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

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor in Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Earth Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D. in Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Earth Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Prof. in Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Earth Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30473/psp.2026.77449.2802

Abstract

This study aims to identify, structurally analyze, and prioritize the factors influencing the formation of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart village approach in Iran. The primary problem addressed is the absence of an integrated framework to elucidate the interrelationships among technological, economic, social, and managerial components, and to assess their impact within the context of the country's rural areas. This research is applied in terms of objective and utilizes a descriptive-analytical methodology. Data were collected through documentary studies and by soliciting opinions from experts in the field of rural planning ($n=30$). The Delphi method was employed to extract key components. Subsequently, the DEMATEL technique was utilized to analyze causal relationships and determine the degrees of influence and dependence, while the Analytic Network Process (ANP) was used for final weighting and prioritization. The DEMATEL results indicated that Smart Agriculture, Smart Energy, and Smart Economy, with impact values of 1.001, 0.137, and 0.087 respectively, play a driving role in the relationship network and are categorized as causal factors. However, the limit super matrix results in the ANP analysis reveal that Smart Environment achieved the highest final weight (0.27032), followed by Smart Agriculture (0.19688) and Smart Health (0.16148). At the sub-criteria level, technologies related to environmental monitoring, smart resource management, and digital health garnered the highest priority. The findings suggest that realizing an IoT-based smart village requires strengthening environmental and technological infrastructures, focusing on smart agriculture and smart health, and establishing institutional coordination at the local level.

Keywords

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