1. Introduction
The history of human settlements shows that these spaces have always been exposed to natural and human-induced crises, which have shaped and transformed their structures. Wars, natural disasters, pandemics, and climate change are among the crises that have produced profound social, economic, and environmental consequences. One of the main aggravating factors of such vulnerabilities is the unsustainable exploitation of natural and human resources, which has reduced the ability of settlements to recover and rebuild. In the contemporary era, the concentration of population and resources in cities has turned them into the primary hubs of development; however, this very concentration has also increased their vulnerability to crises. High population density, environmental pressures, and social inequalities have limited the ability of cities to respond effectively. Over the past two decades, emerging and epidemic diseases—particularly new viruses—have intensified inequalities by affecting multiple dimensions of urban life and have left disadvantaged groups more vulnerable. Climate change and environmental degradation have further increased the likelihood of new disease outbreaks. Under such circumstances, the concept of urban resilience has gained special significance. Urban resilience refers to the ability of a system to absorb, withstand, and recover from shocks and stresses. Beyond responding to crises, it provides a foundation for sustainable development and forward-looking urban management. In Iran, pandemics have had significant economic, social, and health-related impacts. Due to its specific geographical and social conditions, the city of Ilam is highly vulnerable to such crises and requires an in-depth resilience assessment to reduce shortcomings and strengthen its response capacity. Considering the high per capita consumption of vegetables and the large areas devoted to their cultivation, it is crucial to identify the factors that influence vegetable growers' environmentally conscious behaviors. Understanding these factors can help direct efforts toward more sustainable practices that protect both the environment and public health.
 
2. Methodology
This study was conducted with the aim of spatially analyzing the dimensions of urban resilience in Ilam against pandemics. The main research question is: “What is the spatial distribution of resilience dimensions across different districts of Ilam?”
The research is applied in purpose and descriptive–analytical in method. In the theoretical section, library and documentary studies were employed, while in the fieldwork stage, a questionnaire was designed and administered in 2024. The primary data were collected from the Statistics and Information Unit of Ilam Municipality and were then complemented by the opinions of 20 urban experts, forming the basis for the analysis. For weighting the indicators, the Shannon Entropy method was applied, and to rank the districts, the multi-criteria decision-making model CoCoSo was employed. Moreover, ArcGIS software was used to spatially analyze the level of access to different dimensions of urban resilience.
 
3. Results
The findings revealed that the distribution of resilience across Ilam is uneven. District 1, with a score of 4.38, demonstrated the highest resilience due to concentrated infrastructure and access to services. Districts 2 and 3, with scores of 2.80 and 2.77, fell into the medium range and require improvements, particularly in social and infrastructural dimensions. District 4, with a score of 0.67, showed the lowest resilience and significant weaknesses across all dimensions, especially the economic one, Economic dimension: Heavy dependence on subsidies, weak investment, and limited employment opportunities emerged as the main challenges. These factors undermine household economic capacity in times of crisis and weaken financial resilience, social dimension: Citizens’ participation in decision-making is low, and social capital is weak. Inequality and the lack of effective collaboration between residents and managers have reduced social resilience, Physical–infrastructural dimension: Shortages in healthcare services, weak public transportation, and the absence of open spaces have constrained crisis response capacity. Less privileged districts, in particular, face higher vulnerability due to insufficient medical facilities, Managerial dimension: A lack of coordination among institutions and the absence of integrated policies were found to be major challenges. Weak implementation of preventive programs and the lack of early warning systems have negatively affected crisis responsiveness.
 
4. Discussion
The results indicate that Ilam’s urban resilience lacks coherence and balance. This condition stems from unequal resource distribution, managerial weaknesses, and low levels of citizen participation. The four dimensions of resilience operate in a fragmented and isolated manner rather than following a systematic and forward-looking approach, Economic: Heavy reliance on government resources and the lack of sustainable job opportunities have weakened financial resilience and increased poverty and vulnerability, especially in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Social: The absence of social capital and limited civic participation have hindered the development of support networks, Physical: A shortage of well-equipped healthcare centers, inefficient public transport, and weak health infrastructure have restricted the city’s ability to cope with epidemic threats, Managerial: The lack of integrated policies and institutional coordination has reduced flexibility and recovery capacity.
 
 
5. Conclusion
Therefore, strengthening Ilam’s urban resilience requires a multidimensional approach. Key strategies include: fair distribution of resources, strengthening local institutions, promoting spatial justice, increasing citizen participation in crisis management, developing healthcare infrastructure, enhancing public education, and establishing early warning systems. These measures can make Ilam more resistant to future crises. Ultimately, urban resilience should not be seen merely as a short-term response to crises but as a foundation for sustainable and forward-looking development. Developing localized frameworks for assessing and enhancing resilience, alongside leveraging civic participation and institutional synergy, can pave the way toward sustainability and reduced vulnerability in the city of Ilam.
 
Author Contributions
In the preparation and writing of this article, all authors (first, second, and third) have contributed equally and jointly. All stages of the research, from study design and data collection to analysis of results and final writing of the article, are the result of collaboration and collective agreement of all authors.
 
Data Availability Statement
Data available on request from the authors.
 
Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to everyone who assisted us in conducting this research.
 
Ethical Considerations
All authors affirm that this research was conducted in accordance with ethical standards, with no data fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.
 
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
 
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest