Structural analysis of biophilic urban planning for enhancing urban livability in Shiraz metropolis: A meta-analytical approach

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Geography, Lar.C., Islamic Azad University, Larestan, Iran

2 Department of Geography, Lar.C., Islamic Azad University, Larestan, Iran

Abstract

With the rapid growth of urbanization, biophilic urban planning has emerged as a strategic approach to strengthen the human–nature connection, potentially enhancing ecological diversity and urban livability. In this context, the present study aims to conduct a structural analysis of biophilic urban planning in relation to the livability of the Shiraz metropolis using a meta-analytical approach. The research is applied in purpose and descriptive–analytical in nature, integrating bibliometric and Delphi-based methods. In the first phase, a systematic analysis was performed on 175 articles retrieved from the Scopus database, which were analyzed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer software. In the second phase, sixteen key indicators were assessed using the MICMAC technique, and future scenarios were developed with ScenarioWizard. The statistical population consisted of urban planning experts, from which a purposive sample of 70 individuals was selected. Results of the bibliometric analysis of articles published between 2015 and 2025 indicate a significant growth in research on biophilic urban planning and urban livability, with a primary focus on green infrastructure, sustainable development, climate resilience, urban governance, and nature-based solutions for improving urban quality of life. Structural analysis revealed that indicators related to sustainable infrastructure planning and nature-based urban governance had the highest influence, while the development of urban ecosystem management exhibited the highest dependency. Scenario development showed that the optimistic scenario, involving the full activation of driving factors, leads to high livability, whereas the moderate and pessimistic scenarios correspond to relative improvement and severe decline in livability, respectively. Therefore, by strengthening biophilic urban planning and emphasizing infrastructure, nature-based governance, and ecosystem management indicators, the livability of Shiraz metropolis can be effectively enhanced in the future.

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References

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Geography and Regional Future Studies
Volume 4, Issue 3 - Serial Number 15
Autumn
December 2026
Pages 144-165

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