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Jomehpoor, Mahmood

Article Formulating urban development strategies with knowledge-based development approach

Provided in Cooperation with: Iran Urban Economics Scientific Association, Tehran

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Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft zbw Leibniz Information Centre for Economics

Urban Economics and Management, Vol. 5, No4(20), 57-70 www.iueam.ir Indexed in: ISC, EconLit, Econbiz, SID, RICeST, Magiran, Civilica, Google Scholar, Noormags, Ensani. ISSN: 2345-2870

Formulating Urban Development Strategies with Knowledge-Based Development Approach (Case: City of Arak) Mahmood Jomehpoor Assistant Professor, Department of Social Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran Shahabedin Isaloo* Master Student of Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran Vahid Goodarzi Master of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran Behzad Doosti Sabzi Ph.D. Student of Environmental Planning of Rural Areas, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University

Received: 2016/01/23 Accepted: 2016/04/09 Abstract: In the third millennium and the urban world, achievement to development requires cities that they were mentioned as development engine until a few decades ago and today, they are introduced as knowledge-based cities. Such cities have a kind of economy based on knowledge and sustainable cities that their citizens live in comfort. In other words, a knowledge-based city is one aiming to achieve wisdom-based development. This important issue is done by creating, dividing, updating, and measuring knowledge continuously. In order to achieve to this purpose, citizens’ constant interaction from one hand, and interaction among them and people in other cities or urban economy from other hand is necessary. In Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 the meantime, industrial cities, as economically and demographically important places, are very important since they are alternatives to achieve to knowledge-based cities because of their direct relationship with technology, science, job creation, and revenue creation. Thus, this research tries to evaluate feasibility of industrial cities to achieve to knowledge-based development with the aim of multiple analyses socially, economically, environmentally, institutionally etc. of industrial cities. Thus, city of arak, as one of the industrial hubs in the country, was investigated. Research methodology was descriptive-analytical by using decision-making techniques of SWOT and PESTLE. In this regard, it has been tried in this research to examine indicators of knowledge-based city in Arak, to realize abilities and limitations of city of arak by using strategic planning techniques and evaluating status, to investigate whether industrial cities, such as Arak, have necessary potential to become knowledge-based city, and to determine strategies to achieve to knowledge-based city. The findings indicated that city of Arak is able to become a knowledge-based city. Keywords: knowledge-based city, industrial city, Arak, SWOT, PESTLE JEL Classification: A12, N95, O14, C38

* Corresponding author: [email protected] 85 ______Urban Economics and Management

1- Introduction necessary (Karimi et. al., 2013). Hence, in In 21th century, the common belief is todays’ world where the technology is that the key factor for the next decades is used for the welfare of human beings, it is reliance on knowledge, intellectual forces necessary that in our country with its and technologies in comprehensive excellent scientific background important development particularly scientific and and influential steps shall be taken toward technological development emphasized in attaining knowledge- based cities. During 1404 vision statement. Development of the recent decades, with the establishment knowledge occurs in a suitable and of science and technology parks and favorable context and supervised under development of universities a huge required feedback and evaluation. In movement has been emerged toward the present era, industrial communities development of infrastructures required convert or will convert to knowledge- for knowledge- based cities. However, based communities. In such communities, these infrastructures are not sufficient and science and technology are the key factors many measures must be taken for this for development (Emami & Saeidi, 2009). purpose. Industrial cities as important The concept of knowledge- based is economic and demographic places are defined as any phenomenon achieved highly important; because industrial cities with reliance on science and knowledge. due to their direct linkage to technology, One of the key factors for the achievement science, and employment and income of development is to incorporate generation are alternatives of knowledge- knowledge- based approach into all based cities achievement. Arak City is scientific and technological aspects in the one of industrial hubs of Iran where many society. One of these is creation and industrial units are established and since development of knowledge- based cities this city acts as a communication highway, that is highly emphasized today and very its communicative situation has promoted successful examples of these cities are the development of industry and its related Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 evident across the world. Cities developed industries. Hence, in present study the by knowledge- based approaches include: indices of knowledge- based city in Arak Barcelona, Munich and Stockholm which are investigated and by applying strategic are a few instances of successful cities planning and evaluation techniques the that enjoy an economy based on status quo is clarified and the potentials knowledge and sustainable cities where and limitations of Arak City are identified the citizens live in welfare and peace. In in order to find if industrial cities such as other words, a knowledge- based city is a Arak possess required potentials to become place the aim of which is the achievement a knowledge- based city and what are the of knowledge- based development and approaches that make the achievement of this goal is satisfied through constant knowledge- based cities possible? creation, distribution, update and measurement of knowledge. For this 2- Literature Review purpose, continuous interaction between a) Foreign Researches the citizens on one hand and their Ergazakis et al. (2004) in an article interaction with the people of other cities titled “toward knowledge- based cities, or urban economy on the other hand is analysis of concepts and successful cases” Formulating Urban Development Strategies … ______59

expressed the concepts and definitions of other cities in designing and development related to knowledge- based city and also of knowledge- based cities would be useful. explored the factors affecting the success b) Iranian Researches of these cities and they referred some Ghavamifar et al., (2008) in their successful examples such as Barcelona article titled “Presentation of knowledge and Melbourne. management strategic model in creation Ergazakis et al., (2006) in a research and development of knowledge- based entitled “A unified methodological approach cities” investigated and explained the for the development of knowledge cities” concept of knowledge- based city and its investigated the achievements of the six advantages and requirements; they also successful cities of Barcelona, Munich, presented a model for supporting the Stockholm, Montreal, Dublin and Delft in decisions of policy makers. knowledge-based field. The ways to reach Karimi & Jamalinejad (2011) in an knowledge city are summarized in the article titled “indicators of knowledge- following: based development in Isfahan” studied 1. Recognizing the city’s current the indicators of knowledge- based situation to reach a knowledge-based city indices and they concluded that Isfahan by identifying strengths and weaknesses. has made achievements more than ever 2. Establishing a comprehensive operational and that investigating the performance of plan to understand the strategies provided fundamental indices of science and for the city. 3. Implementing the plan that technology development is essential in the knowledge-based Commission or the planning and developing knowledge- City Council will take on several based community. responsibilities such as the implementation Karimi et al., (2013) in an article titled of the plan. 4. Evaluation of plans, “development of a fundamental approach reviewing and measurement of work for creation of a knowledge- based city in progress, as well as the effectiveness of Isfahan in line with promotion of knowledge- Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 plans and programs to address their based active economy” concluded that in shortcomings, are essential. order to achieve knowledge- based Yigitcanlar et al., (2008) in their study development, continuous interaction titled “development of knowledge cities; between the citizens on one hand and Melbourne’s experience in the development their interaction with the people of other of knowledge- based city” investigated cities on the other hand is a necessity and the concepts and principles of knowledge- moreover knowledge- based measures based city and explained the experience should be directed toward a favorable of Melbourne in implementing precise path by implementing a multilateral cultural, scientific, technological and monitoring system and strategic analyses. innovative models as well as urban Besides, they analyzed the situation of policies and economic- social development; Isfahan using SWOT technique. they finally argued that Melbourne is an Kharazmi et al., (2013) in a study titled emerging knowledge- based city that “Evaluation of national- wide communication identification of its success factors and in development of knowledge- based presentation of ideas to the policy makers cities in Iran: opportunities and challenges” referred to the key role of knowledge in 06 ______Urban Economics and Management

the 21th century and concluded that The relatively new concept of knowledge- based cities are effective on knowledge- based city has attracted the achieving sustainable development and attention of many international organizations, economic progress. The results showed city administrators, research communities that while Iran is evaluated in some of the and researchers during recent years. 12 main dimensions, it has a relatively Important international organizations good position, but some indicators need such as the World Bank, European more attention so that they can realize the Commission and United Nations have goals of the 1404 vision document and applied the framework of knowledge move towards the creation of knowledge- management in their strategic orientation based cities. concerning development. This series of strategies imply the strength of the 3- Theoretical Framework relationship emerged between knowledge Knowledge- based development management and urban development. approach was first formed in 1995 for From research point of view, it is evident restoration of European and American that the nature of urban development is industrial cities through upgrade of linked with the activities of knowledge human and institutional capacities and sector that requires conditions and an development of favorable environments environment different from producing for creativity, innovation, education and industries (Kiani et al., 2010), (Yigitcanlar change. By development here, we not et al., 2008). only mean economic growth but also all Knowledge city, from physical and parameters that reflect life quality and institutional viewpoint incorporates the sustainability in an international context; performance of science and technology therefore it is different from traditional parks into city performance and in terms production- centered activities. Knowledge- of performance it is a city designed based development emphasizes on the purposefully where knowledge is fostered Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 terms of soft factors, namely software, and covers such concepts as knowledge living creatures and compatibility and it corridors, knowledge village and knowledge requires different strategies (Karimi and regions. Hence, a knowledge city may Jamalinejad, 2011). play a role in the development of wealth A knowledge- based city is a place and employment, rapid growth of income the goal of which is development based in society, life quality of citizens, providing on knowledge through encouragement, effective access to transportation creation, sharing, evaluation, renewal and infrastructures, urban design and update of knowledge in a constant manner architecture that links modern technologies, through sustainable interaction of the enhancement of specialized competition, citizens of a city with each other and with implementation of influential commercial the citizens of other cities by supporting networks, development of access potential to the share of knowledge, suitable design other markets, promotion of citizens’ and implementation of information education and skills, supporting technology infrastructures and networks collaborative and competitive business (Naseri & Ghavamifar, 2007). culture, presenting creative and responsive public services that facilitate the Formulating Urban Development Strategies … ______61

manifestation of tolerance culture where fields and better investment of social diverse cultures are welcomed based on safety networks; meritocracy (Nabipour, 2013). - Formation of knowledge- based Any scientific phenomenon that emerges cities that provide updated knowledge in possesses unique features that as a scientific an on time manner; paradigm respond to daily needs and - Better educational guarantee and issues. The subject of knowledge- based linked networks of schools; city as a new approach has many - Providing an environment tolerated advantages referred below: by majorities and immigrants; Economic and Organizational Advantages: - Leadership in cultural production - Employment with good income and and cultural industry; reward; - Tools that provide access to knowledge - Fast growth of society’s income and for citizens; wealth; - Access to new communication - A more sustainable economy with technologies for all citizens. technological innovations and transnational Physical and Environmental Advantages investments; - To become pioneer in the subject of - Resuscitation of handicrafts; digital region; - Promotion and glory of city and - A city planning and architecture confidence building for reinvestment of that combines new technologies; local funds within local economy; - Application of and manifesting - Enhancement of risk taking that natural, architectural and historical helps to the formation of entrepreneurship heritage of city as an attractive factor culture; - Improvement of natural and - Creation and innovation as the central artificial environment restoration and elements of development increase capacity - Persistent alliance between universities, - More society commitment for deciding Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 companies and creators about environment (Nabipour, 2013) Social and cultural advantages: - Yigitcanlar in a study indicates the - Greater opportunities for wealth development of knowledge- based urban sharing through investment on public realm as plotted in figure 1:

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Figure 1: knowledge- based urban development Reference: (Yigitcanlar, 2011)

According to Lee, there are 9 solutions successful cities (Barcelona, Munich, for achieving knowledge- based cities: Stockholm, Montreal, Dublin and Delft)

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 1- Identification of status quo and concerning knowledge- based status and weaknesses and strengths summarized the ways by which knowledge- 2- Diversity in specialty based cities are attained: 3- Highly skilled organizations 1- Understanding the status quo for 4- Dynamic education concerning attaining a knowledge- based city based society and economy on identification of weaknesses and 5- Conferring distinguished role to strengths: defining and presenting some knowledge- based cities strategies based on current situation of the 6- Organizing strong linkages and city including: promotion of knowledge- connections within and outside urban region based city concept; promotion of management 7- Presence of a powerful leadership; process in the city’s knowledge, promotion 8- Development of physical knowledge- of city infrastructures and citizens’ knowledge, based cities (Lee, 2007). attraction of public participation, to pay Ergazakis et al. in a study titled “an special attention to and supporting the integrated methodology for achievement research, innovation, creation and of knowledge- based urban development entrepreneurship; attraction of state sector “investigated the achievements of six participation in the improvement and Formulating Urban Development Strategies … ______63

survival of this concept, enhancement of 3) Information and communication communication with other knowledge- technology and industrial automation based cities, promotion of human force 4) Technologies related to aluminum skills and participation and collaboration industry of different nations and cultures in 5) Other technical and engineering international level. fields (agriculture, animal husbandry, 2- Development of a comprehensive environment, etc.). operational plan: for understanding the 2- Centers of science and technology strategies presented for the city; growth: the main fields of the activities of 3- Execution of plan: the commission technology units growth center of science or a body of knowledge- based city has and technology park of Markazi Province many responsibilities such as execution of given the main industrial activities of this the plan. province and their structures and also its 4- Evaluation of plans: investigating past 10 years experiences include chemical and measuring the progress degree and and metallic industries, information and also the efficiency of plans and programs communication technology, agricultural is essential for elimination of weaknesses industry and biotechnology. (Ergazakis et al., 2006). The goals of this growth center include: Naturally, in order to achieve any to help to prototyping and production of phenomenon, there needs to be basic products supplied to the market, pave the way infrastructures and conditions in the to commercialize the research achievements, context of knowledge- based cities to provide an environment for the growth including: human resources, education, and development of startups, to provide information technology, culture, etc. and entrepreneurship grounds and supporting these have mutual relationship to each innovation and creativity of intellectuals other and they impact systemically on (www.astp.ir). each other; hence, basic infrastructures Moreover, today there are 36 growth Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 and current situation in under study area center units in the science and technology are as follows: park of Markazi Province. 1- Science and Technology Park: science 3- Industrial townships: at present and technology park of Markazi Province there is three industrial townships in Arak is located in Arak City established in (including Abik Abad, Khomein and 2002. At present. There is a technology Kheyrabad junction and Amirkabir units center in this park. In 2008, a permit township which is under investigation and was issued for this park to establish a study) and due to enjoying big and parent satellite growth center in Saveh County industries with highly technical and and at the same time another satellite specialized features, experience of 4 growth center was established in Tafresh decades of industrial implementation and County (www.astp.ir). The priority of development, enjoying an excellent activities in the science and technology geographical location and proximity to park of Markazi Province are as follows: important demographic and industrial 1) Chemical materials and products hubs (Tehran and Isfahan), being placed 2) Metallic products (machineries and in north- south international transportation equipment and production of parts) corridor and east- west communication 06 ______Urban Economics and Management

axes of Iran and national railroad and 15.5% in Payame Nour university, 12.8% energy supply route (oil, gas and power), in scientific- applied centers, 43.7% in presence of abundant metallic and non- Islamic Azad universities and 2% in non- metallic mineral resources this area is a profit universities (encyclopedia of valuable option for investment and above Markazi Province’s higher education, factors and many other parameters has Markazi’s social office of governorate). induced increasing interests of industrialists 5- Theology centers: in Arak these and industrial investors for the purpose of theology centers are active: Imam Khomeini optimized utilization of underlying center (previously known as Sepahdari), facilities and services in industrial Agha Ziaeddin School and Haj Mohammad townships of Arak and other counties of Ibrahim School. this province and these townships have Study Area faced with favorable fortuity (www.miec.ir). Arak City is located in geographical 4- Higher education centers: Arak coordinates at 49” 42’ longitude, 34’’ 5’ City has 25 centers for higher education latitude in Iran’s Central Plateau and its purposes including 7 state centers, one average height is 1755 meter from sea Payame Nour center, 14 scientific- level. Current area of plateau is 5400 Km2 applied centers, 2 Islamic Azad universities of which 2400 Km2 is Arak Plain and the and one non- profit center. The number of rest is surrounding altitudes. Figure 2 students in 2011 was 50810 ones in this indicates study area. city of whom 26% study in state universities,

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Fig.1. study area Reference: (Google Map)

Formulating Urban Development Strategies … ______65

4- Research Method weak and powerful periods and coordinate The present study is a descriptive- them against external environment during analytical study and its findings are of threat and opportunity periods. This applied type. Required data and information method is the best strategy for organizing was collected through documentary- the space (Moradi Masihi, 2002). The key library study method and also using the point of this model is that it conducts statistics of related organizations and domain analysis of all situational aspects centers during 2013. The indicators used of system and therefore it provides a in this study are indicators of higher useful framework for the selection of education. Scientific and research centers, strategy (Mobaraki, 2007). number of schools, etc. moreover, SWOT 2- PESTEL analysis and PESTEL decision-making techniques One of the important analyses used for were applied. evaluation of the position is PEST or SWOT and PESTEL analysis PESTEL analysis (Chapman, 2010). All 1- SWOT strategic model organizations require identifying external SWOT technique is a tool for factors in their environment, so that they identification of existing threats and could identify the impacts on the operations; opportunities in the external environment but organizations often have no control on of a system and recognition of its internal them although they understand required weaknesses and strengths in order to measure concepts. There are known tools for the situation and design a strategy for the identification of these external factors one control and guide that system. In other of which is PESTEL analysis that is able words, this model is a kind of organizational to investigate political, economic, social, analysis that helps organizations to technological, legal and environmental analyze their internal resources during issues (www.free-management-ebooks.com)

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Fig.2. PESTEL analysis

PESTEL is an abbreviation for political, environmental factors used for evaluation economic, social, technological, legal and of strategic programs of organizational units.

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Fig.3. SWOT, PESTEL analyses Reference: (www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk)

Given above explanations about the and threats concerning study area indicated techniques used in this study, we investigate in table 1. the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities

Table1. Internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) Weighted Strengths Normalization Calibration score Establishment of important national and international S1 0.143 4 0.571 industries in the city

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 Availability of Arak University, Arak Industrial S2 University and Medical Science university and other 0.238 4 0.925 higher education centers S3 Favorable communicative situation of the city 0.048 2 0.095 S4 Availability of suitable urban infrastructures 0.190 2 0.381 S5 Proximity to the capital 0.095 1 0.095 S6 High active population in industrial and servicing sectors 0.143 3 0.429 S7 Being located in north- south transit corridor (railroad) 0.095 2 0.190 S8 Easy access of other counties to the province capital (Arak) 0.048 1 0.048 Normalizatio Weight Weaknesses Calibration n score W1 Air pollution 0.071 2 0.143 W2 Informal accommodation in the city 0.036 2 0.071 W3 Worn out structures in the city center 0.036 1 0.036 W4 Improper land- use location and distribution 0.107 2 0.214 W5 High population and lack of facilities 0.143 4 0.571 W6 Unemployment and related adverse consequences 0.107 3 0.321 W7 No urban waste recycling and lack of landfill 0.071 2 0.143 W8 Horizontal and dispersed urban growth 0.107 3 0.321 W9 Merging the villages of suburbs 0.071 1 0.071 W10 Shortage of information technology infrastructures in the city 0.179 4 0.714 Total 1 2.607 Formulating Urban Development Strategies … ______67

5- Research Findings opportunities that are evaluated based on Feasibility Study of Knowledge- Based PESTEL model relative to political, Urban Development in Arak Using SWOT & economic, social, legal, technological and PESTEL Model environmental factor as indicated in The next stage is identification of tables 2 and 3 respectively. external factors, namely the threats and

Table2. External factors (opportunities based on PESTEL model) Weighted Sector Opportunities Normalized Calibration score PO1 Attraction of more support by authorities 0.023 4 0.091 Development of state’s political relationships with other PO2 0.030 2 0.061 countries concerning knowledge- based issues Political Innovation in knowledge- based city toward foreign PO3 0.038 4 0.152 relations development PO4 Transparency in measures and planning 0.015 2 0.30 EO1 High employment opportunities in industrial and service fields 0.023 3 0.068 EO2 Encouragement of private sector in investments 0.030 3 0.091 EO3 Increasing the production, supply and demand 0.015 1 0.015 EO4 Motivation of municipalities for sustainable income generation 0.030 4 0.121 Economic EO5 Reduction of costs and preventing the waste of resources 0.023 3 0.068 EO6 Sustainable economy and fostering entrepreneurship culture 0.038 4 0.152 EO7 Promotion of competition, innovation and creative industry 0.038 3 0.114 EO8 Economic equilibrium 0.023 3 0.068 EO9 Development of industrial products exportation 0.015 2 0.030 SO1 Upgrade the living quality and viable and vivid cities 0.030 4 0.121 Implementation of social justice and optimized SO2 0.023 3 0.068 distribution of services SO3 Integrated urban management 0.015 4 0.061 SO4 Renovation and empowerment of problematic urban areas 0.023 2 0.045 Social SO5 Creation of knowledge- based society 0.038 4 0.152 Accessibility of new communication technologies for all SO6 0.038 4 0.152 citizens SO7 Tools that facilitate citizens’ access to knowledge 0.030 3 0.091 Education and culturization of citizens in using the SO8 0.038 4 0.152 technologies

Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 TO1 Assigning huge budgets to knowledge- based researches 0.030 4 0.121 TO2 Development of smart transportation systems 0.015 3 0.045 TO3 Development and promotion of different technologies 0.030 2 0.061 Technological Enhancement of related urban infrastructures for making and TO4 0.038 4 0.152 the city knowledge- based infrastructural TO5 Development and promotion of internet throughout the city 0.038 3 0.114 Utilization of state of the art technologies in urban TO6 0.023 3 0.068 installations and updating them LO1 Modification, revision and updating the rules and regulations 0.023 3 0.068 Enactment of operational regulations concerning LO2 0.030 4 0.0121 Legal knowledge- based city LO3 Transition from lawlessness toward clear and efficient goals 0.023 2 0.045 LO4 To add new rules and responsibilities in urban affairs 0.015 3 0.045 EnO1 Independence from harmful industries to the environment 0.038 4 0.152 To promote the culture of natural spaces and urban EnO2 0.023 4 0.091 environment protection Reduction of environmental pollution, noise and visual EnO3 0.030 3 0.091 Environmental pollution Protection of environment and upgrading environment EnO4 0.023 2 0.045 quality EnO5 Development of NGOs’ activities 0.030 4 0.121 EnO6 Implementation of ecological balance 0,015 3 0.045 Total 1 - 3.288

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Table3. External factors (threats based on PESTEL model) Weighted Threats Normalized Calibration score Little state’s collaboration in PT1 0.053 4 0.211 completion of projects Changes in government’s cabinet PT2 0.035 1 0.035 and its impact on the projects Political Lack of systematic and integrated PT3 government cabinet in decision 0.018 3 0.053 making PT4 Break up with foreign countries 0.070 2 0.140 Unemployment or little ET1 employment opportunities for 0.070 4 0.281 illiterate citizens High inflation rate due to high ET2 demand as a result of urban 0.053 1 0.053 economic investments Reduction of growth and ET3 development due to no update of 0.088 2 0.175 society’s knowledge Economic dependence if the ET4 0.053 3 0.158 knowledge is not localized Effects of globalization on the ST1 0.053 3 0.158 cities and cultural impacts Fading out some cultural customs ST2 0.018 2 0.035 Social and traditions Isolation of some of illiterate ST3 citizens due to technological 0.070 4 0.281 progress Inefficiency of technological TT1 0.070 4 0.281 infrastructures Lack of and inefficiency of Technological TT2 0.088 3 0.236 required technologies in the city Incompatibility of technologies TT3 0.053 3 0.158 with the literacy level of citizens Fade out of the importance of Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 LT1 knowledge- based city in law 0.035 2 0.070 enactments Legal LT2 Non- execution of related laws 0.070 3 0.211 Non- integrity of regulations and LT3 0.053 4 0.211 laws Irregularity of ecosystem of region EnT1 due to intervention in natural 0.018 3 0.053 Environmental environment Imbalanced utilization of resources EnT2 0.035 4 0.140 and mines Total 1 - 2.965

Given the findings obtained through may come true by precise planning and application of two mentioned techniques, strategies. it was determined that the scores related Now, given the list of strengths, to available strengths and opportunities weaknesses, opportunities and threats, we are higher than the weaknesses and threats; obtain considered strategies from interaction therefore we conclude that Arak city has of these factors and four solutions, namely favorable conditions and its potentials SO, ST, WO and WT are designed. Formulating Urban Development Strategies … ______69

6- Conclusion and Discussion statistics of Arak City and also through In todays’ world, we witness the identification of current situation of the growth and progress of knowledge in city and extraction of internal factors different fields. During recent decades, (weaknesses and strengths) and external the subject of knowledge is incorporated factors (opportunities and threats) by into urban subjects and is expressed with applying SWOT and PESTELE techniques such titles as: knowledge- based cities or considered strategies were designed. The knowledge- centered cities. Some of results indicated that Arak City has the successful examples of knowledge- based potential to become a knowledge- based cities include Montreal, Munich, Stockholm city and that by strengths the weaknesses and Barcelona that has gained huge must be reduced; moreover, the threats experiences in this regard. In present must be reduced by the opportunities. The study, given the investigations made strategies presented in this study are based through studying the resources related to upon these principles referred below: knoeldge- based cities and available

Table4. Presented strategies in order to achieve knowledge-based development in Arak industrial city WO strategy SO strategy SO1 Develop and improve the relationship between WO1: To have scientific and research : foundations participate in urban problem scientific and research centers with industry solving; SO2 Upgrade urban infrastructures by attracting the investments toward development of knowledge- based city; WO2: Creativity and innovation in SO Development of NGOs’ activities concerning knowledge- based activities for applying 3: active forces of society; protection of urban environment

WO3:Development of educational activities SO4: Promotion of industrial products based on for promotion of society’s people; creativity and reliance on knowledge in order to WO4: Application of new knowledge for compete in market Downloaded from iueam.ir at 16:06 +0330 on Tuesday February 6th 2018 promoting the urban infrastructures and SO5: Attract social participation for the achievement of systems. knowledge- based community. WT strategy ST strategy

WT1: To invest on the improvement of ST1: Prevent the isolation of illiterate citizens by information technology infrastructures applying the activities of higher education centers;

WT2: To attract the trust and collaboration ST2: Prevent break up with foreign countries through of citizens for solving problematic areas of improvement of creativity and quality in industrial products; city ST3: To use strategic situation of the city to attract high WT 3 To apply the new knowledge if urban : ranked authorities’ attention; management in solving issues such as air ST4: To use scientific foundations of universities in pollution and wastes; protecting the culture, environment, entrepreneurship WT To make culture and train the citizens. 4: and clean industry.

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