Today, due to the conditions of globalization, city branding has become increasingly important due to its tourism potentials. Most regions with strategic planning in this area aim to achieve economic development and reduce deprivation through tourism. In this study, the research strategy is deductive, and its purpose is practical. The required data and information were collected from library resources and surveys (questionnaires and interviews) with experts. The meta-SWOT technique, based on an inside-out approach and a resource-based perspective, provides a framework for enhancing the competitiveness of cities and regions. The city of Kermanshah possesses significant capabilities to attract tourism, enabling it to achieve urban, regional, and global competitiveness. The findings of this study show that among the capabilities and potentials of Kermanshah, the existence of historical and cultural monuments—such as Taq-e Bostan, pillars, historic houses, museums, and its role as a center for handicrafts—as well as cultural similarities with people living in Iraq and Turkey, along with its unique culture, beliefs, and customs, serve as key tourism potentials. These attributes align with the four characteristics of the VIRO framework (Value, Rarity, Imitability, and Organization), making them the most strategic fit with macro variables affecting tourist attraction and urban competitiveness through tourism in Kermanshah. Among the major influential variables, the COVID-19 pandemic, international sanctions against Iran, climate change, natural disasters, and lack of funding have the greatest impact on the urban competitiveness of Kermanshah. Based on the analysis of resources and macro variables, a strategic fit map was developed, and appropriate solutions were proposed.

In the domain of spatial planning for border areas, it is imperative to adopt a macro-perspective view of geography to effectively identify the potentialities, capabilities, and limitations inherent to these regions. This approach aims to mitigate tensions and challenges arising from unbalanced development, deprivation, and spatial heterogeneity. The research methodology employed in this study is applied in purpose, utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach in terms of method. Specifically, a combination of multi-criteria decision-making techniques, including the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the Shannon entropy coefficient, has been utilized to evaluate the distribution and development of spatial development indicators within the health service sectors of Kurdistan Province. The border cities of this province have been classified according to their levels of these indicators. The central research question of this study is: What is the state of the cities in Kurdistan Province concerning the spatial distribution of health and service indicators? Preliminary findings suggest that the level of access to health services in each of the border cities in Kurdistan Province does not meet the desired standards. The results indicate that, despite its strategic geopolitical significance, Kurdistan Province remains one of the most deprived regions in the country. Furthermore, there exists a notable imbalance and heterogeneity in the distribution and development of facilities and indicators across the border cities of the province. An analysis of 13 indicators pertaining to spatial organization across four border cities reveals that Saqez and Baneh are classified within the semi-privileged (semi-deprived) group, while Marivan and Sarvabad fall within the deprived category. Consequently, the findings underscore that the spatial organization in the border cities of Kurdistan Province is markedly heterogeneous, positioning these cities at a middle to lower level in terms of health service development. It is essential to afford particular attention to this border province to ensure the enduring security and well-being of its citizens.