Urban Sociology
Mohammad Reza Zamiri; mahin nastaran; Mahmoud Ghalehnoee
Abstract
Assessment and evaluation of socio-spatial segregation has found a prominent position in urban and social studies after the improvement of computational tools. Bojnord was chosen as the capital of North Khorasan province after the division of Khorasan province in 2003 and in recent years, has experienced ...
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Assessment and evaluation of socio-spatial segregation has found a prominent position in urban and social studies after the improvement of computational tools. Bojnord was chosen as the capital of North Khorasan province after the division of Khorasan province in 2003 and in recent years, has experienced rapid and unexpected growth and expansion so that its population and area have doubled and tripled respectively. In this way, the form and manner of population distribution, especially the families that have entered the Bojnord urban space after extensive migration in these years, is more important and necessary in relation to the ethnic and cultural diversity and plurality existing in the city of Bojnord.
This research is of applied type and based on descriptive and analytical research method, and it was conducted with the aim of evaluating and explaining the situation and process of residential segregation of ethnic groups at the neighborhood level of Bojnord. In this research, using the statistical data of the population of Bojnord urban neighborhoods, to calculate and measure indicators indicating different dimensions of residential segregation between ethnic groups in the years after the establishment of Khorasan province. For this purpose, the collected data were analyzed with the help of Geo-Segregation Analyzer and ArcGIS software with the aim of measuring and analyzing two-group and multi-group indicators and concentration and clustering indicators (entropy and Moran's local coefficient I). Their output is presented in the form of maps and tables.
The analysis and explanation of the findings of the research show that in the years after the promotion of Bojnord to the capital of North Khorasan province, various indicators of residential segregation among ethnicities living in Bojnord are growing and it has been intensifying. Especially regarding the Turkmen ethnic group, the trend of growth and intensification of the aforementioned indicators is such that if it continues, it can lead to a complete separatist crisis in the Turkmen-inhabited neighborhoods of Bojnord.
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.
