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Volume 40, Issue 3 (2025)
GeoRes 2025, 40(3): 203-210 |
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Received: 2025/07/17 | Accepted: 2025/08/24 | Published: 2025/09/1
Received: 2025/07/17 | Accepted: 2025/08/24 | Published: 2025/09/1
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Mozafari A, Haghshenas E. Physical Development and Physical Resilience of Semnan with Emphasis on Sustainability Challenges. GeoRes 2025; 40 (3) :203-210
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Authors
A. Mozafari1, E. Haghshenas *2
1- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Environment Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran
2- Department of Environment Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran
Abstract (776 Views)
Aims: In the urban planning literature, urban development has mainly been addressed from a physical-spatial perspective, and various approaches have been proposed in this regard. The present study aims to analyze the expansion pattern of the Semnan urban area and to assess its physical resilience against sustainability challenges.
Methodology: In this study, information related to urban construction and land use was collected for two different time periods, and the pattern of physical changes in the city was analyzed using the Shannon entropy and Heldren models. Subsequently, indicators related to physical resilience were extracted from previous studies and provided to experts and specialists in the form of a questionnaire.
Findings: Shannon entropy value increased from 0.3105 in 1986 to 0.3323 in 2016, indicating compact urban expansion over the past three decades. The Heldren model results further revealed that 6.023% of the total physical growth during this period was due to population growth, while -5.023% was associated with horizontal expansion. This situation has led to a decrease in gross population density and an increase in gross urban per capita. Moreover, the average of most resilience assessment criteria was found to be below the moderate level, reflecting the low level of physical resilience in the Semnan urban area.
Conclusion: The physical development of the Semnan urban area over the past 30 years has been mainly driven by population growth, while the horizontal expansion of the city has played a minor role in its physical growth. The assessment of physical resilience indicators also revealed that infrastructure is in a more favorable condition compared to other criteria, whereas the environmental indicator shows the weakest status. Overall, the level of physical resilience in the area was evaluated as below average, indicating that the region lacks sufficient sustainability.
Methodology: In this study, information related to urban construction and land use was collected for two different time periods, and the pattern of physical changes in the city was analyzed using the Shannon entropy and Heldren models. Subsequently, indicators related to physical resilience were extracted from previous studies and provided to experts and specialists in the form of a questionnaire.
Findings: Shannon entropy value increased from 0.3105 in 1986 to 0.3323 in 2016, indicating compact urban expansion over the past three decades. The Heldren model results further revealed that 6.023% of the total physical growth during this period was due to population growth, while -5.023% was associated with horizontal expansion. This situation has led to a decrease in gross population density and an increase in gross urban per capita. Moreover, the average of most resilience assessment criteria was found to be below the moderate level, reflecting the low level of physical resilience in the Semnan urban area.
Conclusion: The physical development of the Semnan urban area over the past 30 years has been mainly driven by population growth, while the horizontal expansion of the city has played a minor role in its physical growth. The assessment of physical resilience indicators also revealed that infrastructure is in a more favorable condition compared to other criteria, whereas the environmental indicator shows the weakest status. Overall, the level of physical resilience in the area was evaluated as below average, indicating that the region lacks sufficient sustainability.
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