Re-Evaluating the Functionalist Approach of Urban Management towards Sustainable Architecture and Urban Layout with Emphasis on the Role of Digital Technologies

Urban management’s persistent reliance on purely functionalist approaches often sidelines aesthetics and social vitality, particularly in sustainable architecture and urban layout. This tension between sociologists prioritizing citizen-centered social functions and architects championing environmental, aesthetic, and symbolic roles undermines holistic urban development. Focusing on Tehran’s District 6, this research interrogates how digital technologies can reconcile these perspectives to foster spaces that are efficient, sustainable, and culturally resonant. Through critical literature review and qualitative case analysis, we reveal how decades of functionalist management eroded District 6’s visual coherence, social equity, and historical identity. The area’s haphazard development, driven by ad-hoc construction and weak oversight, exemplifies the costs of neglecting integrated design. Yet, our findings propose a transformative pathway: strategically embedding digital tools (e.g., geographic information systems (GIS) mapping, Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted restoration, augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) placemaking, and participatory platforms) within sustainable architecture principles can revitalize urban fabric. We demonstrate that digital integration enables more than technical efficiency—it re-centers human experience. Interactive public spaces, digitally enhanced heritage conservation, and real-time civic co-design tools strengthen belonging while optimizing resource use. However, success hinges on transcending institutional silos and empowering communities. Ultimately, this study argues for an aesthetic-functional hybrid model where digital technology mediates between sociological needs and architectural innovation. For cities like Tehran, this approach isn’t optional; it’s vital for crafting resilient, identity-rich neighborhoods that honor both people and place.