Investigating the status of urban physical-spatial development from the perspective of compact city indicators (Case study: Khanaqin city)

Abstract:

This research aims to investigate the physical-spatial development of Khanaqin city based on compact city indicators and to assess the degree of compliance of the spatial structure of this city with the principles of compact urban development. In terms of purpose, the research is applied and in terms of nature and method, it is descriptive-analytical with a quantitative approach and based on statistical analyses. The research data were collected in the form of library and documents as well as field through a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population included the residents of Khanaqin city and the sample size was determined as 384 people based on the Cochran method. The main data collection tool was a questionnaire in the form of a five-point Likert scale and included 47 items in five main dimensions including physical and population density, land use mix, accessibility and sustainable transportation, vitality and quality of urban spaces, and physical environmental sustainability. Descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, standard deviation, one-sample t-test, and Pearson correlation test were used to analyze the data. The research findings showed that the overall situation of Khanaqin city is not desirable in terms of realizing the principles of a compact city. The indicators of physical and population density, land use mix, accessibility and sustainable transportation, vitality and quality of urban spaces, and environmental sustainability are at an undesirable level. The output of the correlation test also showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between all the compact city indicators; in such a way that improving each dimension can improve the other dimensions and these indicators act as an interconnected system. Overall, the results indicate that the physical-spatial structure of Khanaqin city is significantly different from the compact city model and the realization of this model requires the simultaneous strengthening of all dimensions. Accordingly, adopting an integrated approach in urban planning, controlling horizontal development, promoting public transportation, increasing targeted density, improving the quality of urban spaces, and strengthening environmental considerations are suggested as the main strategies.