Strategic Regeneration of Land Use Mix for Spatial-Functional Sustainability in Mid-Sized Cities: A Case Study of Qaem Shahr

The spatial transformations of cities in recent decades, resulting from the expansion of segregated land use patterns, have led to challenges such as reduced spatial efficiency, increased accessibility costs, and weakened functional interactions. Mixed-use urban development, as one of the innovative approaches in urban planning, has been proposed with the aim of enhancing spatial sustainability and functional balance of land use, reducing spatial fragmentation, and increasing the productivity of the urban system. This study, adopting an analytical-strategic approach, evaluates the status of land use mix in Qaem Shahr and seeks to provide a set of practical strategies for regenerating the land use system based on the analysis of the existing spatial structure using the SWOT model in terms of internal and external factors. The findings indicate that Qaem Shahr suffers from spatial imbalance, concentration of services in the central core, and weaknesses in functional linkages. Conversely, existing infrastructural and physical capacities can pave the way for the development of a mixed-use pattern. Finally, executive strategies are elaborated at four levels: SO, WO, ST, and WT. The results suggest that transitioning from a single-use pattern to a mixed-use development pattern requires strategic regeneration, revision of land use policies, and strengthening of functional linkages at the district scale. Accordingly, a set of policies and executive measures aligned with the spatial sustainability of Qaem Shahr is proposed.