Physical Development of Marvdasht and the Role of the Sugar Factory in its Formation and Development Process

A B S T R A C T
The city of Marvdasht, as an industrial-identity city, owes its formation and development to the activities of the sugar factory. Influencing spatial, social, and economic transformations, the factory has become a historical-cultural symbol and a cornerstone of urban identity. This study aims to analyze the historical role of the sugar factory in Marvdasht’s urban development, its impact on urbanization, infrastructure development, and socio-economic changes. Employing a mixed-method approach (historical, qualitative, and spatial analysis), this research utilizes archival data, field interviews with 25 long-term residents, and Sentinel-2 and Google Earth Pro satellite imagery (1985–2025) analyzed through ArcGIS software.The sugar factory acted as the initial core, shaping the city’s linear and horizontal expansion patterns. The urban area expanded from 96 hectares (1935) to 1,970 hectares (2023), while the population grew from 8,987 (1956) to 148,858 (2016). Key outcomes include the establishment of worker neighborhoods (e.g., Ferdowsi, Farhang), infrastructure development (schools, water and electricity networks), and the reinforcement of collective identity. Interviews reveal the factory’s enduring presence as the "beating heart of the city" in residents’ collective memory. The Marvdasht sugar factory transcended its economic role, emerging as a pivotal element in shaping historical identity, sustainable development, and collective memory. Preserving this industrial heritage and integrating it into urban planning can strengthen the city’s identity and dynamism. Marvdasht’s development stems from the complex interplay of industrial (sugar factory), geographical (proximity to Persepolis), and economic (agricultural prosperity) factors.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Urbanization and sustainable development challenges are central to global agendas, as highlighted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Industrial activities, despite environmental concerns, remain pivotal in shaping cities, particularly in developing regions. Marvdasht, an industrial city in southern Iran, exemplifies this dynamic. Its development has been profoundly influenced by the Marvdasht Sugar Factory, established in 1935. This factory has not only driven economic growth but also shaped the city’s spatial, demographic, and socio-cultural identity. This study investigates the historical role of the sugar factory in Marvdasht’s urban development, focusing on its impact on spatial structure, infrastructure, and socio-economic transformations.
 
Methodology
This research employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating historical analysis, qualitative fieldwork, and spatial mapping using GIS. Archival records, municipal reports, and satellite imagery (1985–2025) were analyzed to trace urban expansion. Semi-structured interviews with 25 elderly residents provided insights into the factory’s socio-cultural impact. Spatial data from historical maps and satellite images (Google Earth Pro, Sentinel-2 L2A) were processed in ArcGIS to visualize growth patterns across six historical periods. Quantitative data, including census reports (1956–2016) and municipal plans, were used to map demographic and infrastructural changes. Thematic analysis of interviews identified recurring narratives related to identity, labor, and urban transformation.
 
Results and discussion
The sugar factory emerged as the nucleus of Marvdasht’s urbanization. Its establishment in 1935 triggered rapid population influx, with the city’s population growing from 8,987 (1956) to 148,858 (2016). Urban expansion followed a radial pattern, radiating northward and westward around the factory, forming neighborhoods like the Workers’ District. The city’s area grew from 96.3 hectares (pre-factory era) to 1,978.9 hectares (2020s), driven by industrial demand and migrant labor. Economically, the factory generated over 2,000 direct jobs and spurred ancillary industries (e.g., packaging, transport), contributing to 40% of the city’s GDP by the 1970s.
Socially, the factory fostered a cohesive identity among residents. Interviews revealed that 80% of participants associated the factory with "pride" and "collective memory," citing its iconic chimney and annual labor festivals as cultural symbols. Spatial analysis showed that 65% of residential areas developed within a 2 km radius of the factory, reinforcing its centrality. However, post-2000 deindustrialization led to urban sprawl, with new neighborhoods expanding into agricultural land, raising sustainability concerns.
The findings align with global studies on industrial heritage (Guitart, 2022; Bole et al., 2022), emphasizing the duality of factories as economic engines and cultural landmarks. Marvdasht’s spatial patterns reflect Christaller’s central place theory, with the factory serving as a service hub for 53 surrounding villages. Comparative analysis with Zonguldak, Turkey (Gündoğdu & Fidan, 2022), highlights shared challenges in balancing industrial decline with heritage preservation.
 
Conclusion
The Marvdasht Sugar Factory has been instrumental in transforming a rural-agrarian landscape into a thriving industrial city. Its influence extends beyond economics, embedding itself in the city’s historical and cultural fabric. However, unchecked post-industrial sprawl threatens ecological balance and cultural continuity. To address this, the study proposes three strategies:
Adaptive reuse: Convert factory sites into cultural centers or museums to preserve heritage. For instance, repurposing the factory’s machinery halls as art galleries or community workshops could mirror successful models like the Tate Modern in London or the Zeche Zollverein in Germany, blending history with contemporary utility.
Industrial tourism: Develop guided tours highlighting the factory’s role in Iran’s industrialization. Collaborations with schools and historians could create educational trails, while augmented reality (AR) apps might overlay historical footage onto current structures, enhancing visitor engagement.
Green infrastructure: Integrate abandoned industrial zones into urban green corridors. Planting native species like Persian oak or establishing urban farms could mitigate heat islands, while pedestrian pathways would reconnect fragmented neighborhoods, fostering social cohesion.
These measures could reconcile growth with sustainability, offering a model for post-industrial cities globally. Further research should explore the role of digital tools (e.g., VR) in revitalizing industrial memory—such as virtual reconstructions of the factory’s operational peak—and compare Marvdasht’s trajectory with similar cities in Asia (e.g., Ahmedabad’s textile mills) and Africa (e.g., Johannesburg’s mining landscapes). Additionally, partnerships with NGOs and local stakeholders could ensure inclusive planning, prioritizing marginalized communities affected by deindustrialization. By intertwining preservation, innovation, and ecology, Marvdasht can redefine its identity while honoring its industrial legacy.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.