Journal of Iranian Architecture & Urbanism(JIAU)

Abstract Extended Abstract Background and Objectives: In recent times, spatial critical studies have become well-established as an alternative to the positivist traditions of urban studies. This perspective views urban space as a socio-economic product that reflects the dominant political and economic conditions of society. Consequently, the spatial political economy approach serves as an appropriate framework to study built space, which is inherently a fundamental element of the capitalist mode of production and a commodity that contributes to economic growth, accumulation, and surplus value production. By conceptualising space as a commodity, it encompasses both exchange value and use value, becoming an inseparable attribute and driving force of the economy in generating surplus value. We explore the formation of value and the process of creating value within space production. We ask: What types of values are embedded in urban spaces? How have different forms of value been shaped and directed? Who is impacted by these values? And how can a balance between these values be achieved?
Methods: This paper aims to define the concept of value in the production of space and to recognise the formation of value embedded within it. Through a conceptual understanding of value, we explore the trends and controversies in the creation of the built environment, particularly the tendency to prioritise exchange value over use value. The methodology adopted combines interpretivism, with an emphasis on hermeneutic and normative approaches, and post-positivism, with a focus on critical approaches. The central premise is that understanding social realities is insufficient without considering political economy relations.
Findings: Employing a deductive strategy, we present several assumptions and observations in Tehran to develop a conceptual framework for creating value in the creation of space. For instance, housing is a clear example where use value is defined by its characteristics in providing a shelter and privacy, while its exchange value lies in its property value and economic driving force. In Tehran, however, with almost 350,000 to 500,000 vacant properties, housing prices have surged by more than 1200 percent in the last decade. This increase has led to social exclusion and poor housing conditions among the lower and middle social strata, indicating a shift from the social and use value of housing to exchange and capital value, effectively depriving housing of its social function. Furthermore, the inner city of Tehran, a historic area that should be vibrant with high-quality public spaces, has seen a predominance of commercial land use on a large scale. Supportive activities such as warehouses and workshops have dramatically reduced the quality of living and public life, resulting in physical dereliction of the urban fabric. This commercial dominance highlights the prioritisation of exchange value over use value, turning the area into one of the most problematic sites in terms of social decay. Similarly, shopping malls and commercial complexes have proliferated across Tehran in recent decades. Although these establishments serve recreational purposes and meet the public’s daily needs, their genuine function has been altered by the restrictions and controls imposed on them. These fully privatised spaces lack publicness, and their inappropriate locations have caused issues for neighbouring residents. This again illustrates the dominance of exchange value, adjusting public spaces to maximise profit at the expense of social value.
Conclusion: The research findings reveal that a coalition of urban political actors and capital holders has formed a consensus to transform urban space into a platform for profit-making and the acquisition of exchange value. However, urban space is also a public realm for citizens, who should be given primacy in terms of use value. In this context, it is crucial to prioritise use value in our urban spaces, or at least to regain a balance between exchange and use values, to prevent disparities in spatial development and enhance the quality of the built environment. In order to achieve spatial and social justice and improve the quality of the built environment, the gap between exchange value and use value must be bridged by balancing the interests arising from both values. As long as the development of urban spaces is driven solely by exchange value and financial profits, disregarding public interests and social value, the decline in the quality of public places is inevitable. Given that the market and investors invariably pursue higher profit margins, urban planners and policymakers must identify and address stakeholders’ concerns and needs, especially the intangible ones, to foster the creation of inclusive urban spaces.

Abstract Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: Today, “knowledge” has become a vital necessity for increasing the competitiveness of countries and cities in the twenty-first century. Therefore, a knowledge-based economy, defined as an economy capable of generating, disseminating, and utilizing knowledge, has led to a shift from traditional patterns of urban development to knowledge-based development, ultimately resulting in a knowledge-based city. On the other hand, it is now established that a city relies more on its capacities for innovation than on material resources and central government support. Innovation, resulting from the dissemination of local knowledge through interactions among urban elements such as businesses, customers, suppliers, and universities, is what drives growth, economic development, sustainability, and urban competitiveness. However, unfortunately, the main pillars or areas of innovation, which are the connecting points between the concepts of knowledge-based urban development and urban competitiveness, have not been identified in the global literature. In this regard, Tehran, as a megacity, due to the emergence of a networked society and the phenomenon of a knowledge-based economy, has set a new perspective called “knowledge-based urban development” and a competitive city on the agenda of its planning and urban development. However, there is currently no written plan for moving towards a competitive knowledge-based city in Tehran, and there is a need for review and revision. In line with the aforementioned, the main issue of the research is the neglect and insufficient attention to the main driving force such as innovation as a value-creating capital for achieving competitive knowledge-based urban development in Tehran. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to address this gap in the global literature in locating competitive knowledge-based urban development (innovative regions) in the megacity of Tehran.
Methods: The aforementioned research has an applied development objective, gathering data through documentary studies and expert interviews in a Delphi format involving 20 experts. A total of 54 influential factors affecting the future state of competitive knowledge-based urban development in Tehran, within 13 components (diversity, urban scale and population density, spatial proximity, internal spatial connectivity, external spatial connectivity, knowledge dissemination to society, government support, ICT application, innovative society, economic competitiveness, organizational-institutional competitiveness, locational character, and human capital), and 6 dimensions (institutional-organizational, economic, physical, socio-cultural, activity-performance, and technology-communication) were identified and then prioritized based on expert opinions using questionnaire tools and the Delphi technique. Furthermore, the method of Structural Mutual Effects Analysis was applied using the MICMAC software for further processing.
Findings: The research findings indicate that 13 stimuli have been identified as the most influential factors on the future status of competitive knowledge-based urban development in Tehran. Among them, six main influential factors (decision-making culture based on knowledge, collaboration of knowledge actors and decision-makers in knowledge sharing, organizational interaction, supportive legal framework for knowledge-based activities, government investment in knowledge-based activities, strategic collaboration and organizational networking) fall under the institutional-organizational dimension, while five stimuli (knowledge-based businesses, the infrastructure of knowledge spaces, global urban competitiveness index, foreign direct investment, per capita gross domestic product of the city, international business environment, and urban innovation) belong to the economic dimension. Additionally, one stimulus related to the Gini coefficient of the urban region is categorized under the social-cultural dimension. This highlights the significant role of governments and organizations, as well as the economic planning approach and the importance of intellectual advocacy in achieving a competitive knowledge-based urban development future in Tehran.
Conclusion: The research findings confirm the theory based on governance and economy in the development of competitive knowledge-based cities in Tehran. Contrary to what Florida suggests, it’s not only the creative class and soft factors that determine the development of competitive knowledge-based cities in Tehran, but rather a combination of governance-based theories and soft and economic condition theories that lay the foundation for the development of competitive knowledge-based cities. Therefore, priority should be given to these key drivers in formulating the main strategy for the future development of competitive knowledge-based urbanism in Tehran through the establishment of overarching documents and the content of urban planning schemes. Furthermore, the following points are summarized in the form of recommendations: Encouraging the clustering and concentration of innovative businesses and individuals to promote innovative activities and economic competition. In terms of government support, the establishment of official institutions to guide knowledge-based urban development, facilitating government-industry-academia collaboration, and investment in cutting-edge technologies are recommended. Additionally, governments are advised to act as entrepreneurs and market creators by deeply understanding and supporting knowledge-based businesses. In the societal sector, integrating traditional and new technological infrastructures, changing citizens’ lifestyles in line with sustainable development approaches, and altering social behaviors have been emphasized. Regarding diversity, diverse and context-appropriate spatial policies, the establishment of cultural hubs and districts, and infrastructure development to promote diversity and encourage the presence of various innovative industries have been proposed. In terms of external connectivity, upgrading public transportation systems and creating physical links between public spaces to facilitate access to technology and innovation clusters are among the suggestions. Finally, the development of organizations and knowledge-based individuals and the aggregation of knowledge actors are also proposed as strategies to enhance local knowledge and information.

Abstract Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: The present study is based upon the theory of “madinat alfadilah” (virtuous city) to help develop the theoretical foundations related to the concept of the “Islamic city”. This theory is one of the complete theories about the characteristics of the ideal city that “Farabi” has been able to systematize into a “scientific treatise”. “Farabi” is a wise scholar among Muslim thinkers whose theories can still be the solution to today’s problems, due to his scientific comprehensiveness,  intellectual order, and independence of thought from the conditions of his time.  The freshness of his thought  is due to his indebtedness to Islamic sciences and knowledge. In this study, the main research questions are:
1. What are the key concepts of Farabi’s “madinat alfadilah” theory?
2. How will these concepts play a role in explaining the theoretical foundations and defining the concept of “Islamic city”?
There are two approaches in the studies about “urbanization” and “civilization” in Farabi’s view: The first can be considered as “extracting individual concepts from Farabi’s works”, which includes studies that introduce single useful concepts for today’s society according to Farabi’s theories. The second can be called “extracting common concepts from the comparative study of Farabi’s works and other thinkers”, which includes studies that have compared his views with other thinkers who have provided theories in the field of society and the ideal city. The present study fills the gap between these two approaches. It is not merely looking at single concepts, nor is it merely comparing Farabi’s works with other thinkers, based on the view that Farabi’s comprehensive theory can be a comprehensive and all-encompassing basis to define the “concept of the Islamic city”.
Methods: This research is a descriptive-analytical study in terms of attitude and addressing the research issue. Bibliographic study tools (with emphasis on referring to primary sources) have been used to review and refine the texts and content of the materials. The research results have been obtained using the qualitative analysis method. According to the research process (based on the research canvas model (Latham 2016)), the first step was to state the problem, explain the goals, and formulate the research questions. The next stage determined the research position by reviewing previous research. Eventually, the theoretical literature was reviewed using an initial theoretical framework. In the analysis and findings section, using the approach of logical analysis, the concepts extracted from Farabi’s idea were presented in three sectors. Also, these concepts were briefly explained, and their relationship with the “concept of the Islamic city” was stated. Finally, secondary concepts were obtained from the basic concepts to form the “theoretical foundation” of the “Islamic city” concept. The relations between all the mentioned concepts with the idea of the utopia were depicted in a diagram. The secondary concepts were extracted by logical analysis and rational inference.
Findings: The theory of the “madinat alfadilah”, which is a solid basis for the concept of “Islamic city”, emerges in Hakim Farabi’s thought from a complete and, at the same time, complex process. He deduces this process from the general system of the created world. The starting point of this process is the “monotheism” and greatness of God Almighty. Explaining the hierarchy of beings, from the world of “Meaning” to the world of “Matter”, leads to the turning point of “Man”. The human soul has certain components. Some concepts such as “Wisdom, Will, and Authority” are defined for human beings. Human “bliss” is another turning point in the process. Man needs a “social life” to achieve bliss. Thereby, the concept of the “madinat alfadilah” is born as the background for the formation of social life. After reviewing the sources and analyzing the results, the key concepts of Farabi’s theory include: “bliss”, “comprehensiveness”, “anthropocentric”, “justice”, “global model”, “politics”, “social system”, “management” and “education”. These concepts were systematized in three sectors: “transcendent ideal, path and operational tools”, and their relationships were analyzed.
Conclusion: Based on the logical analysis of the above concepts in order to find their connection with the urban science literature through rational inference, the concepts of “purpose, approach, mechanism, form, context, organization and content” can be explained according to the “Islamic city” concept. The concepts defining the Islamic city can be organized as follows:
The transcendent ideal
• The “purpose” of the Islamic city is human excellence and his “bliss”.
path
•The “mechanism” for achieving this goal is “politics”.
•The “form” of the Islamic city is to have a defined and specific “social system”.
•The “basis” and context of the formation and development of the Islamic city is “a global model”.
•The general method or “approach” of the Islamic city is “comprehensiveness, anthropocentric and justice”.
Operational tools
•The “organization” of the Islamic city can be explained by defining the concept of “management”.
•The limits of “education” will determine the “content” of this template.
The process of emergence of the concept of “madinat alfadilah”, and the formation process of the theoretical basis of the “Islamic city” concept using key concepts of the theory are shown in a diagram.

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