Assessment and Evaluation of the Components of Physical Resilience in Old Urban Neighborhoods with an Emphasis on Sustainability Requirements: A Case Study of District 8 in Tabriz, Iran

Resilience is a multidimensional concept that manifests in various aspects of urban life. Physical resilience is one of the influential areas of resilience and is directly related to the sustainability of cities. In this article, the focus is on examining the physical resilience in the neighborhoods of District 8 of Tabriz, Iran. The research questions include the following: “What are the variables of physical resilience in urban neighborhoods?” and “What is the status of physical resilience in the neighborhoods of District 8 of Tabriz?” This article presents applied research utilizing a comparative strategy and a quantitative method through a field survey approach with geographical information system tools and the indicator overlay technique. In this study, a questionnaire was also developed and distributed among experts in the theoretical and executive fields to clarify the reliability and validity of variables and model and weigh the distribution. Based on the conducted studies, physical resilience was assessed using three proposed scales, and at the local scale, seven variables, including the age of the structure, building quality, population density, number of floors, area, parcel regularity, and access to main streets, were considered. Studies and investigations conducted in the eight major districts of Tabriz indicate that nearly 90% of the structures in these areas exhibited relatively low to low resilience levels. This highlights the need for special attention from management entities regarding the revitalization policies of neighborhoods and old fabrics. While physical factors play a crucial role in reducing the resilience of structures, making changes in these factors requires a long time, long-term planning, and the implementation of urban planning and architectural regulations. Therefore, alongside physical issues, attention to other factors can significantly enhance resilience to an acceptable level and prevent human tragedies.