Investigating the Performance of Urban Management with an Age-Friendly Community Approach (A case study of Sari city)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandan, Babolsar, Iran

2 Ph. D Canditadete of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandan, Babolsar, Iran

3 Asstant Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University Nour Baranch, Nour, Iran

Abstract

The Population of  Iran has passed its youth and is entering middle age and old age with an upward trend. Despite the high rate of urbanization in the country, by reflecting on the structure of Iranian cities, it can be concluded that the urban management system in Iran is not fully prepared to face this phenomenon. Since Mazandaran was the second most elderly province in the country in 2015, this research aimed to evaluate the performance of urban management in Sari city regarding the elderly-friendly city approach. The methodology of the research is based on descriptive-analytical approaches. The data were collected by conducting a field work to complete the given questionnaires. Delphi method was used to investigate the situation of urban management of Sari towards elderly people by experts. The DEMATEL method was used, and to analyze the citizens' answers, second-order confirmatory factor analysis was used in AMOS software. The results of the DEMATEL method showed that from the point of view of experts, financial allocations for the use of health services, low-cost homes for the elderly, the presence of standard furniture and equipment for the elderly, home care services, spaces with heating systems and emergency services in open spaces and suitable job opportunities for the elderly are key and effective indicators in the current research. Next, the results of the structural rate model test indicate that the dimensions of social support and health services (0.78), open spaces and public buildings (0.76) and housing (0.73), respectively.
 

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Main Subjects

References

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Geography and Development
Volume 24, Issue 82 - Serial Number 82
January 2026
Pages 153-176

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 08 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 20 April 2025

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