Explaining the role of smart urbanization in enhancing urban livability: a case study of District 6, Tehran

Anani, Soheyla; Kouchaki, Seyyed Alireza; Khezerlou, Aram

doi:10.22034/uep.2026.575350.1837

Explaining the role of smart urbanization in enhancing urban livability: a case study of District 6, Tehran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Soheyla Anani ¹

Seyyed Alireza Kouchaki ²

Aram Khezerlou ³

¹ Ph.D. candidate in geography and urban planning, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Planning, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

² Ph.D. candidates in the Department of Environmental Design Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Iran

³ Instructor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Art, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran

10.22034/uep.2026.575350.1837

Abstract

In recent decades, cities worldwide have faced complex challenges such as population growth, economic activity density, and resource constraints, making urban smartification and the enhancement of urban livability increasingly essential. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms through which urban smartification affects livability in District 6 of Tehran, focusing on the interaction among technology, governance, social justice, and citizens’ lived experiences. A mixed-methods approach was employed: thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with urban managers, smart city experts, and livability researchers, followed by thematic analysis to identify seven core constructs. Quantitative data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicated that the constructs “governance, power, and decision-making” (β = 0.71) and “equity, inclusion, and marginalized groups” (β = 0.71) had the strongest influence on urban livability. Additionally, “space and lived experience” (β = 0.74) and “potential capacities” (β = 0.75) significantly contributed to environmental quality and policy adaptability. Integrating qualitative and quantitative findings revealed that citizens’ real ability to use technology, limited participation in governance, and spatial inequalities were key constraints on livability. Findings suggest that smart city initiatives without a human-centered, participatory, and justice-oriented approach cannot meaningfully improve citizens’ lived experiences or quality of life. The study provides a context-specific conceptual framework that can guide policymakers, urban managers, and researchers in densely populated urban areas.

Keywords

District 6District 6 of Tehran

livability

smart urbanization

smart governance

social justice

Subjects

Urban planning

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