OICC Press Creative City Design 2717-4190 9 1 2026 03 31 Evaluation of Building Density Criteria in Urban Development Plans Based on Development Capacities with an Emphasis on the Balance Between Social and Economic Components, a Case Study of District 9 of Mashhad City 10.57647/ccd.2026.0901.05 EN Neda Dadkhah Department of Urbanism, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Seyed Moslem Seyed Al-Hosseini Department of Urbanism, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Maryam Daneshvar Department of Urbanism, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Journal Article 2026 03 31 Aims: This study aims to evaluate the physical dimension of construction, particularly Floor Area Ratio (FAR), in residential neighborhoods of Mashhad with an emphasis on sustainable development. The research seeks to identify how a balanced approach between economic and social development can be achieved in determining building density regulations within urban development plans. Methodology: The research adopts a mixed-method approach combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. Data were collected through both library research and field studies. Field data collection included semi-structured interviews with urban planning experts and a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were analyzed using Atlas.ti 7 software, while quantitative findings were statistically examined to assess the effectiveness of density-related policies. The Vakil Abad neighborhood in Mashhad was selected as the case study. Finding: The findings indicate that despite policies aimed at increasing building density in Mashhad’s urban development plans, spatial expansion of the city has continued alongside declining effective density. This pattern contradicts the principles of sustainable development, particularly in achieving balance between population distribution and residential land use. Furthermore, evaluation based on LUI standards reveals deficiencies in useful open spaces, leisure spaces, and parking facilities within the studied neighborhoods. The results suggest that sustainable neighborhood development indicators have not been adequately incorporated into FAR regulations. Conclusion: The study concludes that current FAR regulations in Mashhad’s urban development plans lack alignment with sustainable development principles. A more integrated and balanced framework considering social and economic capacities is necessary to ensure sustainable residential neighborhood development.