Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

Explaining the Components of Catalytic Urban Design and its Impact on Accelerating Urban Development (Case Study: New Districts of Urmia)

Authors
Zahra Mollazadeh 1
Rasool Darskhan 2
Masoud Haghlesan 3
Mir Saeed Moosavi 4
1 Ph.D. Student, Department of Architecture & Urban Design, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Urban Planning, Ta, C. Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
3 Associate Professor Department of Architecture & Urban Planning, Ilk.C., Islamic Azad University, Ilkhchi, Iran.
4 Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22034/jgeoq.2026.580548.4432
Abstract
The development of new urban districts requires novel approaches to accelerate growth and enhance the quality of life. This research aims to explain the components of catalytic urban design and its impact on the development of new districts in Urmia. The primary objective of this study is to elucidate the components of catalytic urban design and its influence on accelerating urban development, focusing on the new districts of Urmia as a case study. This research is applied terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature with a qualitative approach. The statistical population included managers, experts, and urban officials in Urmia, of whom 25 individuals were selected as the sample using snowball Delphi methods. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews during the period from, and data analysis was performed using the Grounded Theory method and MAXQDA software in three stages: open, axial, and selective coding. The research findings indicate that catalytic urban design in the new districts of Urmia is based on six dimensions: physical, social, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological. In total, 328 open codes, 47 sub-categories, and 12 main categories were identified. The results of the paradigm model reveal that "accessibility and permeability," "functional diversity," and "social public spaces" play a key role as the most important design strategies accelerating development and attracting residents. Furthermore, unfavorable economic conditions and weak urban management were identified as the most significant obstacles; overcoming these through citizen participation and the utilization of modern technologies leads to urban sustainability and improved quality of life.
Keywords
Urban Design
Urban Development
New Districts
Urmia
MAXQDA
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