International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

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)

Document Type : Case Study

Authors
Department of Urban Planning, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
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.

Graphical Abstract

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)

Highlights

      The study proposes a salutogenic (health-generating) model of sustainable urban management, linking public-health promotion with urban energy optimization through the historical gardens of Shiraz, Iran.

      A mixed-methods design (n = 400 users) combined structural equation modelling, qualitative thematic analysis and GIS/Space-Syntax analysis across four historical gardens (Eram, Jahan-Nama, Afif-Abad and Naranjestan-e Qavam).

      Sustainable garden management and spatial-organization quality significantly promoted public health and strengthened citizens’ sense of coherence, with perceived environmental quality, sense of community and well-being structurally linked.

      Historical identity, visual quality and perceived safety were the highest-rated attributes, while acoustic comfort was the weakest, indicating a clear priority for health-promoting redesign.

      The Persian Garden is reframed as a vital health-generating infrastructure that moderates the urban microclimate and heat islands while supporting psychological calm and social interaction.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 August 2026

  • Receive Date 10 May 2026
  • Revise Date 30 July 2026
  • Accept Date 12 August 2026