توسعه مبتنی بر حمل و نقل همگانی در ایران؛ معرفی یک سامانه کاربردی

Introduction: Sustainable mobility cannot necessarily include developing public transit infrastructure with insufficient demand, limited accessibility, an unattractive physical environment for active transportation, and convenient car ownership and use. On this, quality public transit infrastructure equipped with new urban developments around the stations (with high local access) under changing public policies has made the basic foundation of urban movement and development integration known as Transit Oriented Development (TOD). A few studies have been conducted on TOD, mostly as local case studies focused on the physical features of urban environments, including density, land use mix, and urban design. However, limited studies have focused on policymaking, planning, implementation, and affective factors. The present study sheds light on the integration between urban movement and development under the TOD idea in Iran. It addresses the challenges, opportunities, and requisites for integration in Iran and how this can reach its objectives in Iranian cities successfully. The present study is organized into four main sections. After the problem statement and a literature review, the second section describes the research methodology and elaborates on why and how such a model is employed. Section 3 analyses the research context (Iranian cities) concerning the model factors. The results are then discussed, the interrelationships and inter-system impacts are delineated, and implications are made for developing the integration approach in Iran.
Methodology: This study uses the analytical model of the Functional System based on Systems Theory and Complexity, which configures the relationships among all influencing factors, including Demand for such a kind of development model, Supply from role players, and the Context of Iranian cities. The model helps identify opportunities and challenges related to each factor, public needs, what can be done to address them, and to what extent such actions are convergent and effective. Previous studies inspire the present research to select the TOD categories and sub-categories. The analyses on the case of Iran are then realized by using local journal papers, technical reports, policy documents, regulations, design guides, surveys, etc.
Results: Demand. Firstly, citizens' needs and the potential of the integration approach to address them were investigated. Although it is required to conduct a detailed study using public surveys, for instance, efforts are made 
to make connections between them based on studying documents and direct field surveys—the urban context in Iran. Studying diverse factors associated with the context of Iranian cities helps to understand the ruling circumstances on "supply" actions by policymakers, planners, and practitioners. The present study categorizes such factors into four groups: Spatio-Physical, Social, Economic, and Policy-Governance. Supply. Although clear "demands" are raised from urban communities in Iran, "supplied" efforts at local and national levels have been partial, divergent, and with no clear impact on addressing public needs, so the integration has not yet been well-structured in Iran. Surely, this is the consequence of different social, economic, physical, and policy determinants with varying levels of direct and indirect impacts.
 
Discussion:This study employed the Functional System Model to examine the prospects, challenges, and prerequisites for developing an integrated urban development and movement model in Iran. The model was instrumental in identifying the influencing factors that shape urban development processes and highlighted the complexities inherent in establishing an effective transit-oriented development (TOD) framework in the country. The results underscore the potential of the Functional System Model to provide a comprehensive understanding of the existing urban context, facilitating more informed decision-making by policymakers, planners, and practitioners.
The findings suggest that the Functional System Model enables a nuanced analysis of Iran’s urban landscape, illuminating the intricate interplay of various factors that affect the supply and demand dynamics within TOD initiatives. A key insight revealed by the study is the importance of policy coordination. Iranian policymakers are now increasingly aware that transit-oriented policies on their own may not yield the desired outcomes unless they are aligned with complementary policies and actions. For instance, policies such as subsidized fuel prices can significantly undermine the effectiveness of TOD efforts by incentivizing car dependency and reducing the attractiveness of public transit. This highlights the necessity of adopting a holistic and integrated policy approach to ensure the success of urban development initiatives.
Moreover, the study suggests that the Functional System Model has broader applicability beyond TOD planning in Iran. Its capacity to provide a holistic perspective on urban development makes it a valuable tool for analyzing other urban issues. By encompassing various factors such as socio-economic conditions, infrastructure quality, policy frameworks, and urban dynamics, the model facilitates a comprehensive assessment of challenges and opportunities, offering valuable insights for sustainable urban planning in diverse contexts across the country.
Figure 2 illustrates the systemic interdependencies between transit-oriented policies and other influential factors, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach. This further validates the model's utility as a decision-support tool that can guide strategic planning and foster a deeper understanding of the urban development challenges facing Iran.
 
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of conducting more detailed investigations into each factor of the Functional System Model to enhance its applicability and effectiveness. Specifically, further research is needed to refine the understanding of the "demand" factor, which plays a crucial role in shaping the success of TOD initiatives. This can be achieved by employing direct surveys that adopt a bottom-up approach, engaging local communities, stakeholders, and residents to gather valuable insights into their transportation needs, preferences, and challenges. Such an approach will ensure that the planning process is inclusive and responsive to the unique characteristics of each urban area.
Additionally, to provide a more precise understanding of the potentials and challenges associated with TOD planning in Iran, it is recommended that future studies conduct in-depth interviews with Iranian professionals and experts in the field. These interviews can offer valuable perspectives on the practical and contextual factors that influence the implementation of TOD policies, shedding light on the barriers and opportunities specific to the Iranian context.
The study also reiterates the importance of examining the "context" factor in greater detail. To increase the generalizability and applicability of the research findings, it is highly recommended to include a diverse range of cities, urban fabric types, and demographic profiles across Iran in future investigations. By considering variations in urban morphology, socio-economic conditions, and cultural preferences, researchers can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that shape urban development in different contexts.
Overall, this study underscores the critical role of adopting an integrated and context-sensitive approach to urban development planning in Iran. By leveraging the Functional System Model and conducting further research into its various factors, policymakers and planners can develop more effective strategies for addressing the challenges of urbanization, enhancing the quality of life for citizens, and promoting sustainable urban growth. The findings also highlight the need for continued collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to ensure that urban development initiatives are grounded in evidence-based insights and aligned with the broader goals of sustainability and resilience.