University of GuilanGeographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal2783-11914320230923The Impact of Perceived COVID-19 Risk and Social Media on the Intention for Revisiting with the Mediating Role of Brand Engagement in the Tourism Industry of Māzandarān provinceThe Impact of Perceived COVID-19 Risk and Social Media on the Intention for Revisiting with the Mediating Role of Brand Engagement in the Tourism Industry of Māzandarān province118707710.22124/gscaj.2023.22560.1179FANāserSeifollāhi AnārAssociate Professor, Department of Business Management, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.Journal Article20220628In recent years, the global economy witnessed a remarkable growth in the tourism industry. However, this growth and dynamism were severely disrupted by the global spread of the COVID-19. With the imposition of international travel bans and the enforcement of widespread restrictions on public gatherings, along with hindrances to movement and mobility to various destinations, the tourism sector came to a halt. The pandemic's impact effectively pushed tourism towards a complete standstill. This study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived COVID-19 risk and social media on the intention for revisiting, with the mediating role of brand engagement in the tourism industry. The study had an applied objective and was conducted using descriptive survey with a cross-sectional approach in terms of methodology. The statistical population of the study were all customers of tourism offices in Māzandarān province, from which 384 individuals has been selected as the sample through the Cochran formula. A researcher-made questionnaire adapted from Rutter's study (2021) was used for data collection. The questionnaire comprised 7 dimensions and 29 questions, formulated on a five-point Likert scale. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α=0.7). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique using SmartPLS software was employed for hypothesis testing. The results demonstrated that social media and perceived COVID-19 risk have significant direct effects on brand engagement and intention for revisiting. Furthermore, the brand engagement has a significant direct impact on the intention for revisiting. Brand engagement was also found to mediate the relationship between social media and perceived risk with the intention for revisiting.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />The global pandemic of the coronavirus disease, commonly known as COVID-19, has caused disruptions worldwide and brought about unprecedented socio-economic transformations across societies around the globe. The side effects of combating this disease include the paralysis of productive activities, leading to serious economic and social consequences on a global scale. One of the sectors most sensitive to health and safety issues, changes in political conditions, economic crises, natural disasters, and epidemics is the tourism industry. For over a year now, the global tourism industry has faced an unprecedented recession. Most tourism establishments and travel service offices have been shut down, transportation systems and flights have been limited, hotels and eco-tourism destinations have been devoid of travelers, and tour guides find themselves unemployed and confined to their homes. While numerous studies have been conducted regarding the impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, only a few have examined perceived risk as a significant factor influencing the intention to revisit tourist destinations. This gap in the research literature indicates an area that requires further investigation. Also, social media possess considerable potential to influence tourists' intention to visit destinations, as these platforms can potentially engage tourists with the destination's brand. However, the effects of social media on brand engagement during a pandemic have not received significant attention. Therefore, it is essential to bridge this research gap through more comprehensive studies. The present research aimed to explore the impact of perceived risk and social media during the pandemic on the intention for revisiting, while also investigating the mediating role of brand engagement. The objective of this study was to propose a new conceptual framework with sufficient complexity to elucidate the factors influencing the intention to revisit a destination, taking into account the potential roles of perceived risk, social media, and brand engagement.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />The study had an applied objective and was conducted using descriptive survey with a cross-sectional approach in terms of methodology. The statistical population of the study were all customers of tourism offices in Māzandarān province, from which 384 individuals has been selected as the sample through the random sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire adapted from Rutter's study (2021) was used for data collection. The sample size required for the study was calculated from the Cochran's formula for a limited population with a 5% error. Data collection was conducted through both library research and survey. The variables under investigation were gathered using an adapted "Indigenized Electronic Questionnaire" based on Rutter's study (2021). The questionnaire comprised 7 dimensions and 29 questions designed based on a 5-point Likert scale. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and specialists. The content validity was assessed using the Relative Content Validity Index, based on the opinions of 10 knowledgeable experts in the research area. Additionally, the reliability of the questionnaire was verified using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Given that the relative content validity values based on the opinions of 10 experts were above 0.60 and the Cronbach's alpha coefficients for each research variable were above 0.70, it can be concluded that the variables are normal, and the validity and reliability of the research questionnaire have been confirmed. The collected data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique with a partial least squares (PLS) approach, using SmartPLS software.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />The results indicated that social media has a positive and significant effect on brand engagement with a standardized coefficient of 0.482. This result showed that with an increase in individuals' use of social media, their engagement with the brand also increases. The perceived risk of COVID-19 has a negative and significant impact on brand engagement with a standardized coefficient of 0.141. Therefore, the second hypothesis was confirmed. This finding suggests that as the perceived risk of COVID-19 increases, brand engagement decreases. Additionally, the results indicated that social media, perceived risk of COVID-19, and brand engagement have significant effects on the intention to revisit with standardized coefficients of 0.519, 0.211, and 0.189, respectively. Therefore, the third to fifth hypotheses were confirmed. These results demonstrated that as individuals' use of social media and brand engagement increase, the intention to revisit also increases. Moreover, as the perceived risk of COVID-19 increases, the intention to revisit decreases. The results also showed that brand engagement mediates the relationship between social media and the intention to revisit, and the obtained Sobel test value is greater than 0.961, indicating a significant indirect effect. Similarly, brand engagement also mediates the relationship between the perceived risk of COVID-19 and the intention to revisit, therefore the seventh hypothesis was confirmed.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />Given that tourism is one of the largest industries worldwide with rapid growth, it is expected to play a significant role in the economic and social recovery following the global spread of the coronavirus. To this end, the present study investigated the impact of perceived risk and social media on the intention to revisit with the mediating role of brand engagement. The results indicated that factors such as perceived travel risk and social media have an influence on brand engagement. One of the most prominent phenomena observed in customer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic is the perceived risk, which has notably affected their behaviors and decisions. Furthermore, the findings showed that brand engagement has an impact on the intention to revisit. The mental image of the destination serves as a predictor for the economic performance of a tourism organization (such as hotels or travel agencies). Additionally, the results of this study highlighted the influence of brand engagement on the intention to revisit.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution </strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.<br /><strong>Conflict of Interest </strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.In recent years, the global economy witnessed a remarkable growth in the tourism industry. However, this growth and dynamism were severely disrupted by the global spread of the COVID-19. With the imposition of international travel bans and the enforcement of widespread restrictions on public gatherings, along with hindrances to movement and mobility to various destinations, the tourism sector came to a halt. The pandemic's impact effectively pushed tourism towards a complete standstill. This study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived COVID-19 risk and social media on the intention for revisiting, with the mediating role of brand engagement in the tourism industry. The study had an applied objective and was conducted using descriptive survey with a cross-sectional approach in terms of methodology. The statistical population of the study were all customers of tourism offices in Māzandarān province, from which 384 individuals has been selected as the sample through the Cochran formula. A researcher-made questionnaire adapted from Rutter's study (2021) was used for data collection. The questionnaire comprised 7 dimensions and 29 questions, formulated on a five-point Likert scale. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α=0.7). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique using SmartPLS software was employed for hypothesis testing. The results demonstrated that social media and perceived COVID-19 risk have significant direct effects on brand engagement and intention for revisiting. Furthermore, the brand engagement has a significant direct impact on the intention for revisiting. Brand engagement was also found to mediate the relationship between social media and perceived risk with the intention for revisiting.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />The global pandemic of the coronavirus disease, commonly known as COVID-19, has caused disruptions worldwide and brought about unprecedented socio-economic transformations across societies around the globe. The side effects of combating this disease include the paralysis of productive activities, leading to serious economic and social consequences on a global scale. One of the sectors most sensitive to health and safety issues, changes in political conditions, economic crises, natural disasters, and epidemics is the tourism industry. For over a year now, the global tourism industry has faced an unprecedented recession. Most tourism establishments and travel service offices have been shut down, transportation systems and flights have been limited, hotels and eco-tourism destinations have been devoid of travelers, and tour guides find themselves unemployed and confined to their homes. While numerous studies have been conducted regarding the impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, only a few have examined perceived risk as a significant factor influencing the intention to revisit tourist destinations. This gap in the research literature indicates an area that requires further investigation. Also, social media possess considerable potential to influence tourists' intention to visit destinations, as these platforms can potentially engage tourists with the destination's brand. However, the effects of social media on brand engagement during a pandemic have not received significant attention. Therefore, it is essential to bridge this research gap through more comprehensive studies. The present research aimed to explore the impact of perceived risk and social media during the pandemic on the intention for revisiting, while also investigating the mediating role of brand engagement. The objective of this study was to propose a new conceptual framework with sufficient complexity to elucidate the factors influencing the intention to revisit a destination, taking into account the potential roles of perceived risk, social media, and brand engagement.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />The study had an applied objective and was conducted using descriptive survey with a cross-sectional approach in terms of methodology. The statistical population of the study were all customers of tourism offices in Māzandarān province, from which 384 individuals has been selected as the sample through the random sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire adapted from Rutter's study (2021) was used for data collection. The sample size required for the study was calculated from the Cochran's formula for a limited population with a 5% error. Data collection was conducted through both library research and survey. The variables under investigation were gathered using an adapted "Indigenized Electronic Questionnaire" based on Rutter's study (2021). The questionnaire comprised 7 dimensions and 29 questions designed based on a 5-point Likert scale. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and specialists. The content validity was assessed using the Relative Content Validity Index, based on the opinions of 10 knowledgeable experts in the research area. Additionally, the reliability of the questionnaire was verified using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Given that the relative content validity values based on the opinions of 10 experts were above 0.60 and the Cronbach's alpha coefficients for each research variable were above 0.70, it can be concluded that the variables are normal, and the validity and reliability of the research questionnaire have been confirmed. The collected data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique with a partial least squares (PLS) approach, using SmartPLS software.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />The results indicated that social media has a positive and significant effect on brand engagement with a standardized coefficient of 0.482. This result showed that with an increase in individuals' use of social media, their engagement with the brand also increases. The perceived risk of COVID-19 has a negative and significant impact on brand engagement with a standardized coefficient of 0.141. Therefore, the second hypothesis was confirmed. This finding suggests that as the perceived risk of COVID-19 increases, brand engagement decreases. Additionally, the results indicated that social media, perceived risk of COVID-19, and brand engagement have significant effects on the intention to revisit with standardized coefficients of 0.519, 0.211, and 0.189, respectively. Therefore, the third to fifth hypotheses were confirmed. These results demonstrated that as individuals' use of social media and brand engagement increase, the intention to revisit also increases. Moreover, as the perceived risk of COVID-19 increases, the intention to revisit decreases. The results also showed that brand engagement mediates the relationship between social media and the intention to revisit, and the obtained Sobel test value is greater than 0.961, indicating a significant indirect effect. Similarly, brand engagement also mediates the relationship between the perceived risk of COVID-19 and the intention to revisit, therefore the seventh hypothesis was confirmed.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />Given that tourism is one of the largest industries worldwide with rapid growth, it is expected to play a significant role in the economic and social recovery following the global spread of the coronavirus. To this end, the present study investigated the impact of perceived risk and social media on the intention to revisit with the mediating role of brand engagement. The results indicated that factors such as perceived travel risk and social media have an influence on brand engagement. One of the most prominent phenomena observed in customer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic is the perceived risk, which has notably affected their behaviors and decisions. Furthermore, the findings showed that brand engagement has an impact on the intention to revisit. The mental image of the destination serves as a predictor for the economic performance of a tourism organization (such as hotels or travel agencies). Additionally, the results of this study highlighted the influence of brand engagement on the intention to revisit.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution </strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.<br /><strong>Conflict of Interest </strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_7077_575df31359c6c4c177ee251b2fdddcb8.pdfUniversity of GuilanGeographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal2783-11914320230923Analysis and Assessment of Housing Stability in the City of Bandar AnzaliAnalysis and Assessment of Housing Stability in the City of Bandar Anzali1938707810.22124/gscaj.2023.17996.1060FASepidehZareMaster of Geography and Urban Planning, Department of Geography, University of Guilan , Rasht, Iran.MajidYasouriProfessor, Department of Geography, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.EsmaeilAghaeizadehAssociate Professor, Department of Geography, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.Journal Article20201022The sustainability of human constructions and activities is one of the things that should be considered at the top of urban plans. There are countless constructions and developments created by man, one of which is housing. Considering the importance of the role of housing in the lives of residents, achieving sustainable housing is considered important in order to increase and improve the quality of life of the current and future generations, because today, with the ever-increasing population growth, the need to build housing is increasing day by day. Therefore, to achieve sustainable urban development, paying attention to sustainable housing can play a constructive role. But unfortunately, in our country, buildings, especially residential buildings, are built without regard to sustainable urban development. The city of Bandar Anzali is not excluded from this category. This led to the analysis and investigation of the stability of the residential units of Bandar Anzali city according to the indicators of sustainable housing in this article. The research method in this research is descriptive-analytical and based on documentary sources and field investigations. The data obtained from the field and documentary surveys have been analyzed by SPSS software. In this way, the level of sustainability of residential units in Bandar Anzali city was determined in different dimensions. The findings of the research show that most of the houses in Bandar Anzali are stable. Although this stability has been different in the dimensions of housing stability. In this way, in the social dimension, the houses of Bandar Anzali are more stable, and from the environmental point of view, the houses of the city do not have favorable stability. Finally, solutions have been provided for the sustainability of the city's housing, especially in the environmental aspect.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><br /><strong>Introduction</strong><br />Today, various factors such as population growth, the occurrence of the industrial revolution, urbanization, and the development of cities have significantly influenced the Earth's natural resources and environment. Consequently, in different parts of the world, resources such as water, soil, energy, and natural landscapes have been undergoing constant changes due to the activities of cities and their residents. As a result, the theory of sustainable urban development has been introduced considering the negative effects of urban growth and has proposed solutions to minimize urban issues. Among these solutions, efforts have been made to increase the sustainability in urban housing. Housing constitutes a large portion of urban land use in cities, and consumes a significant amount of energy and natural resources, defines the quality of life and well-being of people, and affects how housing is designed and constructed in the environment, society, culture, economy, as well as on people's daily lives, health, and security. Therefore, housing sustainability is a significant step towards achieving sustainable urban development in various social, economic, physical, and environmental dimensions. So, the approach to sustainable housing design has become an important topic in urban planning literature in recent years, especially in the field of housing planning. The concept of housing sustainability, given the increasing urban population growth worldwide and the consequent need for more housing construction, any shortcomings in this area will have severe consequences related to the depletion of existing resources. Iran, as one of the countries that has witnessed rapid urbanization in recent decades, is no exception to this rule, and its major cities require studies in this field. Bandar Anzali is one of the coastal and northern cities of the country that faces challenges in the housing sector, especially in terms of environmental sustainability. This research aimed to investigate housing sustainability in various social, economic, physical, and environmental dimensions at the city of Bandar Anzali and sought to identify the potential differences in the dimensions of housing sustainability within the city.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />The research method was descriptive-analytical based on documentary, library, field, and direct observations. Field information was obtained through questionnaires, and the reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α= 0.97). The statistical population consisted of residential units in the city of Bandar Anzali, from among them 400 residential units were selected through Stratified random sampling using the Cochran formula. Chi-Square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman were used for data analysis.<br /><strong>Discussion</strong><br />Since the 1970s, the discussion of sustainable development and sustainability has arisen in response to environmental issues and challenges. The concepts of sustainability and unsustainability are rooted in the nature and form of interactions between social groups and their natural environment. Given that housing constitutes more than half of urban land use, housing and its residents can play a crucial role in urban sustainable development. Therefore, it is important to make housing sustainable to address contemporary challenges, considering the increasing urban population growth, its associated pollution, and the problems related to the scarcity of renewable energy sources in today's world. Thus, considering the importance of sustainable housing, this research focused on sustainable housing and its characteristics and indicators. In this study, various factors have been examined to assess the status of housing sustainability in the city of Bandar Anzali. The overall investigations related to the examined indicators at four levels - physical, social, economic, and environmental - contain valuable insights regarding housing sustainability in Bandar Anzali. At the physical level, Bandar Anzali exhibits a favorable condition, with orderly housing structures, unlike some other large and even small cities in the country, where issues like irregular housing developments, such as slums, are more prevalent. Approximately half of the units in the city have low-quality housing, which has led the city to have relatively good indicators of housing sustainability in relation to contemporary urban planning issues. Consequently, most of the studied units fall into the category of durable, newly built, and maintainable units. On the social level, Bandar Anzali exhibits favorable indicators in terms of household density and population per residential unit. Additionally, people in the city have a higher sense of security than the average, and the presence of relatively good accessibilities and reasonable land use arrangements has led to the citizens' relative comfort. On the other two levels, economic and environmental, high housing costs, non-compliance with energy-saving standards, lack of water-saving in households, etc., are observed, which have somewhat diminished the overall level of housing sustainability in the city.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />The results of the studies in the city of Bandar Anzali indicated that the city has relatively favorable conditions in some housing sustainability indicators, such as social, economic, and physical indicators. However, in environmental indicators, due to the construction of housing without consideration for energy-related aspects, it does not exhibit a favorable condition. The results of the Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed that at a 95% confidence level, there was a significant difference between the mean values of housing sustainability indicators in Bandar Anzali. Furthermore, from the results of these tests and the Friedman test, it was evident that the average ranking of social indicators ranked the highest among the various areas in the city, with an average ranking of 3.08, followed by physical indicators with an average ranking of 2.90, economic indicators with an average ranking of 2.24 in the third place, and finally, environmental indicators with an average ranking of 1.78 in the fourth place.The sustainability of human constructions and activities is one of the things that should be considered at the top of urban plans. There are countless constructions and developments created by man, one of which is housing. Considering the importance of the role of housing in the lives of residents, achieving sustainable housing is considered important in order to increase and improve the quality of life of the current and future generations, because today, with the ever-increasing population growth, the need to build housing is increasing day by day. Therefore, to achieve sustainable urban development, paying attention to sustainable housing can play a constructive role. But unfortunately, in our country, buildings, especially residential buildings, are built without regard to sustainable urban development. The city of Bandar Anzali is not excluded from this category. This led to the analysis and investigation of the stability of the residential units of Bandar Anzali city according to the indicators of sustainable housing in this article. The research method in this research is descriptive-analytical and based on documentary sources and field investigations. The data obtained from the field and documentary surveys have been analyzed by SPSS software. In this way, the level of sustainability of residential units in Bandar Anzali city was determined in different dimensions. The findings of the research show that most of the houses in Bandar Anzali are stable. Although this stability has been different in the dimensions of housing stability. In this way, in the social dimension, the houses of Bandar Anzali are more stable, and from the environmental point of view, the houses of the city do not have favorable stability. Finally, solutions have been provided for the sustainability of the city's housing, especially in the environmental aspect.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><br /><strong>Introduction</strong><br />Today, various factors such as population growth, the occurrence of the industrial revolution, urbanization, and the development of cities have significantly influenced the Earth's natural resources and environment. Consequently, in different parts of the world, resources such as water, soil, energy, and natural landscapes have been undergoing constant changes due to the activities of cities and their residents. As a result, the theory of sustainable urban development has been introduced considering the negative effects of urban growth and has proposed solutions to minimize urban issues. Among these solutions, efforts have been made to increase the sustainability in urban housing. Housing constitutes a large portion of urban land use in cities, and consumes a significant amount of energy and natural resources, defines the quality of life and well-being of people, and affects how housing is designed and constructed in the environment, society, culture, economy, as well as on people's daily lives, health, and security. Therefore, housing sustainability is a significant step towards achieving sustainable urban development in various social, economic, physical, and environmental dimensions. So, the approach to sustainable housing design has become an important topic in urban planning literature in recent years, especially in the field of housing planning. The concept of housing sustainability, given the increasing urban population growth worldwide and the consequent need for more housing construction, any shortcomings in this area will have severe consequences related to the depletion of existing resources. Iran, as one of the countries that has witnessed rapid urbanization in recent decades, is no exception to this rule, and its major cities require studies in this field. Bandar Anzali is one of the coastal and northern cities of the country that faces challenges in the housing sector, especially in terms of environmental sustainability. This research aimed to investigate housing sustainability in various social, economic, physical, and environmental dimensions at the city of Bandar Anzali and sought to identify the potential differences in the dimensions of housing sustainability within the city.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />The research method was descriptive-analytical based on documentary, library, field, and direct observations. Field information was obtained through questionnaires, and the reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α= 0.97). The statistical population consisted of residential units in the city of Bandar Anzali, from among them 400 residential units were selected through Stratified random sampling using the Cochran formula. Chi-Square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman were used for data analysis.<br /><strong>Discussion</strong><br />Since the 1970s, the discussion of sustainable development and sustainability has arisen in response to environmental issues and challenges. The concepts of sustainability and unsustainability are rooted in the nature and form of interactions between social groups and their natural environment. Given that housing constitutes more than half of urban land use, housing and its residents can play a crucial role in urban sustainable development. Therefore, it is important to make housing sustainable to address contemporary challenges, considering the increasing urban population growth, its associated pollution, and the problems related to the scarcity of renewable energy sources in today's world. Thus, considering the importance of sustainable housing, this research focused on sustainable housing and its characteristics and indicators. In this study, various factors have been examined to assess the status of housing sustainability in the city of Bandar Anzali. The overall investigations related to the examined indicators at four levels - physical, social, economic, and environmental - contain valuable insights regarding housing sustainability in Bandar Anzali. At the physical level, Bandar Anzali exhibits a favorable condition, with orderly housing structures, unlike some other large and even small cities in the country, where issues like irregular housing developments, such as slums, are more prevalent. Approximately half of the units in the city have low-quality housing, which has led the city to have relatively good indicators of housing sustainability in relation to contemporary urban planning issues. Consequently, most of the studied units fall into the category of durable, newly built, and maintainable units. On the social level, Bandar Anzali exhibits favorable indicators in terms of household density and population per residential unit. Additionally, people in the city have a higher sense of security than the average, and the presence of relatively good accessibilities and reasonable land use arrangements has led to the citizens' relative comfort. On the other two levels, economic and environmental, high housing costs, non-compliance with energy-saving standards, lack of water-saving in households, etc., are observed, which have somewhat diminished the overall level of housing sustainability in the city.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />The results of the studies in the city of Bandar Anzali indicated that the city has relatively favorable conditions in some housing sustainability indicators, such as social, economic, and physical indicators. However, in environmental indicators, due to the construction of housing without consideration for energy-related aspects, it does not exhibit a favorable condition. The results of the Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed that at a 95% confidence level, there was a significant difference between the mean values of housing sustainability indicators in Bandar Anzali. Furthermore, from the results of these tests and the Friedman test, it was evident that the average ranking of social indicators ranked the highest among the various areas in the city, with an average ranking of 3.08, followed by physical indicators with an average ranking of 2.90, economic indicators with an average ranking of 2.24 in the third place, and finally, environmental indicators with an average ranking of 1.78 in the fourth place.https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_7078_ae132faed1935014fec16ad236f17869.pdfUniversity of GuilanGeographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal2783-11914320230923Evaluation and Prioritization of Urban Areas Based on the City Happiness Index (Case Study: Salmānshahr)Evaluation and Prioritization of Urban Areas Based on the City Happiness Index (Case Study: Salmānshahr)3950707910.22124/gscaj.2023.23789.1215FAAsiehNasiriPhD student in Urban Planning, Department of Geography, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran.LeilaEbrahimiAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran.MehrdadRamezanipourAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran.0000-0001-7588-2894KiaBozorgmehrAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chalous, Iran.Journal Article20230205The expansion of Urbanization and the rapid growth of metropolises, followed by modernist ideologies and fragmentation, have led cities to lose their liveliness and vitality. In the field of urban planning, creating a space that reinforces positive emotions and minimizes the expression of negative emotions is essential. Accordingly, one of the fundamental responsibilities of social and public institutions such as municipalities and city councils, and the urban management system as a whole, is to strive for the creation of a joyful space for citizens. This research aimed to articulate the criteria for a joyful city in urban planning within Salmānshahr. The data collection method was conducted through questionnaires, with a sample size of 400 respondents. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software, employing both descriptive and inferential analyses. For prioritizing areas, the Topsis multi-criteria decision-making model was used, and for determining the weight of indices, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, along with Expert Choice software, was utilized. According to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis test, the studied indices showed significant differences among the five districts of Salmānshahr. Based on the ranks obtained by the Topsis model, District 5 with a score of 0/8344 holds the highest rank compared to other city districts. Districts 1 and 4, with scores of 0/7426 and 0/6352, respectively, rank second and third, while District 3 with a score of 0/3021 holds the fourth rank. Finally, District 2 with a score of 0/0771 is ranked fifth. <br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><strong> </strong><br /> Happiness and joy, as one of the most fundamental psychological needs of humans, have significant impacts on individuals' lives. While happiness has been defined and explained from various perspectives, it is universally recognized as an essential requirement for humanity. Nobody can claim to be exempt from the need for happiness. Through well-designed urban spaces, in addition to improving the quality of urban life, we can enhance positive emotions and reduce negative emotions, thereby promoting the interaction between individuals and their environment. In this regard, this research aimed to examine the extent of the influence of urban design dimensions (functional, visual, spatial layout, etc.) on enhancing the positive emotions and citizens' satisfaction. The study also proposed some strategies for increasing the happiness of residents in Salmānshahr. The purpose of creating modern cities has been to improve amenities and the quality of life for citizens. Unfortunately, despite the presence of massive towers and other urban developments, Salmānshahr has not been successful in achieving these goals. Therefore, the focus of this research was to investigate this issue. Hence, the objective of this research is to prioritize the five districts of Salmānshahr in Abbāsābād County, Māzandarān Province, based on the status of the city's happiness indices.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br /> Salmānshahr is also known by the previous name of the MotelGhou: Salmānshahr is one of the cities of Mazandaran province in Iran. Salmānshahr, with a population of 9,656 people, is located 8 kilometers east of Abbasabad city and 5 kilometers west of Kalārābād city. This city is located in Abbāsābād city and Salmānshahr district and its area is 750 hectares. The present study was descriptive-analytical and based on library research and field investigations, conducted through a questionnaire. Given the research topic, the target population of this study included all residents of Salmānshahr. According to the 2016 census, the population of Salmānshahr was 9,656 individuals. To gather data related to the case study, a survey method and questionnaire technique were employed. Due to the large size of the target population, a cluster sampling method (Cochran formula) was utilized to collect information. An appropriate sample size of around 384 individuals was estimated using the Cochran formula. Finally, to ensure more reliability, 400 questionnaires were distributed and included in the analysis. The sample members are selected randomly and proportionally from subgroups of the study population (Salman Shahr city). After collecting the desired questionnaires, the data is weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Subsequently, the districts of Salmānshahr are ranked according to the indicators of city happiness using the TOPSIS method.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />According to the review of literature and theoretical foundations, the most important environmental variables that can influence on the happiness of citizens were identified. These variables are: visual beautification of the city, access and transportation, housing, life and vitality, sense of security, social interactions, territorialism and sense of belonging, green space and nature, environmental health, tourism spaces, play and sports spaces, income and employment. These variables are divided into five general dimensions, visual, physical, socio-cultural, environmental, urban and economic services and facilities. The average scores obtained from the questionnaire for each indicator in the sample population showed that the variables of accessibility and transportation, visual urban beautification, access to play and sports spaces, and income are not in a desirable state in the entire sample. The rest of the variables have average scores higher than the theoretical median of the data and are in a relatively favorable state. According to the results of Table (14), among the urban zones, in Zones Five and One, all dimensions have scores at a moderate and close-to-theoretical median level (3). In Zone Four, all dimensions except the physical-visual dimension are at a moderate level. In Zone Three, the socio-cultural and economic dimensions are at an appropriate level, and in Zone Two, only the socio-cultural dimension has a score higher than the theoretical median. In the overall sample, the physical-visual dimension and the urban services and facilities dimension do not have a score lower than the theoretical median in a desirable state. The Kruskal-Wallis test has been utilized to examine the differences in means among several statistical populations. The results obtained from Tables 20 and 21 indicated that the studied indicators among the five zones of Salmānshahr exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). According to the outcomes of this section, concerning the selected indicators of a happy city, the level of attainment of different areas from the research indicators has not been uniform.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />According to the results of this section, in terms of the selected indicators of happy city, the level of research indicators in different areas is not the same. According to the ranking obtained by each of the regions by the TOPSIS model, region five has the highest compatibility with happy city, while region two has the lowest compatibility. In fact, 5 Tapsis region has the highest rank of 0.8344 compared to other regions of the city. Regions one and four are ranked second and third with TOPSIS scores of 0.6247 and 0.6358, respectively, and region three is in the next position with TOPSIS scores of 0.1203. Finally, region two with a score of 0.1770 is at the bottom of the ranking table of urban areas of Salmānshahr in terms of the realization of the indicators of the happy city. According to the presented materials, it can be stated in the final summary that in the studied statistical sample, strengthening access to green spaces and play and sports spaces, visual beautification of the city and improvement of the economic status of the citizens can provide the basis for creating mental and psychological peace of the citizens. In this case, they will be able to take steps in a more effective way in advancing the society towards development and progress. Considering the presented content, a final summary can be titled as follows: In the studied statistical sample, enhancing access to green spaces and play areas, visual urban beautification, and improving the economic status of citizens can provide the grounds for creating a sense of mental and emotional tranquility among residents. In this way, individuals will be better equipped to contribute more effectively to advancing society towards development and progress.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution </strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. <br /><strong>Conflict of Interest </strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. The expansion of Urbanization and the rapid growth of metropolises, followed by modernist ideologies and fragmentation, have led cities to lose their liveliness and vitality. In the field of urban planning, creating a space that reinforces positive emotions and minimizes the expression of negative emotions is essential. Accordingly, one of the fundamental responsibilities of social and public institutions such as municipalities and city councils, and the urban management system as a whole, is to strive for the creation of a joyful space for citizens. This research aimed to articulate the criteria for a joyful city in urban planning within Salmānshahr. The data collection method was conducted through questionnaires, with a sample size of 400 respondents. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software, employing both descriptive and inferential analyses. For prioritizing areas, the Topsis multi-criteria decision-making model was used, and for determining the weight of indices, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, along with Expert Choice software, was utilized. According to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis test, the studied indices showed significant differences among the five districts of Salmānshahr. Based on the ranks obtained by the Topsis model, District 5 with a score of 0/8344 holds the highest rank compared to other city districts. Districts 1 and 4, with scores of 0/7426 and 0/6352, respectively, rank second and third, while District 3 with a score of 0/3021 holds the fourth rank. Finally, District 2 with a score of 0/0771 is ranked fifth. <br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><strong> </strong><br /> Happiness and joy, as one of the most fundamental psychological needs of humans, have significant impacts on individuals' lives. While happiness has been defined and explained from various perspectives, it is universally recognized as an essential requirement for humanity. Nobody can claim to be exempt from the need for happiness. Through well-designed urban spaces, in addition to improving the quality of urban life, we can enhance positive emotions and reduce negative emotions, thereby promoting the interaction between individuals and their environment. In this regard, this research aimed to examine the extent of the influence of urban design dimensions (functional, visual, spatial layout, etc.) on enhancing the positive emotions and citizens' satisfaction. The study also proposed some strategies for increasing the happiness of residents in Salmānshahr. The purpose of creating modern cities has been to improve amenities and the quality of life for citizens. Unfortunately, despite the presence of massive towers and other urban developments, Salmānshahr has not been successful in achieving these goals. Therefore, the focus of this research was to investigate this issue. Hence, the objective of this research is to prioritize the five districts of Salmānshahr in Abbāsābād County, Māzandarān Province, based on the status of the city's happiness indices.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br /> Salmānshahr is also known by the previous name of the MotelGhou: Salmānshahr is one of the cities of Mazandaran province in Iran. Salmānshahr, with a population of 9,656 people, is located 8 kilometers east of Abbasabad city and 5 kilometers west of Kalārābād city. This city is located in Abbāsābād city and Salmānshahr district and its area is 750 hectares. The present study was descriptive-analytical and based on library research and field investigations, conducted through a questionnaire. Given the research topic, the target population of this study included all residents of Salmānshahr. According to the 2016 census, the population of Salmānshahr was 9,656 individuals. To gather data related to the case study, a survey method and questionnaire technique were employed. Due to the large size of the target population, a cluster sampling method (Cochran formula) was utilized to collect information. An appropriate sample size of around 384 individuals was estimated using the Cochran formula. Finally, to ensure more reliability, 400 questionnaires were distributed and included in the analysis. The sample members are selected randomly and proportionally from subgroups of the study population (Salman Shahr city). After collecting the desired questionnaires, the data is weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Subsequently, the districts of Salmānshahr are ranked according to the indicators of city happiness using the TOPSIS method.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />According to the review of literature and theoretical foundations, the most important environmental variables that can influence on the happiness of citizens were identified. These variables are: visual beautification of the city, access and transportation, housing, life and vitality, sense of security, social interactions, territorialism and sense of belonging, green space and nature, environmental health, tourism spaces, play and sports spaces, income and employment. These variables are divided into five general dimensions, visual, physical, socio-cultural, environmental, urban and economic services and facilities. The average scores obtained from the questionnaire for each indicator in the sample population showed that the variables of accessibility and transportation, visual urban beautification, access to play and sports spaces, and income are not in a desirable state in the entire sample. The rest of the variables have average scores higher than the theoretical median of the data and are in a relatively favorable state. According to the results of Table (14), among the urban zones, in Zones Five and One, all dimensions have scores at a moderate and close-to-theoretical median level (3). In Zone Four, all dimensions except the physical-visual dimension are at a moderate level. In Zone Three, the socio-cultural and economic dimensions are at an appropriate level, and in Zone Two, only the socio-cultural dimension has a score higher than the theoretical median. In the overall sample, the physical-visual dimension and the urban services and facilities dimension do not have a score lower than the theoretical median in a desirable state. The Kruskal-Wallis test has been utilized to examine the differences in means among several statistical populations. The results obtained from Tables 20 and 21 indicated that the studied indicators among the five zones of Salmānshahr exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). According to the outcomes of this section, concerning the selected indicators of a happy city, the level of attainment of different areas from the research indicators has not been uniform.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />According to the results of this section, in terms of the selected indicators of happy city, the level of research indicators in different areas is not the same. According to the ranking obtained by each of the regions by the TOPSIS model, region five has the highest compatibility with happy city, while region two has the lowest compatibility. In fact, 5 Tapsis region has the highest rank of 0.8344 compared to other regions of the city. Regions one and four are ranked second and third with TOPSIS scores of 0.6247 and 0.6358, respectively, and region three is in the next position with TOPSIS scores of 0.1203. Finally, region two with a score of 0.1770 is at the bottom of the ranking table of urban areas of Salmānshahr in terms of the realization of the indicators of the happy city. According to the presented materials, it can be stated in the final summary that in the studied statistical sample, strengthening access to green spaces and play and sports spaces, visual beautification of the city and improvement of the economic status of the citizens can provide the basis for creating mental and psychological peace of the citizens. In this case, they will be able to take steps in a more effective way in advancing the society towards development and progress. Considering the presented content, a final summary can be titled as follows: In the studied statistical sample, enhancing access to green spaces and play areas, visual urban beautification, and improving the economic status of citizens can provide the grounds for creating a sense of mental and emotional tranquility among residents. In this way, individuals will be better equipped to contribute more effectively to advancing society towards development and progress.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution </strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. <br /><strong>Conflict of Interest </strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_7079_b8bfd8f45dbb0ce51c872bdd873ada28.pdfUniversity of GuilanGeographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal2783-11914320230923Decision-Making Framework to Examine the Factors Affecting the Development of Coastal Tourism in IranDecision-Making Framework to Examine the Factors Affecting the Development of Coastal Tourism in Iran5167708010.22124/gscaj.2023.23179.1198FAFatemehAziziAssistant Professor, Department of Tourism Management, University of Yazd, Yazd, Iran.FaezehAsadian ArdakaniAssistant Professor, Department of Tourism Management, University of Yazd , Yazd, Iran.Journal Article20221107Coastal tourism has the potential to provide economic and employment opportunities in destination countries. This research aimed to evaluate the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism in Iran using a multi-criteria decision-making methods. Therefore, the influential factors in the development of coastal tourism in Iran were identified using literature review, expert opinions, and the fuzzy Delphi method. This research was exploratory in terms of purpose, applied in nature, and employed a survey method for data collection. The research population consisted of experts in the field of coastal tourism in Iran. A judgmental sampling method was used to select the sample. After collecting the data, the importance and weight of each factor were identified by Shannon’s entropy method. Then, using the additive ratio assessment (ARAS) method, factors were evaluated and prioritized. According to the entropy method, the factor "marketing and advertising about tourist attractions in coastal areas" was the most important in the development of coastal tourism in Iran. The results of the ARAS method showed that among the factors affecting the development of coastal tourism in Iran, "security of coastal areas", "creation of employment opportunities and attention to local products and businesses in coastal areas" and "recreational facilities in coastal areas" had the highest priority.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />In a destination, the development of a tourist attraction plays an important role in generating appropriate economic income and attracting people to visit a specific area. One of the types of tourist attractions is beach tourism. Coastal tourism has witnessed the highest growth rate globally, with a remarkable trend of expansion in recent decades. According to the statistics published by the World Tourism Organization, it has become the largest source of global income in the new millennium. Due to its proximity to the Caspian Sea in the north and the Persian Gulf in the south, Iran has the most beautiful beaches for those who are interested in sea and beach recreation. Currently, the share of employment and production in the country related to the field of coastal tourism is very small considering the existing capabilities in this field. Therefore, it is necessary to address not only the issues of sustainability and environmental concerns in this area but also the dimensions and factors associated with the development of this type of tourism. What is known is that no comprehensive study has been conducted inside the country to investigate the factors related to the development of coastal tourism in Iran. Hence, this research aimed to identify the factors influential on the development of coastal tourism in Iran and to evaluate and prioritize them based on entropy and collective ratio assessment (ARAS) methods. The factors used in this research were comprehensive in nature. Therefore, the result of this research and the suggestions made in it will have a direct impact on the development of coastal tourism in Iran.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />This research is practical in terms of its purpose and results, and the survey is the method of data collection. The research population consisted of experts in the field of tourism and specialists active in the coastal tourism industry in Iran. Due to the limitation of the elements of the research community, the judgmental sampling method and the opinions of 15 experts have been used to determine the sample. The experts of this research had at least 5 years of executive experience in this field and education related to tourism. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been established by reviewing similar texts and research and consulting with experts in the field of tourism.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />In this research, the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism have been extracted through a theoretical review of research foundations. To determine the most important factors that experts unanimously agree are influential in the development of this type of tourism, the fuzzy Delphi method has been employed. According to the results of the fuzzy Delphi method, all factors extracted from the research literature were deemed suitable by the experts, and there was no need to add a new factor related to the development of coastal tourism in Iran. Therefore, through literature review and the fuzzy Delphi method, a total of 14 factors were identified. In the next step, the importance and weight of each factor were determined using the Shannon entropy method, and the factors are evaluated and prioritized using the collective ratio evaluation method. According to the results of this research, among the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism in Iran, "the security of coastal areas", "the creation of employment opportunities and attention to local products and businesses in coastal areas" and "recreational facilities in coastal areas" have the highest priority according to experts.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />Based on the results of marketing and advertising research, the importance of tourist attractions in coastal areas has been ranked the first. It is suggested to improve the level of knowledge and awareness of tourists about the attractions of the country's coasts by training in the field of different marketing methods and identifying the target market for the people of the local community who are active in the field of tourism. Encouraging and facilitating private sector and local community investment in coastal tourism development holds the second level of importance. Investment in the infrastructure development and other services related to tourism can lead to an increase in the number of visitors/tourists for sightseeing. Government support in the field of coastal tourism is another significant factor in the current study. It is necessary to establish coordination between the government and various organizations, including health agencies, environmental protection departments, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism, as well as grassroots organizations. This coordination aims to create a shared vision for development, thus providing a foundation for integrated beach management. In addition to determining the importance of factors, the ARAS method was also utilized for evaluating and prioritizing the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism in Iran. The implementation results of this method indicated that the security of coastal areas holds a higher priority in coastal tourism development in Iran. Besides the peaceful promotion on an international level, there is a need for greater emphasis on creating a secure environment and enhancing awareness about safety along the coastlines. The next highly prioritized factor is the creation of employment opportunities and attention to local products and businesses in coastal areas. Providing economic benefits to local communities is one of the key outcomes of coastal tourism development. Recreational facilities in the coastal areas are another high-priority factor in the development of coastal tourism in Iran. According to several researchers, recreational parameters are considered important tools for assessing the quality of beaches.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. <br /><strong>Conflict of Interest</strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.Coastal tourism has the potential to provide economic and employment opportunities in destination countries. This research aimed to evaluate the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism in Iran using a multi-criteria decision-making methods. Therefore, the influential factors in the development of coastal tourism in Iran were identified using literature review, expert opinions, and the fuzzy Delphi method. This research was exploratory in terms of purpose, applied in nature, and employed a survey method for data collection. The research population consisted of experts in the field of coastal tourism in Iran. A judgmental sampling method was used to select the sample. After collecting the data, the importance and weight of each factor were identified by Shannon’s entropy method. Then, using the additive ratio assessment (ARAS) method, factors were evaluated and prioritized. According to the entropy method, the factor "marketing and advertising about tourist attractions in coastal areas" was the most important in the development of coastal tourism in Iran. The results of the ARAS method showed that among the factors affecting the development of coastal tourism in Iran, "security of coastal areas", "creation of employment opportunities and attention to local products and businesses in coastal areas" and "recreational facilities in coastal areas" had the highest priority.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />In a destination, the development of a tourist attraction plays an important role in generating appropriate economic income and attracting people to visit a specific area. One of the types of tourist attractions is beach tourism. Coastal tourism has witnessed the highest growth rate globally, with a remarkable trend of expansion in recent decades. According to the statistics published by the World Tourism Organization, it has become the largest source of global income in the new millennium. Due to its proximity to the Caspian Sea in the north and the Persian Gulf in the south, Iran has the most beautiful beaches for those who are interested in sea and beach recreation. Currently, the share of employment and production in the country related to the field of coastal tourism is very small considering the existing capabilities in this field. Therefore, it is necessary to address not only the issues of sustainability and environmental concerns in this area but also the dimensions and factors associated with the development of this type of tourism. What is known is that no comprehensive study has been conducted inside the country to investigate the factors related to the development of coastal tourism in Iran. Hence, this research aimed to identify the factors influential on the development of coastal tourism in Iran and to evaluate and prioritize them based on entropy and collective ratio assessment (ARAS) methods. The factors used in this research were comprehensive in nature. Therefore, the result of this research and the suggestions made in it will have a direct impact on the development of coastal tourism in Iran.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />This research is practical in terms of its purpose and results, and the survey is the method of data collection. The research population consisted of experts in the field of tourism and specialists active in the coastal tourism industry in Iran. Due to the limitation of the elements of the research community, the judgmental sampling method and the opinions of 15 experts have been used to determine the sample. The experts of this research had at least 5 years of executive experience in this field and education related to tourism. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been established by reviewing similar texts and research and consulting with experts in the field of tourism.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />In this research, the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism have been extracted through a theoretical review of research foundations. To determine the most important factors that experts unanimously agree are influential in the development of this type of tourism, the fuzzy Delphi method has been employed. According to the results of the fuzzy Delphi method, all factors extracted from the research literature were deemed suitable by the experts, and there was no need to add a new factor related to the development of coastal tourism in Iran. Therefore, through literature review and the fuzzy Delphi method, a total of 14 factors were identified. In the next step, the importance and weight of each factor were determined using the Shannon entropy method, and the factors are evaluated and prioritized using the collective ratio evaluation method. According to the results of this research, among the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism in Iran, "the security of coastal areas", "the creation of employment opportunities and attention to local products and businesses in coastal areas" and "recreational facilities in coastal areas" have the highest priority according to experts.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />Based on the results of marketing and advertising research, the importance of tourist attractions in coastal areas has been ranked the first. It is suggested to improve the level of knowledge and awareness of tourists about the attractions of the country's coasts by training in the field of different marketing methods and identifying the target market for the people of the local community who are active in the field of tourism. Encouraging and facilitating private sector and local community investment in coastal tourism development holds the second level of importance. Investment in the infrastructure development and other services related to tourism can lead to an increase in the number of visitors/tourists for sightseeing. Government support in the field of coastal tourism is another significant factor in the current study. It is necessary to establish coordination between the government and various organizations, including health agencies, environmental protection departments, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism, as well as grassroots organizations. This coordination aims to create a shared vision for development, thus providing a foundation for integrated beach management. In addition to determining the importance of factors, the ARAS method was also utilized for evaluating and prioritizing the factors influencing the development of coastal tourism in Iran. The implementation results of this method indicated that the security of coastal areas holds a higher priority in coastal tourism development in Iran. Besides the peaceful promotion on an international level, there is a need for greater emphasis on creating a secure environment and enhancing awareness about safety along the coastlines. The next highly prioritized factor is the creation of employment opportunities and attention to local products and businesses in coastal areas. Providing economic benefits to local communities is one of the key outcomes of coastal tourism development. Recreational facilities in the coastal areas are another high-priority factor in the development of coastal tourism in Iran. According to several researchers, recreational parameters are considered important tools for assessing the quality of beaches.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. <br /><strong>Conflict of Interest</strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_7080_5b71b064e129dc6ec44466a93e1c45b1.pdfUniversity of GuilanGeographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal2783-11914320230923Investigating the Land Use Changes in the City of Rasht Using Satellite Image AnalysisInvestigating the Land Use Changes in the City of Rasht Using Satellite Image Analysis6988708110.22124/gscaj.2023.22961.1193FAMohammadRahmaninezhadMaster's degree in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System, Department of Geography, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.ShahramSharifi HashjinAssistant Professor, Department of Regional Studies, Environmental Research Institute of Jihad University, Guilan, Rasht, Iran.Journal Article20220924Considering the extensive changes in land use and the necessity of providing awareness to managers and planners about the nature of these transformations for policy-making and problem-solving, the detection of land use changes through land cover analysis has become essential. Therefore, land use mapping is a requirement for any national and regional development planning. It empowers managers, planners, and experts to design and implement necessary actions by identifying current conditions, comparing capabilities and potentials, and addressing current and future needs and issues. Due to the high costs associated with traditional manual methods of land use mapping, remote sensing can offer engineers a faster and more accurate means for land use mapping and subsequent assessment of changes in an area. The present research aimed to investigate the land use changes in the city of Rasht from 1990 to 2020 using Landsat satellite images. Data analysis was conducted using Google Earth Engine, and the results were further analyzed and visualized using ArcGIS software. The findings indicated that over the 30-year study period, the percentage of forest and agricultural land decreased, while built-up areas, croplands, and pastures increased. The highest increase was observed in residential (urban and rural) land use, encompassing 8,080 hectares, followed by a 12,690-hectare expansion in pastureland.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />Having knowledge about the various land surface covers and human activities in different areas holds a significant importance as foundational information for various planning endeavors. One of the effective, valuable, and practical sources of information for identifying the land cover is remote sensing data. Remote sensing technology serves as an essential and valuable tool for assessing changes in land surface. To enhance efficiency in land use change detection, remote sensing is often integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The city of Rasht is situated in Guilān Province and stands out for its agricultural activities, particularly rice cultivation, ranking first in the country. Additionally, this region boasts pristine natural areas such as forests and pastures. Factors contributing to changes in land use within the region include population growth, the pressing need for housing, and the conversion of agricultural lands to residential for making profit. Amidst these circumstances, the main objective of this study is to investigate the land use changes in Rasht.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />In this current research, remote sensing science has been used to investigate the changes and transformations in land use and land cover within the city of Rasht. To analyze the data, images were examined using Google Earth Engine software, and the results were further analyzed in ArcGIS software, ultimately producing maps. For each year under study, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was derived from quarterly Landsat images and used as auxiliary data. The NDVI index quantifies vegetation coverage by measuring the difference between near-infrared and red wavelengths, which respectively reflect and absorb vegetation. This index was computed for four 3-month periods throughout the year.<br /><strong>Discussion</strong><br />The changes that have occurred over a thirty-year period from 1990 to 2020 have been assessed based on available data. The images and analyses derived from change detection have revealed that the most prominent change, evident through a comparison of generated land use maps, is the continuous shift in land use patterns. This includes a reduction in forest and agricultural lands and an increase in residential and pasture lands. It's worth noting that the two classes of 'pasture' and 'bare land' should be considered cumulatively due to the fact that many areas of Guilān's soil rapidly transform into grasslands and pastures as a result of rainfall. Thus, the time of taking the satellite image and the corresponding weather conditions significantly influence the classification of these areas as either 'bare land' or 'pasture'. The extent of changes is as follows: from 1990 to 2020, the area of residential land use has increased by approximately 81 square kilometers, and the combined area of 'bare land' and 'pasture' classes has increased by around 170 square kilometers. In contrast, forest and agricultural lands have decreased by 11 and 236 square kilometers, respectively, during these years. The most significant changes in residential land use have occurred in areas that were previously designated for agriculture. This phenomenon can be attributed to the intermingling of agricultural and residential lands in the Guilān province.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />The analysis revealed that during the 30 years under study, the percentage of forest and agricultural land has decreased, while the percentage of residential and pasture/bare land use has increased. Many agricultural lands, specifically the rice fields, have been converted to residential areas, or they are left uncultivated and are identified as bare pastures in recent satellite images. Forest coverage within Rasht is limited, primarily concentrated in the southern region, particularly in the Sarāvān area. Given the conditions of these forests, the issue of forest degradation and the prevalence of pine logging in certain parts of the county have prevented a significant decline in this land category. The reduction in orchards and agricultural lands is a significant challenge in the current land use changes. Economic issues, the commercialization of properties, recent droughts, and water shortages that have led to a decline in agricultural income at both provincial and national levels are among the factors driving rural farmers to convert their land to residential use in order to generate income and liquid assets. This trend is evident in the increased area of residential and pasture/bare land use. Although, the analysis of residential land use changes indicates an increasing trend. In recent years, inflation, capital preservation, migration, and rising housing demand within the province have driven the construction of numerous houses, apartments, residential complexes, and government housing projects in the county. Furthermore, due to the region's tourism potential, villa construction has seen a significant rise in recent years, contributing to the increasing trend of residential land use<strong>.</strong><br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. <br /><strong>Conflict of Interest </strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.Considering the extensive changes in land use and the necessity of providing awareness to managers and planners about the nature of these transformations for policy-making and problem-solving, the detection of land use changes through land cover analysis has become essential. Therefore, land use mapping is a requirement for any national and regional development planning. It empowers managers, planners, and experts to design and implement necessary actions by identifying current conditions, comparing capabilities and potentials, and addressing current and future needs and issues. Due to the high costs associated with traditional manual methods of land use mapping, remote sensing can offer engineers a faster and more accurate means for land use mapping and subsequent assessment of changes in an area. The present research aimed to investigate the land use changes in the city of Rasht from 1990 to 2020 using Landsat satellite images. Data analysis was conducted using Google Earth Engine, and the results were further analyzed and visualized using ArcGIS software. The findings indicated that over the 30-year study period, the percentage of forest and agricultural land decreased, while built-up areas, croplands, and pastures increased. The highest increase was observed in residential (urban and rural) land use, encompassing 8,080 hectares, followed by a 12,690-hectare expansion in pastureland.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />Having knowledge about the various land surface covers and human activities in different areas holds a significant importance as foundational information for various planning endeavors. One of the effective, valuable, and practical sources of information for identifying the land cover is remote sensing data. Remote sensing technology serves as an essential and valuable tool for assessing changes in land surface. To enhance efficiency in land use change detection, remote sensing is often integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The city of Rasht is situated in Guilān Province and stands out for its agricultural activities, particularly rice cultivation, ranking first in the country. Additionally, this region boasts pristine natural areas such as forests and pastures. Factors contributing to changes in land use within the region include population growth, the pressing need for housing, and the conversion of agricultural lands to residential for making profit. Amidst these circumstances, the main objective of this study is to investigate the land use changes in Rasht.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />In this current research, remote sensing science has been used to investigate the changes and transformations in land use and land cover within the city of Rasht. To analyze the data, images were examined using Google Earth Engine software, and the results were further analyzed in ArcGIS software, ultimately producing maps. For each year under study, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was derived from quarterly Landsat images and used as auxiliary data. The NDVI index quantifies vegetation coverage by measuring the difference between near-infrared and red wavelengths, which respectively reflect and absorb vegetation. This index was computed for four 3-month periods throughout the year.<br /><strong>Discussion</strong><br />The changes that have occurred over a thirty-year period from 1990 to 2020 have been assessed based on available data. The images and analyses derived from change detection have revealed that the most prominent change, evident through a comparison of generated land use maps, is the continuous shift in land use patterns. This includes a reduction in forest and agricultural lands and an increase in residential and pasture lands. It's worth noting that the two classes of 'pasture' and 'bare land' should be considered cumulatively due to the fact that many areas of Guilān's soil rapidly transform into grasslands and pastures as a result of rainfall. Thus, the time of taking the satellite image and the corresponding weather conditions significantly influence the classification of these areas as either 'bare land' or 'pasture'. The extent of changes is as follows: from 1990 to 2020, the area of residential land use has increased by approximately 81 square kilometers, and the combined area of 'bare land' and 'pasture' classes has increased by around 170 square kilometers. In contrast, forest and agricultural lands have decreased by 11 and 236 square kilometers, respectively, during these years. The most significant changes in residential land use have occurred in areas that were previously designated for agriculture. This phenomenon can be attributed to the intermingling of agricultural and residential lands in the Guilān province.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />The analysis revealed that during the 30 years under study, the percentage of forest and agricultural land has decreased, while the percentage of residential and pasture/bare land use has increased. Many agricultural lands, specifically the rice fields, have been converted to residential areas, or they are left uncultivated and are identified as bare pastures in recent satellite images. Forest coverage within Rasht is limited, primarily concentrated in the southern region, particularly in the Sarāvān area. Given the conditions of these forests, the issue of forest degradation and the prevalence of pine logging in certain parts of the county have prevented a significant decline in this land category. The reduction in orchards and agricultural lands is a significant challenge in the current land use changes. Economic issues, the commercialization of properties, recent droughts, and water shortages that have led to a decline in agricultural income at both provincial and national levels are among the factors driving rural farmers to convert their land to residential use in order to generate income and liquid assets. This trend is evident in the increased area of residential and pasture/bare land use. Although, the analysis of residential land use changes indicates an increasing trend. In recent years, inflation, capital preservation, migration, and rising housing demand within the province have driven the construction of numerous houses, apartments, residential complexes, and government housing projects in the county. Furthermore, due to the region's tourism potential, villa construction has seen a significant rise in recent years, contributing to the increasing trend of residential land use<strong>.</strong><br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. <br /><strong>Conflict of Interest </strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_7081_7e1c65794ecda595541f54183554d6be.pdfUniversity of GuilanGeographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal2783-11914320230923Evaluating the Effects of Access to Urban Facilities and Services on the Sense of Belonging to a Place in the Worn-out Textures of Ahvāz MetropolisEvaluating the Effects of Access to Urban Facilities and Services on the Sense of Belonging to a Place in the Worn-out Textures of Ahvāz Metropolis89103708210.22124/gscaj.2023.22538.1177FAMajidGoodarziAssociate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.ZahraSoltaniAssistant Professor, Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.AfsanehAli BakhshiPhD student in Geography and Urban Planning, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz , Ahvaz, Iran.Journal Article20220626Urban worn-out textures require preservation, respect, and revitalization due to their historical and cultural values. Nowadays, the restoration of these textures places a significant focus on meeting residents' needs in establishing a connection with the physical environment and concepts such as a sense of place belonging, which is of great interest to many designers. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical condition (access to urban services) and the sense of place belonging in the worn-out textures of six neighborhoods (Āmeri, Yousefi, Ākhar-e Āsfālt, Zargān, Hasirābād, and Lashkarābād). This applied study employed a descriptive-analytical research method. The Kruskal-Wallis test, simple t-test, Pearson correlation in SPSS software, and FAHP were employed to achieve the research objective. The results of the investigations indicated that the Ākhar-e Āsfālt, Yousefi, and Āmeri neighborhoods have a favorable status in terms of access to urban facilities and services, while Hasirābād neighborhood, is in a highly unfavorable condition. Furthermore, examining the relationship between urban services and the sense of place belonging to the worn-out texture with a coefficient of 0.371, signifying a direct correlation between the two mentioned variables. This implies that by enhancing urban facilities and services, as well as reinforcing public spaces and physical structures, the worn-out textures can foster an increased sense of place belonging in these areas.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />A sense of belonging to a place is defined as the influential connection people make with place settlements, where they want to stay and feel comfort and security. This sensation results in an individual connecting with a place to such an extent that they consider themselves a part of it. They conceive a sense of place based on their own experiences of signs, meanings, functions, personality, and a role the place plays in their mind. Creating an effective, efficient, and dynamic urban space that aligns with the social, cultural, environmental, physical, and economic needs of the community has consistently been a concern for urban planners and designers. In recent years, the issue of "sense of belonging to a place" has been considered in the fields related to urban affairs and urban planning. This new perspective has presented researchers and urban practitioners with a novel approach, placing utmost emphasis on the degree of sense of place in urban neighborhoods, especially in worn-out textures. Given the aforementioned cases, the present study aimed to analyze the relationship between the level of access to urban facilities and services and the sense of belonging to the worn-out neighborhoods in the metropolis of Ahvaz.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />The present study was applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of its nature and method. Documentary and field methods were used to collect data. The research population included the residents of worn-out areas of Ahvāz, from among them 383 individuals were selected via Cochran's formula as statistical sample. Data were analyzed using FAHP decision-making model, Pearson correlation, Friedman, and t-tests.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />The results of cluster analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test depicted that Ākhar-e Āsfālt, Āmeri, and Yousefi neighborhoods are more favorbale regarding facilities and services. Ākhar-e Āsfālt and Āmeri neighborhoods are the most prosperous in terms of access to urban facilities and services, with coefficients of 31.24 and 29.54, respectively. As the results obtained by separating the urban neighborhoods via cluster analysis, the six neighborhoods with worn-out textures are classified into three clusters. Ākhar-e Āsfālt and Āmeri neighborhoods are in the first cluster, Yousefi neighborhood is in the second cluster, and Zargān, Lashkarābād, and Hasirābād neighborhoods are in the third cluster. The results of the FAHP model showed that access to urban facilities and medical centers with coefficients of 0.257 and 0.190 are the most effective indicators of a worn-out texture in enjoying urban facilities and services, while access to green space and cultural facilities had the least effect on this process. According to this analysis, Ākhar-e Āsfālt and Yousefi neighborhoods are the most enjoyed in terms of access to urban facilities and services, while Hasirābād neighborhood stood in the last rank. The results of the t-test showed that the three factors of emotional, environmental, and spatial attachments with coefficients 31.425, 9.09, and 4.546, respectively, were the most effective indicators of the sense of belonging to the worn textures in these neighborhoods. The results obtained from the Pearson correlation coefficient with a value of 0.371 indicated that with increasing access to urban facilities and services, the sense of belonging to worn-out urban structures increases. This issue can directly affect future planning to reduce the problems of those urban textures.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />Given the fact that the residents have a special attachment to their place of residence, and the emotional dependence among them is high, it is possible to improve the worn-out textures by increasing the urban facilities and services as well as strengthening public spaces and physical textures. strengthened through urban redevelopment.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work<br /><strong>Conflict of Interest</strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.Urban worn-out textures require preservation, respect, and revitalization due to their historical and cultural values. Nowadays, the restoration of these textures places a significant focus on meeting residents' needs in establishing a connection with the physical environment and concepts such as a sense of place belonging, which is of great interest to many designers. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical condition (access to urban services) and the sense of place belonging in the worn-out textures of six neighborhoods (Āmeri, Yousefi, Ākhar-e Āsfālt, Zargān, Hasirābād, and Lashkarābād). This applied study employed a descriptive-analytical research method. The Kruskal-Wallis test, simple t-test, Pearson correlation in SPSS software, and FAHP were employed to achieve the research objective. The results of the investigations indicated that the Ākhar-e Āsfālt, Yousefi, and Āmeri neighborhoods have a favorable status in terms of access to urban facilities and services, while Hasirābād neighborhood, is in a highly unfavorable condition. Furthermore, examining the relationship between urban services and the sense of place belonging to the worn-out texture with a coefficient of 0.371, signifying a direct correlation between the two mentioned variables. This implies that by enhancing urban facilities and services, as well as reinforcing public spaces and physical structures, the worn-out textures can foster an increased sense of place belonging in these areas.<br /> <br /><strong>Extended Abstract</strong><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Introduction </strong><br />A sense of belonging to a place is defined as the influential connection people make with place settlements, where they want to stay and feel comfort and security. This sensation results in an individual connecting with a place to such an extent that they consider themselves a part of it. They conceive a sense of place based on their own experiences of signs, meanings, functions, personality, and a role the place plays in their mind. Creating an effective, efficient, and dynamic urban space that aligns with the social, cultural, environmental, physical, and economic needs of the community has consistently been a concern for urban planners and designers. In recent years, the issue of "sense of belonging to a place" has been considered in the fields related to urban affairs and urban planning. This new perspective has presented researchers and urban practitioners with a novel approach, placing utmost emphasis on the degree of sense of place in urban neighborhoods, especially in worn-out textures. Given the aforementioned cases, the present study aimed to analyze the relationship between the level of access to urban facilities and services and the sense of belonging to the worn-out neighborhoods in the metropolis of Ahvaz.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><br />The present study was applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of its nature and method. Documentary and field methods were used to collect data. The research population included the residents of worn-out areas of Ahvāz, from among them 383 individuals were selected via Cochran's formula as statistical sample. Data were analyzed using FAHP decision-making model, Pearson correlation, Friedman, and t-tests.<br /><strong>Results and discussion</strong><br />The results of cluster analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test depicted that Ākhar-e Āsfālt, Āmeri, and Yousefi neighborhoods are more favorbale regarding facilities and services. Ākhar-e Āsfālt and Āmeri neighborhoods are the most prosperous in terms of access to urban facilities and services, with coefficients of 31.24 and 29.54, respectively. As the results obtained by separating the urban neighborhoods via cluster analysis, the six neighborhoods with worn-out textures are classified into three clusters. Ākhar-e Āsfālt and Āmeri neighborhoods are in the first cluster, Yousefi neighborhood is in the second cluster, and Zargān, Lashkarābād, and Hasirābād neighborhoods are in the third cluster. The results of the FAHP model showed that access to urban facilities and medical centers with coefficients of 0.257 and 0.190 are the most effective indicators of a worn-out texture in enjoying urban facilities and services, while access to green space and cultural facilities had the least effect on this process. According to this analysis, Ākhar-e Āsfālt and Yousefi neighborhoods are the most enjoyed in terms of access to urban facilities and services, while Hasirābād neighborhood stood in the last rank. The results of the t-test showed that the three factors of emotional, environmental, and spatial attachments with coefficients 31.425, 9.09, and 4.546, respectively, were the most effective indicators of the sense of belonging to the worn textures in these neighborhoods. The results obtained from the Pearson correlation coefficient with a value of 0.371 indicated that with increasing access to urban facilities and services, the sense of belonging to worn-out urban structures increases. This issue can directly affect future planning to reduce the problems of those urban textures.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />Given the fact that the residents have a special attachment to their place of residence, and the emotional dependence among them is high, it is possible to improve the worn-out textures by increasing the urban facilities and services as well as strengthening public spaces and physical textures. strengthened through urban redevelopment.<br /><strong>Funding</strong><br />There is no funding support.<br /><strong>Authors’ Contribution</strong><br />Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work<br /><strong>Conflict of Interest</strong><br />Authors declared no conflict of interest.<br /><strong>Acknowledgments</strong><br />We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_7082_2efc8d802a3d56b1c68347765d331de9.pdf