Sara Ramezani

This study develops a comparative and integrative synthesis of urban land-use change (ULUC) theories to clarify their ontological assumptions, explanatory scope, and policy relevance. Drawing on a systematic literature review and a four-stage narrative synthesis framework, the paper organizes key theories into three ontological orientations—structuralist, institutional-relational, and individualistic—while situating them within Briassoulis’s broader typology of urban and regional economic, socio-political, and human–environment approaches. A comparative matrix, informed by Geels’ multi-paradigm analysis, identifies convergences, divergences, and conceptual gaps across the selected traditions. The analysis shows that ULUC is best understood as a multi-scalar process shaped by the interaction of macro-level structural forces, meso-level institutional arrangements, and micro-level strategic agency. Political economy perspectives explain the structural “why” of ULUC through capital accumulation, neoliberalization, and uneven spatial development; evolutionary and institutional approaches illuminate the “how long” and “by what rules” of spatial change through path dependency, institutional logics, and governance; and agent-based theories clarify the “who” through heterogeneous actors, bargaining, and decision-making in planning contexts. By linking these perspectives, the study moves beyond fragmented theoretical debates toward a middle-range framework that improves explanatory coherence and supports context-sensitive land-use planning. The synthesis also shows how theoretical insights can be translated into operational planning strategies.

Urban Agriculture (UA) in Iran plays a pivotal role in economic sustainability and food security. Recent years have witnessed significant transformations in UA land use, posing challenges to households and affecting urban planning efficiency. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to comprehensively investigate the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind land changes in UA Damavand, located adjacent to Tehran, Iran. Geospatial and quantitative analyses, coupled with qualitative assessments, aim to uncover the driving factors behind these alterations. Google Earth Engine (GEE) and NDVI mapping from 1995 to 2022 are used to analyze vegetation changes. Geospatial techniques in QGIS are employed to assess changes, complemented by qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the study explores the applicability of Q-methodology in understanding the causes of UA land use changes in Damavand. Findings indicate a substantial increase in built-up land (109 %), alongside declines in barren (14.34 %) and vegetation (22.44 %) classes, including UA lands. Correspondingly, four thematic factors have been identified as primary reasons for UA changes: land value changes and attraction to urban livelihoods, management and planning factors, physical-environmental factors, and the availability of urban infrastructure. The study underscores the urgency of effective planning to mitigate the threats posed by extensive UA transformations in Damavand. It highlights the significant role of analyzing land markets in integrating UA into urban planning policies, providing essential insights for informed policymaking.