Original Article
Urban Planning
NAVID AHANGARI; Asma Yavari
Abstract
Introduction
In recent decades, the rapid and accelerating trend of urbanization, characterized by the physical concentration of populations in limited areas and the destruction of natural landscapes, has led to high population density, increased conflicts between humans and urban infrastructure, resulting ...
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Introduction
In recent decades, the rapid and accelerating trend of urbanization, characterized by the physical concentration of populations in limited areas and the destruction of natural landscapes, has led to high population density, increased conflicts between humans and urban infrastructure, resulting in environmental inequalities and a decline in urban quality of life. This trend has exerted additional pressure on urban ecosystems, altering their structure and function and reducing vital ecosystem services, which not only threatens the health and livelihoods of urban residents but also poses significant challenges to sustainable development. Under such conditions, the concept of ecosystem services—referring to the benefits that nature provides to humans—has emerged as a key approach in urban environmental decision-making, paving the way for innovative solutions such as green infrastructure. Green infrastructure, as a comprehensive and multidimensional approach utilizing natural processes to enhance urban environmental quality, encompasses a network of ecological resources and corridors that, while strengthening the flow of ecosystem services, help mitigate adverse effects of urbanization, including urban heat islands, stormwater runoff, and air pollution, thereby promoting the health and well-being of inhabitants. In megacity Tehran, which faces challenges such as unplanned physical growth, decreasing per capita green space, and uneven distribution of ecosystem services, developing green infrastructure as a network at multiple scales can strengthen ecological linkages and facilitate the achievement of urban sustainability. Therefore, the present study aims to comprehensively review the scientific literature on the role of green infrastructure in sustaining urban ecosystem services in Tehran.
Materials and Methods
This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating meta-analysis, systematic review, and path analysis, with applied and descriptive-analytical objectives. In the first phase, bibliometric analysis of 9,846 articles related to the keywords “green infrastructure,” “ecosystem services,” and “cities” in three search combinations was conducted using VOSviewer software and Scopus database. The combinations included “green infrastructure and cities” (3,485 articles), “ecosystem services and cities” (5,511 articles), and “green infrastructure, ecosystem services, and cities” (850 articles). The coefficients of determination (R²) for publication trends in each combination were 0.87, 0.91, and 0.78 respectively, indicating significant research growth. In the second phase, five components of urban green infrastructure were selected as independent variables, and five components of urban ecosystem services as dependent variables; their relationships were examined through path analysis. The statistical population comprised 96 experts including university professors, municipal specialists, consultants, researchers, and environmental activists in Tehran, selected via purposive sampling using Cochran’s formula without N. Data were collected via a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (PLS3). The analysis encompassed measurement model assessments (reliability, validity) and structural model indices including R², Q², GoF, VIF, and significance levels (t-values).
Results
Temporal trend analysis of scientific publications from 1995 to 2024 reveals a marked increase in attention to green infrastructure, ecosystem services, and urban studies especially after 2005; for instance, articles on ecosystem services and cities rose from 3 in 2000 to 900 in 2024, and green infrastructure and cities from 2 to 580 articles. Although the triadic combination counts only 150 articles, its upward trend post-2010 indicates emerging integrative and interdisciplinary approaches. Co-authorship analysis identifies the United States as the global leader in scientific collaboration across all three domains, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom, whereas China, despite high publication volume, ranks lower in international collaboration. Countries such as Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands also play active roles. Keyword co-occurrence analysis shows “ecosystem services” as a central and frequently linked term across domains, while keywords such as green infrastructure, green space, land use, climate change, and urbanization highlight increasing research focus on the interconnection between natural infrastructures and urban ecosystem functioning. Confirmatory factor analysis validated five components each for urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services with satisfactory reliability, validity, and factor loadings. Structural model indices (GoF=0.534, R²=0.486, Q²=0.586) indicate good model fit and explanatory power. All causal pathways from green infrastructure components to urban ecosystem services were statistically significant, with an overall effect coefficient of 5.441 (p<0.001).
Conclusion
In recent years, with the rapid expansion of urbanization and the rise of environmental challenges, the concepts of green infrastructure and ecosystem services have gained significant attention as key factors in enhancing urban sustainability. A temporal analysis of scientific publications from 1995 to 2023 indicates that the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report marked a pivotal point, leading to a sharp increase in studies; for instance, articles related to ecosystem services and cities grew from 3 in 2000 to over 900 by 2024, with green infrastructure following a similar trajectory. This growth reflects the emergence and strengthening of interdisciplinary approaches linking green infrastructure and ecosystem services within urban contexts, especially after 2010. Co-authorship analysis reveals that the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been leading producers and collaborators, whereas China, despite high output, shows lower international cooperation. Keyword co-occurrence highlights ecosystem services, green spaces, and urban policy as dominant themes, with climate change primarily emphasized in green infrastructure studies. Existing research identifies gaps, such as insufficient focus on certain green infrastructure types and cultural services. Structural equation modeling in Tehran’s megacity study demonstrates that green infrastructure components—spatial networking, multifunctionality, strategic planning, ecological quality, and human well-being linkage—have significant positive effects on urban ecosystem services, consistent with international findings. Therefore, strategic, integrated development of green infrastructure alongside enhanced cultural and social awareness in urban management is essential, while acknowledging study limitations and recommending broader, deeper future research.
Original Article
Urban Planning
Ali Zeynali Aim; Ali Azar; Shoeila Hamidzadeh Khayavi
Abstract
Introduction
The rapid growth of urban populations has posed multiple challenges, including the rise of crime and violence in urban spaces. In this context, the smart city has emerged as a strategic approach to enhancing urban security. Adopting a smart city perspective can address the complexities ...
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Introduction
The rapid growth of urban populations has posed multiple challenges, including the rise of crime and violence in urban spaces. In this context, the smart city has emerged as a strategic approach to enhancing urban security. Adopting a smart city perspective can address the complexities associated with various forms of urban crime. Improving urban security requires attention to both physical–spatial dimensions and human–behavioral aspects. In Tehran, challenges such as high population density, insecurity, and the prevalence of crime and violence in urban spaces have become critical issues, necessitating innovative and sustainable solutions. The expansion of public spaces in Tehran highlights the urgent need for precise planning to confront security and social challenges. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the factors influencing the reduction of crime and violence in Tehran’s urban spaces through a smart city approach.
Materials and Methods
This research employs a descriptive–analytical and survey-based method. The statistical population includes the city of Tehran (9,039,000 residents). Using Cochran’s formula, the sample size was determined to be 384 participants, appropriate for a large urban population. A multi-stage cluster sampling method was applied to ensure representation across different urban districts. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire, designed with closed-ended questions based on a seven-point Likert scale to measure citizens’ perceptions of smart city components in reducing crime and violence. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted using Amos software to validate the conceptual model, followed by multiple regression analysis to examine the impact of independent variables (smart city dimensions related to urban security) on the dependent variable (crime and violence reduction).
Results
Among the five latent factors influencing crime and violence reduction in Tehran’s urban spaces—public space security, environmental design, warning and crisis management systems, improvement of urban infrastructure, and citizen education and participation—the factor of public space security had the highest standardized loading (0.82), while citizen education and participation had the lowest (0.74). At the indicator level, smart lighting (0.87) and smart surveillance (0.84) showed the strongest effects, whereas public transport management (0.70) and access to security services (0.71) had the weakest. Path analysis revealed that public space security had the greatest total effect (1.02), while citizen education and participation had the lowest (0.86). The findings demonstrate that smart city strategies, particularly smart lighting and surveillance, can significantly reduce crime and violence in urban spaces.
Conclusion
Key indicators such as smart lighting and smart surveillance exert the most substantial influence on improving urban security in Tehran through a smart city approach. These elements should be prioritized in urban planning and design to enhance safety and ensure that citizens can access urban spaces with confidence and peace of mind. To reduce crime in Tehran, strategies including improved urban lighting, expanded smart surveillance, safe public space design, strengthened smart warning systems, social participation and public education, and enhanced urban safety infrastructure must be prioritized in future planning.
Original Article
Urban Planning
sharifeh sargolzaei; javad Alaei Moghaddam
Abstract
Introduction
The rapid pace of urbanization in recent decades has heightened the need of establishing new towns to accommodate surplus populations, posing both quantitative and qualitative challenges for urban planning (Masoud & Sharifian, 2015, p. 3). While quantitative goals, such as population ...
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Introduction
The rapid pace of urbanization in recent decades has heightened the need of establishing new towns to accommodate surplus populations, posing both quantitative and qualitative challenges for urban planning (Masoud & Sharifian, 2015, p. 3). While quantitative goals, such as population absorption, remain important, the social and cultural aspects of residents’ quality of life are essential for the successful development of these towns. Challenges related to identity, insufficient social services, and cultural shortcomings are evident not only in Iran but also globally (Shatrian, Sohrabzadeh, Emamali-Zadeh, & Hosseinizadeh, 2017, p. 116; Lotfi, Mahdi, & Mahdian-Behnamiri, 2013, p. 87). Therefore, considering the quality of life of residents in new towns and developing a model for classifying and evaluating quality of life based on a recognized framework, such as Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (Maslow & Lewis, 1987, p. 988), can provide a valuable tool for municipal managers and planning organizations. This classification enables the assessment of planners’ and managers’ performance and the necessity of updating objectives and programs, thereby facilitating the realization of new towns’ goals and the establishment of habitable settlements appropriate for contemporary life. Accordingly, this study aims to develop a model for assessing quality of life in new towns from social and cultural perspectives, grounded in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Materials and Methods
For the purpose of modeling the assessment of quality of life in new towns from social and cultural perspectives based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a comparative analysis of 20 quality-of-life constructs in new towns with Maslow’s hierarchy was conducted, leading to the development of an initial model for evaluating residents’ quality of life. Subsequently, data obtained from construct testing in the case study were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to identify and validate the key constructs in the sample. To collect data for the proposed model, a 64-item questionnaire covering the 20 constructs was administered to 137 residents of Ramshar New Town. Given the limited number of households, researchers conducted face-to-face visits to ensure comprehensive coverage, with one questionnaire per household. Accordingly, 127 questionnaires were considered valid, resulting in a response rate of 92%. The model was tested using CFA in SmartPLS, which applies a least-squares estimation approach designed to maximize the explained variance in dependent constructs within structural equation models (Vinzi, Chin, Henseler, & Wang, 2009, p. 6). The final model allows for the prioritization of constructs, enabling the identification of the most influential social and cultural dimensions in assessing residents’ quality of life in new towns.
Results
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the constructs influencing quality of life from social and cultural perspectives were reviewed by seven urban planning experts to obtain their advisory opinions. They were asked to categorize the needs in Maslow’s hierarchy according to distinguishable levels relevant to urban planning and to conduct a binary comparison between Maslow’s hierarchy and the constructs derived from the study’s theoretical foundations. The results are presented in Table 2. Based on Maslow’s hierarchical model, seven distinguishable levels of human needs can be identified. These psychological needs serve as collective decision-making criteria and were grouped into three levels: minimal, intermediate, and maximal. Accordingly, the conceptual model of the study is considered a three-level model, enabling new towns to be classified into three categories: those with maximal quality of life, intermediate quality of life, and minimal quality of life. Furthermore, by mapping the factors of the conceptual model, as shown in Figure 5, onto these three levels, towns can be stratified accordingly. Additionally, results from confirmatory factor analysis within structural equation modeling indicate that, among the 20 proposed relationships, only seven were validated: changes in living conditions, social security, proportionality with behavioral patterns (PROP), social justice, social trust, social harms, and employment status. A binary comparison between Maslow’s hierarchy levels and the validated constructs demonstrates that these constructs correspond primarily to the lower levels of the hierarchy; therefore, the quality of life in Ramshar New Town is classified at the lowest level.
Conclusion
Based on the study’s findings, Ramshar New Town is classified at the minimal level of quality of life in social and cultural dimensions. The factors of changes in living conditions, proportionality with behavioral patterns (PROP), and employment status were identified as fundamental life needs of residents and positioned at the first level of Maslow’s physiological needs. Social security and social harms corresponded to the second level of Maslow’s hierarchy, reflecting the need for safety and security. Additionally, social trust aligns with the love and belonging needs, while social justice corresponds to esteem needs. Residents perceive employment status and social harms as detrimental to their quality of life, whereas other factors contribute positively. The study further revealed that the level of life residents considers an improvement is regarded as underdeveloped according to managers, planners, and theoretical sources. Consequently, quality-of-life assessment should be conceptualized as a gradual, long-term process and measured over time to monitor progress. This approach facilitates understanding of why residents in different settlements, despite varying levels based on standard urban planning and design indicators, do not perceive their quality of life uniformly. The findings are valuable for managers and planners of new towns, providing a framework for evaluating quality of life in target cities based on the proposed model and for designing strategies to enhance residents’ well-being. It is recommended that the model be applied in other new towns with more advanced infrastructure and services and re-tested in Ramshar New Town to evaluate intervention effectiveness and refine criteria and constructs important to residents in social and cultural dimensions.
Original Article
Urban Planning
Ebrahim Sharifzadeh Aghadam; dana Alizadeh; Mahtab alinezhad
Abstract
Introduction
Urban parks and green spaces represent essential socio-cultural arenas within contemporary cities. Beyond their ecological and aesthetic roles, parks are dynamic public spaces that shape patterns of interaction, inclusion, and belonging. In rapidly growing metropolitan areas such as Mashhad, ...
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Introduction
Urban parks and green spaces represent essential socio-cultural arenas within contemporary cities. Beyond their ecological and aesthetic roles, parks are dynamic public spaces that shape patterns of interaction, inclusion, and belonging. In rapidly growing metropolitan areas such as Mashhad, the second-largest city in Iran, these spaces have become increasingly vulnerable to social challenges including insecurity, marginalization, and weakened social cohesion. Prior literature acknowledges that public parks embody both the promise of social revitalization and the risk of becoming sites of deviance, exclusion, and crime. Mashhad provides an important case study because of its demographic diversity, religious-touristic significance, and rapid urban expansion. The city’s 13 municipal districts contain numerous parks, yet these spaces reveal stark variations in accessibility, security, and public perception.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the socio-cultural roles of urban parks in Mashhad with a particular focus on identifying the processes that transform positive social functions into dysfunctional outcomes. The study seeks to:
Assess the extent to which social pathologies affect urban parks and undermine public acceptance.
Examine the interplay between insecurity, structural abandonment, weak solidarity, and exclusion in shaping social dysfunctions.
Propose strategies that can renew collective interaction, reinforce social belonging, and enhance urban quality of life. Provide an explanatory conceptual model and practical framework for municipalities and partner institutions to implement socially responsive urban management.
Materials and Methods
This research employed a mixed methodology that integrates qualitative exploration with social impact assessment (ETA).
Qualitative phase: In-depth semi-structured interviews and participant observation were conducted with 50 informants, including local stakeholders, community leaders, and residents across the 13 districts of Mashhad. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Field observations captured patterns of park usage, security concerns, and forms of social interaction, providing contextual insights into lived experiences.
Social Impact Assessment (ETA): This stage analyzed the social implications of urban projects, focusing on both intended and unintended consequences of park design and management. The assessment identified key stakeholders, traced causal relationships between spatial conditions and social outcomes, and classified both positive and negative impacts.The study followed a grounded-theory orientation, allowing codes and categories to emerge from the data. By combining empirical evidence with theoretical frameworks on social capital, urban governance, and spatial justice, the research generated a conceptual model illustrating the dynamics of park-related social processes.
Results
The analysis revealed that Mashhad’s urban parks are subject to significant social pathologies, which manifest in reduced public trust, declining participation, and functional inefficiency.
Central Phenomenon: Decline in Public Acceptance The dominant theme identified was a “decline in public acceptance,” meaning that citizens increasingly perceive parks as unsafe, uninviting, or irrelevant to their daily needs. This decline is not an isolated outcome but part of a self-reinforcing cycle sustained by four interrelated categories:
Fragile Social Security: In many parks, the visible presence of delinquent groups, drug users, and marginalized populations has undermined perceptions of safety. Structural policing has been inadequate, and informal community-based safety mechanisms have eroded. Women and vulnerable groups, in particular, report reduced willingness to frequent parks, which further weakens surveillance and collective guardianship.
Structural Abandonment: Many parks suffer from insufficient maintenance, inadequate lighting, poor design choices, and lack of responsive management. Uniform Park layouts across districts fail to reflect local cultural needs, thereby diminishing neighborhood attachment.
Weak Social Solidarity: Although community ties in some neighborhoods remain relatively strong, structural challenges limit the ability of solidarity to reduce deviant behavior. In deprived areas, even cohesive local cultures have been unable to counter the stigmatization of parks as crime-prone zones. Thus, solidarity without institutional support remains ineffective.
Lack of Inclusion: Discriminatory allocation of park facilities fosters perceptions of inequality. Examples include better-equipped sports facilities for boys compared to girls, and inadequate accessibility for people with disabilities. These inequities not only restrict usage but also intensify feelings of alienation and exclusion, feeding into the cycle of declining acceptance.
Strategic Responses: From Dysfunction to Renewal
Despite these challenges, the study identified three strategic approaches that can reverse the negative trajectory and activate positive socio-cultural functions:
Empowering Collective Happiness: Parks serve as arenas for leisure, recreation, and cultural celebration. Organizing family-centered events, providing joyful and inclusive recreational opportunities, and designing spaces that generate positive shared memories can increase citizen presence. Such collective joy strengthens the emotional bond between people and place, reinforcing social belonging.
Enhancing Interaction: By redesigning physical layouts to encourage gathering, dialogue, and participation, parks can become hubs of everyday sociality. Interaction fosters trust, strengthens social capital, and enables collaborative problem-solving. This strategy highlights the role of parks as democratic spaces where different social groups can coexist and engage constructively.
Eliminating Discrimination: Ensuring equitable distribution of facilities and inclusive design can restore trust in public institutions. Accessibility for women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities is not only a matter of rights but also a precondition for genuine participation.
Consequential Outcomes:
When these strategies are implemented, three significant outcomes emerge:
De-marginalization: Parks lose their function as deviant hangouts and regain legitimacy as community-friendly spaces.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that the socio-cultural role of urban parks in Mashhad is shaped by a complex interplay between structural vulnerabilities and community-based strategies. While current conditions reveal significant dysfunction, parks also possess transformative potential if managed through participatory and context-sensitive approaches.
Key conclusions include:
Parks should not be seen merely as ecological or recreational assets but as socio-political arenas where issues of inclusion, justice, and governance converge.
Urban management must integrate local participation and recognize neighborhood identity to avoid one-size-fits-all interventions.
Addressing security requires both structural measures (institutional coordination between municipalities and police) and social strategies (encouraging family presence, cultural events, and community stewardship).
A balanced model combining collective joy, enhanced interaction, and reduced discrimination can reactivate positive park functions and restore citizen trust.
The practical implication is the need for a conceptual model and implementation plan tailored to Mashhad’s specific urban and cultural landscape. Such a framework should prioritize interventions aligned with spatial justice and local identity. Municipalities and partner institutions are urged to shift from a top-down managerial approach to an inclusive model of co-governance, where citizens become active participants in shaping, protecting, and enjoying their public spaces.
Original Article
Urban Planning
faezeh taheri; maryam navidi
Abstract
Introduction
Today's cities face unprecedented issues and problems rooted in changing lifestyles, expanding urbanization, and weak resilience in aging infrastructure. Meanwhile, traditional and historical neighborhoods with valuable structures are facing challenges such as physical deterioration, functional ...
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Introduction
Today's cities face unprecedented issues and problems rooted in changing lifestyles, expanding urbanization, and weak resilience in aging infrastructure. Meanwhile, traditional and historical neighborhoods with valuable structures are facing challenges such as physical deterioration, functional exhaustion, reduced quality of life, and security due to neglect of the underlying characteristics; neighborhoods that were once active as economic, social, and cultural centers have now lost part of their urban identity. In response to this situation, urban regeneration has been proposed as a comprehensive and context-oriented approach, with the aim of improving the quality of life, restoring historical identity, strengthening social ties, and utilizing existing capacities. This approach emphasizes precise understanding of the various physical, social, economic, and managerial dimensions of neighborhoods, and by recognizing the needs and potentials of the context, it enables the design of solutions tailored to local conditions.
The Chanani neighborhood in Kermanshah, as part of the historical context and the initial core of the city's formation, is no exception to this rule. In recent decades, this neighborhood has faced a trend of physical decline and social disintegration due to the physical expansion of the city, changing residential patterns, increased vehicle traffic, and excessive population density and concentration due to its commercial nature. This situation has led to a decrease in the quality of life for residents, migration of the wealthy class, and a decline in the neighborhood's urban identity. Despite limited efforts by urban institutions, no comprehensive and prioritized plan has yet been presented for the regeneration of the neighborhood. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to accurately identify the components affecting neighborhood regeneration and assess their importance using a prioritized approach, which can pave the way for developing practical planning based on real conditions. On this basis, the research seeks to answer these questions: What is the status of the indicators and components of urban regeneration in the historical neighborhood of Chanani in terms of their level of impact and prioritization? What is the relationship between the main components and indicators of regeneration? And which of the indicators and components have the highest factor load and priority for regeneration planning?
Materials and Methods
The present study is applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature and method. In the theoretical perspective and review of previous studies, the descriptive method is used to achieve relationships between variables and their prioritization based on the analysis of questionnaires, and in terms of time, it is considered a prospective cross-sectional study. The tools used in this research are field observation, a questionnaire on a five-scale Likert scale, and interviews. Thus, first, the criteria to be measured for identifying each of the urban regeneration indicators were determined after a field visit, and then a questionnaire was developed. The sample size is 278 residents of the neighborhood (central part of Chanani neighborhood) and the sampling method in this study is random. Validity assessment by experts and reliability using Cronbach's alpha of 0.823 is considered. For data analysis, considering the normality of the data distribution, a one-sample parametric t-test was used to determine the current situation, and the Friedman test was used to examine the status of the importance of variables (ranking), and factor analysis (EFA) and correlation matrix tests were used to reduce dimensions, examine the relationships between variables, and their impact in order to achieve priority planning for urban regeneration of the Chanani neighborhood.
Results
Based on the results of a single-sample t-test to examine the impact of variables on improving the current situation of the Chenani neighborhood, the score of the service-functional, economic, and environmental index of urban regeneration (4/23) and then the cultural-social index of the sense of place component (3/94) were above the average (=3).
Also, based on the results of the Friedman test for ranking the indicators and variables of Chanani neighborhood regeneration, the service-functional, economic, and environmental indicators have the highest rank, followed by the indicators of management and socio-cultural institutions, with almost the same ranks. The results of the ranking of variables also show that the highest rank is related to the variables of the impact of urban infrastructure, green spaces, and welfare-educational facilities, respectively, and the lowest rank is related to the variable of the impact of the old neighborhood texture on the lives of residents.
Also, exploratory factor analysis was designed using the Varimax rotation method and based on 25 variables and identified 8 main factors that explain 69.92% of the total variance. Considering the results and the correlation of each variable, appropriate titles can be selected for each of them, which are:
The first factor is service-physical (urban services and architectural construction quality)
The second factor is social-managerial (social identity and cultural participation)
The third factor is managerial-economic (institutional support and participation)
The fourth factor is physical-architectural design
The fifth factor is cultural-identity
The sixth factor is physical-location and access
The seventh factor is cultural-perceptual (sense of place)
The eighth factor is physical-access and communication network
Conclusion
The present study aimed to analyze the status of urban regeneration indicators and components in the historical neighborhood of Chanani and prioritize them in the path of priority planning. The results of the analysis show that all the main regeneration indicators have a significant impact on improving neighborhood conditions; especially the service-functional, economic, and environmental indicators, which play the greatest role in improving environmental quality and residents' well-being.
Exploratory factor analysis showed that there is a significant correlation between the regeneration variables in the study and that an eight-factor structure can be extracted to explain the mechanisms of regeneration in the Chenani neighborhood. Regarding the priority and factor loading of the indicators, it was found that the first factor (service-physical) has the highest factor loading, and indicators such as urban infrastructure, green spaces, educational and security facilities, lighting conditions of buildings, and architectural construction quality have the greatest impact on the formation of regeneration planning. After that, socio-managerial and managerial-economic factors are in the next ranks, which indicates the necessity of institutional support, local participation, and strengthening social capital in the regeneration process.
Therefore, the results of the present study show that for the realization and success of the regeneration process in historical neighborhoods such as Chenani neighborhood, special attention should be paid to the components of urban services, physical environmental quality, social identity, and institutional participation, with a priority view. These findings can pave the way for regeneration strategies for historical neighborhoods in Kermanshah.
Original Article
Urban Planning
Narges Mahmoudi; Akbar Mohammadi
Abstract
Introduction
In recent decades, the excessive increase in urban population and lack of suitable job opportunities, inadequate access of residents to urban facilities and services on the one hand, and their monocentricity on the other hand, have caused many cities to face problems such as reduced quality ...
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Introduction
In recent decades, the excessive increase in urban population and lack of suitable job opportunities, inadequate access of residents to urban facilities and services on the one hand, and their monocentricity on the other hand, have caused many cities to face problems such as reduced quality of life in their various parts. This requires a proportionate distribution of various urban facilities, services, and components and their optimal performance, which is addressed under the concept of urban spatial organization. Over the past decades, the spatial organization of cities has progressed towards disorder and chaos, and currently, the inadequate distribution of facilities and services in cities is considered one of the most important challenges of urban management in responding to citizens. The present study, by choosing the city of Qazvin as a case study, seeks to identify key factors affecting the pursuit of spatial justice in urban spatial organization and to present solutions for its revitalization.
Data and Method
In the present descriptive, quantitative and applied research, first 41 indicators affecting spatial justice in urban spatial organization were extracted from documentary studies. Then, based on structural analysis and receiving the opinions of 14 members of the Delphi team, they were scored to obtain key factors affecting the development of spatial organization of Qazvin city with a spatial justice approach. Delphi team members were selected from among academic or executive researchers based on their familiarity with the concepts of spatial justice, spatial organization and the city of Qazvin in such a way that the comprehensiveness of their views was sufficient to participate in the research, and this was approved by the Delphi team members. 8 (57%) of the participants in the Delphi team were men and 6 (43%) were women.
Results and Discussion
The research findings show that "creating a balance between the housing system and population in urban neighbourhoods", "developing inclusive public spaces for different age and gender groups", "developing advanced intra- and extra-urban transportation infrastructure", "organizing space with participatory planning", "developing affordable mixed housing", "multiple types of employment in city areas", "applying new technologies", and "taking advantage of private investment opportunities in less developed areas" are key factors affecting urban spatial organization with an emphasis on spatial justice.
Conclusion
The results of the research show that establishing spatial justice in urban spatial organization requires paying attention to the demands of different social groups on the one hand and a balanced distribution of types of uses on the other, which is possible through citizen participation in spatial organization.
