The Role of Urban Design in the Sustainability of Tabriz's Historical Texture with an Emphasis on the Development of Green Transportation in the Compact City

Introduction:
In recent years, pressures stemming from vehicular traffic expansion, environmental quality degradation, and infrastructure decay have intensified the need for sustainable transport patterns in historic cities. In Tabriz, this issue is particularly pronounced in District 8, which encompasses a significant portion of the historic fabric. As the ancient core of the city and home to assets such as the Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, historic alleys, and valuable urban spaces, this area possesses high physical and functional sensitivity. However, in recent years, it has faced challenges including severe traffic congestion, uncontrolled vehicle entry, narrow alley widths, infrastructure deterioration, public space shortages, and declining environmental quality. The network of narrow, fine-grained streets, which previously accommodated pedestrian movement and local activities, is now under pressure from vehicular flows, leading to reduced safety, increased pollution, and diminished spatial experience quality. Despite these challenges, features such as land use diversity, appropriate activity density, human-scale spaces, and relative network connectivity create significant potential for developing green transport patterns. This potential can foster walkability, expand bicycle lanes, reduce car dependency, and improve access to public transport. However, recent interventions have primarily focused on physical organization or traffic management, with less emphasis on green transport as a driver for historic fabric sustainability. Consequently, it remains unclear how green transport development affects the various dimensions of sustainability in this fabric and which physical, functional, and environmental elements play the most significant roles. The lack of an analytical and empirical framework explaining the structural and measurable relationships between green transport and sustainability indices has led to uncertainty in managerial decision-making, leaving much of the district’s potential for sustainable mobility underutilized.
The Purpose of the Research: Therefore, the main research question is: What impact does the development of green transport have on the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric, particularly in District 8?
Methodology:
This study employs a practical approach with a descriptive-analytical design. The primary objective is to elucidate the causal relationships between factors influencing green transport and their impact on the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). This method was chosen due to the multidimensional nature of the model, the presence of latent constructs, and the necessity to examine simultaneous direct and indirect relationships among variables. The statistical population includes experts in urban planning, transportation, environment, urban economics, and historic fabric management in Tabriz. Sampling was conducted purposively using the snowball method. Given the model comprises 5 latent variables and 23 observable indicators, the sample size was determined based on the common SEM rule of 5 to 10 observations per indicator, estimating a range of 115 to 230 participants. Ultimately, 150 valid questionnaires were selected for final analysis. Data collection was performed using a researcher-made questionnaire based on theoretical and empirical reviews and previous studies, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Content validity was assessed through the opinions of 10 experts, meeting CVR and CVI standards. Construct validity was verified via Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results indicated that factor loadings were acceptable, and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and Composite Reliability (CR) values exceeded accepted thresholds, confirming convergent and discriminant validity. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. According to Nunnally and Bernstein’s criteria, a coefficient above 0.70 indicates acceptable reliability. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha for all main factors exceeded 0.70, with a total alpha of 0.828, demonstrating high internal consistency and tool reliability. Data analysis was conducted using AMOS software. First, the measurement model was tested; after confirming fit indices (RMSEA, CFI, TLI, and Chi-square/df ratio), the structural model was analyzed. Relationships among independent variables, green transport, and historic fabric sustainability were examined, and path coefficients were calculated to determine the intensity and direction of variable effects. This method enabled the empirical and coherent testing of the research’s conceptual structure.
Findings and Discussion:
Analysis of the structural equation model reveals that "Environment and Energy" (0.65) and "Accessibility" (0.59) are the most significant factors influencing the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric. The environment factor, focusing on pollution reduction, renewable energy, and biodiversity, plays the largest role. Accessibility, through sustainable transport and enhanced spatial connectivity, holds high importance. Factors such as "Land Use" (0.42), "Socio-economic Integration" (0.29), and "Innovation" (0.27) have lesser but significant effects. Secondary indicators like "Human Scale" positively impact accessibility, "Monumental Scale" and "Architectural Styles" affect socio-economic integration, and "Smart Lighting" influences land use and innovation. Conversely, environmental pollution has a negative impact on the physical protection of historic buildings. The discussion of findings suggests that sustainability in the historic fabric requires the simultaneous combination of environmental, accessibility, and spatial organization dimensions. These results align with domestic studies (Zinali Agham et al., 2024; Jabbarizadeh Gan et al., 2022) and international research (Anabtawi, 2023; Bibri, 2020; Azizi & Kouddane, 2024; Zucaro & Agostinho, 2025), which emphasize that urban density is sustainable only when accompanied by environmental quality, green transport, and social structure. The exclusion of indicators such as "Traffic Safety" and "Acceptance of Electronic Tools" is justified by the specific nature of historic fabrics and technological/infrastructure limitations. Ultimately, the final model indicates that enhancing sustainability in Tabriz’s historic fabric requires coordination between reducing ecological pressures, improving green transport networks, and strengthening socio-cultural cohesion to prevent physical heritage degradation and improve residents' quality of life.
Conclusion:
The results demonstrate that green transport development, focusing on improving local accessibility and reducing car dependency, plays a vital role in enhancing the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric, particularly in District 8. Dimensions such as environment, energy, land use, innovation, and socio-economic integration were identified as key factors. Findings indicate that expanding pedestrian spaces and using clean transport systems reduce pollution and energy consumption, thereby improving environmental quality, strengthening social interactions, and increasing residents' quality of life. Given the unique physical structure of this fabric, transport solutions must be designed in harmony with its spatial and historical characteristics. Although limitations existed regarding data access and study scope, these findings provide a suitable scientific basis for Tabriz Municipality to formulate sustainable mobility policies. Generalizing results to other fabrics requires further studies at different scales. Overall, targeted green transport planning can serve as an effective strategy for preserving historical identity and enhancing urban sustainability in Tabriz.
Introduction:
In recent years, pressures stemming from vehicular traffic expansion, environmental quality degradation, and infrastructure decay have intensified the need for sustainable transport patterns in historic cities. In Tabriz, this issue is particularly pronounced in District 8, which encompasses a significant portion of the historic fabric. As the ancient core of the city and home to assets such as the Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, historic alleys, and valuable urban spaces, this area possesses high physical and functional sensitivity. However, in recent years, it has faced challenges including severe traffic congestion, uncontrolled vehicle entry, narrow alley widths, infrastructure deterioration, public space shortages, and declining environmental quality. The network of narrow, fine-grained streets, which previously accommodated pedestrian movement and local activities, is now under pressure from vehicular flows, leading to reduced safety, increased pollution, and diminished spatial experience quality. Despite these challenges, features such as land use diversity, appropriate activity density, human-scale spaces, and relative network connectivity create significant potential for developing green transport patterns. This potential can foster walkability, expand bicycle lanes, reduce car dependency, and improve access to public transport. However, recent interventions have primarily focused on physical organization or traffic management, with less emphasis on green transport as a driver for historic fabric sustainability. Consequently, it remains unclear how green transport development affects the various dimensions of sustainability in this fabric and which physical, functional, and environmental elements play the most significant roles. The lack of an analytical and empirical framework explaining the structural and measurable relationships between green transport and sustainability indices has led to uncertainty in managerial decision-making, leaving much of the district’s potential for sustainable mobility underutilized.
The Purpose of the Research: Therefore, the main research question is: What impact does the development of green transport have on the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric, particularly in District 8?
Methodology:
This study employs a practical approach with a descriptive-analytical design. The primary objective is to elucidate the causal relationships between factors influencing green transport and their impact on the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). This method was chosen due to the multidimensional nature of the model, the presence of latent constructs, and the necessity to examine simultaneous direct and indirect relationships among variables. The statistical population includes experts in urban planning, transportation, environment, urban economics, and historic fabric management in Tabriz. Sampling was conducted purposively using the snowball method. Given the model comprises 5 latent variables and 23 observable indicators, the sample size was determined based on the common SEM rule of 5 to 10 observations per indicator, estimating a range of 115 to 230 participants. Ultimately, 150 valid questionnaires were selected for final analysis. Data collection was performed using a researcher-made questionnaire based on theoretical and empirical reviews and previous studies, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Content validity was assessed through the opinions of 10 experts, meeting CVR and CVI standards. Construct validity was verified via Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results indicated that factor loadings were acceptable, and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and Composite Reliability (CR) values exceeded accepted thresholds, confirming convergent and discriminant validity. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. According to Nunnally and Bernstein’s criteria, a coefficient above 0.70 indicates acceptable reliability. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha for all main factors exceeded 0.70, with a total alpha of 0.828, demonstrating high internal consistency and tool reliability. Data analysis was conducted using AMOS software. First, the measurement model was tested; after confirming fit indices (RMSEA, CFI, TLI, and Chi-square/df ratio), the structural model was analyzed. Relationships among independent variables, green transport, and historic fabric sustainability were examined, and path coefficients were calculated to determine the intensity and direction of variable effects. This method enabled the empirical and coherent testing of the research’s conceptual structure.
Findings and Discussion:
Analysis of the structural equation model reveals that "Environment and Energy" (0.65) and "Accessibility" (0.59) are the most significant factors influencing the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric. The environment factor, focusing on pollution reduction, renewable energy, and biodiversity, plays the largest role. Accessibility, through sustainable transport and enhanced spatial connectivity, holds high importance. Factors such as "Land Use" (0.42), "Socio-economic Integration" (0.29), and "Innovation" (0.27) have lesser but significant effects. Secondary indicators like "Human Scale" positively impact accessibility, "Monumental Scale" and "Architectural Styles" affect socio-economic integration, and "Smart Lighting" influences land use and innovation. Conversely, environmental pollution has a negative impact on the physical protection of historic buildings. The discussion of findings suggests that sustainability in the historic fabric requires the simultaneous combination of environmental, accessibility, and spatial organization dimensions. These results align with domestic studies (Zinali Agham et al., 2024; Jabbarizadeh Gan et al., 2022) and international research (Anabtawi, 2023; Bibri, 2020; Azizi & Kouddane, 2024; Zucaro & Agostinho, 2025), which emphasize that urban density is sustainable only when accompanied by environmental quality, green transport, and social structure. The exclusion of indicators such as "Traffic Safety" and "Acceptance of Electronic Tools" is justified by the specific nature of historic fabrics and technological/infrastructure limitations. Ultimately, the final model indicates that enhancing sustainability in Tabriz’s historic fabric requires coordination between reducing ecological pressures, improving green transport networks, and strengthening socio-cultural cohesion to prevent physical heritage degradation and improve residents' quality of life.
Conclusion:
The results demonstrate that green transport development, focusing on improving local accessibility and reducing car dependency, plays a vital role in enhancing the sustainability of Tabriz’s historic fabric, particularly in District 8. Dimensions such as environment, energy, land use, innovation, and socio-economic integration were identified as key factors. Findings indicate that expanding pedestrian spaces and using clean transport systems reduce pollution and energy consumption, thereby improving environmental quality, strengthening social interactions, and increasing residents' quality of life. Given the unique physical structure of this fabric, transport solutions must be designed in harmony with its spatial and historical characteristics. Although limitations existed regarding data access and study scope, these findings provide a suitable scientific basis for Tabriz Municipality to formulate sustainable mobility policies. Generalizing results to other fabrics requires further studies at different scales. Overall, targeted green transport planning can serve as an effective strategy for preserving historical identity and enhancing urban sustainability in Tabriz.