ماهیت و عوامل مؤثر بر شکل‌گیری دوگانگی فضایی در نواحی شهری ایران

ABSTRACT
No systematic or qualitative review has examined the spatial discontinuity from the perspective of the "uptown-downtown" concept and the factors that shape its formation in Iranian cities, while previous studies identify specific factors that create this gap. This research identifies and analyzes the factors that shape spatial fragmentation in the form of the "uptown-downtown" dichotomy in Iranian cities. By combining narrative review methods and structural analysis, qualitative data from previous studies and the opinions of 18 urban experts have been collected and analyzed. The findings show that spatial fragmentation in Iran is caused by five categories of socio-cultural, economic, physical-infrastructural, managerial, and environmental factors. Among the 14 identified factors, "class differences and the gap between economic deciles", "unequal distribution of urban services and facilities", and "spatial differences in literacy and employment" are the most frequent and important driving factors. Structural analysis also revealed four groups of factors as key influencing factors, including class differences, uptown/downtown subjective identity, and social status gap; influencing factors such as land prices and housing demand; independent factors; and bimodal factors. This study, for the first time in the domestic literature, has systematically identified the driving factors of spatial fragmentation and determined their hierarchy of influence. The results show that reducing spatial fragmentation requires targeted intervention in key influencing factors, especially reducing economic inequalities and reforming urban service distribution patterns.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Iranian cities, especially metropolitan cities, have long witnessed the formation of complex and diverse spatial structures that reflect the big social, economic, and cultural differences among their residents. These structures manifest as the “uptown” and “downtown” phenomena, where the more affluent and developed areas (uptown) contrast with and are spatially separated from the less developed and deprived areas (downtown). This spatial and class separation not only reflects differences in income and living standards, but also indicates social and cultural segregation that has been consolidated and deepened over time. The spatial discontinuity created in these cities has widespread consequences in various areas, including limiting equitable access to urban facilities and services such as education, health, transportation, and green spaces. This inequality in access, in turn, reproduces social and economic inequalities and deprives parts of society of equal opportunities for growth and progress. As a result, this spatial disconnection is not only a physical and urban issue, but also a profound challenge to social cohesion, spatial justice, and sustainable development in Iranian cities. In Iranian cities, the factors driving spatial disconnection have not been accurately and comprehensively identified, which makes effective planning and policymaking difficult. Until a deep, scientific understanding of the factors that influence the formation of this phenomenon is achieved, it is not possible to properly analyze the main reasons for the emergence of spatial gaps and to provide efficient, reality-based solutions to address them. Identifying the factors influencing spatial disconnection is essential for understanding its roots more accurately and for developing policies that can reduce inequalities and enhance spatial justice in Iranian cities. In fact, without this recognition, any intervention or planning will likely remain superficial and unsustainable and will not help to solve the problem fundamentally. Given that identifying the factors that shape this spatial duality helps better understand how urban development and effective policies are designed to reduce spatial gaps, no study has examined this issue to date. For this purpose, this research aims to answer three questions:
-"What studies have examined the issue of spatial discontinuity in the concept of uptown and downtown in Iran so far?"
- "What are the factors that create this concept in previous studies and according to experts?"
 - "What are the most key factors affecting the formation of this concept in Iranian cities?"
 
Methodology
This fundamental research, with an inductive-explanatory approach, has used a combination of qualitative (validity review, content analysis, interviews) and quantitative (structural-interpretive analysis) methods to answer the research question. First, previous studies were identified and screened in several stages using the validity review method; then, these studies were examined, and effective factors were identified using content analysis; and finally, the key factors affecting the spatial gap in Iranian cities were identified using structural analysis.
 
Results and discussion
The findings of this research show that previous studies and experts in this field consider the phenomenon of spatial discontinuity between uptown and downtown in Iranian cities to be primarily due to social and cultural factors, economic factors, physical and infrastructural factors, managerial factors, and environmental factors. Moreover, the factors of class differences and the gap between economic deciles, unequal distribution of activities, urban services and facilities, unbalanced environmental quality in the city including housing and roads, differences in the quantity and quality of employment, spatial differences in the level of literacy and education, differences in land and housing prices, etc. are respectively the most frequent or, in other words, the most important factors affecting the gap between uptown and downtown in Iran in previous studies and from the experts in this field.
Conclusion
As a result, by controlling the factors identified in this study, especially class differences and the gap between economic deciles, branding and mental identity of the upper and lower city, and the gap in social base and cultural differences, the spatial gap between the upper and lower city in Iran can be significantly reduced. However, cultural, social, environmental, etc. differences between different urban areas of Iran can affect how these factors are planned and prioritized. While this issue was not considered in this study due to information limitations, the authors' limited knowledge of different cities in Iran, and the standard volume of research. Future studies should likely use both quantitative and qualitative methods simultaneously to identify factors across different cities, thereby providing greater depth to analyses of spatial discontinuity. Also, research can help better understand the factors that cause spatial discontinuity by comparing different urban areas in Iran and other countries. In addition, developing conceptual and operational models to predict and control spatial fragmentation across cities can help policymakers design targeted, effective solutions.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.