https://psp.modares.ac.ir/ Political Organizing of Space en daily 1 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28674.html The phenomenon of land subsidence in Isfahan is the product of a complex interaction of natural and human factors, such as excessive groundwater extraction, reduced rainfall, drying up of the Zayandeh River, weakening of the ecosystem's ability to nourish groundwater aquifers, and the expansion of intensive industrial and agricultural activities, which have turned this province into one of the main centers of subsidence, such that these conditions have left significant political and social consequences in recent years. The aim of this research is to explain the reflection of the socio-political mechanisms arising from subsidence and to understand its consequences on water governance and state-society relations in Isfahan province. Accordingly, this research seeks to answer the question of how and through what channels has land subsidence become a socio-political issue in Isfahan? In this regard, the present study was conducted with a descriptive-analytical approach and qualitative content analysis method, during which official discourses, socio-political actions, media representations, and expert findings were examined. In the analysis process, the initial codes were organized into five intermediate categories and transformed into four macro-themes in the conceptual abstraction stage. The findings show that subsidence, by increasing public sensitivity and expanding collective activism, has led to the intensification of institutional conflicts and the prominence of spatial injustice, and at the same time has caused the erosion of social capital and reduced trust in official institutions. Also, the threat to infrastructure and the uncertain environmental outlook have strengthened the feeling of insecurity and socio-regional gaps. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28758.html The second global crisis on the planet after the population crisis, is the fresh water shortage issue; which solving it has faced serious obstacles because of the increase in demand and the decrease in available resources and has caused tension and conflict between political units in various scales. Solving water conflicts is primarily related to the level of available resources accessibility, which requires a practical and rational approach from all the stakeholders in this area in connection with the countries' foreign policy; In this reseach, the patterning of quantitative hydropolitical conflicts based on the conflict resolution approach has been addressed. Accordingly, the most important components related to hydropolitical conflicts, derived from theories and perspectives on crisis and conflict have been presented as the dependent variable of the specific research and the necessary solutions and approaches to solve it in order to reach the desired pattern as an independent variable; Therefore, this research seeks to answer the question, what pattern can be presented regarding quantitative hydropolitical conflicts based on the conflict resolution approach? Based on findings, a comprehensive pattern that includes the reasons and contexts of conflicts and solutions to overcome the existing conditions in 5 sections: 1- Lack of fresh water resources 2- Water dividing line, lakes, common rivers and exploiting them 3- Geographical distance and the number of countries involved 4- How to manage affairs by the countries involved, 5- The intervention and influence of international organizations and great powers, has been compiled. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28691.html In the third, fourth, fifth and sixth development plans of Iran, renewable energies have been given attention and the responsible persons have been appointed to follow up and produce renewable energies. Iran is located in a region that enjoys a favorable situation with a large number of sunny days throughout the year and a minimum radiation of four kilowatt hours per square meter per day. Accordingly, by collecting data on a 20-year period of maximum wind and sunlight in the provinces of the country and using them, the wind and solar power of the provinces of the country has been calculated and the economic evaluation of the establishment of wind farms and solar power plants in the provinces has been carried out. The research is of a descriptive-analytical type and analyzes the capacity of solar and wind renewable energies in Iran using quantitative and qualitative methods and using library resources and reliable statistical information. To evaluate and compare the wind and solar energy capacity of the provinces, the overall average and maximum wind and solar energy index can be calculated based on the indicators. In this framework, the province with the highest average solar or wind energy among the provinces of the country will have an index value of 100. A review of 20 years of solar radiation and wind data shows that in most regions of the country, wind has a suitable durability and speed for electricity production. In the field of solar energy, the provinces of Yazd, Sistan and Baluchestan, Fars, South Khorasan, Isfahan, Kerman, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari are in first priority with an average radiation of more than 4.6 kWh/m2. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28759.html The article examines the geopolitical conflict between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar in the post-Brexit era, with the primary objective of analyzing the impact of Brexit on regional sovereignty, policies, and security. The research question states how Britain’s exit from the European Union has affected the process of the Gibraltar conflict and what options are available to resolve the dispute. The article's hypothesis is based on the fact that Brexit has made the conflict more complex and that its resolution is impossible without a combination of legal, security, and diplomatic approaches. The research methodology is based on documentary content analysis and a review of library resources, scientific articles, and reputable government and international websites. The theoretical framework encompasses the geopolitical theories of Halford Mackinder and Spykman, as well as the principles of international law and historical treaties, including the Utrecht Treaty and the United Nations Charter. This framework has enabled a simultaneous analysis of the dimensions of sovereignty, security, rights, and the effects of Brexit. The findings show that Brexit has reduced the EU’s institutional constraints and increased Spain’s bargaining power over Gibraltar’s sovereignty. At the same time, the government and people of Gibraltar have actively engaged in the negotiations, seeking to preserve their sovereignty and economic well-being. New multilateral agreements also underscore the need to integrate legal, financial, and security solutions to mitigate tensions and promote regional stability. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28760.html Urban density indicates the number of people, land uses, or buildings within a given area and plays a key role in shaping the efficiency of urban space, accessibility, and optimal use of infrastructure. Given five decades of study and research in the field of urban density and the lack of a comprehensive review of previous research, the present study aims to examine these studies using bibliometric analysis quantitatively. To this end, performance analysis and scientometric mapping of documents extracted from the Web of Science database were carried out using VOSviewer to examine the structural trends of research. The findings of the bibliometric analysis show that concepts such as population density, urbanization, urban planning, and the built environment form the core of urban density research. At the same time, the concentration of studies on limited geographical areas and the lack of attention to qualitative issues such as urban vitality, spatial justice, and security are major gaps in this field. To advance knowledge of urban density, future research needs to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to examine the interaction between density, the urban environment, and the well-being of residents. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28675.html In a context where the inefficiency of conventional statecraft models has become one of the fundamental challenges confronting states at both national and transnational scales, the absence of a spatially grounded perspective in governance systems has become increasingly evident. Drawing upon a redefinition of geography as the science of spatial organization, this article seeks to propose a novel conceptual framework entitled Geographical Statecraft. Geographical statecraft is formulated as a model for administering and managing national space, grounded in a systematic understanding of the interactions among nature, human agency, and the phenomena emerging from their mutual interplay within and beyond national spatial boundaries.The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach, relying on conceptual analysis and a critical re-examination of the theoretical literature. The findings indicate that geographical statecraft, by emphasizing six fundamental dimensions of geographical space and employing a systemic and harmonic perspective, can function as an effective framework for enhancing spatial governance, improving territorial management efficiency, and redefining the position of geography within both academic and practical domains. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28761.html This study examines the influence of geopolitical factors on the relations between Iran and Iraq as two neighboring countries. It seeks to analyze the multi-layered, dynamic, and variable nature of these relations across the spectrum of cooperation, competition, and conflict. Utilizing qualitative methods, data were collected via questionnaires and converted into quantitative data using the Likert scale. The findings indicate that the relations between the two countries are rooted more in stable geographical, identity-related, security, and energy structures than in the short-term decisions of governments. Over the past five decades, Iran-Iraq relations have shifted at times toward extensive cooperation (especially after 2003) and at other times toward intense conflict (such as the eight-year war). Influential factors include territorial position, strategic depth, competition for regional influence, shared energy resources, religious identities, and the presence of extra-regional powers. Economic, pilgrimage, and cultural ties have also played a significant role in fostering periods of cooperation. The conclusion suggests that understanding Iran-Iraq relations is only possible within the framework of an integrated model that simultaneously analyzes security, economic, identity, and geographical dimensions. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28762.html Iran’s demographic transformation through 2050, characterized by sustained fertility decline, accelerated population aging, migration dynamics, and the growing spatial concentration of population and economic activity, represents one of the most consequential geopolitical and territorial challenges confronting the country. The implications of these shifts extend far beyond demographic change itself, affecting the spatial configuration of power, regional balances, territorial governance, and the state’s long-term strategic capabilities. Drawing upon the concept of grand strategy and employing a foresight-based analytical framework combined with cross-impact analysis, this study identifies and evaluates the direct and indirect drivers shaping Iran’s demographic future and develops four alternative scenarios for the period to 2050. The findings suggest that, should current demographic trajectories persist, the most probable future corresponds to a continuation scenario marked by a shrinking working-age population, a rising old-age dependency burden, and mounting pressures on national resources, the political economy of space, and governance institutions. The analysis further demonstrates that urbanization and the spatial concentration of population constitute the most influential drivers of demographic change in Iran, generating significant implications for territorial development planning, regional disparities, urban hierarchies, and patterns of population distribution. The study concludes that demographic change should be understood not merely as a social or developmental issue, but as a strategic variable shaping national power. Consequently, Iran’s ability to adapt to demographic transformation will depend on the extent to which demographic governance is incorporated into a coherent grand strategy linking human capital formation, territorial development, economic modernization, and long-term geopolitical resilience. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28677.html The hegemonic discourse, through the equivalence of a set of political elements at a particular historical juncture, gives rise to a distinctive spatial configuration of governance. So, governance is interpreted as nonlinear and contingent rather than as uniform processes. In this regard, in the Sasanian era, with the transformation of Zoroastrianism into the official discourse, a unique form of institutional–spatial centralization emerged in Iran, marking a rupture with the feudal pattern of governance characteristic of the Parthian era. Drawing upon discourse analysis, this research aims to explicate the central signifier of Zoroastrian political theology and to demonstrate how its chain of equivalence with other elements of the discourse functioned to legitimize institutional–spatial centralization in the Sasanian era. The research findings indicate that during this period, with the transformation of the monotheistic concept of Ahura Mazda into the political and the marginalization of the polytheistic thought prevalent in the Parthian era, the king’s position as the earthly representative of Ahura Mazda was reinforced and pattern of feudal fragmentation in governance, characteristic of previous eras, was rejected as a malevolent other. Furthermore, within this discourse, a geopolitical othering of other nations, particularly the Roman Empire, was articulated under the religious concept of anīrān, which posited institutional–spatial power centralization as the guarantor of dominance over them. Sacral centralization, in addition to consolidating political institutions in cities, reduced the multiplicity of capital cities and led to the elimination the regional stakeholder’s autonomy across the Sasanian territory. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28763.html AbstractThe U.S.-led coalition's war in Iraq in 2003 marked a turning point in the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. It not only transformed Iraq's political and security order but also ushered in a new phase in the logic of modern warfare. Although ostensibly launched with the objectives of "disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction" and "liberating its people from Saddam Hussein's authoritarian regime," the United States, in practice, systematically utilized cognitive warfare and psychological operations alongside military actions to shape social and political realities in Iraq. This study analyzes the cognitive warfare and psychological operations conducted by the United States in Iraq after 2003. The primary research questions focus on the tools and methods employed by the U.S., the political, military, cultural, and social objectives behind these operations, and their impact on the Iraqi public opinion and social behavior. The hypotheses suggest that the U.S. utilized a combination of mass media, targeted propaganda, cultural productions, and cyberspace to conduct extensive psychological warfare. The main objectives included legitimizing the occupation, reconstructing a positive image of the U.S., and weakening symbols of national resistance. Findings indicate that these efforts intensified identity crises, increased public distrust, deepened ethnic and sectarian divides, and redefined Iraq's political identity. This study further explores the social, cultural, and political consequences of the cognitive warfare, highlighting the importance of understanding cultural and psychological dimensions in contemporary conflicts. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28676.html The present study, entitled Spatial Analysis of Regional Vulnerability with a Defensive–Security Spatial Planning Approach, aims to identify the spatial distribution pattern of vulnerability and to detect non-resilient hotspots within Qom Province.This research is applied in purpose and descriptive–analytical in nature, and is based on library studies, spatial datasets, and quantitative–spatial analyses. Accordingly, a comprehensive set of natural, human-induced, and infrastructural indicators was identified, and the corresponding spatial layers were processed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. The relative importance of the indicators was determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) implemented through Expert Choice software, while the integration of layers was performed using weighted overlay techniques in ArcGIS Pro. Furthermore, to examine the spatial distribution pattern and the degree of vulnerability concentration, exploratory spatial data analysis methods, including Global Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation index and Kernel Density Estimation, were employed. The results indicate that the spatial pattern of vulnerability in the study area is non-random and exhibits a clustered structure, with high-vulnerability hotspots predominantly concentrated in areas characterized by population density, critical infrastructure concentration, and overlapping sensitive functions. This spatial concentration increases the fragility and risk of the regional spatial system and amplifies the likelihood of cascading and systemic crises. The findings underscore the necessity of shifting from a highly centralized development model toward a more balanced spatial distribution of critical infrastructure, alongside strengthening defensive–security territorial planning principles and passive defense considerations within spatial planning frameworks. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28764.html The current state of the world is the result of an evolutionary process full of ups and downs that has experienced extensive changes. Today, the international system is affected by power, and the structural relations of countries are influenced by military capabilities. The school of thought of realism has played a major role in the emergence of this situation. The present study, which is descriptive-analytical and conducted in a library manner, aims to explain the impact of extreme realism on the formation of the current international system. The most significant feature of the current international system is the emphasis on the role of power in relations and developments in various fields, which has led to the centralization of power and the pursuit of superiority among countries. According to the study's findings, the dominance of the idea of realism in the thinking of world leaders has resulted in increasing military budgets, the construction, purchase, and accumulation of weapons of serious concern, and the formation of polarizations based on military power. Today, the world possesses more conventional and unconventional weapons than necessary for its other needs combined. The continuation of current trends in the pursuit of building security has led to a process of widespread insecurity. Countries have turned to power and its tools in the pursuit of security, and are now moving towards increased insecurity. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28673.html AbstractThe maritime economy, owing to its increasing role in global trade, energy security, environmental sustainability, and the development of new technologies, has become a key pillar of sustainable development in the 21st century. Iran, possessing over 2700 kilometers of coastline and a strategic geopolitical position in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the Caspian Sea, holds significant potential for expanding its maritime-based economy. However, challenges such as weak infrastructure, the lack of integrated governance, international sanctions, and inefficient spatial planning have limited the effective utilization of this potential.The objective of this research is a comparative analysis of the geopolitical strategies and spatial planning of five developed countries (United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and Canada) and the presentation of localized strategies for developing Iran's maritime economy. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical, utilizing library resources, international documents, and political reports.The results indicate that six key strategies – namely, integrated spatial governance, Makran industrial-ecological clusters, offshore hybrid power plants, a smart maritime command system, a southeastern port corridor, and multilateral maritime diplomacy – are adaptable to Iran's institutional and geographical structure. These strategies can increase the share of the maritime-based economy in the country's GDP and enhance Iran's geopolitical standing. https://psp.modares.ac.ir/article_28765.html From the perspective of governmental jurisprudence, jurisprudential and legal rules and regulations are determined in accordance with the rulings of God and the guardian of society. Ownership in the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence and law is considered to be legitimate and does not harm others. The rule of ownership is one of the most important jurisprudential rules of the Islamic religion and sovereignty over property is one of the basic human rights. In numerous verses of the Holy Quran, the right of a person to own his lawful property and the negation of forbidden property and the property of orphans has been emphasized. The Constitution and Civil Code of the Islamic Republic of Iran also stipulate ownership of property on the condition of not harming others and public interests. From the perspective of governmental jurisprudence, in cases of public interest and cases of general interest, favorable and national lands, ownership for the legitimate government, and personal and unrestricted ownership are considered. In the Iranian architecture and urban planning system, ownership of real estate in cases such as urban constructions conflicts with the rights of neighbors, the citizenship rights of passers-by, environmental rights, and public rights. Also, in some development projects, the compulsory acquisition of real estate and land ignores considerations of property rights and servitude.