, political geography, and metropolitan development in Isfahan. Using census sampling, 72 individuals (85%) participated. Data were collected via a researcher-developed questionnaire, whose content validity (CVR > 0.99) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87) were confirmed. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (SPSS) and inferential analysis using AHP to prioritize components (all consistency ratios < 0.1). SWOT analysis was also employed to identify internal and external factors, and integrated AHP-SWOT results determined prioritized strategies. 3. Results and discussion This study aimed to formulate a strategic planning framework to enhance Isfahan's position as a global city. The findings demonstrated that among the five main dimensions of globalization, the socio-cultural dimension—particularly UNESCO-registered cultural heritage and international tourism—holds the highest priority, reflecting Isfahan's comparative advantage as the cultural capital of the Islamic world. However, the Importance-Performance Analysis revealed that the most critical gaps requiring urgent intervention lie not in the socio-cultural dimension but in the infrastructural-technological, environmental, and political-administrative dimensions. Indicators such as the international airport, smart city infrastructure, air quality, and climate resilience exhibit notably weak performance relative to their importance. The strategic positioning of Isfahan in the ST (Competitive-Defensive) quadrant of the SWOT matrix indicates that while internal strengths (such as rich cultural heritage and historical urban fabric) outweigh internal weaknesses, external threats (including the exodus of elites, regional competition, geopolitical tensions, and water scarcity) dominate available opportunities. This configuration necessitates a strategy that leverages strengths to mitigate threats—a diversification approach rather than an aggressive growth strategy. Accordingly, the proposed strategic framework prioritizes the following actions: (1) strengthening Isfahan's cultural brand to differentiate it from regional competitors; (2) preventing elite migration by creating employment opportunities in creative and cultural industries; (3) launching an international campaign to revive the Zayandeh-Rud River, utilizing UNESCO's status as a leverage point; (4) upgrading international airport infrastructure and accelerating smart city initiatives; and (5) enhancing urban diplomacy and attracting foreign direct investment through targeted incentives. Crucially, Isfahan's cultural-historical capital serves as the main driver of its globalization potential. However, this capital alone cannot elevate Isfahan among global cities without immediate and coordinated action in infrastructure, environmental management, and addressing the threat of brain drain. The study concludes that a balanced, multi-dimensional strategy—one that simultaneously capitalizes on cultural assets while urgently addressing infrastructural and environmental bottlenecks—is essential for Isfahan's successful integration into global city networks. Future research should focus on comparative studies with other emerging global cities in the Global South, empirical investigations into the effectiveness of proposed strategies, and scenario-based modeling of Isfahan's globalization trajectories under varying geopolitical conditions. 4. Conclusion This study developed a strategic planning framework to enhance Isfahan's position as a global city. The findings revealed that the socio-cultural dimension, particularly UNESCO-registered heritage and international tourism, holds the highest priority. However, the most critical gaps are in infrastructural, environmental, and political-administrative dimensions. Isfahan's strategic position in the ST (Competitive-Defensive) quadrant indicates that while internal strengths outweigh weaknesses, external threats dominate opportunities. Therefore, a diversification strategy leveraging cultural assets to mitigate threats—such as elite migration, water scarcity, and regional competition—is essential. Cultural capital alone cannot elevate Isfahan without urgent action in infrastructure, environmental management, and brain drain prevention. این پژوهش با هدف اولویت‌بندی ابعاد و شاخص‌های جهانی‌شدن کلان‌شهر اصفهان و ارائه راهبردهای متناسب با آن انجام شده است. جهانی‌شدن به عنوان فرآیندی پیچیده، تأثیرات عمیقی بر ابعاد اقتصادی، اجتماعی، فرهنگی و کالبدی شهرها گذاشته و مفهوم «شهر جهانی» را به عنوان مرکز ثقل شبکه‌های بین‌المللی مطرح ساخته است. این تحقیق ب با رویکرد توصیفی- تحلیلی و با استفاده از روش‌های کتابخانه‌ای و میدانی، تحلیل سلسله‌مراتبی (AHP) و مدل SWOT با بهره‌گیری از نظرات جامعه آماری که شامل ۷۲ نفر از خبرگان و کارشناسان برنامه‌ریزی شهری و جغرافیای سیاسی در اصفهان بوده، به بررسی مؤلفه‌ها و شاخص‌های مؤثر بر جهانی‌شدن شهرها و ارزیابی وضعیت اصفهان پرداخته است. یافته‌ها بیانگر آن است که از میان ۳۷ شاخص در قالب پنج بعد اصلی، بعد فرهنگی- اجتماعی با وزن ۳۲۷/۰ بالاترین اولویت را دارد و شاخص‌های «میراث فرهنگی ثبت جهانی یونسکو» (۰۵۹/۰)، «گردشگری بین‌المللی» (۰۵۱/۰) و «حضور شرکت‌های چندملیتی» (۰۴۶/۰) مهم‌ترین شاخص‌های جهانی‌شدن اصفهان هستند. میانگین وزنی وضعیت فعلی اصفهان ۴۶/۲ از ۵ (ضعیف رو به متوسط) بوده و موقعیت‌یابی استراتژیک این شهر، در ربع ST (رقابتی- تدافعی) قرار دارد. بر این اساس راهبردهایی نظیر تقویت برند فرهنگی اصفهان در برابر رقبای منطقه‌ای، جلوگیری از مهاجرت نخبگان با ایجاد فرصت‌های شغلی در صنایع خلاق، و راه‌اندازی کمپین بین‌المللی نجات زاینده‌رود با استفاده از جایگاه یونسکو پیشنهاد می‌گردد.سرمایه فرهنگی- تاریخی اصفهان، محور اصلی جهانی‌شدن این شهر بوده، اما بدون اقدامات فوری در ابعاد زیرساختی، زیست‌محیطی و مدیریت تهدید فرار مغزها نمی‌تواند به تنهایی جایگاه اصفهان را در میان شهرهای جهانی ارتقا بخشد.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4143_2b95adeeb48fb9c4ec95223703521e96.pdf

دانشگاه یزد کاوش های جغرافیایی مناطق بیابانی 2345-332X 13 2 2026 01 21 Analysis of urban public spaces with an age-friendly city approach (case study of District 3 of Isfahan city) تحلیل فضاهای عمومی شهری با رویکرد شهر دوستدار سالمند(مورد پژوهشی منطقه 3 شهر اصفهان ) 167 200 4169 10.22034/grd.2026.24409.1691 FA سمیه گرجعلی کارشناس ارشد جغرافیا و برنامه‌ریزی شهری ، دانشکده منابع طبیعی و علوم زمین، دانشگاه کاشان، کاشان، ایران ابوذر وفائی استادیار گروه جغرافیا و گردشگری دانشگاه کاشان، کاشان، ایران 0000-0003-4835-4409 Journal Article 2026 03 09 Introduction Isfahan province is among the provinces that have a high percentage of the elderly population, such that according to the data from the Statistical Center of Iran in 2022, this province, with 12.9%, ranked fourth nationally in terms of the elderly percentage, after the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Tehran. On the other hand, regarding the distribution of the elderly population in the province, it is observed that the metropolis of Isfahan, with a population of 1,961,260 (Statistical Center of Iran, 2016), comprises a significant portion of the elderly population. Region 3, as one of the main and central areas of the city of Isfahan, has a considerable share of the city’s tourist attractions, government centers, service providers, and economic activities. It is one of the regions with a high percentage of elderly population, having 12,656 elderly individuals, making it one of the top three regions in terms of the number of seniors over 65 years old among all areas of Isfahan. Since the demographic trend in this area is moving towards aging, and this segment of society, due to their retirement, has a greater need to engage with urban spaces and requires a higher quality of public urban environment, this research aims to address the following question while presenting relevant theoretical concepts: How is the condition of public spaces in Region 3 of Isfahan city concerning the elements of an age-friendly city? Additionally, effective strategies will be proposed for adapting urban spaces to be more friendly for the elderly in Region 3 of Isfahan city. Research Methodology This research is classified as applied in terms of its objective and descriptive-analytical in terms of its nature and methodology. Theoretical aspects were investigated through library studies, while field data were collected via questionnaires, direct observation, and interviews. The statistical population comprises 12,656 elderly individuals aged 65 and above residing in Region 3 of Isfahan. A sample size of 400 individuals was selected using simple random sampling. The collected data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Specifically, the components of urban space suitability for an elderly-friendly city in Region 3 of Isfahan, along with the influencing factors as perceived by the elderly residents, were assessed and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, corresponding to the measurement level of the data and the study's hypotheses. The statistical software utilized for data analysis and map visualization includes SPSS and ArcGIS. Results and discussion With the significant increase in the elderly population in recent decades, addressing the specific needs of this demographic group in urban design and planning has become an undeniable imperative. Urban space serves not only as a platform for daily movement and activities but also plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life, mental well-being, and social participation of seniors. In this context, adapting the physical, functional, and social components of urban spaces with a comprehensive and human-centered approach can pave the way for creating environments that are safe, accessible, and responsive to the physical and psychological needs of the elderly. This research, by focusing on analyzing the current status and identifying challenges and opportunities, endeavors to provide a scientific framework for improving the quality of urban spaces in Isfahan's Region 3 to achieve an age-friendly city. The research findings indicated that the "Open Space and Buildings" component, with a mean score of 2.56, the "Transportation" component with a mean of 2.47, the "Social Participation" component with a mean of 2.07, and the "Recreational and Cultural" component with a mean of 1.73, are not in an optimal state. Furthermore, based on the findings from the structural model analysis, the "Open Space and Buildings" component, with a factor loading of 0.96, and the " Recreational-cultural " component, with a factor weight of 0.83, were ranked second in terms of importance. Conclusion The results of the research regarding the evaluation of components for adapting urban spaces to be elderly-friendly in Region 3 of Isfahan indicate that four main components—open spaces and buildings, transportation, social participation, and recreational-cultural services—are all in an undesirable state and are rated below the theoretical average level. The results of the one-sample t-test, with a very low significance level (Sig = 0.000) for most items, reveal a statistically significant difference between the current situation and the desired condition. Specifically, in the area of open spaces and buildings, there are noticeable deficiencies in accessibility, safety, and basic facilities such as restrooms, appropriate seating, and wheelchair pathways. The transportation component reflects the general dissatisfaction among seniors regarding urban transportation services and the misalignment of infrastructure with their mobility needs. In terms of social participation, elderly individuals face structural and social limitations that hinder their active presence and social interaction in public spaces. The recreational-cultural component indicates a lack of appropriate educational, recreational, and cultural programs for seniors, as well as a serious deficiency in related infrastructure. Therefore, these results clearly indicate that Region 3 of Isfahan faces significant challenges on the path toward becoming an age-friendly city. Consequently, a reevaluation of urban policies, comprehensive design of public spaces, and the enhancement of service, transportation, social, and cultural infrastructures must be prioritized in future planning efforts. This will lay the groundwork for improving the quality of life for the elderly and achieving spatial justice in this region. با افزایش جمعیت سالمندان، ضرورت بازنگری در طراحی فضاهای شهری به منظور ارتقاء کیفیت زندگی بیش از پیش احساس می شود. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تحلیل فضاهای عمومی شهری با رویکرد شهر دوستدار سالمند در منطقه 3 شهر اصفهان انجام شده است.پژوهش از حیث هدف، کاربردی و از نظر روش انجام، توصیفی- تحلیلی می‌باشد. ابزار گردآوری داده ها مطالعات کتابخانه‌ای و میدانی است. جامعه آماری را سالمندان بالای65 سال منطقه 3 تشکیل داده‌اند و بر اساس فرمول کوکران 400 نفر به عنوان حجم نمونه به صورت تصادفی ساده انتخاب شده‌اند. تجزیه و تحلیل داده‌ها با نرم افزار spss و Amos و با استفاده از آزمون های آماری مانند T تک نمونه ای، همبستگی پیرسون و مدل یابی معادلات ساختاری انجام شد.یافته های پژوهش نشان داد که مؤلفه ی فضای باز و ساختمان ها با میانگین 2.56، مولفه ی حمل و نقل با میانگین 2.47، مولفه ی مشارکت اجتماعی با میانگین 2.07 و مؤلفه ی تفریحی و فرهنگی با میانگین 1.73 در وضعیت مطلوبی قرار ندارند. هم چنین بر اساس یافته های حاصل از تحلیل مدل ساختاری، مؤلفه فضای باز و ساختمان ها با بار عاملی 0.96 و مؤلفه تفریحی - فرهنگی با وزن عاملی 0.83 در رتبه دوم اهمیت قرار گرفته است.نتایج حاصل از اعتبار سنجی یافته ها بیان کننده این است که بهبود وضعیت فضاهای عمومی شهر دوستدار سالمند در منطقه 3 نیازمند شناخت تعاملات بین جمعیت سالمند و تحولات محیط شهری در طراحی و اجرای سیاست های عمومی کارآمد در حوزه کاری مدیران و برنامه یزان شهری است.

https://grd.yazd.ac.ir/article_4169_3e02b82d6afd65906427ed42dc83bd8e.pdf