Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Art, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
3
Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran
10.22034/gahr.2025.514216.2432
Abstract
Urban health, as a cornerstone of sustainable development, aims to enhance the quality of life and reduce inequalities in urban environments. This study focuses on the city of Urmia, assessing urban health indicators across its 15 districts to evaluate health conditions and identify areas requiring intervention. Urmia, a major metropolis in northwestern Iran, faces challenges such as rapid population growth, unequal distribution of facilities, and environmental degradation, all of which threaten citizens' health. In this research, 21 urban health indicators—including access to green spaces, water quality, building resilience, public transportation, and others—were analyzed using the multi-criteria decision-making SECA method. Data were collected through the distribution of 384 questionnaires among residents, analysis of the city’s detailed urban plan, and field observations, and were subsequently processed using GIS software. The findings reveal that District (1-2) ranks first with a score of 0.7856, followed by District (5-1) with 0.7555 in second place, and District (3-1) with 0.7343 in third place. Conversely, Districts (3-3), (2-1), and (3-2), with scores of 0.5835, 0.5884, and 0.5926 respectively, exhibit the lowest levels of urban health. The criteria weight analysis indicates that access to green spaces (%8.379), access to healthcare services (%7.906), and drinking water quality (%7.790) are the most influential factors affecting urban health. The results also highlight significant disparities between central and peripheral districts, underscoring the need for urban equity. This study proposes a comprehensive framework for health-oriented urban planning, including the development of healthcare infrastructure, expansion of green spaces, improvement of water and sewage networks, and enhancement of public transportation. This framework could serve as a model for other cities in Iran.
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