Sustainable Development

Purpose: This study focused on the structural modeling of competencies of high school managers in Tehran as a driver for sustainable development. Methodology: From the perspective of its objective, this research is developmental-applied, and in terms of data collection, given the nature of the study, it is descriptive-survey. The statistical population in the quantitative section includes high school managers from districts 2, 5, 6, and 8 in Tehran, who have experience in managing high schools and are active in executive and research activities in the field of education. Therefore, the sample size for the forthcoming research is 384 individuals, for which 384 questionnaires were used for data analysis. To measure the research variables, questionnaires by Shamsudin & Chutipattana (2012) and Wayla & Tolud (2021) were utilized. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha, and the validity of the questionnaire was based on confirmatory factor analysis. In the present research, the structural equation modeling method was used for data analysis. The software used for data analysis were SPSS-22 and SMARTPLS-4. Findings: According to the research findings, the professional competency model of school managers includes competency enablers, management competencies, ethics and professional behavior competencies, manager development, social indicators of managers, the establishment of work groups to enhance performance and green competency, attitudinal competencies, knowledge competencies, educational competencies, commercialization of knowledge-skills and technology competencies, hardworking spirit, consumption pattern modification, and participation in development towards national authority, which lead to the realization of results such as a hardworking spirit, consumption pattern modification, and participation in development. Conclusion: The professional competency model of school managers in high schools, with the expansion of professional competency, can assist managers and planners of educational systems in improving educational and training conditions.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to examine and model the structural equations of educational sustainable development within the education system of East Hormozgan Province. The study aims to identify key factors and relationships that contribute to the effective integration of sustainable development principles in education, based on a theoretical framework derived from existing literature. Methodology: This applied research employs a survey method, targeting all secondary school managers and teachers in East Hormozgan Province, totaling 7,444 individuals. Using stratified random sampling, a sample size of 365 participants was determined through Cochran's formula. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the theoretical framework and analyzed using SPSS 27 and LISREL 8.80 software. The study employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the proposed model and assess the fit of the data. Findings: The analysis revealed that all dimensions, including central phenomenon, causal factors, strategies, contextual factors, intervening factors, and outcomes, were effectively represented in the educational sustainable development model. High factor loadings and significant path coefficients indicated strong relationships between the variables. The findings also highlighted the critical role of economic, social, and environmental education in fostering sustainable development. The model demonstrated good fit indices, confirming its robustness and applicability for evaluating ESD initiatives. Conclusion: The study confirms the importance of integrating sustainable development principles into the educational framework of East Hormozgan Province. The validated model provides a comprehensive approach to assessing and implementing ESD, emphasizing the need for holistic educational strategies and continuous professional development for educators. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to promote sustainable development through education.

The present study aimed to identify the factors influencing the implementation of sustainable development policies, with a specific focus on small wins in Iran. This applied and descriptive-survey study utilized a qualitative approach and employed the grounded theory method. Data collection involved interviews and the codification was conducted using the emerging (Glaserian) grounded-theory classical approach. the interview questions were meticulously developed based on a comprehensive review of the literature, and the collected data were coded using Strauss and Corbin’s (1998) paradigm model. The research population comprised specialists and experts who held influential roles in policy implementation, and they were selected using purposive and theoretical sampling. The sampling process continued until the data were theoretically saturated, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. the results of the study revealed the significant impact of various factors on the implementation of sustainable development policies. Notably, in line with the new concept of small wins and the principles of sustainable development, the study identified 36 indicators, which were categorized into drivers and inhibitors. Each main indicator encompassed six economic, social, cultural, strategic, environmental, and organizational factors, along with 18 sub-indicators. These findings underscore the importance of considering these indicators for formulating sustainable development policies and goals, particularly for developing countries like Iran, in order to achieve sustainable development on a global scale.

This research studied the Damavand mountain as a unique geological phenomenon in Amol County, Mazandaran Province with a special view on its role in sustainable tourism development. The methodological process was based on: the inventory and preliminary selection of geosite, a semi-quantitative geosite assessment, and the application of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) matrix to establish geotourism development strategies within a sustainability framework. Based on studies done, Damavand mountain is a real geosite with high geo-touristic potential which include: water fall, hot spring, glacier,volcanic crater which are a geological heritage with outstanding scientific, cultural, touristic ,industrial,and educational values. According to the results of the IELIG method in this study, the geosite of Damavand has ‘very high’ interest values considering their scientific, academic, and tourist interests and has the necessary conditions for geotourism development. The SWOT analysis reveals that travel itineraries that combine cultural heritage elements and geosites could offer a real alternative for the region’s sustainable development through geotourism.

The purpose of this research was to identify strategic positioning of sports diplomacy capacities for sustainable development. The research population included professional athletes and coaches; who had experience working at international sports levels. The sample was selected via availability methods (146 individuals). Data collection was conducted through a researcher-made questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SWOT matrix. Five professors confirmed the validity of the questionnaire, and its reliability was determined by Cronbach's alpha value of 0.89, indicating the high reliability. The results revealed that the strategic position of sports diplomacy capacities for sustainable development is in the WT quadrant, indicating that the most appropriate strategies that can be applied are defensive ones. Accordingly, respective planners and decision-makers in sports, especially policy-makers, should consider appropriate strategies to improve Iranian sports diplomacy capacities, leading to a more sustainable development.

Purpose- Coastal regions are some of the most popular tourism destinations worldwide and tourism can be a promising tool for enhancing dimensions of social-cultural resilience. The more resilient a community is to sudden, unexpected, or chronic economic, political, social, and environmental (negative) events, the less vulnerable it is to these disruptions. This study aimed to investigate the impact of socio-cultural resilience dimensions of coastal regions on sustainable tourism development in coastal regions of Bushehr, Iran.  Design/methodology/approach- This study is applied in terms of its objective and is correlational-descriptive in nature. Based on the type of data collected and analyzed, it is a quantitative study. The target population comprised 1686 socio-cultural experts involved in tourism development in Bushehr City. A sample of 313 participants was selected using random sampling, based on Cochran's formula. The study utilized two questionnaires: a Sustainable Tourism Development questionnaire and a Socio-Cultural Resilience questionnaire. Smart Plus and SPSS software version 26, and parametric, and nonparametric statistical tests were used to analyze the findings. Findings- The results showed a significant positive relationship between socio-cultural resilience in coastal regions and the level of tourism development in Bushehr Province. The regression coefficient for the impact of sociocultural resilience on tourism development as a dependent variable was 0.767. The regression coefficients for the cultural, environmental, economic, and social dimensions were 0.713, 0.839, 0.773, and 0.611, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R²) for sustainable tourism development was 0.589, indicating that 58.9% of the variance in sustainable tourism development in coastal areas can be explained by sociocultural resilience. The R² values ​​for the cultural, environmental, economic and social dimensions were 0.508 (50.8%), 0.703 (70.3%), 0.597 (59.7%) and 0.373 (37.3%), respectively. Practical implications- The results of this study have significant implications for the development of public policies related to sustainable tourism. In conclusion, given the diverse tourism opportunities and potentials of Bushehr Province in coastal areas, especially in the field of water and coastal sports, tourism managers and planners as well as researchers and scientists must show the necessary commitment to the formation and development of this industry through proper planning and determining appropriate strategies. It concludes by presenting some policy-making guidelines for a tourism destination manager.

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.      

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping societal development, influencing economic growth, social stability, governance, and individual well-being. By enhancing skills, abilities, and individual competencies, education contributes to the accumulation of human capital at both the individual and societal levels. It expands personal freedoms by increasing capabilities, which in turn fosters democratic participation and social resilience. There are two primary theoretical approaches to understanding education’s impact on human capital: the productivity approach and the capability approach. While the productivity approach views education as a means to enhance workforce productivity, the capability approach emphasizes broader cultural and social advancements, seeing increased productivity as an intermediate rather than an ultimate goal. Adopting a systematic qualitative literature review (SQLR) methodology, this study synthesizes peer-reviewed journal articles, policy reports, and scholarly books from reputable sources such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, Scopus, and institutional reports from UNESCO and the World Bank. A thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step framework, identifying key themes such as education’s role in economic mobility, governance, and global competitiveness. Findings highlight that nations with well-designed educational systems, such as Japan and China, have achieved sustainable economic growth by leveraging high-tech and knowledge-based production. The study concludes that an appropriate educational system is a primary prerequisite for any country’s development, as it determines its position in the global economy. This review underscores the importance of context-specific educational policies that align with broader societal needs. It offers insights for policymakers seeking to bridge the development gap through strategic investments in education.

INTRODUCTION: Today, natural crises have become an inseparable reality of human life, and one of the key measures to prevent the destructive consequences of natural disasters in any region is the identification and zoning of natural hazards. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to identify the factors affecting the occurrence and zoning of natural hazards within Mehdishahr county, Semnan province. METHODS: This research was conducted using a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) and the status of risk and crisis management in Mehdishahr was examined. Data were collected from existing documents, interviews with key stakeholders (local officials, experts, and representatives of local communities), and analysis of statistical data related to past incidents. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, the factors under study were compared in pairs and the weight of each was calculated. FINDINGS: According to the findings, floods have the greatest impact on the riverbed and distance from it, the river parameter with 0.335 plays more than one-third of the flood risk, and land use with 0.096 has the lowest sensitivity. Also, faults with 0.370 are considered the most important and land type with 0.087 is the least important factor in causing earthquakes. Based on the results obtained from the AHP model, human factors, especially roads and paths, have the greatest impact on the occurrence of landslides, and along rivers they account for one-third of the factors affecting the occurrence of landslides. CONCLUSION: Considering the factors affecting the occurrence of natural disasters in Mehdishahr county, some preventive measures are necessary to preserve natural resources and the environment, ensure sustainable economic and social development, and reduce vulnerability, including: changing land use and respecting the privacy of rivers, preventing construction on the banks of rivers, stabilizing and stabilizing slopes, observing building regulations, and strengthening local capacities through education, empowerment, and promoting public and specialized awareness.

INTRODUCTION: Sponge city, a fundamental strategy for solving water and environmental challenges, has attracted the attention of researchers around the world in recent years. Hence, the aim of this research is to examine the sponge city as a paradigm in urban flood crisis management. METHODS: In this applied study, the research method is both descriptive and analytical. Data were collected from review articles, book chapters, grey literature, online pages, and newspaper articles. For qualitative content analysis, an inductive method was used, which combines data collection, extraction, and analysis, and gradually generates a discussion. FINDINGS: According to the findings, the sponge city model involves comprehensive improvement of urban water resources and the aquatic environment in urban areas and a way to respond to water challenges and environmental degradation, promising to resolve environmental problems, increase welfare, growth and development, and achieve sustainability in societies. It emphasizes the integration of environmental considerations into all physical structures in urban spaces with the aim of harmonizing city development with the natural environment and advancing the principle of sustainability through the alignment of human and ecological processes in urban environments. CONCLUSION: The results show that the sponge city and its principles can contribute to sustainable development in environmental, social and economic dimensions. A sponge city construction can improve the ability of cities to adapt to environmental changes and cope with floods, encouraging the development of cities towards a healthier and more sustainable direction.