Identifying and analyzing the effective factors in creating a sport-friendly city with the Fuzzy DIM approach(Case study: District 20 of Tehran)
Subject Areas : Sustainable urban developmentnader shohani 1 * , sajad darabi 2 , Razia Karimi Agche 3
1 - Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2 - PhD student in Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 - M.A. student in Geography and Urban Planning, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran
Keywords: Key words: active city, sports, Dimtel Fazi, district 20 of Tehran,
Abstract :
bstract The growth of the city and urbanization has caused a lack of movement and physical activity, while in the system of today's cities, paying attention to human well-being and health along with the growth of technology is one of the necessities of urban sustainability, the creation of many diseases caused by the inactivity of urban residents causes Many problems have appeared for the citizens and the urban management system. The 20th district of Tehran municipality is also one of the areas that was not far from these technological developments, and as a result, it is not immune to the problems that technological developments have created for city residents. Therefore, it is necessary to create cities that can take care of the health and well-being of its citizens along with technological developments. The purpose of this research is to identify the influencing factors on the creation of a sport-friendly city in the 20th district of Tehran. According to the nature of the research, the research method in this research is descriptive-analytical and cause-disabled. The data collection was done in the form of interviews. The statistical population includes experts. 20 specialists and using the fuzzy Dimetal technique were used to investigate and identify the factors influencing the creation of a sports-friendly city. The results of the research showed that based on the D-R values, among the identified and verified variables, specialized management, high-level programs and documents, inter-organizational coordination, advertising, distribution of sports venues in the city and access to sports environments are the most effective. The criteria in creating a sport-friendly city are the variables of sports place, cost, public space, culture and institutionalization respectively, which have the most influence
Extended Abstract
Introduction
In recent decades, the growth of urbanization and the increasing complexity of urban issues have posed new challenges for cities and urban managers. One of the consequences of urban life is the significant decline in citizens' physical activity due to sedentary lifestyles, air pollution, dependence on automobiles, and a lack of suitable sports facilities. This situation has led to a rise in physical and mental illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases. Under these circumstances, the concept of a "sport-friendly city" has emerged as a strategy to improve individual and social health, reduce premature mortality, and enhance the quality of urban life. This study, focusing on District 20 of Tehran—a densely populated area facing deficiencies in sports services—aims to identify the key factors influencing the realization of a sport-friendly city. The goal is to determine the most critical indicators and contributing elements to pave the way for effective policymaking and planning in creating a dynamic and health-oriented urban environment. Understanding these factors can significantly contribute to the development of sports infrastructure, increased social participation, and the promotion of urban sustainability.
Methodology
This study is applied in nature and utilizes a descriptive-analytical and causal approach. Data were collected through both library research (articles, books, reports, etc.) and surveys. The main data collection tool was a pairwise comparison questionnaire designed based on the fuzzy DEMATEL method to identify and prioritize influential and influenced indicators of a sport-friendly city in District 20 of Tehran. Fuzzy DEMATEL, a multi-criteria decision-making method based on graph theory, enables the visualization of causal relationships among indicators in a cause-effect network (Aghaei et al., 2016). The validity of the researcher-made questionnaire was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha (0.810), indicating acceptable reliability. Content validity was also confirmed by a panel of five experts using the Waltz and Bausell method, resulting in a CVR value of 0.99. The statistical population included 20 experts in urban planning and management. Data analysis was conducted using Excel.
Results and discussion
The fuzzy DEMATEL method was developed to address the limitations of the classical DEMATEL technique under conditions of uncertainty. By utilizing fuzzy linguistic variables, this approach enables more accurate decision-making in complex and uncertain environments. The implementation steps include designing a decision matrix using pairwise comparisons, forming a fuzzy direct-relation matrix based on expert opinions, normalizing the matrix, calculating the total fuzzy relation matrix, defuzzifying it, and identifying the influential and influenced criteria. Finally, by calculating the D+R and D−R indices, a causal diagram is drawn that distinguishes between cause and effect criteria. The findings revealed that criteria such as specialized management and higher-level policy documents have the highest influence, while criteria such as sports facility location and cost are the most affected in the development of a sport-friendly city.
Conclusion
The relationship between sports and the city is mutual: while urban development affects sports, sports also influence urban life. The emergence of "modern sports," with its unique characteristics, has significantly impacted various aspects of contemporary life, including the growth of the sports tourism industry. Urban planning plays a critical role in promoting physical activity, as well-designed neighborhoods and public spaces encourage active lifestyles. However, rapid urbanization and technological advancement have led to decreased physical activity and rising non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and obesity. This study, focused on District 20 of Tehran, used the fuzzy DEMATEL method to identify key factors influencing a sport-friendly city. Results showed that specialized management, strategic plans, inter-organizational coordination, advertising, and access to sports spaces are the most influential factors. Meanwhile, elements like cost, public space, and culture are more affected than influential. Further research is essential to develop theoretical frameworks and inform policy for sport-friendly urban environments.
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