Developing and Applying a Multidimensional Sustainability Model for Periurban Areas

Despite having vast periurban areas (PUAs) with natural, ecological, and spatial characteristics, many Iranian cities have experienced rapid population growth and urban sprawl. In most of these areas, unplanned or unmanaged urbanization has contributed to poverty, informal settlements, environmental degradation, or social deprivation, causing the decrease in the sustainability of these areas. Therefore, this study aims to develop a model for assessing the sustainability of PUAs. The research involves three phases. First, a model was developed based on a review of the theoretical and practical background on the sustainability of PUAs. It included eight dimensions including quality of life, access, sense of place, open space, green infrastructure, social relations, economic growth, and governance. The second stage consisted of asking experts (n = 100) to rank and score the sustainability principles of PUA in each dimension and utilizing structural equation modeling in SmartPLS (version 3) software to test the validity of the model and attain the factor loading of the model elements. As a final stage, to examine the confirmed assessment model, an expert group (n = 50) evaluated the sustainability of Kalak, a PUA next to the city of Karaj, Iran. The proposed assessment model for the evaluation of the PUAs’ sustainability in developing countries consists of eight dimensions and 28 principles. It uses a transparent and systematic method for evaluation and its usability was tested in the context of a developing country.