The Impact of Urban Centers on the Urban Structure Transformation in Tabriz Metropolis

Problem statement: Urban population rapid growth and driving forces have led to the rapid urban transformation, which transforms the form and structure of cities, in the continuous process. Always the urban transformation has adverse effects, especially when it is happening without any plans, which this makes the urban structure of metropolis unbalanced. One of the major transformations that have taken place in the structure of Tabriz metropolis is the increase of new urban centers with new functional roles and increasing density in certain parts of this metropolis. The result of this transformation is the unbalanced spatial development in the urban structure of Tabriz. This paper is an attempt to answer this question : How does the spatial distribution of urban centers in Tabriz Metropolis affect the spatial balance or spatial imbalance of the urban structure of this metropolis? Before answering the previous question, it is asked how urban centers are identified and analyzed? Research Objectives: The main purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of new urban centers on the spatial transformation of Tabriz metropolis urban structure during the recent decades, another purpose of this paper is to provide a scientific method for identifying urban centers. Research method: This research is a theoritical-practical and applied research. Data were gathered through surveying and docments for the descriptive-analytical method and GIS is used to describe and analyze data and maps. Conclusion: The results of the research show that the transformation and new urban centers, as well as urban transformation and its structural reaction, have been shaped by the dialectical relationship between urban structure and driving forces (structure and agency). It also became clear that the spaces of action and power (urban structure and urban spaces) have beencreated by factors of action and power (capital and rent), in which the share of the state sector and financial institutions and shopping centers in the transformation of the urban structure have been significant. The urban structure of Tabriz metropolis has seen many transformations in its structure over the past decades, the transformation in its structure has often occurred in the eastern and northeastern parts of the metropolis, including the formation of three new urban centers (1-Abrasan 2-Valiasr 3-Baghmihe-Shahid-e-Fahmideh) in these areas. The geographical and spatial distribution of urban centers has unbalanced the structure of the Tabriz metropolis, which should be considered in future urban development plans.