The Impact of Sustainable Transportation on Urban Livability Using the PLS-SEM Model: A Case Study of Urmia City

This study explores the impact of sustainable transportation on enhancing urban livability in the city of Urmia. As major urban centers increasingly grapple with challenges such as air pollution, excessive energy consumption, traffic congestion, and inefficient transport infrastructure, understanding the dimensions of transportation sustainability and its influence on environmental quality and urban life becomes critically important. Employing a descriptive-analytical design, the research adopts a quantitative approach. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire grounded in economic, social, and environmental indicators of sustainable transportation, with responses from 50 experts in relevant fields. The analysis was conducted using Smart PLS software and structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS). The findings reveal that both the economic and social dimensions of sustainable transportation have a significant and positive impact on environmental indicators. Notably, the economic dimension demonstrated a strong path coefficient, indicating its substantial role in reducing pollution, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing overall environmental quality. The social dimension also contributed meaningfully to spatial justice, citizen satisfaction, and equitable access to clean transportation options. The study concludes that advancing sustainable transportation is a vital strategy for improving urban livability. Key recommendations include investing in clean infrastructure, upgrading public transport systems, expanding pedestrian and cycling networks, and fostering public engagement. Urban managers are encouraged to prioritize sustainable transport initiatives through strategic planning, dedicated financial resources, collaboration with local institutions, and public education. These efforts are essential to realizing the long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits of sustainable urban mobility.
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
Urban livability is increasingly recognized as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development, particularly as cities around the world confront the compounded challenges of rapid urbanization and environmental degradation. Issues such as air pollution, excessive reliance on fossil fuels, traffic congestion, urban sprawl, and inadequate transportation infrastructure pose serious threats to the environmental, economic, and social well-being of urban populations. In response, the concept of sustainable transportation has emerged as a comprehensive solution to these interconnected challenges. It emphasizes environmentally friendly mobility, equitable access, and efficient resource utilization. Sustainable transportation not only helps reduce emissions and conserve energy but also contributes to improved urban form, enhanced accessibility, and a higher quality of life. In Iran, mid-sized cities like Urmia are under increasing pressure due to accelerating urban growth, limited public transportation systems, and environmental concerns such as the shrinking of Lake Urmia. These conditions make Urmia a compelling case study for examining the role of sustainable transportation in enhancing urban livability. This study investigates the impact of sustainable transportation—through its economic, social, and environmental dimensions—on key indicators of urban livability in Urmia.
2-Materials and Methods
This study employs a descriptive–analytical approach within a quantitative research framework. The primary data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire designed to evaluate perceptions of sustainable transportation across three core dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. Economic indicators included transportation affordability, energy efficiency, and infrastructure investment. Social indicators encompassed public satisfaction, equitable access to transport services, and community participation in planning processes. Environmental indicators focused on pollution levels, energy consumption, and the promotion of non-motorized transport options. The questionnaire was administered to a purposively selected sample of 50 urban experts, including urban planners, environmental specialists, transportation engineers, and policy-makers, ensuring the relevance and expertise of the respondents. Data analysis was conducted using Smart PLS software, applying Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) to assess the strength and direction of relationships among the variables. Model validity was confirmed through composite reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, and Average Variance Extracted (AVE), ensuring the robustness and reliability of the findings.
3- Results and Discussion
The findings reveal that both the economic and social dimensions of sustainable transportation exert significant and positive effects on environmental indicators—key components of urban livability. The economic dimension demonstrated a notably high path coefficient (1.088), underscoring its pivotal role in reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and alleviating environmental pressures in urban settings. Similarly, the social dimension showed a strong impact (0.910), particularly in expanding public access to clean mobility options, enhancing spatial equity, and increasing citizen satisfaction. Interestingly, the interrelationship between the economic and social dimensions was found to be weak and slightly negative (–0.054). This suggests that improvements in social infrastructure alone do not necessarily lead to economic efficiency unless accompanied by coordinated policy frameworks and targeted financial investments. These findings emphasize the importance of adopting an integrated, multi-sectoral approach in the planning and implementation of sustainable transportation systems. The study further confirms that enhancing the quality of public transport, promoting active transportation modes such as walking and cycling, and developing inclusive infrastructure are essential strategies for building resilient and livable urban environments. Comparative analysis with similar international studies reinforces these conclusions, aligning with global trends that link sustainable mobility to improved environmental outcomes and elevated quality of life. However, this research contributes valuable context-specific insights by focusing on Urmia—a mid-sized Iranian city grappling with environmental degradation (notably the drying of Lake Urmia) and infrastructural limitations. The case of Urmia highlights the unique challenges and opportunities faced by non-metropolitan areas in implementing sustainable transportation initiatives, offering a nuanced understanding of how localized conditions shape the effectiveness of urban sustainability strategies.
 
4- Conclusion
The findings of this research highlight sustainable transportation as a pivotal factor in advancing urban livability, particularly in rapidly developing cities such as Urmia. The study emphasizes that policy-makers and urban managers should prioritize strategic investments in clean transport infrastructure, enhance the quality and reach of public transportation systems, and incorporate pedestrian and cycling networks into urban planning frameworks. Equally important are public engagement and inter-organizational collaboration, which are essential for fostering community support and ensuring the successful implementation of sustainable mobility initiatives. Through strategic planning, dedicated financial resources, and targeted awareness campaigns, cities can effectively transition toward more sustainable transportation systems—yielding measurable improvements in environmental quality, social equity, and economic performance. By presenting a data-driven, context-sensitive framework for assessing and promoting sustainable transportation, this study contributes meaningfully to both academic discourse and practical urban policy. It offers municipal authorities a clear roadmap for cultivating more livable, resilient, and environmentally responsible urban environments. Given the intensifying urban pressures faced globally—especially in developing nations—the insights derived from this research are both timely and broadly applicable, reinforcing the critical role of sustainable mobility in shaping the future of urban development.