The Analysis of Neighborhoods’ Sustainability with Imperative Factors (Case Study: Regions in Mashhad Metropolitan Area)

Abstract

Currently, sustainability has become a significant issue in urban revisions due to the consequences of unequal urban development. In order to increase the sustainability in a city, the criteria of sustainable development should be considered for neighborhoods as the main module of a city. Neighborhoods' sustainable development includes various dimensions which are required for recognizing and defining the indicators and their priorities. Consciousness about operative factors of residential neighborhoods and their priorities, provides a foundation for sustainable development of a city. The objective of this paper is to identify and analyze the major factors in the field of residential neighborhoods' sustainability. In order to achieve this aim, two districts were taken as case studies: one with historical background and organic urban fabric (Sarab area) and the other one with modern society and gridline urban fabric (Sajjad area) that have different physical, economic, and social contexts. Their overall conditions have a significant role in the resolution of sustainability criteria. The research method of this paper is descriptive-analytical; information was collected using 310 questionnaires filled by individuals who are the residents of the neighborhoods. The calculation process (factor analysis) was carried out for five main features consisting of economic, social, environmental, physical, and managerial.