Investigating factors affecting environmental behaviour of urban residents: a case study in Tehran city – Iran, Prof. Khalil Kalantari, Prof. Hossein Shabanali Fami, Prof. Ali Asadi, Prof. Hamid Movahed Mohammadi
Professor Khalil Kalantari
University of Tehran
Iran
Professor Hossein Shabanali Fami
University of Tehran
Iran
Professor Ali Asadi
University of Tehran
Iran
Professor Hamid Movahed Mohammadi
University of Tehran
Iran
Abstract/Summary: The main objective of this study was to find out individual and social factors affecting environmental behaviour of urban citizens. To achieve this objective a conceptual framework derived out from review of literature to examine relationships among personal factors, attitude towards environment and environmental behaviour. To examine this conceptual model, 1200 individuals of Tehran residents were randomly chosen and interviewed. The data were analysed using correlation analysis, students t test, Analysis of Variance ANOVA and path analysis by SPSS software. It is emerged from the present study that education and improving problem-based knowledge of Tehran residents can change their environmental attitude and increase their feeling of stress towards environment. These changes in turn improve their preparedness to act friendly with the environment, particularly with the help of environmental legislation. Results of the study showed that environmental behaviour of people in urban areas directly and indirectly are under the influence of variables like age, gender, income, education, problem-based knowledge, environmental legislation, environmental attitude, feeling of stress and preparedness to act of the residents. All these together can influence and change peoples behaviour to preserve urban environment.
Citation: Kalantari, K., Fami, H. S., Asadi, A. and Mohammadi, H. M. (2007): Investigating factors affecting environmental behaviour of urban residents: a case study in Tehran city - Iran. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): Science, Technology and Sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa, Vol. 1, pp. 355-368. WASD: Brighton, United Kingdom.