Document Type : Articles extracted from Thesis
Authors
1
Ph.D. Student, Department of Geography, YI. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Geography, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
3
Department of Geography, YI. C., Azad University, Tehran, Iran.Islamic
Abstract
The creative economy, as an emerging strategy for urban development, offers major opportunities for employment generation, economic diversification, and enhanced quality of life. This study seeks to design an integrated creative-economy model for new cities, focusing on Parand and emphasizing urban entrepreneurship, to formulate an operational strategy for mobilizing the city’s creative potential. Adopting an applied and descriptive–analytical framework, the research used a mixed-methods approach. In the first phase, key clusters of the creative economy were identified through theoretical and international literature reviews. The second phase assessed Parand’s current conditions using statistical analyses, document reviews, and expert interviews. In the third phase, the proposed model was developed and validated through the Delphi technique and expert panel feedback. Qualitative data were processed in MAXQDA, and quantitative results analyzed by descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that Parand shows strong readiness only in the connectivity infrastructure cluster—mainly due to the metro network—while major deficiencies persist in governance, institutional coordination, human capital, creative spaces, microfinance, place-based branding, and sustainability. The integrated model provides a stepwise roadmap including institutional mechanisms, phased programs, performance indicators, and actionable strategies to promote the creative economy. Successful implementation depends on establishing a coordinating body, enhancing soft and hard creative infrastructures, providing targeted financial incentives, and advancing city branding rooted in cultural and technological assets. The model offers a replicable policy and implementation framework for other emerging new cities in Iran.
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