1- Dfpartment of Geography Education,Farhangian University,P.O.Box14665-889,Tehran,Iran
2- Islamic Azad University, Semnan ,Z_karkeabad44@yahoo.com
2- Islamic Azad University, Semnan ,
Abstract: (484 Views)
Today, advanced cities compete with one another to secure favorable opportunities for development and to attract investment. Although competition is often regarded as a motivating and driving force, it can lead to instability in individual competitive cities, particularly when rival cities or regions exhibit greater productivity and creativity. Given that the primary objective of all development planning in the country is to achieve sustainable development and regional balance, identifying competitive advantages and opportunities—as well as creating new ones—is essential. This should be accompanied by leveraging the experiences of other successful cities through interconnection and the formation of networked cities. Such an approach becomes increasingly necessary to attain a balanced spatial development model across the country and to strengthen the competitiveness of metropolitan areas.
This study aims to enhance the competitiveness of metropolitan cities by examining how a network of competitive cities can be realized within the context of Tehran and four selected metropolises from different regions: Mashhad (northeast), Tabriz (northwest), Ahvaz (southwest), and Zahedan (southeast). The research first identifies the dimensions and indicators of collaborative competition (at two levels: 1) between each metropolis and Tehran, and 2) between each metropolis and its adjacent competitive region) using questionnaires. The indicators are then weighted through the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), and cities are ranked using the VIKOR method. This process determines each city's position within a network of collaborative, competitive cities.
The findings indicate improvements in both competitiveness scores and rankings due to synergies achieved in metropolises with greater capacities for collaboration with neighboring competitive regions. Tabriz achieved the highest ranking in collaboration with Tehran, while Mashhad and Tabriz secured the first and second ranks respectively (after Tehran) in collaboration with their adjacent regions. Additionally, Zahedan outperformed Ahvaz at the second level of analysis. Therefore, it is recommended that future development programs place greater emphasis on interaction and cooperation among metropolises within the framework of networked cities.
This study aims to enhance the competitiveness of metropolitan cities by examining how a network of competitive cities can be realized within the context of Tehran and four selected metropolises from different regions: Mashhad (northeast), Tabriz (northwest), Ahvaz (southwest), and Zahedan (southeast). The research first identifies the dimensions and indicators of collaborative competition (at two levels: 1) between each metropolis and Tehran, and 2) between each metropolis and its adjacent competitive region) using questionnaires. The indicators are then weighted through the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), and cities are ranked using the VIKOR method. This process determines each city's position within a network of collaborative, competitive cities.
The findings indicate improvements in both competitiveness scores and rankings due to synergies achieved in metropolises with greater capacities for collaboration with neighboring competitive regions. Tabriz achieved the highest ranking in collaboration with Tehran, while Mashhad and Tabriz secured the first and second ranks respectively (after Tehran) in collaboration with their adjacent regions. Additionally, Zahedan outperformed Ahvaz at the second level of analysis. Therefore, it is recommended that future development programs place greater emphasis on interaction and cooperation among metropolises within the framework of networked cities.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Geography and Urban Planning
Received: 2025/05/2 | Accepted: 2025/05/31
Received: 2025/05/2 | Accepted: 2025/05/31
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