Urbanism in the world has had a great role in the formation of the concept of urban area. A high ratio of urban population resides in metropolitan areas, and the advancement of transportation and HSR network has changed the concept and dimensions of urban areas. As most of the analyses of urban area development through HSR has been limited to economic studies, this study set out to pay attention to the geographical concept of area and the effects of HSR as a strong policymaking tool in use. In this article, the systematic literature review based on keywords was used to extract the related articles from the most authoritative scientific websites, and then based on the evaluation of abstract, methods, and results sections of the articles, 75 papers published between 1938 to 2022 were selected as the sample. Then, attention was paid to the background and process of the evolution of attitudes and conceptualizations of urban area from the beginning till now. The metropolitan area is discussed based on analytical and normative approach at urban, regional, national, and global levels. With the connection of metropolitan centers to high speed access networks, polycentric development occurs. High speed rail (HSR) has the potential to help evolve the urban network, bring about urban area integrity, and develop new centers. The conceptual explanation of the strategy of creating polycentric metropolitan areas through the expansion of HSR can help expand the connect metropolitan areas, enhance integrity, create specialized cities, creatively use space organization plans, and solve part of the developmental issues.

The integrated endogenous regional model as favorable locative-spatial consequences and brings about balanced regional development in various dimensions. Due to the applied nature of this study, its objective as to examine the locative-spatial consequences derived from the integrated endogenous regional development model. Then, the strategic question revolved around the effects and consequences of the aforementioned model. To answer this question, the comparative strategy based on quantitative methodology was used. The statistical population of the study was comprised of the scientific and administrative elites and experts in Lorestan Province of Iran (Selseleh city), from among whom 30 participants were selected systematically and based on sampling logic. Data analysis was done through inferential statistics based on the measurement model fitness indicators and structural modeling in SmartPLS software. The results showed that measurement model indicators of “endogenous integrated model” and “spatial evolution” confirmed the measurement model of the study. In the structural model of the study, the accuracy of the relationship between structural variables / latent variables of the study based on T value was assessed and confirmed. Moreover, based on R2 confident of determination and F2 effect size measure, the strength and effect of the relationship between “endogenous integrated model” and “spatial evolution” was confirmed. In addition, the general goodness of fit (GOF) showed that the model had a strong fitness and the data confirm the experimental model of the study.

Inevitably, inconsideration of the population evacuation of villages can have irreparable consequences for the human settlements. Analysis and identification of the qualities of this issue can greatly help planners and decisionmakers in the spatial planning domain to prevent full evacuation of population from rural settlements. The study at hand was an applied research project done using descriptive-analytical approach. The statistical population comprised of villages with less than 100 residents in Khorasan Razavi province from 1986 to 2016. Moran’s local spatial analysis was used to investigate the spatial dimensions, and arithmetic mean and skewed distribution were used to examine the direction and range of distribution. The results showed that in the 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016 censuses, 92.2, 90.1, 94.8, and 79.9 percent of the villages evacuated in the previous decade have had lower than 100 residents. The results of Moran’s spatial autocorrelation analysis demonstrated that the distribution pattern of villages on the threshold of evacuation during these three decades is cluster-like. Moreover, the results of arithmetic mean and skewed distribution indicated that 68 percent of the villages that are on the threshold of population evacuation are within the oval domain, and except for the 1986-1996 period – when the distribution direction of villages on the threshold of evacuation has been northwest-southeast, the direct has been northeast-southwest from 1996 to 2016.

Spatial justice of uses, or in other words, fair, wise, and balanced distribution of urban uses is one of the most important issues of urban planning. The present study is research in terms of purpose and analytical in nature. The library information of this research is collected from books and articles. For the analysis, the per capita index of service users was used, which was calculated and obtained in the GIS software. The statistical population of the research is the eight districts of Qom City. This research has tried to analyze the Spatial justice of service uses in the eight districts of Qom City with the ORESTE technique, based on indicators that are service uses per capita. For this purpose, the indicators were first weighted using Shannon's entropy method, the highest weight was assigned to tourism, and the lowest weight was assigned to the park. After weighing, the ORESTE technique was performed, and Region 7 had the highest and Region 6 had the lowest amount per capita. Then, with the dispersion coefficient, the two-by-two distribution per capita of the service uses of the regions was calculated, and the results showed that regions 2 and 8 have the highest and regions 5 and 7 have the lowest spatial distribution of service uses. Also, with the Spearman correlation coefficient, the correlation between the population of each region and the per capita service users was calculated, which showed a negative correlation, which means that as the population increases, the service users per capita decreases.

Considering the fact that the supply and demand of ecosystem services may be geographically different, therefore, the management of this spatial heterogeneity requires the evaluation and zoning of ecosystem services in the form of spatial maps. Accordingly, in the present study, the spatial distribution of ecosystem services in the mangrove forests of Khamir and Qeshm was evaluated and zoned. According to the results in this area, cultural services have the most points among the available services due to the high entertainment value. Therefore, among the examined criteria, leisure and nature tourism have more demand for spending leisure time and tourism due to its pristine landscapes, aesthetic values, education, recreation, etc. Likewise, among provisioning ‎ecosystem services, traditional fishing (Moshta) is scattered in most areas of this region within the main tributaries and estuaries and has the largest supply in the area.  This ecosystem service is important among the residents of the area, the reasons for which are the livelihood and economic dependence of the local people on this service. Finally, the prioritization of ecosystem services distribution in the studied areas demonstrated that the most services offered and with the highest priority in the area are related to cultural services. In this service, the highest priority is also given to the standard of recreation and nature tourism on the high class, and other services, including aesthetics, sense of place, heritage value, spiritual and religious value, education, and inspiration, are placed in the next priorities. Accordingly, zones that have a high density of mangrove habitats also have a high supply of cultural services. Therefore, examining the spatial distribution of ecosystem services through the evaluation and zoning of these valuable resources can help to correct the plan and protection of natural ecosystems to meet human needs.

The present study is a combination of documentary and survey methods in terms of applied purpose. Documentary and field methods have been used to collect the required information and data. Also, according to the purpose of the research, among the households of selected villages, 352 households have been determined as a sample using Cochran's formula. In particular, in this study, using Gephi and GIS spatial analysis software and network analysis methods, the flows and relationships mentioned in the study area have been analyzed in order to form a regional network based on links. And to integrate integrated rural-urban development. The results show that there is a direct correlation between flows and the level of development of rural settlements to form a regional channel. Spatial flows, especially economic flow, and population, have provided the background for urban-rural interactions in the study area, and in the first level network hierarchy, all cities and rural centers are subordinated to the Hanza urban center with the highest score in providing services. In fact, the lack of spatial development planning to regulate the relations and connections, and consequently the lack of attention to the role of the surrounding villages of Hanza, has caused us to not be able to direct the currents and factors that shape and influence these connections which pave the way for the development of the whole system.

The purpose of this research is to select temporary accommodation centers after the earthquake crisis to meet the needs of the victims. Therefore, this research has tried to identify temporary accommodation sites in District 22 of Tehran with the help of effective criteria. The required data has been obtained from the Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization and the results of the general population and housing census of 2017. The novelty of this research is to present a new combination approach to determine the effective criteria for locating temporary shelter sites. In this regard, the combination of geographically weighted regression (Gaussian and tri-cube kernels) with a binary particle swarm optimization algorithm was used. The recommended combination method is suitable for spatial regression problems because it is compatible with two unique properties of spatial data, i.e. spatial autocorrelation and spatial non-stationarity. The best value of the fitness function (1-R2) for Gaussian and tri-cube kernels was obtained at 0.04616 and 0.0097, respectively, which indicates the high compatibility of the tri-cube kernel with effective criteria. According to the obtained maps, Chitgar Park and Azadi Sports Complex are some of the widest and most suitable areas for the construction of temporary shelter sites after the earthquake crisis in the case study. By identifying temporary shelters, relevant organizations can provide the appropriate infrastructure for these selected centers so that there is no need to spend time to provide these services in the event of an earthquake.

The sustainable physical-spatial development of Mashhad urban complex is the prerequisite of attaining sustainable regional (provincial) and national development. This necessitates paying attention to the development of scenarios that set the ground for the development of Mashhad.  In the study at hand, it was tried through the participation of the provincial managers and academic experts to identify first the key drivers of physical-spatial changes in the rural settlements of Mashhad urban complex and then the scenarios effective on the physical-spatial development of these settlements. This study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of research method. The data was collected through library research, document analysis, and survey (interview) methods. Examining scientific resources, 69 factors effective on the physical-spatial changes were identified, which were grouped into five dimensions. Then, 29 participants in two groups, namely the managers of the related organizations and academic experts, were interviewed. Data analysis was done based on future research techniques, including Schwartz model, structural analysis, and interaction analysis, using Micmac and Scenario Wizard software packages. The results showed that 512 scenarios have weak compatibility, and only one scenario has strong, sustainable compatibility (zero incompatibility) (2.8 percent of possible scenarios are credible). The first scenario, which is in positive direction, has the overall interaction effect score of 771 and compatibility value of 7, while the second scenario that expresses the fairly favorable conditions for the future of rural settlements has the overall interaction effect score of 736 and compatibility value of -2. The third scenario, which has the compatibility value of -3 and the overall interaction effect score of 695, can be one of the possible scenarios for the future physical-spatial changes in rural areas, too.

As city framework, the city spatial organization is a broader and more comprehensive concept than city spatial structure. In fact, the spatial structure tends only to the physical structure of the city, while spatial organization takes also into account the examination and identification of various functions, including economic, social, transportation functions. In addition, high-rise buildings – as phenomena that have flourished in the past decade in Hamedan and are still growing – have always got influenced by various factors and have affected various urban aspects such as spatial-physical, economic, social, environmental, and traffic dimensions. In fact, in addition to the effects of this issue on the physical structure of the city, they have brought about many changes in the spatial and functional organization of the city such that changes in the daily commuting to shopping centers, offices, etc. in the city are clearly observable. On the other hand, the previous studies have rarely addressed the effect of high-rise buildings on the spatial and functional organization of the city in major areas of business. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate the effects of high-rise buildings in the form of major modern central business districts on the spatial-functional organization of Hamedan city. This study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. Moreover, in order to collect the required data, the documents related to urban development plans, field observations, interviews, and questionnaires were used. Then, to analyze the obtained data, the spatial-locative analysis models in GIS environment were adopted. The conceptual model of this study provided 8 indices for the analysis of the effects of modern high-rise CBDs on city spatial-functional organization, and each of them was analyzed spatially. The results of the analyses indicated that in the single-core spatial organization of Hamedan city, there is a high concentration on the central part of the city, but this concentrated area is expanding and new urban cores are emerging due to various factors. One of the reasons for the appearance of these new cores is business-office high-rise buildings. Another noteworthy finding of this study is that the majority of these newly emerging urban cores are growing along Buali-Jahannama road. Therefore, due to the changes in the spatial-functional structure of the city, paying more attention to urban infrastructures and flexible planning should be among the main priorities of the city management.

City Development Strategy (CDS), which aims at reducing poverty, bringing about sustainable development, enhancing participation, and creating good urban governance, has attracted the attention of many Iranian scientific circles. This approach can replace the previous inflexible plans for the removal of the future crises in all cities of Iran. It is clear that in case the novel city development strategies are not used and the old methods and policies are exercised, the problems of Iran cannot be solved. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of Malard city using Meta SWOT model and to propose effective strategies to achieve sustainable development of this city. This study was descriptive-analytical in terms of research method, applied in terms of purpose, and mixed-methods in terms of approach. The statistical population was comprised of 50 managers of Malard city. Based on the obtained results, the reduction of water resources, excessive migration (especially the increase in the share of Afghans in city population composition), and social harms are the main obstacles to the sustainable development of Malard city that need to be taken into account in the strategic development planning process of this city. Moreover, among the factors effective on the sustainable development of Malard city, the suitable grounds for agricultural activities and   conversion and complementary industries as well as ethnic and cultural diversity have strategic fitness.