Capacity assessment of the creation and development of regional brands in Guilan province

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/11618

Keywords:

Regional branding, Branding capacity assessment, MICMAC analysis, Regional competitiveness, Branding challenges

Abstract

This study investigates the capacity for regional branding for Guilan province concerning the existing brands' identification, new brands' creation opportunities, and development obstacles. The current mixed-method study by using MICMAC analysis method describes the main variables affecting branding results. Its findings recognize tourism, agriculture, and horticulture as the most dominant existing brands and ecotourism, agritourism, and commercial tourism as having huge development potential. Inferior infrastructure, inadequate coordination among stakeholders, and lack of governmental support are major barriers. The study proposes practical solutions to overcome these barriers and to use regional assets effectively. The findings present critical views for policymakers and stakeholders toward the competitiveness and sustainable development of Guilan. 

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Author Biographies

Atefeh Faghih Abdollahi, Department of Urban Planning & Design, University of Guilan, Rasht

She is an academic and researcher specializing in regional planning and sustainable development. She holds a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering and a master's degree in Regional Planning from the University of Guilan, Iran. Her master’s thesis focused on assessing the capacity for regional branding in Guilan province, emphasizing the role of tourism, agriculture, and ecotourism in promoting sustainable development. She has experience working on urban regeneration projects, applying geospatial tools such as GIS to evaluate urban infrastructure and resilience. Her research interests include sustainable transportation systems, regional development strategies, and the integration of environmental considerations into urban planning. 

Ali Soltani, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia

He is a mid-career researcher at Flinders University, specializing in spatial science, planning, and data analytics. His expertise includes developing advanced spatial (GIS) and statistical models applied to epidemiology, injury analysis, public health, physical activity, and health economics research. His research interests encompass built environment and road safety, road injuries, health geography and spatial epidemiology, data analytics for public health research, and data linkage. He has collaborated extensively with researchers across various countries and Australian universities. He holds a PhD from the University of South Australia, a Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics from Melbourne Institute of Technology, a Master's in Urban Planning from Shiraz University, and a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering and Spatial Science from Isfahan University. 

Nader Zali, Department of Urban Planning & Design, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at the University of Guilan, where he specializes in urban and regional planning, futures studies, smart cities, and strategic spatial development. He earned his PhD in Urban Planning from the University of Tabriz in 2009 and has contributed to national projects such as spatial development plans for Guilan, Lorestan, and Hormozgan provinces. 

He has published over 150 scientific papers, authored five books, and currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Urban Planning Knowledge. He has held several leadership roles, including Vice Dean for Research and Technology and Head of the Urban Planning Department at the University of Guilan. 

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Published

31-12-2025

How to Cite

Faghih Abdollahi, A., Soltani, A., & Zali, N. (2025). Capacity assessment of the creation and development of regional brands in Guilan province. TeMA - Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, 18(3), 399–417. https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/11618

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