Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms on the Livability of Urban Public Spaces: Evidence from Ahwaz, Iran

Sadegh Koohestani, S; Mukheibir, P; Ranjbar, E

Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms on the Livability of Urban Public Spaces: Evidence from Ahwaz, Iran

Sadegh Koohestani, S

Mukheibir, P Ranjbar, E

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Publication Type:: Poster
Citation:: 2023
Issue Date:: 2023-08-28

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sadegh Koohestani, S https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4179-3994
dc.contributor.author	Mukheibir, P
dc.contributor.author	Ranjbar, E
dc.date.accessioned	2023-09-01T04:36:19Z
dc.date.available	2023-09-01T04:36:19Z
dc.date.issued	2023-08-28
dc.identifier.citation	2023
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/171870
dc.description.abstract	Worldwide, sand and dust storms are being exacerbated by the changing climate, threatening the life of some urban populations. Nevertheless, the research on the impacts of sand and dust storms on cities and responding strategies and actions is noticeably limited. This phenomenon has severely impacted arid Iranian cities. The city of Ahwaz, one of the most polluted cities globally due to sand and dust storms, could be an informative case study for understanding the adverse effects of sand and dust storms on urban life. The impacts on urban public spaces and livability are no less significant than those on the environment, socioeconomics, and health. This research aims to understand how and to what extent urban livability is affected by this phenomenon. By adopting a qualitative approach to investigate citizens’ experiences subjectively, in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were interpreted through qualitative content analysis. According to the results, sand and dust storms have led to suspension of daily urban life and the evacuation of urban and collective spaces. However, the helpless presence of local businesses despite the absence of citizens and lack of trade has been observed, incurring significant financial losses. These events also cause adverse health, hygiene and cognitive effects. Overall, it has resulted in fading people’s sense of belonging and disconnections to their living environment and have in some instances led to involuntary migrations. More studies are needed to guide policies and interventions to prepare for such hazards in the urban environment at the city and regional scales.
dc.language	en
dc.relation.ispartof	11th International Conference on Urban Climate
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms on the Livability of Urban Public Spaces: Evidence from Ahwaz, Iran
dc.type	Poster
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-09-01T04:36:17Z

Abstract:

Worldwide, sand and dust storms are being exacerbated by the changing climate, threatening the life of some urban populations. Nevertheless, the research on the impacts of sand and dust storms on cities and responding strategies and actions is noticeably limited. This phenomenon has severely impacted arid Iranian cities. The city of Ahwaz, one of the most polluted cities globally due to sand and dust storms, could be an informative case study for understanding the adverse effects of sand and dust storms on urban life. The impacts on urban public spaces and livability are no less significant than those on the environment, socioeconomics, and health. This research aims to understand how and to what extent urban livability is affected by this phenomenon. By adopting a qualitative approach to investigate citizens’ experiences subjectively, in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were interpreted through qualitative content analysis. According to the results, sand and dust storms have led to suspension of daily urban life and the evacuation of urban and collective spaces. However, the helpless presence of local businesses despite the absence of citizens and lack of trade has been observed, incurring significant financial losses. These events also cause adverse health, hygiene and cognitive effects. Overall, it has resulted in fading people’s sense of belonging and disconnections to their living environment and have in some instances led to involuntary migrations. More studies are needed to guide policies and interventions to prepare for such hazards in the urban environment at the city and regional scales.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/171870