The livability of Mashhad metropolis in north-east of Iran with emphasis on health indicator

Abstract

Background and Objective: Health and social services have broad domain like encompassing healthcare, childcare and youth services, maternal services, senior citizen organizations, community centers and public amenities. Livability can be considered as the characteristics of the urban environment, which makes it an attractive place to live. This study was conducted to analysis of the urban livability of Mashhad in north-east of Iran metropolis based on health indicator. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study the maps related to the status of each of objective sub-indicators including Spatial distribution of hospital, clinic, health center, emergency center and toilet based on the limits of Mashhad metropolis's zones (13 zones) were drawn by using the GIS Software. For mental indicator of health including physical health, relaxation, health services and satisfaction of health was used questionnaire. The sample size in all zones of Mashhad was equal 402 persons. Results: 39% of Mashhad's zones are at health very unfavorable level with respect to the urban livability. The zone 13 of Mashhad metropolis was determined the best zone in terms of health indicator, followed by zones 8 and 11, respectively. In contrast, zones 4, 6 and 3 were determined the worst conditions in terms of health indicator, respectively. Conclusion: The livability of Mashhad metropolis is not in desirable status base on health indicator. The realization of Livable city in terms of health requires attention to both objective and subjective dimensions and Livability has dynamic, integrated and continuous process.

Keywords

• Urban livability
• Health indicators
• Mashhad metropolis
• Iran