Iranian Sustainable Building Scientific Association International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability 2538-1628 7 2 2026 04 01 Modeling Sustainable Urban Management with a Salutogenesis Approach: The Role of Shiraz Gardens in Energy Optimization and Public Health (Case Study: Eram, Jahan-Nama, Afif-Abad and Naranjestan-e Qavam Gardens) 268 281 738804 10.22034/ijumes.2026.2096172.1386 EN Zahra Hosseini Biloee Department of Urban Planning, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0003-3416-1382 Mahmood Rahimi Department of Urban Planning, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0001-6893-7981 Elham Pourmahabadian Department of Urban Planning, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0001-7471-1495 Alireza Bandarabad Department of Urban Planning, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-3059-9443 Journal Article 2026 05 10 With the spread of psychological, social and environmental challenges in contemporary cities, attention to urban green spaces as platforms for sustainable management and the promotion of public health has become increasingly important. The present study aimed to model sustainable urban management with a salutogenesis approach and to explain the role of the gardens of Shiraz city, Iran, in energy optimization and the promotion of public health. The study was conducted with a mixed-methods design. In the quantitative part, data obtained from a questionnaire were analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modelling to develop a management model. In the qualitative part, semi-structured responses and field notes were examined using content and thematic analysis. In addition, to evaluate the objective environmental and physical indicators related to energy and accessibility, analyses based on Geographic Information Systems and Space Syntax were used. Four historical gardens were studied as multiple cases. The qualitative findings and spatial analyses revealed the key role of the vegetation cover and the structure of Shiraz’s historical gardens in moderating temperature, creating psychological calm and facilitating social interaction as pillars of salutogenic urban management. Among the perceived attributes, historical identity, visual quality and perceived safety received the highest ratings, whereas acoustic comfort was the weakest. Results show that Persian garden is interpreted not as a passive green space but as a vital, health-generating infrastructure that supports both urban energy performance and citizens’ psychological and social well-being. https://www.ijumes.com/article_738804_17ee2ac68efcfff75cd12e46920a98b5.pdf