Iranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Explanation of the Impact Assessment Process for Energy Consumption Optimization Interventions in Historic Buildings11373480310.22034/ijumes.2026.2085983.1357ENMozhdehSoroushDepartment of Architecture, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0009-0009-0356-2379VahidGhobadianDepartment of Architecture, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-5040-0382ShervinMirshahzadehDepartment of Architecture, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-4862-3664Journal Article20250204Improving energy performance in historic buildings has become a critical challenge due to the need to balance environmental sustainability with the conservation of heritage values. Although numerous guidelines and decision-support tools have been developed, many existing approaches rely on qualitative judgments and lack transparent, quantitative procedures for evaluating the impacts of energy optimization interventions. This gap often leads to uncertainty in prioritizing measures and achieving consensus among multidisciplinary stakeholders. The present study aims to develop a structured Impact Assessment Process that enables integrated evaluation of energy consumption optimization interventions in historic buildings while safeguarding heritage significance. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on comprehensive literature review, content analysis, and logical–analytical reasoning. Drawing upon Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) principles and Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) frameworks, a three-stage process is proposed, including baseline condition assessment, identification of intervention strategies, and impact evaluation relative to baseline conditions. The framework integrates five assessment criteria: heritage value conservation, energy performance, CO₂ emission reduction, indoor thermal comfort, and economic efficiency. Findings indicate that applying a structured scoring system and a multi-criteria evaluation approach improves transparency in decision-making and allows systematic comparison of alternative interventions. Furthermore, prioritizing heritage impact assessment at early stages helps eliminate incompatible measures before detailed energy analysis, reducing potential risks to historic fabric. The study concludes that the proposed framework provides a comprehensive and adaptable methodological structure for researchers and practitioners, facilitating more balanced, evidence-based, and sustainable energy retrofit decisions in historic buildings, particularly in contexts where standardized assessment protocols are limited.https://www.ijumes.com/article_734803_09a7ad060b78d714105a2d1e410821a9.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260510Challenges and Gaps in Parametric Architecture Methodology143073469110.22034/ijumes.2026.2085758.1355ENMasoomeMoradiPh.D. Candidate, Department of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran0009-0002-7280-7754HamidrezaSharifAssociate Professor, Department of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran0000-0002-9248-3569Journal Article20260224With the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, their increasing incorporation into architectural practice and particularly into the architectural design process has precipitated the emergence of novel design methodologies shaped by digital paradigms. Accordingly, parametric architecture, as a salient manifestation of digitally mediated design, has been selected as the focal lens through which to investigate the epistemological and procedural impacts of digital technology on architectural design thinking. The present research seeks to develop a comprehensive framework aimed at advancing methodological studies in parametric architecture. It endeavors to identify, categorize, and critically analyze the transformations, shifts, and epistemic gaps that distinguish parametric design research from the established corpus of pre-digital architectural design studies. In doing so, the study aspires to provide a strategic foundation for understanding and further cultivating design practices in the digital era. The research adopts a qualitative methodology grounded in the principles of Grounded Theory. Through a systematic review and comparative analysis of canonical architectural design research conducted prior to the advent of digital technologies, alongside contemporary scholarship on parametric architecture, the study identifies conceptual constructs that signify digitally induced transformations within the parametric design process. These emergent concepts were subsequently coded, classified, and analytically synthesized to construct a structured interpretive framework. The findings indicate that the integration of digital technologies into the architectural design process has fundamentally reconfigured its foundational concepts and facilitated the emergence of new design paradigms. The categorization of these newly identified concepts reveals the breadth and multidimensionality of transformations across various domains of the design process under digital influence. Furthermore, the study delineates areas within parametric architecture that require further scholarly investigation and proposes strategic recommendations for the informed and critical integration of artificial intelligence in intelligent design methodologies.https://www.ijumes.com/article_734691_5a837970c11b00124bcde5e78330717c.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Investigation of the Physical Aspects of Openings on Interior Daylight Quality and Exterior Visibility314973484010.22034/ijumes.2026.2085179.1354ENAlirezaGoodarzi ArdakaniDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning, Yas.,C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran0009-0006-9430-1788YaghowbPeyvastehgarDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning, Yas.,C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran0009-0006-9430-1788AliakbarHeidariDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Yasouj University, Yasouj ,Iran0000-0002-9077-2308AliMehboodiDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning, Yas.,C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran0000-0002-7261-9051Journal Article20260102Daylight and visual connection to the exterior are critical factors in architectural design, directly influencing occupants’ comfort, well-being, and energy performance. However, contemporary window design often lacks a systematic understanding of how opening geometry simultaneously affects daylight quality and exterior visibility. This study aims to investigate the combined impact of opening position and elongation on indoor daylight performance and view quality. The research asks how variations in window location and geometric elongation influence daylight metrics and the extent of visual access to the outside. A parametric simulation approach was employed using Honeybee and Ladybug, analyzing 22 scenarios of a reference room model (5×3×3 m) through daylight factor, horizontal illuminance, glare probability, and view analysis indices. The results show that centrally positioned openings with horizontal elongation improved daylight uniformity by approximately [10%] and increased exterior visibility by [36%] compared to vertically elongated configurations. Qualitatively, the findings suggest that balanced horizontal window proportions enhance both visual comfort and spatial perception without excessive glare. Future research should extend the model to multiple climatic contexts and diverse room geometries to improve the generalizability of the conclusions. Future research may extend this framework by incorporating different room proportions, façade orientations, glazing properties, shading devices, and diverse climatic contexts to enhance the robustness and applicability of the results.https://www.ijumes.com/article_734840_e1a7af13b41d6cfb257b8513800343db.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501A Participatory Framework for Land Re-Adjustment in Inefficient Urban Fabrics: A Fuzzy-Delphi Approach to Physical Development Modelling (Case Study: Eastern Zone of Zanjan City)506873568810.22034/ijumes.2026.2086768.1359ENAkbarNorouziDepartment of Urban Planning, Qa.C., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran0009-0009-2495-0848DaryoushArdalanDepartment of Urban Planning, Qa.C., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran0000-0002-7705-0108Seyed MohammadrezaKhatibiDepartment of Urban Planning, Qa.C., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran0000-0002-1904-7541Journal Article20260226Inefficient urban fabrics, characterised by structural decay, fragmented land tenure, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic marginalisation, represent one of the most pressing urban governance challenges of the twenty-first century. In Iran, more than 166,000 hectares of urban land equivalent to 23 per cent of the national urban area are classified as Inefficient , rendering conventional, top-down redevelopment strategies both financially unsustainable and institutionally inadequate. This study proposes an operational model for land re-adjustment (LRA) within Inefficient urban fabrics in eastern zone of Zanjan city, grounded in the principles of physical development and validated through a participatory Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM). The research adopts an analytical–applied design; data were gathered through documentary and library methods and assessed qualitatively. Drawing on a systematic review of theoretical layers, twenty-one initial factors were extracted and subjected to four sequential Fuzzy Delphi rounds with a fifteen-member expert panel. Successive rounds applied escalating consensus thresholds (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 on a five-point Likert scale), reducing the factor set from 21 to 18, 15, 13, and finally confirming 13 indicators as the proposed model. Consensus was verified by Kendall's coefficient of concordance, which reached 0.792 in the final round. Findings indicate that spatial organisation (4.17), urban fabric connectivity (4.15), street permeability (4.25), and ownership rate (4.25) exert the highest influence on the proposed LRA model. The study concludes that the integration of physical development principles with participatory land management instruments constitutes a strategically viable path toward sustainable urban regeneration in Iranian mid-size cities.https://www.ijumes.com/article_735688_661637b58815246627fe35e3a559704a.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501The Influence of Physical Architectural Components on the Mental Health of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of 22 Bahman Hospital, Mashhad City698173621810.22034/ijumes.2026.2077407.1344ENMahdiKeyvaniDepartment of Art and Architecture, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran0009-0007-5745-2306RezaMirzaeiDepartment of Art and Architecture, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran0000-0001-8769-0275AhmadHeidariDepartment of Art and Architecture, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran0000-0002-7072-2098AtaTehranchiDepartment of psychology, Imamreza International University, Mashhad, Iran0000-0001-8249-9359Journal Article20251111Mental health is fundamental to healthcare staff wellbeing, particularly in high-stress hospital environments where poor workplace design contributes to burnout and adverse patient outcomes. This study investigates the influence of physical architectural components on the mental health of medical staff at 22 Bahman Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. A correlational cross-sectional design was employed, identifying five architectural dimensions (access and movement, visual perception, geometry and dimensions, spatial complexity and diversity, and spatial hierarchy) and five mental health dimensions (feelings of peace, personal security, happiness, sense of belonging, and social interaction) through a theoretical review. A five-point Likert-scale questionnaire was administered to 130 healthcare staff (nurses and physicians) selected from a population of 198 via Cochran’s formula (95% confidence level), and data were analysed using PLS-SEM via SmartPLS. Visual perception exerted the strongest architectural influence (β = 0.862, T = 33.84, p < 0.001), followed by geometry and dimensions (β = 0.819), access and movement and spatial hierarchy (β = 0.776 each), and spatial complexity and diversity (β = 0.574). Among mental health dimensions, personal security ranked highest (β = 0.886, T = 41.97, p < 0.001), followed by happiness (β = 0.818), sense of belonging (β = 0.728), social interaction (β = 0.688), and feelings of peace (β = 0.675). All constructs confirmed acceptable reliability (α > 0.7; CR > 0.8) and convergent validity (AVE > 0.5). These findings demonstrate that strategic architectural interventions prioritising visual quality, spatial organisation, and perceived safety can meaningfully enhance healthcare staff mental health, offering evidence-based guidance for hospital architects and administrators.https://www.ijumes.com/article_736218_b465b7de7754b64f4b89e710c264ef98.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Model of Climate Adaptability Indicators Considering Energy Consumption Optimization in Architecture of High-Rise Buildings in Tabriz City8210173608810.22034/ijumes.2026.2086773.1360ENFatemehRostamiDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran0000-0002-4693-9131SeyedmahmoodMoeiniDepartment of Architecture, Mal.C., Islamic Azad University, Malayer, Iran0009-0007-8957-9918KosarYadegarDepartment of Architecture,Tab.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran0009-0007-6885-9419FatemeMoradiDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, IHES, Iran.0009-0002-4991-6514Journal Article20260226High-rise buildings in cold semi-arid continental climates present one of the most demanding energy performance challenges in contemporary architecture: they must simultaneously resist severe winter conductive heat loss and prevent summer solar overheating two thermally opposing objectives that require careful integration across envelope, form, and mechanical systems. Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan Province in north-western Iran. This study addresses that gap by developing and validating a structured indicator model for climate-adaptive, energy-optimised high-rise building design in Tabriz, using the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) applied across four iterative rounds to a panel of fifteen domain experts in architecture, building physics, and environmental engineering. Beginning from twenty-one candidate indicators drawn from five conceptual domains opaque envelope thermal performance, transparent envelope and solar management, building form and orientation, active mechanical systems, and contextual passive strategies the iterative consensus process reduced the set to thirteen validated indicators, with Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) stabilising at 0.786 in the final round, confirming statistically significant and stable expert agreement. The four highest-priority indicators identified were wall thermal insulation compliance (mean 4.28), external shading device effectiveness (4.25), mechanical HVAC system efficiency (4.22), and glazing thermal performance (4.22), reflecting the dual-season energy imperative of Tabriz’s climate. The resulting thirteen-indicator model provides a coherent, empirically grounded, and operationally actionable framework for guiding the design of new high-rise buildings, the energy-based assessment of the existing stock, and the development of Tabriz-specific regulatory performance thresholds for tall building construction.https://www.ijumes.com/article_736088_28b0804d4afe477fd906164c0795a197.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Modeling Psychological Interactions in Virtual Architecture: A Mediating Analysis of Sensory-Visual Perception Using PLS-SEM10211173568910.22034/ijumes.2026.2078230.1345ENAliModaberianDepartment of Architecture, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran0009-0000-7277-3895SaharToofanDepartment of Architecture, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran0000-0002-1298-513XNimaValizadehDepartment of Architecture, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran0000-0001-9711-460XJournal Article20251118This study was conducted with the aim of modeling the psychological interactions between the designer and the user in virtual architectural space and examining the role of these interactions in the formation of sensory–visual perception. Despite the expansion of the use of virtual reality technologies, augmented reality, and interactive environments in architecture, understanding how environmental features are transformed into the user’s perceptual experience still faces conceptual and analytical gaps. Accordingly, the present research explains this process by presenting a structural model based on three constructs: “virtual architecture,” “psychological interactions,” and “sensory–visual perception.” The research method is based on a quantitative approach and the use of structural equation modeling with the partial least squares method (PLS-SEM). Data were collected through a questionnaire with the participation of 250 students and individuals familiar with virtual architectural environments. The results showed that virtual architecture has a positive and significant effect on psychological interactions, and these interactions also have a direct and strong effect on sensory–visual perception. In contrast, the direct effect of virtual architecture on perception, in the presence of the mediating variable, was weaker and reported with a negative direction, while the total effect remained positive. These findings indicate that spatial perception in virtual environments is not formed directly, but rather through the user’s active cognitive, behavioral–social, and educational engagement with the environment. The framework presented in this study can serve as a basis for designing interactive virtual environments, especially in architectural education.https://www.ijumes.com/article_735689_c682b1621b1d0c07f82fa1ed55c40f63.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Efficiency Model for Pedestrian Overpasses Based on Movement Behavioral Patterns Using Game Theory11212773673610.22034/ijumes.2026.2085789.1356ENAhmadHomayouniDepartment of Civil Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranHassanDivandariDepartment of Civil Engineering, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranKamranRahimovDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, University of Eyvanekey, Eyvanekey, IranHoomanRahimiDepartment of civil engineering, ShQ.C, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-Qods, IranJournal Article20260217Urban pedestrian infrastructure continues to pose a fundamental challenge in contemporary transportation and urban design research, particularly with regard to the gap between engineering provision and actual user behavior. Pedestrian overpasses are frequently underutilized despite their intended safety benefits, revealing a critical disconnect between physical design logic and behavioral decision-making. This study addresses the problem of how pedestrian bridge efficiency can be meaningfully evaluated beyond conventional engineering standards by incorporating behavioral, perceptual, and strategic dimensions of route choice. The primary objective is to develop a multidimensional analytical model the Pedestrian Bridge Efficiency Index (PPEI) grounded in game theory and movement behavioral patterns. The methodology adopts a sequential mixed-methods design integrating a four-round Delphi expert consultation, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) weighting, and agent-based computational simulation. Theoretical foundations draw from the Theory of Planned Behavior, environmental psychology, spatial movement analysis, and non-cooperative game theory, conceptualizing pedestrian–vehicle interaction as a strategic decision environment governed by bounded rationality. Findings from the Delphi process converged on six high-consensus indicators: Safety Level, Pedestrian–Vehicle Separation, Distance from Urban Nodes, Connection to Pedestrian Paths, Perceived Safety, and Total Crossing Time. FAHP weighting confirmed Safety Level (w = 0.22) and Pedestrian–Vehicle Separation (w = 0.20) as the dominant efficiency determinants, together accounting for 42% of the composite index. The study concludes that pedestrian bridge efficiency is an emergent behavioral property shaped by the interaction of spatial design, human cognition, and traffic dynamics. Future bridge planning should prioritize perceptual safety and spatial integration as primary design objectives, informed by behavioral modeling tools.https://www.ijumes.com/article_736736_b2adecbf801299865ed7e077f7087b05.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Identifying Criteria and Indicators for Smart Cities with an Emphasis on Sustainable Urban Development12814473652510.22034/ijumes.2026.2057471.1308ENZahraTahmasbniaDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran0009-0009-8978-780XAbolfazlDehghanmongabadiDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran0000-0002-5536-9353Journal Article20250409Given the increasing growth of urbanization and the challenges it poses, the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT) has been considered a solution to improve efficiency, quality of life, and sustainability in cities. The research method used in this article is a systematic review of scientific sources and previous studies in the field of smart cities and sustainable urban development. Through the examination of various articles, reports, and studies, indicators and criteria related to these two domains have been identified and categorized. Additionally, searches were conducted in the Elsevier and Sage databases. Articles were selected based on their alignment with the research and a time frame of 2011-2025. Following the PRISMA 2020 statement for critical evaluation of articles, interpretation, analysis, and reporting of findings were conducted descriptively. The findings of this study indicate that smart cities can play a significant role in sustainable urban development. The indicators of sustainable urban development are categorized into three dimensions: economic, social and cultural, and environmental, and the role of ICT in each of these dimensions has been examined. In conclusion, this article finds that smart cities have significant potential to contribute to achieving sustainable urban development goals. However, to realize this potential, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach to the development of smart cities, which includes attention to economic, social, and environmental dimensions, citizen participation, and collaboration between various public and private sectors.https://www.ijumes.com/article_736525_eea54cd55c4305dba08d1ef394ceef11.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260101Explaining the Evaluation Indicators of the Concept of the Role of Shadowing on the Perception of Form in Architecture14515373542310.22034/ijumes.2026.2047813.1280ENMahnaz SadatHashemiDepartment of Architecture, Ke.,C., Islamic Azad university, Kerman, IranAzhangBaghaeiDepartment of Architecture, Ke.,C., Islamic Azad university, Kerman, Iran0000-0001-5312-2763RezaAfhamiDepartment of Architecture, Ke.,C., Islamic Azad university, Kerman, IranJournal Article20250222Cast shadow is among the most pervasive yet least systematically evaluated phenomena in architectural form, usually treated as a secondary or merely functional matter rather than as an active determinant of how form is perceived. The central problem addressed in this study is the absence of an explicit, validated set of evaluation indicators that capture how the dynamic play of cast shadow modulated by the texture and colour of facade materials shapes the perception of architectural form. The objective of this research is therefore to explain and validate the evaluation indicators of the role of shadowing on the perception of form, and to model the relationships among them. Adopting a mixed-methods design built on methodological triangulation, the study combined qualitative content analysis of 57 specialist documents in MAXQDA (yielding 179 sub-codes, eight main categories, and two core codes), a three-round Fuzzy-Delphi expert consensus that reduced 22 initial factors to ten high-importance indicators, and partial-least-squares structural-equation modelling in SmartPLS on 200 valid questionnaires. Findings indicate that cast shadow operates as a key mediating variable that enables form perception through the dialectical interaction of two constructs “volumetric structure” (the static dimension) and “time passage” (the dynamic dimension) between which the quantitative model found a very strong relationship (β = 0.965). Volumetric structure exerted strong, significant effects on design components (β = 0.928), materials and texture, homogeneity, contrast, texture and visual richness, and visual-perception analysis, while time passage drove surface-height change and spatial mode-setting . The study concludes that optimal form perception depends on designing simultaneously for structural stability and temporal change, and it offers a validated indicator set and a perceptual-dynamics evaluation framework that move facade assessment from intuition toward evidence.https://www.ijumes.com/article_735423_85f1c44c25a14b5e918b6d2917fef5e2.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501The Role of Water and Traditional Water Supply Systems in Shaping the Howzkhane of Qajar Houses in Shiraz and Isfahan: A Comparative Architectural Analysis15416373721710.22034/ijumes.2026.2091144.1369ENAbasehSarparastDepartment of Architecture, Yas.C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran0000-0002-5782-7370FarnooshSaghaeiDepartment of Architecture and Urban Development ,Shi.C.,Islamic Aad University ,Shiraz,Iran0000-0002-6474-1321MaryamGhasemi SichaniDepartment of Architecture and Urban Development ,Kho.C.,Islamic Aad University ,Esfahan,Iran0000-0003-0590-9363ZarirSalehpour ServakDepartment of Architecture and Urban Development ,Yas.C.,Islamic Azad University ,Yasuj,Iran0009-0003-2776-3016Journal Article20260219Water constitutes one of the most structurally decisive elements in the architecture of traditional Iranian domestic spaces, operating simultaneously across functional, climatic, symbolic, and spatial-organisational registers. In Qajar-period houses of Shiraz and Isfahan two climatically similar yet morphologically distinct historic cities of central and southern Iran water achieved its most architecturally refined expression through the institution of the howzkhane: a semi-subterranean, vaulted water chamber positioned at the intersection of the house's principal spatial axes. This study undertakes a systematic comparative architectural analysis of the howzkhane as a typologically and tectonically specific water space, examining its relationship to traditional water supply systems (qanats, wells, and internal hydraulic networks) and its role in mediating spatial organisation, bioclimatic performance, and cultural meaning in Qajar domestic architecture. The research adopts a qualitative, descriptive-analytical methodology, combining documentary and library-based data collection with field observation and spatial analysis of selected exemplary houses. Following a systematic review of theoretical and historical foundations, a comparative analytical framework of twenty candidate architectural dimensions was developed and progressively refined through expert consultation employing the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) with a fourteen-member panel over four sequential rounds, applying escalating consensus thresholds (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 on a five-point Likert scale) and reducing the candidate set from twenty to fifteen, twelve, ten, and confirming ten validated comparative dimensions. Expert consensus was confirmed by Kendall's coefficient of concordance, reaching 0.781 in the final round.https://www.ijumes.com/article_737217_7839fb0ee94b7c7ec2a7b445e960de2e.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501A Sociological Assessment of the Local Management Model in Ilam City, Iran: Implications for Sustainable Development16818173723510.22034/ijumes.2026.2089601.1366ENRoyaJamali RadDepartment of Sociology, CT.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0009-0003-0146-9564EhsanRahmani KhaliliDepartment of Sociology, CT.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-2688-2083HabibSabouri KhosrowshahiDepartment of Sociology, ET.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-1385-5115Journal Article20260524Local management models in Iranian intermediate cities face compounding pressures arising from rapid demographic growth, resource scarcity, and deeply embedded governance deficits. Ilam City, the provincial capital of Ilam Province in western Iran, epitomises these tensions: rapid post-war population growth, a heavily state-dependent economy, significant ethnic and tribal complexity, and a municipal administration whose institutional capacities remain critically underdeveloped. This study proposes a validated sociological assessment framework for local management in Ilam City and examines its implications for sustainable urban development. The research adopts an analytical–applied design; data were gathered through documentary and library methods and assessed qualitatively. Following a systematic review of theoretical foundations, twenty-one initial indicators were extracted and subjected to evaluation through the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM), employing a participatory decision-making approach within a fifteen-member expert panel over four sequential rounds. Successive rounds applied escalating consensus thresholds (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 on a five-point Likert scale), progressively reducing the indicator set from 21 to 18, 15, 13, and confirming 13 indicators as the validated proposed model. Consensus was verified by Kendall's coefficient of concordance, which reached 0.794 in the final round. Findings indicate that institutional transparency (4.26), local council effectiveness (4.22), community participation rate (4.18), and service distribution equity (4.15) exert the highest influence on local management effectiveness. The study concludes that the integration of participatory governance principles, equitable service distribution, and institutional accountability constitutes a strategically viable path toward sustainable urban development in Iranian western-border cities.https://www.ijumes.com/article_737235_46058185b8f1955ea2495d7650015696.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501The Thermal Comfort of Residents with an Emphasis on the Quality of Materials in the Cold and Mountainous Climate18220073727310.22034/ijumes.2026.2062831.1338ENZahraMoradiDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran0009-0001-9972-6949TahooraMoradiDepartment of Architecture, Arts and Architecture Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology (KUST), Kunming, Yunnan, China0009-0009-0711-3378LiangbinTanDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture, Kunming University of Science and Technology (KUST), Kunming, Yunnan, China0009-0001-8442-5748Journal Article20250605Thermal comfort is a multidisciplinary concept at the intersection of physiology, psychology, architecture, and environmental science, referring to the state in which a person feels satisfied with the surrounding thermal environment. The aim of this study is to investigate and explain the proposed indexes for evaluating the thermal comfort of residents in cold and mountainous climates, with an emphasis on building materials in the city of Kermanshah in western Iran. The method of collecting information is documentary and library, and a questionnaire and interview have been used to conduct the research. First, using the content analysis method and inductive reasoning in developing the initial concepts and reviewing the research background, the initial theoretical framework of the research is refined, and then using the fuzzy Delphi method in the participatory decision-making approach, it is questioned and evaluated in 4 rounds using an elite panel of 15 people in the research field of expertise finally using the results, the final framework of the indexes is presented. Findings show Environmental temperature, Humidity level, and Mean radiant temperature with an average score of 4.80, 4.72, and 4.65, respectively, are the most important and influential final indexes. It can be concluded that of the three components affecting the selection of effective indexes for assessing thermal comfort of residents in the cold and mountainous climate of Kermanshah city in Iran, the focus of building materials is more based on the environment and environmental conditions.https://www.ijumes.com/article_737273_543ee36192294a808557f4e8a4eef37e.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260101Evaluating the Performance of Slab Building Morphotypes in the Contemporary Urban Fabric: A Parametric-Morphometric Approach20120973739310.22034/ijumes.2026.737393ENSeyedmahmoodMoeiniDepartment of Architecture , Mal.C., Islamic Azad University, Malayer, Iran0009-0007-8957-9918FatemehRostamiDepartment of Architecture, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-4693-9131MahdiShaabanianDepartment of Architecture, Ha.C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran0000-0003-3356-7516Journal Article20260205The slab a free-standing linear building bar repeated in parallel rows is among the most pervasive building morphotypes of the contemporary city, yet its environmental performance varies enormously with the geometric parameters that govern its configuration. The central problem addressed in this study is that slab morphotypes are routinely deployed in contemporary urban fabrics on the basis of land-economic and constructional convenience rather than any systematic evaluation of their urban-sustainability performance, with the result that environmentally inferior configurations are reproduced at scale. The objective of this research is therefore to evaluate, comparatively and quantitatively, how the performance of slab morphotypes on a set of urban-sustainability indicators varies with their defining geometric parameters, and to identify the configurations that optimize that performance. Adopting an analytical–applied design within a post-positivist paradigm, a parametric family of one hundred and forty-four slab configurations was generated by systematically varying building height, bar spacing, bar depth, and orientation, and each configuration was evaluated on six sustainability indicators solar access, daylight, ventilation, open-space provision, permeability, and density efficiency computed through established morphometric relationships and combined into a weighted sustainability score. Findings indicate that bar spacing is by far the strongest determinant of sustainability performance (r = +0.93), that building height is moderately detrimental (r = −0.28), and that wide-spaced low- to mid-rise east–west-oriented slabs substantially outperform compact high-rise configurations, the highest-scoring morphotype reaching 0.72 against 0.22 for the worst. The study concludes that the sustainability performance of slab morphotypes is governed primarily by the spacing and height that determine solar access and open space, and that contemporary design guidance should constrain these parameters rather than density alone.https://www.ijumes.com/article_737393_4b2c1dbcf44d32fc8bd1d757db3997f4.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Analyzing the Components Affecting the Valuation of Architectural Heritage: A Comparative Study of Conservation Models in Europe and Beyond21022273738910.22034/ijumes.2026.2092682.1378ENHodaYazdanparastPh.D. Student, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran0009-0001-2134-0747HojjatollahAbdiardekaniAssistant Professor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran0000-0002-2016-0023MohammadAliabadiAssistant Professor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran0000-0002-0430-3602Journal Article20260527Valuation lies at the foundation of the cultural-heritage conservation system: it guides listing, sets intervention priorities, and shapes policy. Yet the field lacks an integrated conceptual framework, and national and international approaches classify and interpret value in heterogeneous, often incomparable ways. This study re-examines the principal global models of architectural-heritage valuation and derives a shared conceptual structure that makes them comparable. The research adopts a qualitative comparative documentary design. A purposively selected corpus of international charters, national heritage laws and guidelines, agency reports, and peer-reviewed literature was subjected to qualitative content analysis using a coding frame derived from established value typologies and refined inductively. Eight European conservation systems were analyzed in depth and compared with a wider set of eleven international systems. Despite terminological and structural differences, valuation systems converge on four interdependent value dimensionshistorical- cultural, architectural-aesthetic, social-identity, and economic–functional. Crossnational divergence is not explained by these dimensions themselves but by three crosscutting mediating structures: the prevailing authenticity regime, the governance structure, and the authorized heritage discourse. These are consolidated into an integrative framework in which the four dimensions are weighted and interpreted through the three mediators to produce heritage significance. The framework offers a comparative lens that explains why similar value categories yield divergent conservation outcomes across nations, and provides a basis for developing more coherent, transparent evaluation models.https://www.ijumes.com/article_737389_4988154386f695addac68b5a07d3d24f.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501The Role of Conceptual Art in the Design of Contemporary Mosques in Khorasan: An Approach to Modernization and the Maximum Engagement of the Cultural AudienceApproach Audience22323873579910.22034/ijumes.2026.2045668.1268ENMahdiShajie GisourDepartment of Architecture, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, IranAhmadHeidariDepartment of Architecture, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran0000-0003-3042-4835RezaMirzaeiDepartment of Architecture, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran0009-0009-3691-8327Journal Article20260212Given contemporary cultural, social, and technological transformations, rethinking the design of Islamic mosques especially in the Khorasan region, with its rich heritage of religious architecture has become an undeniable necessity. This research aims to present a conceptual framework for employing the elements of conceptual art in the design of contemporary Khorasan mosques in order to enhance the spiritual experience and attract cultural audiences, particularly the younger generation. The research method is qualitative and descriptive–analytical with a mixed (qualitative–quantitative) approach, drawing on library study, field observation and imaging, and semi-structured interviews (with twelve designers and users), together with the comparative analysis of four notable examples of religious architecture in Khorasan: The Goharshad Mosque (Mashhad), the Jameh Mosque of Neyshabur, the Akbariyeh Cultural Complex (Birjand), and the Hazrat Zahra Mosque (Mashhad). The findings show that integrating the components of conceptual art light, form, time, and participation with traditional architecture, while preserving Islamic identity, enhances the sensory, spiritual, and cultural connection of the audience with the mosque space and provides a basis for renewing the cultural functions of these spaces; moreover, this connection is realized more strongly in the redesigned contemporary examples than in the historical ones. Finally, the research proposes that designing mosques with an interactive, multisensory approach in which conceptual art becomes a shared language between tradition and contemporaneity can be a creative response to the spiritual and cognitive needs of contemporary societies.https://www.ijumes.com/article_735799_64cb55768676af2cf83736c2676a76c8.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260101An Analytical Approach to the Typology of Informal Settlements for Deriving ArchitecAn Architectural Indicators: Evidence from the Periphery of Yasuj City, Irantural Iran23925273744310.22034/ijumes.2026.737443ENAliaskarJamshidi ZardakDepartment of Architecture, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran0009-0004-8335-0782MohammadParvaDepartment of Architecture, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran0000-0002-1272-0684KhosroMovahedDepartment of Architecture, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran0000-0003-0609-1815Journal Article20260602Informal settlements on the periphery of rapidly growing Iranian cities are commonly read as homogeneous zones of deprivation, a framing that has produced uniform, and frequently ineffective, upgrading prescriptions. The problem this study addresses is the absence of a context-grounded, physically explicit typology that can differentiate such settlements and translate that differentiation into architectural guidance. The aim is therefore to develop an analytical approach for the physical typology of informal settlements and to derive weighted architectural indicators for their assessment and improvement, using the periphery of Yasuj city as the case. A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was applied: seventeen candidate factors distilled from the literature were refined through four rounds of a fuzzy Delphi with a fifteen-member expert panel, weighted through a fuzzy analytic hierarchy/network process, and validated through a partial least squares measurement model; field-surveyed units were then classified through hierarchical clustering and interpreted morphologically across three clusters form, space, and materials. The findings converge on five core weighted indicators physical durability, spatial legibility, physical safety, social interaction, and functional accessibility (Kendall’s W = 0.79) and identify four physical types along a continuum of physical transformation: compact spontaneous, organic hillside, semi-consolidated, and upgrading, with intervention-priority indices of 0.86, 0.68, 0.50, and 0.34, respectively. Within the three-cluster structure, space carries the strongest discriminating role (path coefficient β = 0.52), ahead of form and materials. The study concludes that typology can be advanced from a descriptive device to an instrument for context-based architectural intervention: each type carries an internal logic that dictates a distinct, stage-appropriate strategy, offering planners a means to target scarce resources toward the most vulnerable fabrics.https://www.ijumes.com/article_737443_c8422828785019fe9b34f8c1ef77696c.pdfIranian Sustainable Building Scientific AssociationInternational Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability2538-16287120260501Developing a Process Model for the Internationalization of Marketing in Iraqi Companies: With a Focus on Market-Entry Strategies25327373757210.22034/ijumes.2026.2091241.1371ENAsmaGaseem Ghanem AlvahiliPh.D. Student, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabili, IranMohammadBashokouh AjirlouProfessor, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabili, Iran0000-0002-6410-6491HosseinRahimi KolourAssociate Professor, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabili, Iran0000-0001-9166-1370NaserSeifollahi AnarProfessor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran0000-0003-3084-256XJournal Article20260510The main aim of this research is to develop a process model for the internationalization of marketing in Iraqi companies, with a particular focus on market-entry strategies. Despite the expansion of the internationalization literature, localized models for economies with high institutional uncertainty, such as Iraq, remain limited. This study was conducted with a qualitative approach using the grounded-theory method (the systematic approach of Strauss and Corbin). Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 21 marketing managers, business owners, and internationalization experts of small and medium-sized Iraqi enterprises, and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data analysis using open, axial, and selective coding showed that the central phenomenon is “reducing uncertainty.” The extracted process model indicates that the internationalization of marketing in Iraqi companies is a gradual, network-based, risk-averse, and adaptive process. Firms mostly begin by relying on trust-based networks (kinship, tribal, diaspora, and local intermediaries), low-commitment entry (indirect and trial exports), and experiential learning, and, if successful, gradually increase their level of control and commitment. The main contextual factors include institutional–border uncertainty, financial and currency constraints, and logistical challenges. The key strategies include contingent adaptation of the marketing mix, strategic resilience (suspension, rerouting, and re-entry), and a gradual transition from intermediary-centricity to greater control. The findings show that, in the Iraqi context, internationalization is more survival-oriented than classically development-oriented. By presenting a context-based model, this research contributes to enriching the process theory of internationalization in turbulent environments and offers practical recommendations for Iraqi managers and policymakers.https://www.ijumes.com/article_737572_c6fa87159e244e2a0a0dd19cf7f9ae4a.pdf