انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 03 21 The aging trend of the rural population around the metropolis(Case study: Eshtehard County) روند سالخوردگی جمعیت روستایی پیرامون کلان شهر 1 26 224773 10.22034/jpusd.2025.427380.1292 FA یاسین مقدسی دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد،گروه جغرافیای انسانی، دانشکده علوم جغرافیایی، دانشگاه خوارزمی، تهران، ایران. 0000-0003-4980-7270 وحید ریاحی دانشیار ، گروه جغرافیای انسانی، دانشکده علوم جغرافیایی، دانشگاه خوارزمی، تهران، ایران. 0000-0002-6970-0625 حسن افراخته استاد ،گروه جغرافیای انسانی، دانشکده علوم جغرافیایی، دانشگاه خوارزمی، تهران، ایران. Journal Article 2023 11 28 Extended Abstract Introduction The issue of population aging and its consequences is one of the most important population issues and has attracted a lot of attention during the 21st century. In such a way that the population structure of many developed countries has been aging for several decades and also some developing countries are also seeking to reduce the mortality and fertility rates on the verge of entering the aging stage of the population. Changes and developments in the age structure The population of the world countries as well as the increase in the elderly population have caused various challenges in most countries. Iran is not an exception to this rule, so that according to the estimate made in 1400, the population over 65 years old in Iran reaches 6.7%, which indicates an increase in the elderly population in the coming years. It will have a profound impact on the economic, social, political, health and medical conditions, the intensity of this influence depends on the speed of the phenomenon (population aging). When the proportion of the elderly in the population increases dramatically in a short period of time, economic and social institutions can hardly adapt to the new structure. The increase in the proportion of elderly people will inevitably affect the relative importance of other sectors and thus necessitate the formulation and implementation of new policies. According to the surveys, it was found that the rural areas of Eshtehard city have an older age structure than other rural areas of Alborz province due to various reasons, including the migration of young people to the city. However, the city of Eshtehard is also moving towards old age, following the whole country, and the need to identify the condition of the elderly is considered essential. The phenomenon of aging in the rural areas of Eshtehard city is important because the rural population is considered as producers of agricultural products and a lever for food security and independence of the country. Currently, these rural areas are facing many problems and issues, including rural poverty, hidden unemployment, increasing the average age of farmers and the phenomenon of aging in them, unmanaged migrations to cities due to the lack of economic and social attractiveness of villages. And after that, he pointed out the emptying of the villages and the decrease in the production of agricultural products. Methodology The current research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive and analytical in terms of method. All steps of calculations in this research are based on Excel and Spss software. 2 indicators of aging factor and old age factor have been used to investigate the aging status of 10 selected villages, and to determine the trend of the mentioned indicators, the radar chart has been used in a 15-year period. To rank the villages in terms of age, descriptive and quantitative evaluation was used based on the coefficients of each of the indicators, and finally the rank of each village was determined. Results and discussion In order to measure the aging process of the population in the studied area, two indices of aging coefficient and old age have been used, the results of which are as follows, in relation to the old age index; First: the trend of the aging index in four time periods has been positive in all villages, without exception, such that the village of Sehat Abad, which has a young and middle-aged structure, its aging coefficient has reached 17% from 10%, second: the negative growth of the population in This period of time has caused a decrease in the population under the age of 15 years and as a result an increase in the aging ratio of the villages. Third: the increase in the life expectancy of the elderly in this period of time has gradually increased the population over 65 years of age in the studied area, and finally, due to the upward trend With these statistics, the necessary measures should be taken to deal with the affairs of the elderly in the medium and long term by institutions related to the elderly. In relation to the aging index, just like the aging factor, there has been an increasing trend, so that in 1400, all the surveyed villages either had a middle-aged structure or an elderly age structure, in other words, they had an aging factor above 4%, which is the highest rate. In 1400, it is allocated to Jaro and Ipek villages with 2.9% and 8.9%, respectively, and the reasons for its increase in recent years can be attributed to the decrease in the number of births and the fertility rate, the increase in the life expectancy of the elderly, and more importantly Above all, he pointed out the increase in migration in rural areas. Conclusion In this research, two indicators of the aging factor and aging of the population were used to investigate the aging situation, the results of which are as follows, first: the trend of population aging indicators in the studied area has been upward, second: the highest aging factor related to the village of Jaro with 36.61 percent and the lowest is related to Sehat Abad village with an old age rate of 17.36 percent. Third: In relation to the population aging index, the villages of Jaro and Ipek have the highest old age rate with 9.2 and 8.9 percent, respectively. Fourth: Decrease in birth rate, increase in life expectancy in the elderly and finally migrations in the studied area are considered to be the main and effective factors in the increase of the elderly population in recent years. Funding According to the responsible author, this article has no financial support Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. سالمندی جمعیت و پیامدهای آن، یکی از موضوعات مهم جمعیتی در قرن 21 است و با عنایت بر اینکه پدیده سالمندی تأثیرات عمیقی بر شرایط اقتصادی، اجتماعی، بهداشتی و درمانی دارد، این پژوهش درصدد آن است تا وضعیت سالمندی در نواحی روستایی شهرستان اشتهارد را براساس تحلیل ثانویه اطلاعات مشخص کند. پژوهش حاضر به لحاظ هدف کاربردی و به لحاظ روش توصیفی و تحلیلی است. تمامی مراحل محاسبات تحقیق حاضر براساس نرم‌افزار Exel و Spss صورت گرفته است. از 2 شاخص ضریب سالخوردگی و ضریب سالمندی برای بررسی وضعیت سالمندی 10 روستا منتخب استفاده‌شده برای مشخص شدن روند شاخص‌های مذکور از نمودار راداری در بازه زمانی 15 ساله بهره گرفته است. برای رتبه‌بندی روستاها به لحاظ سالمندی از ارزش‌گذاری توصیفی و کمی بر مبنا میزان ضرایب هر یک از شاخص‌ها استفاده و نهایتاً رتبه هر روستا مشخص گردید. یافته‌های پژوهش به این شکل است که در 15 سال اخیر اکثریت روستاها با پدیده سالمندی جمعیت روبرو شده‌اند و عوامل مختلفی ازجمله کاهش موالید، افزایش امید به زندگی سالمندان و نیز مهاجرت‌های صورت گرفته در این امر مؤثر بوده است. نتایج پژوهش نشان می‌دهد که نخست: بیشترین ضریب سالمندی مربوط به روستا جارو با 61/36 درصد و کمترین آن مربوط به روستا صحت آباد با 36/17 درصد است، دوم: در ارتباط با شاخص سالخوردگی روستاهای جارو و ایپک به ترتیب با 2/9 و 9/8 درصد بیشترین ضریب سالخوردگی را در بین 10 روستا منتخب داشته است.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_224773_4b1e121cf2c290bfa182c30c1e12c54b.pdf

انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 04 21 Application of the Neuro-Fuzzy Model in Analyzing Factors Affecting the Social Health of Rural Households Around Zanjan City کاربست مدل نرو ـ فازی در تحلیل عوامل مؤثر بر سلامت اجتماعی خانوارهای روستایی پیرامون شهر زنجان 27 46 228128 10.22034/jpusd.2025.526800.1347 FA مهدی چراغی گروه جغرافیا، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه زنجان، زنجان، ایران. 0000-0001-8537-835X Journal Article 2025 05 28 Extended Abstract Introduction In Iran, since 1979, various programs under the title "Healthy Village" have been implemented to improve living conditions in rural areas (Afrakhteh & Afkar, 1391/2012). These programs were designed and executed to enhance health in various dimensions, particularly in rural regions. Based on Articles 3, 29, and 43 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the government is obligated to provide basic universal insurance services equitably to all segments of society (Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center, 1381/2002). However, despite these efforts, social health, as a key dimension of health, particularly in rural areas surrounding cities (peri-urban), still faces challenges that require thorough examination and effective planning. The rural areas around the city of Zanjan, due to their proximity to the urban center while retaining rural characteristics, possess significant economic potential and natural resources. Nevertheless, these areas face issues such as limited access to healthcare services, inadequate infrastructure, and problems related to social interactions. Social health in these regions depends on factors such as access to healthcare and medical services, safe drinking water, public health, health education, and environmental hygiene. The absence or weakness of these factors can adversely affect the quality of life of rural residents and hinder the achievement of sustainable development in these areas. Methodology The current research is applied in nature, descriptive-analytical in methodology, and employs a quantitative approach. The statistical population of this study consists of 20 peri-urban villages located within a 20-kilometer radius of the city of Zanjan. Eight villages were selected as the sample population using a probabilistic sampling method (lottery method). The studied villages comprise 3,047 households, and using the Cochran formula with an error margin of 0.05, the required sample size for completing the questionnaire was calculated to be 384 households. Additionally, a systematic method was used to distribute the questionnaires. Data collection was conducted through library-based and field methods (questionnaires), and data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and neuro-fuzzy techniques. To extract social health indicators and develop questionnaire items, the standard Keyes questionnaire was utilized. To assess and identify factors affecting the social health of rural households, four categories of factors—individual, economic, social, and physical-environmental—were classified into 41 indicators. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha, with values ranging from 0.43 to 0.83 for different components and an overall value of 0.68 (Table 4), indicating acceptable reliability of the tool. For data analysis, quantitative methods, descriptive statistics (mean and frequency percentage), and inferential statistics (one-sample t-test and neuro-fuzzy) were used in the SPSS software. Results and discussion The results of the one-sample t-test indicated that social flourishing (t-statistic = 30.122, p < 0.001), social cohesion (t-statistic = 27.206, p < 0.001), and social participation (t-statistic = 28.274, p < 0.001) were significantly above the desirable threshold (3), suggesting dynamic social relationships and a strong sense of belonging in the peri-urban villages around Zanjan. In contrast, social acceptance (t-statistic = 0.232, p = 0.791) and social integration (t-statistic = -4.441, p < 0.001) were found to be suboptimal, indicating weaknesses in accepting social differences and the predictability of the social environment. The neuro-fuzzy model revealed that the economic factor (input = 12.14, output = 14.29) was the strongest predictor of social health, followed by the social factor (input = 10.77, output = 12.32), with individual factors (input = 8.16, output = 8.61) and physical-environmental factors (input = 7.9, output = 8.14) having less impact. The results from Table 7, which pertains to detailed indicators, showed that in the economic dimension, secondary employment (input = 11.27, output = 12.41) and income (input = 10.51, output = 11.84) had a significant impact, while in the social dimension, strong relationships among villagers (input = 10.91, output = 11.85) and nutritional culture (input = 10.24, output = 12.54) were prominent. Secondary employment and income increased social participation by reducing economic pressures, while strong relationships and nutritional culture improved the sense of belonging by strengthening social capital. Conclusion In this study, the social health status of households in the peri-urban villages around the city of Zanjan and the factors affecting it were examined. The results indicate that social health, as a key component of the quality of life for residents in these areas, is influenced by economic, social, individual, and physical-environmental factors. Based on the obtained data, the economic factor, with an input of 12.14 and an output of 14.29, was identified as the most influential factor, which aligns with the findings of previous research in this field. Various studies, including those by Gramit et al. (2023) and Connolly (2023), demonstrate that economic conditions directly impact individuals' social and psychological health. Furthermore, social factors, with an input of 10.77 and an output of 12.32, ranked second in influence. This finding is consistent with the theories of Keyes (2004) and Swarbrick and Yudof (2015), which emphasize the importance of social relationships and strong community ties. The presence of robust social relationships can enhance social capital and foster a sense of belonging to the community, ultimately leading to improved social health. Regarding individual factors, the results showed that these factors, with an input of 8.16 and an output of 8.61, had less impact compared to economic and social factors. This finding aligns with the theories of Erikson (1959) and Raff and Corey (1995), which highlight the importance of personal growth and positive relationships with others. Finally, physical and environmental factors, with an input of 7.9 and an output of 8.14, had the least impact on social health, which is also consistent with previous research, particularly those emphasizing the influence of the environment on social health. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. روستاهای پیراشهری زنجان با چالش‌هایی نظیر مهاجرت، کمبود امکانات زیستی و اشتغال غیررسمی مواجه شده‌اند که بر سلامت اجتماعی ساکنان تأثیر گذاشته است. این پژوهش باهدف بررسی وضعیت سلامت اجتماعی خانوارهای این روستاها و شناسایی عوامل مؤثر بر آن انجام شد. مطالعه از نوع کاربردی و با ماهیت توصیفی - تحلیلی بود. داده‌ها از طریق روش‌های کتابخانه‌ای و میدانی (پرسش‌نامه) گردآوری شدند. جامعه آماری شامل بیست روستا در شعاع 20 کیلومتری شهر زنجان با 3047 خانوار بود. هشت روستا با روش نمونه‌گیری احتمالی (قرعه‌کشی) انتخاب شدند و با استفاده از فرمول کوکران (با خطای 05/0) 384 خانوار به‌عنوان نمونه تعیین شدند. برای تحلیل داده‌ها از آزمون تی تک‌نمونه‌ای و مدل نرو-فازی استفاده شد. یافته‌ها نشان داد که عامل اقتصادی با ورودی 14/12 و خروجی 29/14 بیشترین تأثیر را بر سلامت اجتماعی داشت. عامل اجتماعی با ورودی 77/10 و خروجی 32/12 در رتبه دوم قرار گرفت و اثر مثبت قابل‌توجهی نشان داد. عامل فردی با ورودی 16/8 و خروجی 61/8 تأثیر کمتری نسبت به عوامل اقتصادی و اجتماعی داشت. عامل کالبدی-زیست‌محیطی با ورودی 9/7 و خروجی 14/8 کمترین اثر را بر سلامت اجتماعی ساکنان داشت. این نتایج بر اهمیت عوامل اقتصادی و اجتماعی در تقویت سلامت اجتماعی تأکیددارند و می‌توانند به سیاست‌گذاری‌های منطقه‌ای برای بهبود کیفیت زندگی کمک کنند. پیشنهاد می‌شود برنامه‌هایی برای تقویت اشتغال پایدار و روابط اجتماعی طراحی شود.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_228128_14f9f8d10a7af4e23609d3336807dbd8.pdf

انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 03 21 Metaverse and Peri-Urban Settlements: A Theoretical Framework Based on Qualitative Content Analysis متاورس و سکونتگاه‌های پیراشهری؛ چارچوبی نظری برپایه تحلیل محتوای کیفی 47 72 228871 10.22034/jpusd.2025.533273.1352 FA اشکان خطیبی گروه معماری، واحد زنجان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، زنجان، ایران. 0000-0002-1516-1048 سمیرا رحمتی گروه برنامه‌ریزی شهری، دانشگاه معماری و هنر پارس، تهران، ایران. 0009-0001-1340-4907 پری علوی گروه معماری، واحد زنجان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، زنجان، ایران. 0000-0002-4221-8839 مژگان رضاپناه گروه معماری، واحد امارات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، دبی، امارات. 0009-0002-5229-8817 Journal Article 2025 07 08 Extended Abstract Introduction Peri-urban settlements, as transitional and fluid spatial territories located between urban cores and rural hinterlands, have increasingly become arenas of social, infrastructural, and governance challenges. In the context of Iranian urbanization, these settlements often lack adequate access to services, participatory governance mechanisms, and spatial justice. While traditional planning approaches have failed to fully address the dynamic needs of these areas, emerging technologies—particularly the Metaverse, digital twins, and urban platform technologies—offer new prospects for rethinking empowerment strategies. The Metaverse, as a hybrid digital environment that integrates spatial simulation, user interaction, and real-time data, has the potential to function as a socio-technical infrastructure to foster community participation, spatial inclusion, and local capacity-building. However, despite growing global interest, academic literature in Iran has yet to systematically examine the conceptual interlinkages between Metaverse technologies and the empowerment of peri-urban settlements. This study aims to fill this gap by constructing a theoretical framework through documentary qualitative analysis. Methodology This research adopts a document-based qualitative content analysis approach, focusing on the interpretation of academic texts as its primary source of data. Rather than relying on fieldwork or empirical observations, the study utilizes a systematic review of published literature—including journal articles, books, policy reports, and academic theses—related to the themes of peri-urban development, digital technologies, and urban empowerment. The research process was structured around four analytical phases: 1. Document Collection: A total of 30 scholarly sources (2015–2025) were selected through targeted searches in databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, SID, and ISC. Keywords used included: peri-urban settlements, digital empowerment, Metaverse, digital twin, smart city governance, and platform-based planning. 2. Initial Coding: Through a systematic reading of selected texts, open coding was conducted to extract recurrent concepts, theoretical categories, and key terminologies associated with the research themes. 3. Thematic Categorization: The open codes were then classified into five central conceptual domains, each reflecting a specific aspect of the relationship between Metaverse technologies and peri-urban empowerment. 4. Conceptual Integration and Model Development: These thematic domains were synthesized into a conceptual framework illustrating how Metaverse technologies may contribute to the digital, spatial, and participatory empowerment of peri-urban communities in Iran. To enhance theoretical rigor, the study also drew upon interdisciplinary perspectives from architecture, urban studies, digital sociology, and platform governance literature. Moreover, three international case studies (Seoul, Barcelona, Singapore) were included to provide comparative insights into real-world applications of the Metaverse in urban contexts. Results and discussion The analysis identified five core conceptual axes that form the basis of the proposed framework: 1. Participatory Empowerment and Spatial Justice: The Metaverse offers tools for engaging marginalized communities in decision-making processes through virtual forums, simulations, and gamified participation. This helps reduce spatial inequalities and supports a rights-based approach to planning. 2. Spatial Regeneration via Digital Twins: By employing digital twin models, urban planners and residents can collaboratively visualize, assess, and redesign neglected urban spaces. This enhances transparency and co-production in urban regeneration efforts. 3. Platform Governance and Data-Driven Decision-Making: The Metaverse, operating through platform logic, enables real-time data collection, interactive dashboards, and decentralized service provision. This can transform peri-urban governance from reactive to anticipatory. 4. Smart Infrastructure and Digital Resilience: Integration with technologies such as IoT, AI, and Big Data can support the development of responsive urban systems. These tools can mitigate environmental risks and enhance the infrastructural capacity of informal or underserved settlements. 5. Localization and Institutionalization of Digital Technologies: The success of Metaverse platforms depends on their adaptation to cultural, legal, and institutional contexts. Issues such as digital literacy, legal protections, data governance, and cross-sector coordination must be addressed for meaningful implementation. Comparative examples from Seoul’s Metaverse Seoul, Barcelona’s Urban Lab, and Virtual Singapore showed how cities are already deploying immersive technologies to democratize urban planning, simulate spatial transformations, and engage marginalized communities in decision-making. Conclusion The findings of the research indicate that the metaverse, if localized and leveraged for its participatory potential, can serve as an innovative tool to overcome social-spatial divides in peri-urban settlements. This technology has the capability to create platforms for spatial simulation, virtual interaction, and the enhancement of data-driven governance, thereby playing a crucial role in empowering rural and peri-urban communities. Funding According to the responsible author, this article has no financial support Authors’ Contribution The first author contributed 30% (Methodology and Synthesis of data), the second author contributed 20% (Collaboration in data collection), the third author contributed 35% (Editing the final version of the article and implementing peer review revisions), and the fourth author contributed 15% (Collaboration in data collection and drafting the initial version). Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. در دهه‌های اخیر، سکونتگاه‌های پیراشهری به‌مثابه فضاهایی میان‌رشته‌ای با چالش‌های متراکم اجتماعی، فضایی و نهادی، نیازمند رویکردهایی نوین در برنامه‌ریزی شهری هستند. در همین راستا، پژوهش حاضر باهدف بررسی ظرفیت‌های فناورانه پلتفرم‌های متاورسی در توانمندسازی این سکونتگاه‌ها، به‌روش کیفی و با بهره‌گیری از تحلیل محتوای منابع علمی معتبر انجام‌شده است. چارچوب نظری تحقیق با تلفیق نظریه‌های سکونتگاه‌های غیررسمی، اقتصاد پلتفرمی، توانمندسازی دیجیتال و شهر هوشمند جامعه‌محور، به طراحی یک مدلی منتهی شد که در آن پنج مضمون اصلی شامل: «توانمندسازی مشارکتی با عدالت فضایی»، «بازآفرینی مشارکتی دیجیتال»، «حکمرانی پلتفرمی و سیاست‌گذاری داده‌محور»، «زیرساخت‌های هوشمند به‌مثابه محرک تحول» و «بومی‌سازی فناوری و ظرفیت‌سازی نهادی» شناسایی شدند. نتایج تحقیق حاکی از آن است که متاورس، در صورت بومی‌سازی و بهره‌گیری از ظرفیت مشارکتی آن، می‌تواند به‌عنوان ابزاری نوین برای غلبه بر شکاف فضایی ـ اجتماعی در سکونتگاه‌های پیراشهری به کار گرفته شود. این فناوری با ایجاد بسترهایی برای شبیه‌سازی فضایی، تعامل مجازی و ارتقاء حکمرانی داده‌محور، قادر است در توانمندسازی سکونتگاه‌های روستایی و پیراشهری ایفای نقش نماید.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_228871_a9ace5256e87d2e17e4d7e6c7bd896c8.pdf

انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 03 21 Analysis of the spatial consequences of rural integration in the studied city: Malekesh village in Bojnourd city تحلیل پیامدهای فضایی ادغام روستایی در شهر (مورد مطالعه: روستای ملکش در شهر بجنورد) 73 98 233007 10.22034/jpusd.2025.493060.1329 FA زهرا فیروزه کارشناس ارشد جغرافیا و برنامه‌ریزی شهری، دانشکده علوم جغرافیایی، دانشگاه خوارزمی، تهران، ایران. احمد زنگانه دانشیار گروه جغرافیای انسانی، دانشکده علوم جغرافیایی، دانشگاه خوارزمی، تهران، ایران. 0000-0002-5540-2985 محمد سلیمانی مهرنجانی استاد گروه جغرافیای انسانی، دانشکده علوم جغرافیایی، دانشگاه خوارزمی، تهران، ایران. فروغ خزاعی نژاد استادیار گروه جغرافیا، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه کوثر بجنورد، بجنورد، ایران. 0000-0001-5995-5328 Journal Article 2024 12 29 Extended Abstract Introduction During the twentieth century, urbanization a byproduct of the Industrial Revolution became a global phenomenon, progressively encompassing developing countries as well. In recent decades, the horizontal expansion of cities has emerged as a critical global challenge, particularly affecting metropolitan areas. As cities expanded physically, especially in the horizontal direction, rural settlements located in the peripheries of urban areas increasingly diverged from their traditional functional roles, adapting instead to the demands of burgeoning urban populations. Consequently, first the functional spaces, and subsequently the residential fabric of villages, underwent a transformation, relinquishing their inherent identities in favor of urban patterns. This process led to the absorption of rural nuclei into the expanding urban fabric, the consumption of vital rural spaces, the degradation of agricultural landscapes, and ultimately, the marginalization of villages from their original socio-economic functions. The ecological impact of large cities and the growth of their populations primarily manifests through spatial expansion and physical development, frequently encroaching upon adjacent agricultural lands and natural resources. Malekesh, originally an agricultural village located on the outskirts of Bojnourd city, has experienced significant physical and spatial transformations due to the rising economic value of land. This process has led to the subdivision of large garden plots into smaller residential parcels and subsequent construction activities, effectively converting the village into a neighborhood of Bojnourd. Methodology The statistical population of this study includes all households of Malekesh village, located in Bojnourd County, North Khorasan Province. A sample of 260 households was selected using Cochran’s formula, ensuring statistically significant representation. To evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was employed, given that the questionnaire was structured on a Likert scale, serving as an attitudinal measurement tool. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed through the calculation of standard deviations for each subset of questions, followed by the overall standard deviation, and subsequently the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results indicated that the values for Cronbach’s alpha and the Composite Reliability (CR) index for all constructs were above 0.779, demonstrating satisfactory internal consistency and high reliability across the measured variables. Results and discussion At the analysis stage, independent one-sample t-tests were conducted, appropriate to the nature of the variables under study. Prior to hypothesis testing, univariate normality was verified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. In the economic dimension, the Moran’s I coefficient was found to be 0.109608, indicating a positive and clustered distribution pattern, especially concentrated in Malekesh village relative to Bojnourd city. Spatial analysis of the socio-cultural dimension, coupled with significant migration flows from Malekesh to the southwestern parts of Bojnourd and large-scale construction activities within the buffer zone between the village and the city, have accelerated the urbanization of Malekesh’s fabric. Physical indicators such as the fine-grained ratio, impermeability rate, proportion of newly constructed housing, among others, revealed that the fine-grained ratio in Malekesh remains substantially lower compared to the inner-city areas of Bojnourd. Additional factors such as the village's location outside the city’s three-kilometer radius, the presence of large residential plots and block sizes, scarcity of service and commercial functions, existence of vacant lands, and inadequate provision of housing for the projected population growth, were also identified. These conditions were largely influenced by four major factors: density, accessibility, mixed land use, and centrality. Conclusion The spatial consequences of Malekesh village’s integration into the urban context were further analyzed using the Multivariate Regression (Hot Spot) Method and based on ten indicators, all of which were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level according to t-tests. The results demonstrated that among all variables, the impermeability index played the most significant role in explaining the spatial imbalance between the former rural core and its surrounding urban context. Following this, other influential factors included: residential building occupancy rate, occupancy ratio, fine-grained ratio, proportion of deteriorated or destroyed structures, and gross population density. Overall, the study revealed that the spatial consequences of Malekesh’s integration into Bojnourd city were chiefly driven by factors such as mass migration and rapid population growth, the expansion of the city's approved master plan, the transfer of public lands, variations in land value across different areas, affordable housing policies, and the deterioration and depopulation of the central urban core in favor of peripheral zones. These factors collectively altered the developmental trajectory of Malekesh, imposing specific physical characteristics upon it and clearly manifesting the effects and consequences of integration at the spatial-physical level. The annexation of Malekesh into Bojnourd city has significantly increased the demand for housing, urban infrastructure, and services, thereby precipitating rapid and extensive spatial-physical transformations within the village. In light of these discussions, the following strategic recommendations are proposed: 1. Establishment of a specialized regulatory body to oversee the land and housing market in Malekesh, aiming to curb excessive price inflation caused by brokers, speculators, and real estate firms. This body should enforce transparent market transactions through appropriate legal and policy frameworks. 2. Integrated systemic planning for the development of Malekesh, ensuring that managerial, societal, and physical dimensions are comprehensively addressed. Planning should be aligned with the region's natural urban growth cycles to prevent unbalanced and unsustainable development. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. پدیده ادغام روستاها در شهر، که در برخی مناطق به‌عنوان دهکده‌های شهری شناخته می‌شود، ناشی از شهرنشینی سریع و توسعه بی‌برنامه شهری است. این ادغام اغلب پیامدهای متنوعی را در حوزه‌های زیست‌محیطی، کالبدی، اقتصادی و اجتماعی به همراه دارد. پژوهش حاضر به تحلیل پیامدهای فضایی ناشی از ادغام روستای ملکش در شهر بجنورد پرداخته و این موضوع را در چارچوب تعاملات بین دو نظام سکونتگاهی شهری و روستایی بررسی کرده است. برای این منظور، از تحلیل‌های آماری و فضایی بهره‌گیری شده است. در این تحقیق، داده‌های مربوط به شاخص‌های منتخب در محدوده بافت روستایی و شهری تجمیع و به‌صورت فضایی تحلیل‌شده‌اند. روش‌های آماری مورداستفاده شامل آزمون t، همبستگی پیرسون، آزمون کولموگروف-اسمیرنوف، تحلیل لکه‌های داغ و سرد و شاخص موران بوده‌اند. نتایج نشان می‌دهد که پیامدهای کالبدی و فضایی ادغام این روستا در دو سطح بررسی‌شده است: تأثیر مورفولوژی زراعی و باغی روستا بر گسترش شهری و چالش‌های ناشی از تقابل بافت روستایی و شهری. هسته‌های روستایی علاوه بر کمک به هویت‌سازی در بافت جدید شهری، به دلیل توسعه غیرمنظم و تأثیر ساختار فضایی مورفولوژی‌های زراعی و باغی، باعث شکل‌گیری بافت‌های نامنظم و نفوذناپذیر شده‌اند. این نفوذناپذیری، همراه با جمعیت‌پذیری و تراکم ساختمانی بالای شهر بجنورد، مشکلاتی مانند ترافیک و موانع امدادرسانی در مواقع بحران را به وجود آورده است. همچنین، تقابل بافت شهری و روستایی، تعادل کالبدی-فضایی را در منطقه بر هم زده و کانون‌های ناهمگونی ایجاد کرده است. براساس تحلیل لکه‌های داغ و سرد و شاخص موران، تأثیر عوامل کالبدی بیش از سایر ابعاد بوده و این عوامل نقشی کلیدی در روند ادغام روستا به شهر ایفا کرده‌اند.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_233007_985b8e47ac221177aa499d7e6a057edc.pdf

انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 03 21 Knowledge Mapping of Peri-Urban Areas: Network Analysis of Concepts and Identification of Future Research Directions نقشه‌یابی دانش مناطق پیراشهری: تحلیل شبکه‌ای مفاهیم و شناسایی جهت‌گیری‌های پژوهشی آینده 99 122 233262 10.22034/jpusd.2025.535550.1355 FA حافظ مهدنژاد دانشیار گروه جغرافیا و برنامه‌ریزی شهری، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه سیدجمال‌الدین اسدآبادی، اسدآباد، ایران. 0000-0001-7548-9355 Journal Article 2025 07 18 Extended Abstract Introduction Today, urban areas have emerged as one of the most dynamic, challenging, and at the same time, opportunity-creating geographical spaces. Rapid urbanization, climate change, epidemics, and increasing pressure on natural and environmental assets have made attention to periurban spaces an inevitable necessity. However, the existing knowledge in this field is scattered and lacks an integrated and coherent framework. By mapping periurban knowledge, the present study will provide a comprehensive, objective, and dynamic picture of existing research, and pave the way for identifying emerging clusters and research gaps and defining interdisciplinary research. The innovation of the present study is that it is considered the first systematic attempt to visually represent and network analyze global periurban knowledge with a quantitative-network approach and by using specialized software VOSviewer, which provides a new framework for guiding future research. Methodology The present study is an applied research in terms of its purpose, qualitative in nature, and analytical bibliometrics in terms of its method with a network analysis approach. The research data were extracted using a structured search in the Scopus scientific database, and in this regard, keywords such as "peri-urban" OR "periurban" OR "peri urban" OR "urban fringe" OR "rural-urban fringe" OR "rural-urban interface" were searched. In fact, the monitoring of resources was carried out using a systematic method in the Scopus scientific database. The search was carried out based on keywords related to peri-urban, in fields including title, abstract, and keywords. The time period of the present study is from 1987 to 2025, and only English-language resources indexed in Scopus were included in the research process. Data normalization was performed at the level of standardization of keywords and integration of different forms of a concept such as synonyms, singular/plural forms, etc. This process was performed using the internal potential of Vosviewer software. In the search process, 488 sources including articles, books, book chapters, conference papers and other documents were retrieved. All retrieved sources were downloaded as CSV or RIS files from Scopus and imported into VOSviewer software. After that, the data were processed for bibliometric analyses (co-authorship, co-occurrence, vocabulary density and temporal analysis). Therefore, the present method ensures that the present research is based on transparent, reproducible data and is based on a valid international scientific database. Results and discussion According to the research results, the conceptual evolution of peri-urbanism has been in seven stages including 2010-1987; 2010-2012; 2012-2014; 2014-2016; 2016-2018; 2018-2020 and 2024-2020. Since 2020, the focus has been on concepts such as carbon, food supply, smart systems, biochemical oxygen demand, energy efficiency, urban forests, peri-urban agriculture, open data, smart city, Covid-19, land management, land tenure, management approach, rural, healthcare policymaking, urban design, perception, urban context, urban sprawl, awareness, ecosystem and self-efficacy. The main finding of the co-occurrence analysis of the vocabulary is the identification of 13 conceptual clusters and revealing the diversity and breadth of the peri-urban domain, as well as the strong emphasis on the concepts of urban planning, sustainable development and the importance of the urban area. The combination of co-occurrence analysis and vocabulary density mapping, while identifying frequent words, indicates that the peri-urban domain is evolving and evolving in interaction with concepts such as smart city, peri-urban agriculture, urban ecosystem, land management and urban health. The outcome of the present study is based on identifying emerging fields such as urban agriculture, urban smartization and response to crises such as COVID-19 and has highlighted knowledge gaps in this field, especially the integration of peri-urban with land, health and open data policies. These findings pave the way for the design of future research focusing on sustainable and resilient peri-urban areas. Conclusion By comprehensively analyzing the co-occurrence maps, temporal evolution, and density of peri-urban vocabulary, the research findings revealed profound and fundamental transformations in this concept, rooted in the inherent dynamics of peri-urban areas as urban-rural transition spaces and responses to social, economic, environmental, and technological challenges. In the period 1987-2010, research focused mainly on technical and infrastructural dimensions such as water, waste, and sanitation management, but after 2010, a multidimensional, systemic, and human-centered approach replaced the unidimensional perspective. This new trend is in line with theoretical developments toward spatial justice, participatory governance, and people-centered planning, and is also confirmed by the recurrence of keywords such as “human,” “social justice,” and “land tenure.” In 2020-2024, peri-urban areas played an active and strategic role in the face of global crises—including COVID-19, climate change, and food insecurity—and emerged as the frontline in confronting these crises. This finding is consistent with theories of urban resilience. At the same time, the introduction of digital technologies, open data, and remote sensing has linked peri-urban areas to the era of smart and data-driven cities. This development is in line with the theories of sustainable smart city, green city, and smart governance. The analysis of 13 keyword clusters shows that peri-urban areas today are an integrated space between the city and the countryside, where ecological, socio-cultural, economic, and governance linkages are materialized. This development has been shaped by theoretical perspectives such as rural-urban and multifunctional perspectives. In summary, the present study, through quantitative and qualitative analysis, has clarified the conceptual developments of peri-urban areas and provided a theoretical-practical framework for future research. This framework is based on foundations such as human-centeredness, ecological-social-economic sustainability, smartization, and spatial justice, and will pave the way for transforming peri-urban areas into dynamic, strategic spaces and the beating heart of sustainable and smart development. Funding According to the responsible author, this article has no financial support Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. مسأله اصلی پژوهش حاضر، عدم درک ساختاریافته در مورد دانش پیراشهری و نبود شفافیت در خصوص خوشههای مفهومی، روابط بین موضوعها و جهتگیریهای پژوهشی آینده است. پژوهش حاضر به دنبال نقشهیابی نظاممند این دانش و شناخت جهتگیریهای آینده آن است. این پژوهش ازلحاظ هدف کاربردی، ازنظر ماهیت، کیفی و از حیث روش مبتنی بر کتاب‌سنجی تحلیلی با رویکرد تحلیل شبکه است. جامعۀ آماری مشتمل بر منابع پایگاه اسکوپوس از سال 1987 تا 2025 می‌باشد(488 منبع). براساس نتایج پژوهش، تحول مفهومی پیراشهری در هفت مرحله شامل 2010-1987؛ 2012-2010؛ 2014-2012؛ 2016-2014؛ 2018-2016؛ 2020-2018 و 2024-2020 بوده است. از سالهای 2020 روی مفاهیمی نظیر کربن، عرضۀ غذا، سیستمهای هوشمند، تقاضای اکسیژن بیوشیمیایی، بهرهوری انرژی، جنگلهای شهری، کشاورزی پیراشهری، دادههای باز، شهر هوشمند، کووید 19، مدیریت زمین، حق تصرف زمین، روش مدیریتی، روستایی، سیاستگذاری مراقبت بهداشتی، طراحی شهری، ادراک، زمینۀ شهری، پراکندهرویی شهری، آگاهی، اکوسیستم و خودکارآمدی تمرکز شده است. یافتۀ اصلی تحلیل همرخدادی واژگان، شناسایی 13 خوشۀ مفهومی و آشکار ساختن تنوع و گستردگی حوزۀ پیراشهری و همچنین تأکید فراوان بر مفاهیم برنامهریزی شهری، توسعۀ پایدار و اهمیت منطقۀ شهری است. تلفیق تحلیل همرخدادی و نقشۀ چگالی واژگان، ضمن شناسایی واژههای پرتکرار، بیانگر آن است که حوزۀ پیراشهری در تعامل با مفاهیمی نظیر شهر هوشمند، کشاورزی پیراشهری، اکوسیستم شهری، مدیریت زمین و سلامت شهری در حال تحول و تکامل است. پیآیند پژوهش حاضر مبتنی بر شناسایی زمینههای نوظهور از قبیل کشاورزی شهری، هوشمندسازی شهری و پاسخ به بحران‌های نظیر کووید-19 است و شکافهای دانشی در این حوزه به‌خصوص یکپارچهسازی پیراشهری با سیاستگذاریهای زمین، سلامت و دادههای باز را برجسته نموده است. این یافتهها، طراحی پژوهشهای آینده با محوریت مناطق پیراشهری پایدار و تاب‌آور را هموار ساخته است.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_233262_f8e75f6e7acfec2ea7b23e9084a7a38c.pdf

انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 03 21 Explaining the Factors Influencing Entrepreneurship and Employment Generation in the Peri-Urban Areas of Sari (Case Study: Rural Bazaars of Sari) تبیین عوامل مؤثر بر کارآفرینی و اشتغال‌زایی در نواحی پیراشهری ساری‌ (مورد مطالعه: بازار روستاهای ساری) 123 148 240007 10.22034/jpusd.2026.558587.1381 FA علی شمس الدینی دانشیار گروه معماری و شهرسازی، واحد شیراز، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، شیراز، ایران. 0000-0001-9757-4331 شهرام ملانیا جلودار استادیار گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. 0009-0002-9481-9107 سید حسن رسولی دکتری گروه جغرافیا و برنامه‌ریزی شهری، واحد تهران مرکزی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران 0000-0001-9067-2043 Journal Article 2025 11 09 Extended Abstract Introduction In recent decades, the role of handicrafts and tourism as two main drivers of economic, cultural, and social development in urban and rural areas has received increasing attention. In Sari and its peri-urban regions, these sectors, leveraging the area’s rich cultural, historical, and natural assets, have the potential to foster entrepreneurship, sustainable employment, and improve quality of life. Handicrafts represent a symbol of cultural identity and local creativity, while tourism, as a dynamic industry, can stimulate economic growth by attracting investment and financial flows to peripheral areas. The interaction between these two sectors creates significant capacity for new job opportunities and sustainable development. However, field studies in Sari indicate that despite the region’s abundant talents, weaknesses in infrastructure, insufficient training for artisans, and a lack of effective marketing hinder the full utilization of these capacities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explain the factors influencing entrepreneurship and employment generation in the peri-urban areas of Sari and the rural bazaars of Sari. Methodology The present study employed a descriptive–correlational design with a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with 475 domestic and international tourists visiting the handicraft bazaars and tourist attractions of the villages surrounding Sari. The samples were selected using a cluster sampling method over three separate weeks to ensure temporal and spatial diversity. The questionnaire consisted of 45 items on a Likert scale, including 15 items measuring the dependent variable (entrepreneurship and employment generation) and 30 items assessing the independent variable (development of handicrafts and tourism) across six main components: product diversity, quality and innovation in production, market access and marketing, artisan training and empowerment, tourism infrastructure, and promotion and introduction of attractions. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.92. Data were analyzed using SPSS software through Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and path analysis. The theoretical framework of the study was based on the dynamic process model of Moroz and Hindle (2012) to analyze the dynamic and multifaceted interactions among the variables. Results and discussion The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the development of handicrafts and tourism and entrepreneurship and employment generation in the peri-urban areas of Sari (r = 0.72, p < 0.01). In other words, any improvement in the conditions of handicrafts and tourism can directly enhance employment levels and entrepreneurial opportunities. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that five of the six main components explain 66% of the variance in entrepreneurship and employment generation. Among these, market access and marketing had the greatest direct effect (Beta = 0.47) on employment generation, while training and empowerment of artisans (Beta = 0.21) and advertising and promotion of attractions (Beta = 0.35) also played prominent roles. Quality and innovation in production had a positive and significant effect (Beta = 0.14), while product diversity had a weak but negative effect (Beta = -0.22) on the dependent variable, reflecting a relative dissatisfaction among tourists regarding the lack of variety or appeal of products. Considering indirect effects, the path analysis model showed that tourism infrastructure indirectly and significantly (0.20) influenced employment generation by enhancing other components. Overall, the greatest total effects were related to market access and marketing (0.58), training and empowerment of artisans (0.39), advertising and promotion of attractions (0.30), tourism infrastructure (0.20), quality and innovation in production (0.13), and finally product diversity (0.10). From a socio-economic perspective, the findings indicated that increased skill levels, marketing education, and improved advertising facilities directly led to expanded job opportunities and entrepreneurial activity development in the peri-urban areas of Sari. Additionally, a strong linkage between marketing and artisan training as a complementary chain has strengthened the sales of local products nationally and internationally, while weaknesses in advertising and limited product diversity remain constraints to sustainable employment growth in these peri-urban areas. Conclusion Overall, handicrafts and tourism are complementary pillars of economic and cultural development in the peri-urban areas of Sari. The study showed that effective policies in the three domains of marketing, education, and advertising can yield the highest returns in strengthening employment and entrepreneurship. The most important finding is that market access and marketing are key drivers of the regional economic growth since even high-quality productions cannot create sustainable employment without viable markets. Next, artisan training and professional empowerment improve product quality and diversity, which, together with effective advertising and attraction promotion, can complete the supply and demand cycle in handicraft and tourism markets. Moreover, developing tourism infrastructure such as accommodations, transportation, and information centers indirectly supports market vitality and employment growth. Therefore, to achieve sustainable development in Sari’s peri-urban areas, policymakers must adopt a multidimensional approach simultaneously focused on skill enhancement, product quality improvement, creation of specialized and digital markets, and tourism infrastructure development. Financial support for artisans, digital marketing training, local branding, and the use of geographical indicators to preserve product authenticity are among the other recommended strategies of the study. Ultimately, this research emphasizes that the linkage between handicrafts and tourism is not only a factor for economic growth but also a foundation for preserving cultural heritage, social identity, and environmental sustainability in the peri-urban areas of Sari. Funding According to the responsible author, this article has no financial support Authors’ Contribution Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. صنایع‌دستی و گردشگری در روستاهای شهر ساری، اهمیت ویژه‌ای در ایجاد فرصت‌های کارآفرینی و اشتغال‌زایی دارند. این پژوهش با تکیه‌بر ظرفیت‌ها و چالش‌ها، به تبیین عوامل مؤثر بر کارآفرینی و اشتغال‌زایی در نواحی پیراشهری ساری و در بازار روستاهای ساری می‌پردازد. این مطالعه از نوع توصیفی-همبستگی با رویکردی کمی است. جامعه آماری شامل کلیه گردشگران داخلی و خارجی بوده که به بازارهای صنایع‌دستی و جاذبه‌های گردشگری روستاهای ساری مراجعه کردهاند و درمجموع ۴۷۵ نفر به‌عنوان نمونه انتخاب شدند. ابزار گردآوری اطلاعات، پرسشنامه بود. داده‌ها با نرم‌افزار SPSS و با آزمون پیرسون و مدل‌سازی تحلیل مسیر مورد تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته‌ها نشان داد که میان توسعه صنایع‌دستی و گردشگری و میزان کارآفرینی و اشتغال‌زایی در نواحی پیراشهری ساری رابطه‌ای مثبت و معنادار وجود دارد. نتایج آزمون پیرسون ضریب همبستگی 0.72 را نشان داد که حکایت از تأثیر قابل‌توجه این دو حوزه بر یکدیگر دارد. پنج مؤلفه اصلی شامل دسترسی به بازار و بازاریابی، آموزش و توانمندسازی هنرمندان، تبلیغات و معرفی جاذبه‌ها، تنوع محصولات صنایع‌دستی و کیفیت و نوآوری در تولید درمجموع توانستند 66 درصد از تغییرات کارآفرینی و اشتغال‌زایی را تبیین کنند. نتایج نشان داد از میان مؤلفه‌های موردبررسی، دسترسی به بازار و بازاریابی بیشترین تأثیر را داشته و آموزش و تبلیغات مؤثر نیز نقش تعیین‌کننده‌ای در افزایش فرصت‌های شغلی و رشد کارآفرینی در منطقه داشته‌اند. درنتیجه تقویت این مؤلفه‌ها می‌توانند زمینه‌ساز رونق پایدار اشتغال و کارآفرینی در روستاهای ساری باشند.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_240007_6ea848b9058010a7a11cd93cb1488d3a.pdf

انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 03 21 The role of local foods in shaping the image of a tourist destination with an emphasis on the development of the peri-urban space of Shushtar نقش غذاهای محلی در شکل‌گیری تصویر مقصد گردشگری با تأکید بر توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری شوشتر 149 170 241964 10.22034/jpusd.2026.550567.1378 FA مسلم سواری دانشیار گروه ترویج و آموزش کشاورزی، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خوزستان، ملاثانی، ایران. 0000-0002-1760-8296 نغمه حسینی سروستانی دانشجوی دکتری مدیریت گردشگری، دانشکده گردشگری، دانشگاه غیرانتفاعی علم و فرهنگ، تهران، ایران. 0000-0002-1760-8296 محمد شوکتی آمقانی استادیار گروه ترویج و آموزش کشاورزی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه تربیت مدرس، تهران ایران. 0000-0001-5369-5764 Journal Article 2025 10 01 Extended Abstract Introduction In recent years, rural tourism has emerged as a vital component of sustainable tourism development, attracting increasing attention from researchers and policymakers. Among the key elements shaping rural tourism experiences is tourists’ interaction with local food culture, which plays a significant role in forming their mental image of the destination. Local food is not only a cultural asset but also a tool for strengthening social bonds, promoting health, and supporting the economic development of local communities. Shushtar, a city rich in natural, historical, and cultural resources—especially in its rural and peri-urban areas—offers a promising setting for tourism development centered around culinary experiences. This study aims to investigate the effect of rural tourists’ attitudes toward local food on their mental image of Shushtar as a tourism destination, with a particular focus on the development of its peri-urban spaces. Methodology This research employed a quantitative survey approach. The statistical population consisted of all tourists visiting rural areas of Shushtar city during the study period. Based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sample size table, 385 tourists were selected using a random sampling method. The primary data collection tool was a structured questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts, and reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and composite reliability measures. Data analysis was conducted in two stages: descriptive statistics to summarize demographic and variable characteristics, and inferential statistics using structural equation modeling (SEM) via SPSS and Smart PLS software to test the research hypotheses. Results and discussion The findings revealed that four key variables—cultural experience, emotional or sentimental value, interpersonal relationships, and health-related concerns—significantly influenced tourists’ attitudes toward local food. Collectively, these factors explained approximately 48.6% of the variance in attitudes toward local food. Among them, cultural experience and emotional value had the strongest impact, indicating that tourists highly value authentic and emotionally resonant food experiences. Furthermore, the study showed that a positive attitude toward local food significantly affected tourists’ mental image of the destination, accounting for 41.8% of the variance in destination image. This image encompassed perceptions of cultural authenticity, hospitality, quality of experience, and the likelihood of revisiting or recommending the destination to others. Conclusion The results underscore the importance of local food in enhancing tourism experiences and shaping a positive destination image. In the context of peri-urban development in Shushtar, leveraging local culinary assets can serve as an effective strategy for attracting tourists and boosting the local economy. The cultural experience derived from consuming local food not only increases tourist satisfaction but also reinforces the cultural identity of the region. Emotional and interpersonal dimensions of food consumption contribute to social cohesion and elevate the overall quality of the tourism experience. Additionally, health-related concerns highlight tourists’ preference for food that is not only flavorful and authentic but also hygienic and trustworthy. Overall, this study contributes to the theoretical literature on food tourism and offers practical insights for policy development in rural and peri-urban tourism planning. It is recommended that local authorities support traditional food producers, improve health and safety standards, and design educational programs for tourists to maximize the benefits of culinary tourism. Future research could explore other dimensions of food tourism experiences, such as aesthetics, food diversity, and the role of social media in shaping tourists’ perceptions.. Funding According to the responsible author, this article has no financial support Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments This article is based on a research project approved by Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani with the number 1404.10, which was carried out with the financial support of this university. Therefore, the authors express their gratitude to this university. این پژوهش باهدف کلی واکاوی اثر نگرش گردشگران روستایی نسبت به غذای محلی در تصویر مقصد گردشگری با تأکید بر توسعه فضای پیراشهری شهرستان شوشتر انجام شد. جامعه آماری پژوهش شامل تمامی گردشگران مناطق روستایی شهرستان شوشتر بود. با استفاده جدول کرجسی و مورگان 385 نفر از گردشگران روستایی با روش نمونه‏گیری تصادفی برای مطالعه انتخاب شدند. ابزار اصلی تحقیق پرسشنامه‏ای بود که روایی آن توسط پانل متخصصان و پایایی آن توسط ضریب آلفای کرونباخ و پایایی ترکیبی تائید شد. تجزیه‌وتحلیل داده‏ها در دو بخش آمار توصیفی و استنباطی توسط نرم‏افزار SPSS و Smart PLS انجام شد. نتایج نشان داد که متغیرهای تجربه فرهنگی، ارزش عاطفی یا احساسی، روابط بین فردی، نگرانی‏های مرتبط با سلامتی تأثیر معنی‏داری بر نگرش گردشگران نسبت به غذای محلی دارد و درمجموع توانسته‌اند حدود 6/48 درصد از واریانس نگرش به غذای محلی را تبیین کنند. همچنین نتایج نشان داد که نگرش مثبت به غذاهای محلی تأثیر معناداری بر تصویر ذهنی گردشگران از مقصد دارد و توانسته است 8/41 درصد از واریانس تصویر مقصد را توضیح دهد. به‌طورکلی نتایج این پژوهش می‏تواند ضمن کاهش خلأ موجود در ادبیات نظری تحقیق می‏تواند به سیاست‌گذاران این حوزه کمک کند می‏تواند به ترویج غذای سالم و اقتصاد جوامع محلی کمک کند.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_241964_c253f022fc0c1a423d0df7ca3a2be486.pdf

انجمن جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی روستایی ایران توسعه فضاهای پیراشهری 2676-4164 8 1 2026 03 21 Tourism Branding Strategies Based on Identifying Drivers (A Case Study: urban Peripheral Villages of Zanjan) راهبرد‌های برندسازی گردشگری مبتنی بر شناسایی پیشران ها(مورد مطالعه: روستاهای پیراشهری زنجان) 171 194 242879 10.22034/jpusd.2026.579199.1396 FA محمدحسن عبداللهی گروه مهندسی صنایع، واحد زنجان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، زنجان، ایران. 0000-0002-0386-4918 علی شهنواز گروه آمار ـ ریاضی، واحد زنجان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، زنجان، ایران. 0000-0002-5927-1097 بهمن جوان گروه مدیریت، واحد زنجان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، زنجان، ایران. 0009-0003-7492-9306 Journal Article 2026 04 20 Extended Abstract Introduction Tourism, as one of the most significant service industries globally, plays a decisive role in the economic, social, and cultural development of communities. Among these, the peri-urban villages of Zanjan, due to their prime location adjacent to Zanjan city, possess unique capacities for attracting tourists. Possessing natural attractions, authentic historical and cultural contexts, indigenous customs, handicrafts, and local products, these villages can serve as appealing destinations for urban tourists and even international visitors. However, despite these potentials, many of these villages face challenges such as insufficient recognition of their own capacities, lack of coherent planning for tourism development, weaknesses in promotion and marketing, and the absence of a distinct and identifiable identity in the minds of tourists. These issues have prevented these areas from optimally leveraging existing opportunities for tourism development and capitalizing on its economic, social, and cultural benefits. Under such circumstances, tourism branding emerges as a key strategy for creating differentiation, shaping a favorable mental image, and attracting tourists to destinations. Successful branding can enhance recognition and awareness of a tourism destination by establishing a unique and distinct identity, thereby also strengthening tourist loyalty. Nevertheless, formulating tourism branding strategies necessitates a deep and systematic understanding of the drivers influencing this process. These drivers encompass a set of causal, contextual, and intervening components, the identification and analysis of which are essential for designing effective branding strategies. In this regard, the present research seeks to develop appropriate strategies for tourism branding in these villages by identifying these factors, thereby taking an effective step towards the sustainable development of tourism in peri-urban areas. Methodology This research, with an applied objective, is dedicated to analyzing and modeling the factors influencing tourism branding in the peri-urban villages of Zanjan. Methodologically, the study is founded on a mixed-methods approach (qualitative-quantitative) to provide a comprehensive picture of the theoretical and practical dimensions of the subject. This mixed-methods approach was realized through a two-stage process; the qualitative stage aimed at accurately identifying and extracting key factors through interviews with experts, and the results of this stage formed the basis for designing the questionnaire for the quantitative stage (surveying the local community). In the qualitative stage, the primary tool used was in-depth interviews, and the resulting data were analyzed using the Grounded Theory method to shape the research’s conceptual framework. Subsequently, in the quantitative stage, a questionnaire designed based on the identified factors was employed to measure the extent and strength of each factor’s influence on branding. The statistical software SPSS was utilized for processing and analyzing the data collected from these questionnaires. The statistical population of this research is defined in two distinct parts. The first part consisted of 15 experts from key fields (tourism, management, and rural planning) who were selected through purposive sampling and participated in the qualitative identification phase. The second part included 131 members of the local community, comprising direct and indirect tourism actors, who were selected via convenience sampling and served as the final respondents in the quantitative phase. This distinction in sampling allows for the validation of results at both the theoretical (experts) and practical (field actors) levels. Results and discussion Findings from the Grounded Theory indicate that ‘current economic inefficiency’ and ‘perceived erosion of identity and authenticity’ are identified as causal drivers. ‘Distinct characteristics of resources and attractions’ and ‘geographic location and urban accessibility’ fall under contextual drivers. Furthermore, ‘institutional and local capacity,’ ‘media influence and dominant narratives,’ and ‘modern support infrastructure’ are recognized as intervening drivers. Additionally, the results of the one-sample t-test reveal that all eight investigated factors have a significant impact on the tourism branding process in the peri-urban villages of Zanjan from the perspective of the local community. The significance level of 0.000 for all factors confirms the field and perceptual validity of the research’s conceptual model. Based on these results, effective strategies for tourism branding include ‘active brand governance,’ ‘producing goods and content based on authenticity,’ ‘digital travel engineering and tourist attraction,’ ‘strengthening economic resilience based on comparative advantage,’ and ‘identifying local advantages.’ Adopting these strategies can lead to outcomes such as ‘brand stability and coherence,’ ‘increased perceived value,’ ‘differentiation and targeted accessibility,’ ‘digital credibility,’ ‘long-term sustainability,’ and ‘strengthening local community commitment. Conclusion The current situation of Zanjan’s peri-urban villages is the result of pressure from two main factors: economic inefficiency and the erosion of local identity. These factors highlight the necessity of changing the management approach and utilizing tourism branding as a response to socio-economic crises. Amidst this, contextual assets such as distinct cultural resources, authentic architecture, and a unique social structure possess the greatest potential for creating authentic tourism products. However, a severe weakness in institutional and local capacity presents the main obstacle to implementing effective brand governance, and management and training structures must be strengthened before any promotional activities commence. On the other hand, the existence of modern infrastructure provides an excellent opportunity to move towards ‘digital travel engineering,’ thereby enhancing the destination’s accessibility, online booking, and reputation. Ultimately, brand success will be sustainable only when the economic resilience of the community and the equitable distribution of tourism benefits are guaranteed. The harmonization of four key components—asset authenticity, active governance, digital infrastructure, and economic resilience—is the sole path to overcoming the gap between the high potential and limited implementation capacity of Zanjan’s peri-urban villages. Funding According to the responsible author, this article has no financial support Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تبیین راهبردهای برندسازی گردشگری مبتنی بر شناسایی پیشران‌ها در روستاهای پیراشهری زنجان انجام‌شده است. این تحقیق ازنظر هدف، کاربردی و به شیوه‌ای ترکیبی (کیفی و کمی) اجراشده و برای تحلیل داده‌ها از روش تئوری زمینه‌ای و نرم‌افزار SPSS بهره گرفته است. یافته‌های حاصل از تئوری زمینه‌ای نشان می‌دهد که «ناکارآمدی اقتصادی کنونی» و «احساس تضعیف هویت و اصالت» در زمره پیشران‌های علی، «ویژگی‌های متمایز منابع و جاذبه‌ها» و «موقعیت جغرافیایی و دسترسی شهری» در گروه پیشران‌های زمینه‌ای و «ظرفیت نهادی و محلی»، «نفوذ رسانه‌ها و روایت غالب» و «زیرساخت‌های پشتیبانی مدرن» به‌عنوان پیشران‌های مداخله‌گر شناسایی‌شده‌اند. همچنین نتایج آزمون t تک‌نمونه‌ای نیز بیانگر آن است که هر هشت عامل بررسی‌شده از دیدگاه جامعه محلی تأثیر معناداری بر فرآیند برندسازی گردشگری در روستاهای پیراشهری زنجان دارند؛ به‌طوری‌که سطح معناداری 000/0 برای تمامی عوامل، اعتبار میدانی و ادراکی مدل مفهومی تحقیق را تأیید می‌کند. براساس این نتایج، راهبردهای مؤثر بر برندسازی گردشگری شامل «حکمرانی فعال برند»، «تولید کالا و محتوای مبتنی بر اصالت»، «مهندسی سفر دیجیتال و جذب گردشگر»، «تقویت تاب‌آوری اقتصادی مبتنی بر مزیت نسبی» و «شناسایی مزیت‌های محلی» هستند که اتخاذ آن‌ها می‌تواند پیامدهایی چون «ثبات و انسجام برند»، «افزایش ارزش ادراکی»، «تمایز و دسترسی هدفمند»، «اعتبار دیجیتال»، «پایداری بلندمدت» و «تقویت تعهد جامعه محلی» را به دنبال داشته باشد.

https://www.jpusd.ir/article_242879_fafbb131384b9b909435479e10ffb63f.pdf