International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

A Scenario-Based Assessment of Rail-Oriented Spatial Development in the Urmia–Serow Border Corridor, North-West Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The Urmia–Serow corridor is a strategic border route in northwestern Iran facing road-based transport pressure, land-use transformation, and regional connectivity challenges. This study assesses the potential role of rail-oriented planning in supporting more coordinated spatial development along this corridor. The research uses a descriptive-analytical and scenario-based approach based on documentary sources, available transport records, field observations, visual interpretation of aerial and satellite images, and illustrative road-based fuel and energy scenario calculations. Existing road-oriented conditions are compared with a proposed rail-oriented planning scenario. The findings indicate that the corridor is affected by road dependence, land-use conversion pressure, and limited spatial coordination. A rail-oriented scenario may support better land-use organization, could help reduce part of the reliance on road-based movement under modal-shift assumptions, and support regional and cross-border connectivity, depending on demand, feasibility, and institutional coordination. Rail-oriented planning is presented as a potential planning strategy, not a confirmed causal solution. Further feasibility studies, updated official data, environmental assessment, and cross-border coordination are required before implementation.

Graphical Abstract

A Scenario-Based Assessment of Rail-Oriented Spatial Development in the Urmia–Serow Border Corridor, North-West Iran

Highlights

·         The Urmia–Serow corridor is assessed as a scenario-based case of rail-oriented spatial development rather than as a confirmed causal transport intervention.

·         The study identifies road-oriented transport pressure, visible land-use transformation, road-safety concerns, and estimated fuel-energy demand as key planning issues along the corridor.

·         The proposed rail-oriented scenario may support more coordinated movement, station-area planning, and corridor-based land-use organization under appropriate regulatory and institutional conditions.

·         Further transport-demand modeling, official accident-data analysis, GIS-based land-use classification, environmental assessment, and feasibility studies are required before implementation.

Keywords

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Volume 7, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Summer 2026
Pages 88-100

  • Receive Date 09 June 2025
  • Revise Date 15 June 2026
  • Accept Date 20 September 2026