In collaboration with Payame Noor University and Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Prof, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Ph.D. Student, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Assistant Prof, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

10.30473/psp.2026.76023.2789

Abstract

The realization of the "Learning City," as a modern paradigm in urban management, plays a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for citizens. This research aims to analyze the key managerial drivers for establishing a learning city in Bandar Mahshahr and to investigate the relationship between managerial indices and educational advancement. The statistical population consists of 384 citizens and 20 experts, with data gathered through questionnaires and interviews. A hybrid of quantitative and qualitative methodologies was employed, including descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, path analysis, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM), and MICMAC analysis. The findings revealed that spiritual indices ($\beta = 0.36$) and knowledge-based indices ($\beta = 0.32$) exerted the most significant direct positive impact on educational promotion. While social and economic indices also demonstrated positive effects, political and environmental indices lacked a direct impact, influencing the outcome indirectly through social and spiritual mediators. The ISM analysis illustrated a three-level hierarchical structure of drivers: political and environmental indices functioned as "fundamental drivers," social and economic indices served as "intermediate variables," and knowledge and spiritual indices emerged as the "final objectives/outputs." The MICMAC analysis further validated this structural framework. These findings underscore the necessity of a multidimensional urban management approach, suggesting that strengthening foundational political and environmental pillars, alongside socio-economic development, will accelerate the realization of a learning city in Bandar Mahshahr.  

Keywords

Ahmed Khan, H., Naqvi, S.S., & Alharbi, A.A.K. (2024). Enhancing trash classification in smart cities using federated deep learning. Sci Rep 14, 11816. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62003-4.
Ali Zehi, M. A. (2024). Evaluation and potential of small cities for creating learning cities (case study: Hiduj city). Conference paper, 11th National Conference on Advances in Positive Psychology, pp. 1-9. ]In Persian[ https://civilica.com/doc/2278467/download/
Amanpour, S., & Abdolabbas, F. (2022). Prioritization of Ahvaz metropolis's eight districts based on learning city indicators. Urban Structure and Function Studies, 9(33), 99-121. ]In Persian[ https://doi.org/10.22080/usfs.2022.23461.2254 
Bafail, O. (2025). Evaluating smart city technology efficiency and citizen satisfaction using data envelopment analysis. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 29(1), 62–80. https://doi.org/10.3846/ijspm.2025.23584
Bazrafshan, M., Zargam Brojeni, H., & Karubi, M. (2023). Qualitative model of factors affecting the transformation of learning cities into learning tourism destinations (case study: Yazd city). Journal of Tourism and Development, 37(2), 171-189. ]In Persian[ https://doi.org/10.22034/jtd.2023.388177.2750 
Dang, Q.A. (2025). Learning Cities: National Concepts and Practices in Selected Asian and European Countries. In: Ó Tuama, S., Agbessi, E., Neylon, T. (eds) Global Perspectives on Learning Cities. Lifelong Learning Book Series, vol 35. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-91110-1_3
Detailed Plan of Bandar Mahshahr City (2018). Study plan by Arya Noorpouya Consulting Engineers. ]In Persian[
Goudarzi, M. (2024). Factors affecting the realization of learning cities in Ahvaz metropolisSustainable City Quarterly, 7(3), 17-38. ]In Persian[ https://www.magiran.com/p2831702 
Ishaq, K., Almaazami, A., Almheiri, S. J., Khan, M. A., Shah, A. A., Abbas, S., & Ahmad, M. (2025). Enhancing smart city sustainability with explainable federated learning for vehicular energy control. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 23888. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07844-3
Kahachi, A.H., Abreu, M., & Ehsan, M. (2024). Defining future cities: A comparative review of future cities’ definitions and characteristics across multiple fields. Futures. 164, 103491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2024.103491.
Kalantari, M., Tahmasbi Moghadam, H., & Akbari Manfered, B. (2024). Analysis of land use distribution based on spatial justice and learning city pattern (case study: Zanjan city). Applied Research in Geographical Sciences, 24(74), 114-132. ]In Persianb [ https://doi.org/20.1001.1.22287736.1300.0.0.187.0 
ÖTuama, S., Agbessi, E., & Neylon, T. (Eds.). (2025). Global Perspectives on Learning Cities. Publisher: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-91110-1
Rafiei, N., Ebadi, F., Turkmanzadeh, M., & Najmi Yazdani, Z. (2024). Review of the relationship between learning cities and citizen participation. International Conference on Architecture, Urban Planning, Arts, Industrial Design, Construction, and Wisdom-Based Technology, 11 pages. ]In Persian[ https://civilica.com/doc/2235912/download/ 
Safaeipour, M., & Jafari, Y. (2022). Identifying key drivers of Ahvaz metropolis development with a strategic foresight approach. Journal of Regional Planning, 12(46), [pages not specified]. ]In Persian[ https://doi.org/10.30495/jzpm.2022.5363 
Safaeipour, M., & Moradi, H. (2023). Identifying key drivers affecting the future of religious tourism development in Mehran city. Journal of Future Cities Outlook, 4(3), [pages not specified]. ]In Persian[ http://dx.doi.org/10.61186/jvfc.4.3.103 
Saraei, M. H., & Haj Foroush, S. A. (2021). Foresight of learning city indicators in Yazd city's districts. Geographical Explorations of Arid Regions, 9(1), 87-104. ]In Persian[ https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.2345332.1400.9.1.5.7 
Sarafi, M., Ebrahimi Nia, V., & Hamdanchi, F. (2020). The role of higher education centers in enhancing the culture of learning urban communities (case study: Sinabad and Jannah neighborhoods, Mashhad). Architecture and Urban Planning Letter, 29(13), 33-50. ]In Persian[ https://doi.org/10.30480/aup.2020.2719.1549 
Statistical Center of Iran. (2016). Population and Housing Census. Tehran. ]In Persian[
Tsolaki, V., & Stathopoulou, A. (2023). Digital technologies in lifelong learning. Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 16(2), 047–056. https://doi.org/10.30574/gjeta.2023.16.2.0132
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. (2025). urban upskilling: Cultivating future skills in learning cities [Webinar]. https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-global-network-learning-cities-webinar-urban-upskilling-cultivating-future-skills-learning
UNESCO. (2024). Learning Cities Guide. UNESCO Regional Office.
Wang, B., Dabbaghjamanesh, M., Kavousi-Fard, A., Yuntao, Y. (2024). AI-enhanced multi-stage learning-to-learning approach for secure smart cities load management in IoT networks. Ad Hoc Networks, 164 (1), Page 103628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adhoc.2024.103628.
Zakari Zarej, A. (2023). Evaluation of learning city components in urban areas with a public participation approach (case study: Torghabeh County) [Master's thesis, Urban Management]. Bienalud Higher Education Institute, Urban Engineering Group. ]In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22054/urdp.2021.58213.1282 
Ziyari, K. A., & Mansouri Etminan, A. (2024). Investigation and analysis of Mashhad urban areas from the perspective of learning city components. Journal of Geography and Urban Sustainable Development, 29(3), 45-65. ]In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22067/jgusd.2022.77861.1226