Urban Sociology
Mohammad Reza Zamiri; mahin nastaran; Mahmoud Ghalehnoee
Abstract
Highlights:
- Socio-spatial segregation at the urban neighborhood level is a significant manifestation of spatial inequality and injustice, affecting the overall quality of urban life and access to resources.
- The main objective of this research is to assess and quantify the social and spatial segregation ...
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Highlights:
- Socio-spatial segregation at the urban neighborhood level is a significant manifestation of spatial inequality and injustice, affecting the overall quality of urban life and access to resources.
- The main objective of this research is to assess and quantify the social and spatial segregation of ethnic groups within the neighborhoods of Bojnord, with a specific focus on understanding how these patterns have evolved over time.
- The research findings indicate that the clustering of the Turkmen population within Bojnord's neighborhoods has notably intensified between the years 1385 and 1395, signaling a growing trend of ethnic concentration.
- This study further explores the broader implications of residential segregation, particularly how it influences the quality of life, access to services, and social cohesion in urban neighborhoods.
Introduction:
In recent years, the study of socio-spatial segregation has gained increasing importance within the fields of urban and social sciences, especially with the advent of advanced computational tools that facilitate more precise measurements and analyses. Socio-spatial segregation at the neighborhood level represents one of the most visible and impactful forms of spatial inequality and social injustice within urban settings. By providing tools for effective measurement, researchers and policymakers can better evaluate and analyze the extent and severity of these inequalities, gaining insights into the distribution of resources and opportunities across different social groups.
Moreover, tracking the evolution of segregation over time within a specific geographical area allows for a deeper understanding of how urban development, migration patterns, and policy interventions influence the spatial organization of populations. This, in turn, sheds light on the degree to which citizens have equitable access to essential services, such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, as well as the overall quality of life in different urban neighborhoods.
Theoretical Framework:
The primary goal of this research is to measure the social and spatial segregation of ethnic groups within the neighborhoods of Bojnord and to analyze how these patterns have evolved over time. The central research question that guides this study is: What are the socio-spatial dimensions of residential segregation among ethnic groups in Bojnord, and how are these dimensions changing in response to broader social, economic, and political factors?
Since Bojnord's designation as the capital of North Khorasan province in 2003, the city has undergone rapid growth and transformation. Its population has nearly doubled, and its physical area has tripled by 2021, largely due to significant waves of migration from nearby villages, other cities, and even regions beyond the provincial borders. These demographic changes have inevitably led to shifts in the social and spatial organization of the city, raising important questions about the nature and consequences of residential segregation in this context.
Methodology:
The research employs a descriptive and analytical approach, utilizing the latest population statistics, along with data on the ethnic and religious composition of Bojnord's neighborhoods. This data was collected and analyzed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of residential segregation in the city. In addition, the study draws on population statistics and compositions from previous census periods, particularly those following Bojnord's designation as the provincial capital, to track changes in segregation patterns over time.
To measure the socio-spatial dimensions of residential segregation, the study utilizes the Geo-Segregation Analyzer software, which generates detailed maps to visualize the distribution and concentration of different ethnic and religious groups within the city. These maps provide a clear representation of how various social groups are spatially organized within Bojnord, highlighting areas of significant ethnic clustering and isolation.
Results and Discussion:
The analysis reveals that the distribution of populations, particularly those who have migrated to Bojnord in recent years, is heavily influenced by the city's ethnic and cultural diversity. Among the 26 districts of Bojnord, the highest dissimilarity index was observed between the Turkmen and Tat ethnicities, indicating a pronounced level of segregation between these two groups.
Despite the high concentration of Turkmen and Tat populations in certain neighborhoods, the Tat group does not exhibit significant spatial isolation compared to other ethnic groups. However, the clustering of the Turkmen population within Bojnord's neighborhoods increased markedly between 1385 and 1395, coinciding with a substantial influx of Turkmen immigrants during this period. This trend has continued in subsequent years, although at a slower pace, as immigration rates have declined recently.
The results of this study offer valuable insights into the extent and intensity of segregation among different social groups, both ethnic and religious, within Bojnord's neighborhoods. Various indicators were employed to measure the dimensions of residential segregation, revealing that much of the population growth in Bojnord over the past two decades has been driven by immigration rather than natural population growth. Immigrant groups, particularly those belonging to specific ethnic and religious communities, have tended to settle in neighborhoods where others of similar backgrounds are already concentrated, further reinforcing the spatial concentration of these groups in specific areas of the city.
Conclusion:
The findings of this research indicate that since Bojnord's designation as the capital of North Khorasan province, residential segregation among ethnic groups has intensified, with the Turkmen ethnic group showing the most significant growth in segregation indices. If this trend continues, it may lead to heightened social tensions and conflicts, as the spatial separation of ethnic groups can exacerbate existing inequalities and contribute to social fragmentation.
Given Bojnord's status as a provincial capital and its diverse ethnic composition, the social and spatial segregation of ethnic groups within urban neighborhoods poses significant challenges for urban planners and policymakers. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving the quality of life for all residents, ensuring equitable access to housing, support services, and opportunities in key areas such as employment, education, and healthcare. Policymakers must consider strategies to promote greater social integration and cohesion within the city, fostering a more inclusive and just urban environment for all its inhabitants.
Regional Planning
fardis salarian; mahin nastaran; Hashem Dadashpoor
Abstract
Highlights- Sprawling has turned into a very important issue in Mazandaran Province, because it has affected the natural, socio-cultural, and economic subsystems besides changing the spatial structure and its physical effects.- The important issue in regard to sprawling is to study the causes of its ...
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Highlights- Sprawling has turned into a very important issue in Mazandaran Province, because it has affected the natural, socio-cultural, and economic subsystems besides changing the spatial structure and its physical effects.- The important issue in regard to sprawling is to study the causes of its occurrence and its consequences on urban and regional subsystems to enable optimal planning and management based on a deep understanding of the issues.- Research pertaining to the issue of sprawling should be influenced by diverse perspectives and adoption of a multidimensional approach.- Sprawling is a dynamic phenomenon with a complex nature, which must be investigated with a layered approach for a comprehensive understanding. IntroductionThe central city-region of Mazandaran Province, including the cities of Sari, Qaemshahr, Babol, and Amol, contains more than 53% of the population in only 30% of its area. Based on the set of issues that the spatial patterns of sprawling have brought about in the central city-region of Mazandaran Province, a research gap seems to be there in the presentation of a conceptual model of the relations governing the causes of sprawling and the consequences in this city-region. This research attempts to take an effective step in that regard.Theoretical FrameworkThere are two perspectives on the issue of sprawling: spatial and non-spatial. From the spatial point of view, issues such as land use changes, housing and land demands, transportation and infrastructure development, and inefficient land development have been raised, which directly or indirectly affect the causes and consequences of sprawling. From the non-spatial point of view, on the other hand, socio-demographic, economic, environmental, and management and supervisory system issues are discussed, the impacts of which on the causes and consequences of sprawling cannot be ignored. In line with the diversity in the spatial patterns of this type of growth in the urban and regional space, the causes of occurrence and the consequences arising from the spatial patterns of sprawling are different, an issue that is controversial due to the dynamic nature of the phenomenon. If sprawling is accompanied by poor control and supervision, there will be many negative consequences such as development inefficiency, extensive change in land use, destruction and waste of natural lands, excessive growth, increase in land and housing prices, formation and prosperity of temporary residence and second housing patterns, unplanned formation of residential centers, spatial imbalance, change in peri-urban and rural landscape, and combination of urban and rural boundaries. This causes many more issues in the physical and spatial subsystem of the planning environment and also has negative effects on spatial development processes. MethodologyThe purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of sprawling by planning subsystems and to analyze the consequences of sprawling and achieve the underlying, causal, and continuity conditions in the city-region under study. This applied descriptive-analytical survey adopts a library-documentary method of data collection.Result and DiscussionIn the first part, the experts were provided with a questionnaire on the variables affecting sprawling extracted from studies around the world using purposive sampling, and the results were then analyzed using the fuzzy Delphi method. In the second part, structured interviews were made with the experts in the grounded theory system using the MAXQDA software, and they were then reviewed, analyzed, and coded. To investigate the causes of sprawling, 38 variables on 6 factors were provided to 25 experts who were selected based on purposive sampling. We used semi-structured interviews with 34 participants in the study area in order to analyze the consequences of sprawling, studied the spatial consequences of sprawling in the city-region, and specified 249 initial codes and 28 focal codes. Then, we formulated with the technique of continuous comparison the underlying conditions of development and economic structure change, the causal conditions of the inefficiency of the management and supervision system, the conditions to continue the transformation of the local community and destroy the natural structure, the consequences of change in the physical and spatial structure of the extraction area, and the grounded theory of the consequences of sprawling.ConclusionThe most common causes of sprawling in the study area include per capita household income, land and housing trade, and land prices. In the analysis of the consequences of sprawling, we explained the background conditions for economic development and restructuring, the causal conditions of the inefficiency of the management and supervision system, the conditions of continuity including the transformation of the indigenous community and the destruction of the natural structure, and the consequences of physical and spatial restructuring of the region. To interrupt the process of formation and reduce the negative effects of sprawling, proposals were made on attempts to regulate and reform the decision-making structure, apply economic policies and adjust the market, slow down the accelerated process of destruction of the natural environment, improve the structure of regional planning (draft a codified, updated land use plan, apply detailed policies and ones to avoid promotion of land speculation, avoid provision of construction and building permits for peri-urban lands in the study area, partition natural lands and prioritize future developments in low-value lands, adopt approaches to endogenous development, development in brown lands, and intermediate development, and achieve a sustainable local society.
Urban Sociology
Narges Ghodsi; mahin nastaran; Vahid Ghasemi
Abstract
Highlights
- A systematic classification of studies based on questions of what, why, and how with a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.
- The importance of reviewing the phenomenon of segregation from a wide range of dimensions (physical-spatial, political-management, and socio-economic).
- ...
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Highlights
- A systematic classification of studies based on questions of what, why, and how with a systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.
- The importance of reviewing the phenomenon of segregation from a wide range of dimensions (physical-spatial, political-management, and socio-economic).
- The importance of qualitative research explaining whats, focusing on conceptual modeling, and modeling measurement.
- The importance of research explaining whys, and focusing on identification and examination of the contextual factors affecting segregation.
- The importance of research explaining hows and identifying and examining the policies and effective trends according to all the dimensions.
Introduction
An inherent characteristic of cities, segregation pertains to the social distance between residents and their physical separation. When this phenomenon prevents some groups from accessing services, activities, and spaces, it leads to urban problems. Due to the interdisciplinary nature and large scope of this phenomenon, many researchers from different expert groups have investigated it in the past three decades. Although the number of studies is not small, it is important to note the dispersion of the principles and topics and the lack of coherent conceptual frameworks as a result of the variety of relevant specialties. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to study the diagnostic status of the scientific Persian articles addressing the concept of segregation and to analyze the nature and quality of these research topics and present a systematic categorization thereof.
Theoretical Framework
The review of the literature shows different concepts proposed for definition of segregation. In the middle of the 20th century, segregation was first recognized as a social issue (Legeby, 2013), the main purpose of which is to investigate the distinction between two demographic groups (Feitosa et al., 2007) or the separation of several groups (Morgan, 1975; Sakoda, 1981; Jargowsky, 1996; Reardon & Firebaugh, 2002). In the 1970s, new studies were conducted for identification of the causes of the segregation of social groups, linked with spatial analysis (Morgan, 1975; Sakoda, 1981; Jargowsky, 1996; Dupont, 2004; Lima, 2001: 494; Reardon & Firebaugh, 2002; Smith, 2009: 682; Romero et al., 2012: 76).
Depending on whether one has the freedom to choose to separate, segregation can happen in two ways: voluntary and involuntary (Izadi et al., 2016: 83; Lotfi & Ghazaei, 2019: 20). Therefore, segregation includes various dimensions, such as socio-economic and spatial dimensions, in which terms it has been investigated in recent studies under the title of socio-spatial segregation.
Systematic review is made using regular methods to identify, select, and critically evaluate the conducted research and collect and analyze the obtained data in order to respond to a specific question (Crocetti, 2016: 3). A function of this technique is to examine the history of the research and extract and summarize it to improve the approaches to the study to obtain appropriate results (Ghazi Tabatabaei & Vadadhir, 2010: 59). Generation of the meta-analysis involves the statistical analysis of a large set of results from individual studies, which is performed for integration of the findings (Glass, 1976: 3). Although this technique is usually considered as part of quantitative methods, however, it can also be used for qualitative approaches (Tizchang & Azam Azadeh, 2020: 10).
Methodology
The qualitative research approach is adopted here. The method of data collection is based on the basic text type using documentary methods. The systematic review and open coding techniques were used for data analysis, followed by qualitative meta-analysis. For this purpose, 50 Persian articles based on the topic of segregation and published from 1996 to 2021 were selected and reviewed in 15 categories. The research was conducted in four stages. First, all available information from the selected studies were collected and summarized. Then, classification and coding was performed based on the evaluation parameters (principles and categories) in two groups of structural and content features. Next, all the information extracted from the studies were processed, analyzed, and interpreted based on their frequency and percentages. Finally, the research questions were answered.
The structural section sought to investigate the general characteristics of the selected articles to explain the state of research in the field of urban segregation in Iran using the results. The content section attempted to outline the researchers’ views of the original concept, research method, type of research, attributes used for segregation, type of main question, thematic principles, and aspects investigated in the field of segregation.
Results and Discussion
The findings helped to categorize the selected articles based on the types of their main questions (what, why, and how) in the form of 5 main thematic principles. These principles include investigating the concept and methodology of segregation, examining the lived experiences of residents, identifying background factors affecting the formation of segregation, and investigating the relationship between segregation and contextual factors affecting it. In addition, the evolution of the concept of segregation in the research conducted in the field was divided into four general periods: early, middle, late (current period), and future, which were then compared. Socio-spatial separation was defined on that basis. The results demonstrate that segregation is an interdisciplinary, multifaceted, context-oriented issue involving socio-economic, physical-spatial, and political-management dimensions. In the current research conditions of the country, there is need for qualitative research on subjects such as conceptual and measurement modeling of segregation (to explain what it is), identifying and investigating the background factors affecting segregation, including the structures and compositions of cities (to explain why), and identifying and examining policies and trends effective on segregation (to explain how) considering all the dimensions. In this case, it is possible through a correct understanding of the concept to more precisely investigate its spatial patterns over time in the fields of urban development, planning, and design.
Conclusion
Since segregation is an interdisciplinary discourse, many researchers from different fields have investigated it from their specialized perspectives. The necessity of using methods such as meta-analysis can be explained by the large, increased amount of available research, the authors’ different views of the subject, and the need to summarize and combine them and to identify the repetitive and problematic research areas. The results of the research demonstrate that there are still many ambiguities about the meaning of segregation despite the abundance of research and urban science experts’ greater concern in the past ten years. This is confirmed by all the results highlighted in this research, concerning the use of different Persian translations of the concept, multiple attributes involved in its description, and unclear optional or mandatory aspects of the phenomenon. Therefore, it is necessary to review the multifaceted phenomenon of segregation in Iran in the form of new issues, taking into account its wide range of dimensions, to obtain a better, more accurate, more comprehensive understanding thereof.
Urban Planning
fazilat tahari; mahin nastaran; Parviz Ejlali
Abstract
Highlights
Organizing influential factors in realizing the diversity-oriented approach in the form of causal, contextual, intervening, and consequential categories and strategies.
Classification of influential factors in realizing the diversity-oriented approach in intellectual, political, instrumental, ...
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Highlights
Organizing influential factors in realizing the diversity-oriented approach in the form of causal, contextual, intervening, and consequential categories and strategies.
Classification of influential factors in realizing the diversity-oriented approach in intellectual, political, instrumental, organizational, legal, financial, educational, and social-cultural infrastructures.
Introducing grounded theory as a suitable method to understand all the influential factors in realizing the diversity-oriented approach in Rasht.
Introduction
As an Iranian city, Rasht is made up of diverse people of different ages, sexes, physical abilities, and ethnic backgrounds. Many of the world’s urban planning mechanisms have shifted to adopt diversity-oriented approaches and incorporate diversity and difference into urban planning processes by embracing the diversity of urban residents. However, the urban planning mechanism in Iran and the city of Rasht still treats citizens as the same thanks to modernist thoughts, disregarding the differences in age, sex, ethnicity, religion, and physical ability and, consequently, the differences in the citizens’ needs in the city. Planning theory and practice has recently become more conscious of the need to cater to diverse needs and preferences. Planning for diversity and difference is a social interpretation of planning for cities and an approach that considers the needs of different groups of people. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the realization of diversity-oriented urban planning in Rasht based on the viewpoints of planning experts in the city.
Theoretical Framework
Diversity refers to the increasingly wide range of social and demographic backgrounds of people who live and work in the city. The notion of diversity is now used as a label for policies addressing the heterogeneity of local populations. Certain differences give rise to discrimination and disadvantage, while others do not. Gender, race, disability, and age are critical issues at the root of much discrimination in the society. The critical point is that differences between diverse social groups in enjoyment of the opportunities of urban planning measures are continually reproduced by a range of processes and policies, rendering a number of people mainstream and others marginal. Planning for diversity is a social interpretation of planning for cities, and is an approach that considers different groups of people. There are two conceptual frames, or ways of regarding this profoundly social interpretation of planning for cities, that need to be deployed simultaneously. Firstly, planning for diversity is planning for the diverse range of people who live in and use the city. Secondly, planning the institutional settings to encourage equality of access across places is planning to reduce difference.
Methodology
One of the most efficient qualitative research methods, the grounded theory method was used to help achieve the research purpose; since the research problem is multifaceted, complex, and procedural, grounded theory can be an excellent way to provide an understanding of all the adequate conditions and factors. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed for data collection. Then, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten of the planning experts of this city. Sampling was carried out using a nonrandom sampling method called Snowball Purposive Sampling. In this research, a systematic approach known as grounded theory was applied. The systematic approach emphasizes the adoption of data analysis steps, including open coding, axial coding, selective coding, and the development of a logical model or a visual description of the generated theory. After the collection of textual interview data, analysis and coding began along with sampling. Specialized qualitative research software called Max QDA was used for that purpose. The main tasks of this software are to categorize data and connect the categories and to enable more sophisticated data analysis. In grounded theory, the researcher extracts subcategories, main categories, and core categories from the data, and continues the analysis.
Results and Discussion
Finally, the factors effective on the realization of the diversity-oriented urban planning approach were identified, including 17 main categories and 59 subcategories and the relationships between them. These factors include 1) reflection to govern the urban planning mechanism, 2) significant urban planning policies, 3) improvement of the approach applied to develop urban development plans, 4) modification of the contents of urban development plans, 5) public demand, 6) types of urban planning system, 7) national laws protecting the rights of various social groups, 8) law enforcement, 9) citizens’ cultural and social characteristics, 10) financial strength of municipalities, 11) organizational structure of the authority implementing the plans, 12) inter-organizational coordination, 13) education of urban planning students, 14) the knowledge and experience of the producers of urban development plans, 15) city council approvals, 16) needs assessment, 17) improvement of the quality of the urban environment/diversity-oriented urban environment. In the next step, we selected the category of applying and realizing the diversity-oriented approach from the open coding stage, placed it at the center of the process studied as the central phenomenon, and then related the other categories to it. These categories include causal conditions, strategies, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, and consequences. Next, a diagram called the coding pattern was drawn, which illustrates the relationships between causal conditions, strategies, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, and consequences. In the following step, we developed a theory of the relationships between categories in the axial coding pattern. This theory provides an abstract description of the process examined in this study, namely the application and realization of the diversity-oriented urban planning approach.
Conclusion
The results demonstrate that a wide range of intellectual, procedural, instrumental, organizational, legal, financial, educational, and socio-cultural infrastructures effectively realize this approach. Identification and explanation of these factors can guide the future decisions and practices of Iran’s urban planning authorities to help recognize diverse social groups, respond to their different needs in the city, and address discrimination in urban planning practices.
Acknowledgment
This article has been extracted from the first author’s doctoral dissertation, entitled Developing a Conceptual Model of the Diversity-Oriented Urban Planning Approach: Case study of Rasht, defended at the Art University of Isfahan under the supervision of the second and third authors.