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Volume 37, Issue 4 (2022)
GeoRes 2022, 37(4): 487-496 |
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Received: 2022/07/23 | Accepted: 2022/10/17 | Published: 2022/11/1
Received: 2022/07/23 | Accepted: 2022/10/17 | Published: 2022/11/1
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Akbari M. An Analysis of the Green City Approach in Iranian Metropolises;
A Case Study of Shiraz Metropolis. GeoRes 2022; 37 (4) :487-496
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M. Akbari *
Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Yasuj University, Yasuj, Iran
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Introduction
Sustainable cities should aim to provide equitable and balanced access to public facilities and services for all population groups [Almohamad et al., 2018]. Urban parks and green spaces are societal assets that offer areas for recreation and relaxation. Access to parks in urban environments promotes social equity and enhances the quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods [Macedo & Haddad, 2015]. Urban quality of life is closely linked to access to nature and recreational opportunities [Wang et al., 2015], and spatial justice in access to public parks is a key indicator of sustainability [Almohamad et al., 2018]. Urban parks, as essential green spaces, play a significant role in improving quality of life [Gao et al., 2017], providing recreational opportunities [Bertram et al., 2017], enhancing the aesthetic value of urban landscapes [Chen et al., 2009], improving air quality and reducing noise pollution [Cohen et al., 2014], and promoting citizens’ health and well-being [Guo et al., 2022].
The present study employs the Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) decision-making technique to analyze indicators related to green cities in the metropolis of Shiraz. Additionally, the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) weighting technique, which is based on the effect of removing criteria, is introduced and applied for the first time in this context. This technique is used to assign weights to indicators related to green city elements, including parks and urban green spaces in Shiraz. In planning, decision-making is considered optimal when multiple indicators are taken into account. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, which have gained increasing attention in recent decades, rely on multiple assessment criteria rather than a single optimization indicator. Geographers can utilize such multi-criteria techniques to analyze the current state of cities, and EDAS and CRITIC offer the advantage of being up-to-date and practical for such analyses.
Byrne et al. [2009] have found that urban parks are distributed unevenly within cities, highlighting environmental justice concerns based on a survey of visitors to the largest urban national park in Los Angeles, which revealed that visitors were predominantly white, affluent, and living nearby. Hosseini et al. [2012] reported a shortage of urban parks in Shiraz and inequitable distribution of green spaces across its nine districts. Taghvaei and Kiyomurthi [2013] have observed that district and regional parks in Shiraz are heavily concentrated in the city center and nearby areas, limiting access for many residents. Wolch et al. [2014] have compared urban green spaces, particularly parks, in cities across the United States and China and found that these spaces are often unequally distributed, favoring predominantly white and wealthier communities. Izadi and Karamati [2015] have indicated that access to urban parks in Shiraz is relatively adequate, with only a small proportion of residents facing accessibility issues. Gao et al. [2017] have noted insufficient spatial planning of urban parks in Shenzhen, where approximately 65% of residents cannot reach a park within a ten-minute walk. Li et al. [2021] found that spatial equity in park access in Nanjing, China, varies by district, with severe inequalities in suburban areas and minor disparities in central districts. Wu and Ding [2022] emphasize the need to improve park and green space design in Shenyang, providing recommendations for future urban green space planning.
Urban green spaces play a crucial role in the urban ecosystem [Cao et al., 2021], with parks being integral components [Loures et al., 2007]. Parks are vital public services with significant environmental, social, and economic value. Since serving the public is their primary purpose, the efficient use of parks has become a critical concern for both policymakers and urban designers [Guo et al., 2019]. Parks are essential urban infrastructure elements, contributing to urban ecology and public health [Chiesura, 2004; Hu et al., 2020]. Access to parks and green spaces enhances human welfare and community well-being [Wang et al., 2015], while parks also provide ecological, social, and economic benefits [Guo et al., 2022]. Literature reviews indicate that proximity to parks strongly influences their usage, and designing parks near residential and work areas is a key factor affecting quality of life [Gao et al., 2017].
As major components of urban green spaces, parks provide important recreational services, offering diverse physical, social, and psychological benefits. Spatial distribution of urban parks significantly affects residents’ access to recreational services [Liu et al., 2017]. Urban green infrastructure, including parks, forests, green roofs, and community gardens, enhances physical activity, mental well-being, and public health [Wolch et al., 2014]. Access to public green spaces or green infrastructure is associated with increased physical activity [Wang et al., 2021]. Parks have significant impacts on urban ecosystems and provide various social functions that are critical for urban living and spatial structures [Cao et al., 2021].
Undoubtedly, urban green spaces and parks should be considered fundamental components of sustainability in rapidly urbanizing environments. Proper management and planning of these spaces can positively impact citizens’ physical and mental health, as well as the aesthetic quality of cities. This study focuses on key indicators such as the number and area of neighborhood, district, and regional parks, per capita green space, total district area in hectares, and the proportion of green space within districts. The present research aims to analyze the status of these green city indicators across the eleven districts of Shiraz metropolis.
Methodology
In this quantitative study, the CRITIC and EDAS techniques were applied to assess the status of green city indicators across the eleven districts of Shiraz metropolis. The study area included all districts of Shiraz in the year 2019 (1398 in the Iranian calendar), and ten indicators related to urban parks and green spaces were analyzed. These indicators comprised the number and area of neighborhood parks, the number and area of local parks, the number and area of district parks, the number of regional parks, per capita green space, total district area in hectares, and the proportion of green space in each district. Data were extracted from the Shiraz Statistical Yearbook (2019) and weighted using the CRITIC method before being applied in the EDAS technique.
Shiraz is geographically located at 52°32′ E longitude and 29°36′ N latitude, approximately 919 km from Tehran. According to the 2016 Population and Housing Census, Shiraz had a population of 1,565,572, making it the fifth-largest city in Iran. The city is currently divided into eleven administrative districts.
In multi-criteria decision-making, the weighting of criteria plays a crucial role in influencing the results. In this study, a novel method called CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation), based on the effect of removing criteria, was introduced to determine criterion weights. This method evaluates the importance of each criterion by considering both its variability and its relationship with other criteria. The CRITIC process involves constructing a decision matrix, normalizing the data to make them dimensionless, calculating the overall performance of each option, analyzing the effect of removing each criterion, and finally deriving the weights of all criteria based on their relative influence.
After weighting the criteria with CRITIC, the EDAS (Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution) method was employed to rank the districts. In EDAS, each option is evaluated based on its distance from the average solution, considering both positive and negative deviations. The final scores obtained are used to rank the options, providing a comprehensive assessment of the status of green city indicators in each district.
Findings
After constructing the decision matrix, the data were normalized. The overall performance of the options was then calculated using a logarithmic measurement with equal criterion weights, based on a nonlinear function. Subsequently, the performance of each option was recalculated by removing the effects of individual criteria to assess their influence.
The absolute deviations of all indicators were computed, which allowed the determination of the final weights of the green city indicators for Shiraz metropolis in 2019 using the CRITIC technique. These indicators included the number and area of neighborhood parks, local parks, district parks, regional parks, per capita green space, total district area, and the proportion of green space.
Using the EDAS technique, positive and negative distances from the average solution were calculated for each district. These distances were then normalized, and the final scores were computed to rank the districts according to their green city indicator performance.
The results showed that District 3 obtained the highest overall score, followed by District 10, District 4, and District 6. In contrast, District 8 received the lowest score. The computed nearest-neighbor mean for the final EDAS scores indicated a dispersed spatial pattern across the eleven districts of Shiraz.
Overall, the final EDAS scores revealed significant inequality and imbalance in the distribution of green city indicators across the districts. The findings highlight that access to urban parks and green spaces is not evenly distributed, indicating areas where urban planning interventions are necessary to improve equity and sustainability in Shiraz.
Discussion
Rapid urbanization in Iran has brought about significant spatial and physical consequences, including the unequal distribution of urban service spaces, particularly in large cities. Shiraz, as one of Iran’s major cities, is no exception. High concentration of land uses and service facilities in a few specific districts has led to the deprivation of other areas from adequate urban services and amenities.
In this study, the final EDAS scores for green city indicators in Shiraz’s districts ranged from 0.006 in District 8 to 0.929 in District 3. The highest scores were observed in Districts 3, 10, 4, and 6, while District 8 had the lowest score. The nearest-neighbor mean for the final EDAS scores indicated a dispersed spatial pattern, highlighting the unequal and imbalanced distribution of green city indicators across the eleven districts of Shiraz.
These results align with those of Hosseini et al. (2012), who have found a shortage of urban parks and green spaces in Shiraz and an unfair distribution of green space across its nine districts. A negative correlation of -0.42 was observed between green space per capita and population density, confirming that denser areas suffer from lower access to green spaces. Similarly, the findings support those of Taghvaei and Kiyomurthi (2013), who reported that district and regional parks in Shiraz are heavily concentrated in the city center and surrounding areas, limiting accessibility for residents, with significant overlap in park coverage.
The results are also consistent with Wolch et al. (2014), who have highlighted the unequal spatial distribution of urban parks and emphasized environmental justice concerns in access to green space. Strategies in U.S. cities to address park deficits include greening leftover urban lands and repurposing underused infrastructure, with similar approaches in Chinese cities where land supply is more controlled. Such interventions not only enhance accessibility but also improve neighborhood health, aesthetics, and property values.
However, the results of this study differ from Izadi and Karamati (2015), who have reported relatively adequate access to parks in Shiraz, with a majority of residents satisfied with walking distances and park quantity. The present study, in contrast, reveals significant imbalance in the spatial distribution of urban parks in Shiraz.
The findings align with Gao et al. (2017), who found that in Shenzhen, China, rapid urban growth has led to insufficient spatial distribution of urban parks, leaving about 65% of residents without access to a park within a 10-minute walk. Existing park services were unevenly distributed, with some parks heavily crowded while other high-density areas lacked nearby green spaces.
A key innovation of this study is the application of the CRITIC weighting technique alongside the EDAS method to analyze green city indicators, providing a novel approach for assessing urban spatial equity. This method can complement other weighting approaches such as Shannon entropy, AHP, and WASPAS, and offers urban planners and geographers a robust tool for analyzing city- and region-level issues.
The literature highlights that proximity to parks is a crucial factor influencing residents’ use of urban green spaces. The location and design of parks near residential areas and workplaces significantly impact citizens’ quality of life. In Shiraz, to bring residents closer to nature, city managers should prioritize park planning at the neighborhood, local, district, and regional scales. Certain districts, despite high population density, lack adequate access to green spaces; in this study, Districts 8, 7, and 11 are identified as top priorities for green space planning and intervention.
Conclusion
Green city indicators, including urban parks and green spaces, significantly influence the quality of life of city residents. Given their importance, urban green spaces and parks should be considered fundamental elements of sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities. Proper planning and management of these spaces can have positive effects on the physical and mental well-being of residents, as well as on the aesthetic and visual quality of urban landscapes.
Acknowledgments: No acknowledgments are reported by the author.
Ethical Permission: No ethical issues are reported by the author.
Conflict of Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.
Author Contributions: All sections of the article were written by Akbari M (corresponding author) (100%).
Funding: All expenses were covered by the author
Sustainable cities should aim to provide equitable and balanced access to public facilities and services for all population groups [Almohamad et al., 2018]. Urban parks and green spaces are societal assets that offer areas for recreation and relaxation. Access to parks in urban environments promotes social equity and enhances the quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods [Macedo & Haddad, 2015]. Urban quality of life is closely linked to access to nature and recreational opportunities [Wang et al., 2015], and spatial justice in access to public parks is a key indicator of sustainability [Almohamad et al., 2018]. Urban parks, as essential green spaces, play a significant role in improving quality of life [Gao et al., 2017], providing recreational opportunities [Bertram et al., 2017], enhancing the aesthetic value of urban landscapes [Chen et al., 2009], improving air quality and reducing noise pollution [Cohen et al., 2014], and promoting citizens’ health and well-being [Guo et al., 2022].
The present study employs the Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) decision-making technique to analyze indicators related to green cities in the metropolis of Shiraz. Additionally, the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) weighting technique, which is based on the effect of removing criteria, is introduced and applied for the first time in this context. This technique is used to assign weights to indicators related to green city elements, including parks and urban green spaces in Shiraz. In planning, decision-making is considered optimal when multiple indicators are taken into account. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, which have gained increasing attention in recent decades, rely on multiple assessment criteria rather than a single optimization indicator. Geographers can utilize such multi-criteria techniques to analyze the current state of cities, and EDAS and CRITIC offer the advantage of being up-to-date and practical for such analyses.
Byrne et al. [2009] have found that urban parks are distributed unevenly within cities, highlighting environmental justice concerns based on a survey of visitors to the largest urban national park in Los Angeles, which revealed that visitors were predominantly white, affluent, and living nearby. Hosseini et al. [2012] reported a shortage of urban parks in Shiraz and inequitable distribution of green spaces across its nine districts. Taghvaei and Kiyomurthi [2013] have observed that district and regional parks in Shiraz are heavily concentrated in the city center and nearby areas, limiting access for many residents. Wolch et al. [2014] have compared urban green spaces, particularly parks, in cities across the United States and China and found that these spaces are often unequally distributed, favoring predominantly white and wealthier communities. Izadi and Karamati [2015] have indicated that access to urban parks in Shiraz is relatively adequate, with only a small proportion of residents facing accessibility issues. Gao et al. [2017] have noted insufficient spatial planning of urban parks in Shenzhen, where approximately 65% of residents cannot reach a park within a ten-minute walk. Li et al. [2021] found that spatial equity in park access in Nanjing, China, varies by district, with severe inequalities in suburban areas and minor disparities in central districts. Wu and Ding [2022] emphasize the need to improve park and green space design in Shenyang, providing recommendations for future urban green space planning.
Urban green spaces play a crucial role in the urban ecosystem [Cao et al., 2021], with parks being integral components [Loures et al., 2007]. Parks are vital public services with significant environmental, social, and economic value. Since serving the public is their primary purpose, the efficient use of parks has become a critical concern for both policymakers and urban designers [Guo et al., 2019]. Parks are essential urban infrastructure elements, contributing to urban ecology and public health [Chiesura, 2004; Hu et al., 2020]. Access to parks and green spaces enhances human welfare and community well-being [Wang et al., 2015], while parks also provide ecological, social, and economic benefits [Guo et al., 2022]. Literature reviews indicate that proximity to parks strongly influences their usage, and designing parks near residential and work areas is a key factor affecting quality of life [Gao et al., 2017].
As major components of urban green spaces, parks provide important recreational services, offering diverse physical, social, and psychological benefits. Spatial distribution of urban parks significantly affects residents’ access to recreational services [Liu et al., 2017]. Urban green infrastructure, including parks, forests, green roofs, and community gardens, enhances physical activity, mental well-being, and public health [Wolch et al., 2014]. Access to public green spaces or green infrastructure is associated with increased physical activity [Wang et al., 2021]. Parks have significant impacts on urban ecosystems and provide various social functions that are critical for urban living and spatial structures [Cao et al., 2021].
Undoubtedly, urban green spaces and parks should be considered fundamental components of sustainability in rapidly urbanizing environments. Proper management and planning of these spaces can positively impact citizens’ physical and mental health, as well as the aesthetic quality of cities. This study focuses on key indicators such as the number and area of neighborhood, district, and regional parks, per capita green space, total district area in hectares, and the proportion of green space within districts. The present research aims to analyze the status of these green city indicators across the eleven districts of Shiraz metropolis.
Methodology
In this quantitative study, the CRITIC and EDAS techniques were applied to assess the status of green city indicators across the eleven districts of Shiraz metropolis. The study area included all districts of Shiraz in the year 2019 (1398 in the Iranian calendar), and ten indicators related to urban parks and green spaces were analyzed. These indicators comprised the number and area of neighborhood parks, the number and area of local parks, the number and area of district parks, the number of regional parks, per capita green space, total district area in hectares, and the proportion of green space in each district. Data were extracted from the Shiraz Statistical Yearbook (2019) and weighted using the CRITIC method before being applied in the EDAS technique.
Shiraz is geographically located at 52°32′ E longitude and 29°36′ N latitude, approximately 919 km from Tehran. According to the 2016 Population and Housing Census, Shiraz had a population of 1,565,572, making it the fifth-largest city in Iran. The city is currently divided into eleven administrative districts.
In multi-criteria decision-making, the weighting of criteria plays a crucial role in influencing the results. In this study, a novel method called CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation), based on the effect of removing criteria, was introduced to determine criterion weights. This method evaluates the importance of each criterion by considering both its variability and its relationship with other criteria. The CRITIC process involves constructing a decision matrix, normalizing the data to make them dimensionless, calculating the overall performance of each option, analyzing the effect of removing each criterion, and finally deriving the weights of all criteria based on their relative influence.
After weighting the criteria with CRITIC, the EDAS (Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution) method was employed to rank the districts. In EDAS, each option is evaluated based on its distance from the average solution, considering both positive and negative deviations. The final scores obtained are used to rank the options, providing a comprehensive assessment of the status of green city indicators in each district.
Findings
After constructing the decision matrix, the data were normalized. The overall performance of the options was then calculated using a logarithmic measurement with equal criterion weights, based on a nonlinear function. Subsequently, the performance of each option was recalculated by removing the effects of individual criteria to assess their influence.
The absolute deviations of all indicators were computed, which allowed the determination of the final weights of the green city indicators for Shiraz metropolis in 2019 using the CRITIC technique. These indicators included the number and area of neighborhood parks, local parks, district parks, regional parks, per capita green space, total district area, and the proportion of green space.
Using the EDAS technique, positive and negative distances from the average solution were calculated for each district. These distances were then normalized, and the final scores were computed to rank the districts according to their green city indicator performance.
The results showed that District 3 obtained the highest overall score, followed by District 10, District 4, and District 6. In contrast, District 8 received the lowest score. The computed nearest-neighbor mean for the final EDAS scores indicated a dispersed spatial pattern across the eleven districts of Shiraz.
Overall, the final EDAS scores revealed significant inequality and imbalance in the distribution of green city indicators across the districts. The findings highlight that access to urban parks and green spaces is not evenly distributed, indicating areas where urban planning interventions are necessary to improve equity and sustainability in Shiraz.
Discussion
Rapid urbanization in Iran has brought about significant spatial and physical consequences, including the unequal distribution of urban service spaces, particularly in large cities. Shiraz, as one of Iran’s major cities, is no exception. High concentration of land uses and service facilities in a few specific districts has led to the deprivation of other areas from adequate urban services and amenities.
In this study, the final EDAS scores for green city indicators in Shiraz’s districts ranged from 0.006 in District 8 to 0.929 in District 3. The highest scores were observed in Districts 3, 10, 4, and 6, while District 8 had the lowest score. The nearest-neighbor mean for the final EDAS scores indicated a dispersed spatial pattern, highlighting the unequal and imbalanced distribution of green city indicators across the eleven districts of Shiraz.
These results align with those of Hosseini et al. (2012), who have found a shortage of urban parks and green spaces in Shiraz and an unfair distribution of green space across its nine districts. A negative correlation of -0.42 was observed between green space per capita and population density, confirming that denser areas suffer from lower access to green spaces. Similarly, the findings support those of Taghvaei and Kiyomurthi (2013), who reported that district and regional parks in Shiraz are heavily concentrated in the city center and surrounding areas, limiting accessibility for residents, with significant overlap in park coverage.
The results are also consistent with Wolch et al. (2014), who have highlighted the unequal spatial distribution of urban parks and emphasized environmental justice concerns in access to green space. Strategies in U.S. cities to address park deficits include greening leftover urban lands and repurposing underused infrastructure, with similar approaches in Chinese cities where land supply is more controlled. Such interventions not only enhance accessibility but also improve neighborhood health, aesthetics, and property values.
However, the results of this study differ from Izadi and Karamati (2015), who have reported relatively adequate access to parks in Shiraz, with a majority of residents satisfied with walking distances and park quantity. The present study, in contrast, reveals significant imbalance in the spatial distribution of urban parks in Shiraz.
The findings align with Gao et al. (2017), who found that in Shenzhen, China, rapid urban growth has led to insufficient spatial distribution of urban parks, leaving about 65% of residents without access to a park within a 10-minute walk. Existing park services were unevenly distributed, with some parks heavily crowded while other high-density areas lacked nearby green spaces.
A key innovation of this study is the application of the CRITIC weighting technique alongside the EDAS method to analyze green city indicators, providing a novel approach for assessing urban spatial equity. This method can complement other weighting approaches such as Shannon entropy, AHP, and WASPAS, and offers urban planners and geographers a robust tool for analyzing city- and region-level issues.
The literature highlights that proximity to parks is a crucial factor influencing residents’ use of urban green spaces. The location and design of parks near residential areas and workplaces significantly impact citizens’ quality of life. In Shiraz, to bring residents closer to nature, city managers should prioritize park planning at the neighborhood, local, district, and regional scales. Certain districts, despite high population density, lack adequate access to green spaces; in this study, Districts 8, 7, and 11 are identified as top priorities for green space planning and intervention.
Conclusion
Green city indicators, including urban parks and green spaces, significantly influence the quality of life of city residents. Given their importance, urban green spaces and parks should be considered fundamental elements of sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities. Proper planning and management of these spaces can have positive effects on the physical and mental well-being of residents, as well as on the aesthetic and visual quality of urban landscapes.
Acknowledgments: No acknowledgments are reported by the author.
Ethical Permission: No ethical issues are reported by the author.
Conflict of Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.
Author Contributions: All sections of the article were written by Akbari M (corresponding author) (100%).
Funding: All expenses were covered by the author
Keywords:
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