The Journal of Governance and Smart City

The introverted layout organized around the courtyard is one of the architectural systems of traditional Iranian houses—a system that, in addition to meeting climatic and functional needs, reflects the cultural and social values of Iranian society. The main problem addressed in the present study is the lack of systematic analyses concerning the spatial layout geometry of these houses and the role of the courtyard as the central element of spatial organization. Today, only a limited number of courtyard-centered houses remain for study, most of which belong to the Qajar period. This research was conducted with the aim of identifying spatial patterns, explaining the logic of introverted organization, and analyzing the position of the courtyard within the spatial structure of historic houses in Tehran. The research method is qualitative–historical–descriptive–analytical, and data were collected through both fieldwork and documentary studies. The research population includes surviving houses from the Qajar period located within Tehran’s historic fabric. From among these, six houses were selected through purposive sampling based on criteria such as their belonging to the Qajar period, preservation of spatial structure, availability of valid and reliable documents, and possession of an introverted spatial organization. Data analysis was conducted through three complementary approaches: spatial analysis, geometric analysis, and comparative analysis of the samples. The findings indicate that in all cases, the courtyard serves as the central and organizing element of space. This structure not only responds to climatic needs such as daylighting and natural ventilation, but also reflects the cultural and social norms of the Qajar era—such as spatial hierarchy, preservation of privacy, gender segregation, and the distinction between andaruni (private) and biruni (public) zones. Common patterns were observed, including the axis of symmetry, the sequence of entrances from public to semi-public and private spaces, the formation of verandas (iwans) on the southern façade or facing the courtyard, and the use of regular geometric order in the plan organization. The results show that the geometry of spatial layout in Qajar houses created an intelligent linkage among climate, culture, and social needs, offering an inspiring model for contemporary Iranian architecture in the pursuit of reviving spatial identity and achieving sustainable design.

The present study aims to provide a comparative and critical analysis of Peter Eisenman’s first ten houses (House I–House X) based on the Bax emergent design process model (Bax M.F.TH). This model, grounded in domain theory, conceptualizes architectural design as the result of the interaction among three axes: “form,” “process,” and “function.” In the second half of the twentieth century, Eisenman, as one of the influential figures in conceptual architecture, sought to elevate architecture from a merely physical and functional domain to one of thought and language. His ten-house series are not merely constructed dwellings; rather, they reflect the evolution of design thinking from geometric order and structural formalism to conceptual and process-oriented deconstruction. The methodology of this research is qualitative–descriptive and based on documentary content analysis. Within this framework, each house is examined as an independent case study and subsequently compared through cross-case analysis according to the three axes of the Bax model. The findings indicate that in the early projects (Houses 1–3), the dominant axis is “form,” with pure geometric construction and grid-based order governing the design logic. In the middle houses (4–7), the “process” axis becomes prominent, and design transforms into a field of transformation, contradiction, and subtraction. In the final works (8–10), architecture rises to a conceptual level in which “function” is articulated not in its physical sense but in its perceptual and interpretive meaning. Cross-case analysis further demonstrates that the Bax model successfully represents the cognitive structure of Eisenman’s design approach and can serve as an effective framework for understanding the relationship among theoretical thinking, design process, and spatial experience in conceptual architecture. In conclusion, the research shows that Eisenman’s design trajectory evolves from “self-formality” toward “self-conceptuality,” and this trajectory fully aligns with the internal logic of the Bax model. Thus, the Bax model not only provides a framework for analyzing Eisenman’s works but also constitutes a tool for understanding architecture as a process of thought and the experience of ideas in space.

The transformation of urban governance patterns in the data-driven era requires the regeneration of structures, processes, and interactions among urban institutions and citizens. In this study, with the aim of modeling the regeneration of smart urban governance in the metropolis of Tabriz, an integrated approach based on data-driven systems and citizen participation was adopted. To this end, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explain the relationships among the technological, institutional, and social components of governance. The research data were collected through questionnaires and spatial data analysis (GIS), and were modeled in three dimensions: “data and technology infrastructure,” “institutional and policy capacity,” and “citizen and networked interactions.” The analysis showed that the data-driven dimension has the strongest direct effect on urban governance efficiency (β = 0.57, p < 0.001) and, through enhancing transparency and evidence-based decision-making, plays an intermediary role in strengthening citizen participation. Moreover, the participatory dimension, with its indirect effect on urban sustainability, has led to increased public trust and institutional accountability. The findings confirm that smart governance is not merely a technological phenomenon, but rather an institutional–social framework for synergy among data, institutions, and citizens. Ultimately, the proposed model can serve as a localized framework for regenerating urban governance in Iran’s metropolitan areas and facilitate the transition toward a sustainable smart city.

The objective of this study is to analyze the spatial structure of Tabriz and reinterpret it through the lens of Islamic wisdom principles to reveal the interconnection between meaning, identity, and urban form. This research adopted a mixed-methods strategy combining theoretical content analysis, historical document review, and quantitative spatial analysis using GIS. Spatial data included historical maps from three periods, land-use layers, street networks, and the distribution of religious and service spaces within the historic core. Spatial indicators such as centrality (Space Syntax), accessibility, functional density, land-use mix, and historical continuity were applied. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with residents, experts, and scholars of Islamic urbanism, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the Jameh Mosque–Bazaar axis possesses the highest spatial and symbolic centrality, forming a unity-based organizing core. Functional density and spatial justice in the historical core are relatively balanced and correspond to traditional Islamic notions of proportional justice. The Historical Continuity Index shows that a major portion of the bazaar network has remained stable over the past century. Ecological harmony is reflected in the balanced presence of courtyards, open spaces, and semi-open structures throughout the historic fabric. Overall, the spatial configuration of Tabriz embodies key principles of Islamic wisdom such as unity, balance, hierarchy, and justice. The study concludes that Tabriz exhibits a wisdom-centered spatial order in which meaning and form operate in an organic unity, providing a valuable foundation for identity-oriented revitalization of historic Islamic cities today.

This study addresses the issue of the continuous decline in Iran’s fertility rate (1.6 in 2016) and the failure of recent population revitalization policies. Acknowledging that the causes of this phenomenon extend beyond economic dimensions and are rooted in the “second demographic transition” and cultural transformations, the main objective of the research is to systematically identify and prioritize the key cultural drivers that neutralize pro-natalist policies. A mixed-methods design (convergent approach) was used. In the first phase, scientometric analysis (VOSviewer) was conducted on 44,931 documents from the ScienceDirect database (2000–2023). In the second phase, structural analysis (MICMAC) was applied to examine 26 cultural variables, using input from a panel of 29 experts. The scientometric analysis revealed that the global scientific discourse examines population decline primarily in connection with “climate change” (rank 1), rather than cultural–social factors. In contrast, the MICMAC analysis (with 98% desirability) assessed Iran’s cultural system as “unstable” and complex. Six key drivers were identified, with “the role of modernization and its consequences for families and especially women in altering attitudes” ranked as the most influential driver (rank 1). This was followed by “the psychological shift toward self-control” and “the devaluation of motherhood.” By prioritizing cultural drivers, this research addresses an existing gap in the literature. The findings indicate that policymaking must shift from short-term economic incentives toward dynamic and culture-based strategies. Key recommendations include “a modern and value-based redefinition of motherhood” (aligned with the identity of educated women) and “emphasizing long-term stability” (in education and healthcare) to meet families’ needs for “self-control” and future planning.

Digital transformation has reshaped urban management in recent decades, challenging traditional governance models and introducing new paradigms of data-driven, transparent, and participatory decision-making. This review-based analytical study examines the structural, functional, and socio-cultural differences between traditional governance and digital governance within the context of smart cities. Data were collected through extensive literature review and document analysis and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and comparative techniques. The findings reveal that traditional governance, due to its hierarchical structure, limited transparency, and insufficient citizen participation, is unable to effectively address the complexities of contemporary urban systems. In contrast, digital governance—characterized by data-centric decision-making, networked interactions, information transparency, and active citizen engagement—significantly enhances the quality and responsiveness of urban governance. The study emphasizes that transitioning toward digital governance requires robust technological infrastructure, institutional restructuring, improved digital literacy, and the localization of global governance models to align with the cultural and social contexts of each country. Overall, the results indicate that the future of urban management depends on adopting and operationalizing the principles of digital governance, and that smart cities cannot be fully realized without transforming existing governance structures.

The aim of this research is to examine the extent to which the criteria of Dr. Mohammad-Mansour Falamaki’s theory of “Architectural Formation” are realized in four award-winning works of the Memar Award 2025, namely “Chaharbagh Metro Station No. 1,” “Dar-Divar Project,” “Hamsang House,” and “Aban House.” These works represent four influential orientations in contemporary Iranian architecture: context-oriented architecture with an emphasis on historical continuity; poetic and transcendental architecture grounded in subjective experience; human-centered architecture with interior and bio-existential dimensions; and conceptual architecture oriented toward integrating material and meaning at the scale of everyday life. Considering today’s challenges in synthesizing function, meaning, and existential experience in spatial design, this study offers a comparative framework to assess the theoretical efficacy of Falamaki’s model in analyzing contemporary Iranian architectural works. This study is qualitative-comparative in nature, and data were collected through the examination of design documents, official jury statements of the Memar Award, plans, construction drawings, and field observations. The analysis was conducted based on Falamaki’s three theoretical axes: architectural fundamentals (material, time, light, and energy); branches of intertwinement (function, form, morphology, structure, and environmental integration); and semantic cycles (value-based and transcendental). The findings were organized into comparative tables and analytical scoring matrices to clarify the relationship between meaning and function in each project. The results showed that Chaharbagh Metro Station demonstrates context-oriented architecture at the level of fundamentals and branches of intertwinement, achieved through the use of local materials and historical continuity. The “Dar-Divar” project, in the axis of semantic cycles, creates a poetic and transcendental experience. “Hamsang House,” through its integrated structure and human-scaled geometry, establishes a more complete interaction between the physical form and the mind. “Aban House,” through the intertwinement of light, material, and energy, has achieved a conceptual and interdisciplinary spatial experience. In conclusion, the four studied projects each embody one facet of Falamaki’s theory in practice: social contextualism, poetic transcendence, human-existential living, and conceptual meaning-orientation. The findings confirm that the theory of “Architectural Formation” not only has the capacity to analyze diverse contemporary works but can also serve as a localized framework for critique, education, and the future design of architecture in Iran.

The expansion of information and communication technologies (ICT) has confronted cities worldwide with new opportunities and challenges, making the development of smart infrastructures essential for improving quality of life and urban governance. However, the success of smart cities does not rely solely on technological advancements; it also requires enhancing citizens’ levels of media literacy, digital literacy, and media rights awareness. The aim of the present study is to explain and evaluate the requirements for improving citizens’ media literacy and media rights within the governance and development processes of smart cities. Using an analytical–descriptive approach, this study identifies and evaluates the essential prerequisites for enhancing media literacy and media rights among citizens in the smart city development process. The findings indicate that the realization of smart urban governance depends on the interaction of three categories of institutional, human, and technological factors. In the institutional dimension, participatory governance, transparent policymaking, and the active role of municipalities in strengthening citizens’ media literacy were evaluated as influential. In the human dimension, the level of media awareness, the digital divide, critical thinking skills, and smart media behavior play decisive roles. In the technological dimension, stable access to communication infrastructures, data security, and digital trust are considered fundamental requirements. Moreover, social media platforms were identified as key environments for increasing citizen participation, facilitating inter-sectoral communication, and enhancing urban transparency. According to the results, the absence of coherent educational policies and weaknesses in media rights regulation are major challenges in the path toward smart city governance. Therefore, designing interactive educational programs, developing supportive regulations, and institutionalizing a culture of media literacy can pave the way for effective governance, reduced social vulnerabilities, and the achievement of urban sustainability in the smart era.