Smartification

Purpose- The widespread use of virtual platforms has become a common practice in present management, and rural areas are identified as a sector that can greatly benefit from this technology. Statistic data in the field of communication and information technology exhibit a significant increase in internet access in rural areas, a trend that is on the rise globally. The successful implementation of smart village initiatives in Asia shows a promising way to improve life in rural areas, overcome existing challenges, prevent the collapse of social structures, and counteract the problem of rural exodus. It can be argued that by advancing information technology and smart village initiatives, life quality in rural areas can be positively impacted.Design/methodology/approach- The research population comprised the entire statistical community of four districts in Kalar County. Three villages were randomly selected from each district, resulting in a total of 150 samples from 262 households, using the Cochran formula with a 5% error rate. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed through content validity and Cronbach's alpha.Finding- The results of this study indicated that the existing infrastructure for smart village development in the rural areas of Kalar County is in an unsatisfactory condition. Additionally, the level of knowledge and information of residents regarding the smartification process in the study area is insufficient. Moreover, the effectiveness of this emerging process in improving the life quality for the local population was not as impactful as expected. The driving and inhibiting factors affecting the development of smart villages in Kalar County do not align with optimistic expectations hindering the desired outcomes.

The use of urban streets as an element of urban life is jeopardized today, particularly In rising metropolises such as Tehran, due to the rapid rise in automobile ownership, population expansion, ineffective transit systems, poor quality urban architecture, and other challenges. On the other hand, there are various potential to efficiently drive urban growth toward sustainability in an era of digitalization, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. It implemented that the use of new urban technologies is looking for methods and incentives to encourage today's citizens to walk more. This research attempts to address the question “does smartification of urban spaces significant impact on walkability”? This paper examines the effect of smartification defined as the incorporation of digital technologies and IOT solutions on walkability in urban spaces. By analyzing design of pedestrian path with various smart initiatives, such as gamification, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and digital solutions, this study seeks to understand how these innovations contribute to creating more walkable environments. This study used a quantitative approach to test its assumptions, and SPSS software and a questionnaire were used to examine the data that was gathered. Additionally, Friedman's test and the single population mean test (t-test) were employed to evaluate the research assumptions. The study's findings indicate that smart buildings can enhance pedestrian circulation in the studied location (Farahzadi Blvd., Shahrak Gharb). The findings suggest that smartification can significantly enhance walkability by improving safety, Social interaction, and pleasurability in user experience. Additionally, from the perspective of users, smartification has the most influence on the comfort factor that promotes walking.