Evaluation of environmental criteria affecting citizens' health using geographic information system (case example: Agheh Zaman neighborhood of Sanandaj city)

Introduction: The challenges of urban life, such as the reduction of the environment's role as a space for citizens' presence and physical activity, the increase in vehicle usage, and the resultant inactivity and rise in non-communicable diseases, have raised global concerns about public health. This research aims to evaluate both subjectively and objectively the environmental criteria affecting the general health of residents in three dimensions: physical, psychological, and social, within the Agha Zaman neighborhood of Sanandaj city.
Material and Methods: The collection of subjective and objective research data was conducted sequentially. The research was divided into four phases. The first phase involved a subjective qualitative assessment of residents regarding their mental and social health. The second phase involved collecting quantitative subjective data about residents' physical health. The third phase was a quantitative objective assessment of the environment. The fourth phase examined the correlation between the research variables. Subjective data were obtained using a questionnaire, while objective data were gathered using a geographic information system (GIS). Regression analysis in SPSS software was used to analyze the relationship between neighborhood environmental criteria and physical activities, and to determine the relationship between variables. Objective data, such as the type of block arrangement, spatial pattern of the neighborhood, land use layer, and road network, were calculated using GIS and entered into the space syntax index to determine the neighborhood's pedestrianization. Finally, the relationships and effects of environmental criteria on public health were identified using regression analysis in Lisrel software.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that environmental comfort and tranquility, with a score of 23, and social interactions and neighborhood culture, with a score of 21, have the greatest impact on mental and social health, respectively. Additionally, environmental criteria such as a mix of uses (score: 5.671), visual and aesthetic qualities (score: 7.961), and special infrastructure for pedestrians and bicycles (score: 8.475) have the most significant impact on physical work, leisure, and sports activities. Consequently, these criteria influence physical health. According to the data, Namaki Street, with a score of 21, has the highest level of connectivity, interconnection, depth, and control within the neighborhood, leading to the highest level of pedestrian circulation.
Conclusion: The overall results indicate that due to the direct impact and relationship of urban design environmental criteria on physical activities, and the positive and meaningful relationship between physical activities and general health, it is evident that the general health of residents is related to the environmental criteria of urban design. However, this relationship is mediated by physical activities.