ابوالفضل دهقان منگابادی

Nowadays, due to increasing global environmental problems and challenges, the implementation of sustainable development concepts in various aspects related to university campuses has become critically important. In addition to their role in education and awareness, university campuses are considered small-scale cities that have significant direct and indirect effects on the environment due to their large size, multiple buildings, high population density, and complex activities. Moreover, the university, as a major educational institution, bears significant responsibility for planning and adopting effective strategies in implementing environmentally friendly programs, using renewable and sustainable resources, supporting clean energy, and preserving the environment. As awareness grows regarding the environmental impact of universities, they are expected to promote a development model that aligns with environmental safety, biodiversity, ecological balance, and intergenerational equity. The purpose of this research is to enhance the sustainability level of university campuses with an emphasis on environmental values. This study is both qualitative and quantitative, with the Central Campus of Shahrood University of Technology selected as the case study. It is a descriptive-survey in terms of nature and methodology and applied in terms of purpose. Data collection was carried out through both documentary (library) and case study methods. The theoretical framework and background information were gathered via a documentary approach, using scientific and research articles, books, and other credible domestic and international sources. In the case study phase, data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 28 and AMOS 24 software. The results showed that most indicators of environmental sustainability on the central campus—including energy conservation, sustainable materials, waste separation and recycling, rainwater collection and storage, smart energy and water equipment, building greenness, bicycle use, water features, utilization of natural energy, waste reuse, and clean fuels—are currently in an unfavorable condition. Improving these indicators, based on the data analysis, can significantly enhance the environmental sustainability of the university campus. Accordingly, several solutions are proposed to develop sustainability in university campuses grounded in environmental values.      

The complete streets movement has been defined as the latest movement for providing safe streets for all modes of transportation and people of all ages and abilities through redesigning streets' spaces. The first phase in planning a successful complete street for any location is establishing a solid policy. To identify the key components of the firm policy, this study surveyed the highest-ranked complete streets policies in North America since the concept of the complete street has emerged in the USA. This study aimed to provide an exemplary policy structure for other societies to use as a model for developing successful complete streets policy in their communities. To support this effort, an integrated literature review made for an inclusive methodological approach. As a result, fundamental approaches to writing and defining an ideal complete street policy are clarified. Also, two characteristics outside the policy elements, which improved the policy's potential for success, are discovered.

The concept of sustainability is encouraged to preserve natural resources, social values, cultural heritage, and economic capital, which already exist to make available them for the next generations. Moreover, to enhance the level of sustainability in communities, numerous scholars indicated both individual and community identities play a crucial role. Sustainability is attainable and successful if there are compatibility and balance among cultural diversity, social justice, environmental responsibility, and economic equality as well as be able to attract people and appeared in their values and behaviors. Due to the critical role of social identity for improving the capacity of the people by changing their values and behaviors, it can be argued that social identity plays a vital role to achieve and support the concept of sustainability. Besides, place identity is linked to meanings and perceptions held by the people concerning their environment. Thus, the effect of social and place identities to achieve sustainable city has been identified as one of the urban design issues for contemporary cities. In this regard, the main aim is how social and place identities can contribute to promoting sustainability approaches and behavior in communities. The methodology of this study is an integrative literature review based on existing documents and studies. As a result, the research would convey to understanding the dynamic role of social and place identities for enhancing the level of sustainability in urban communities.