Regeneration and revival of historical context
Reza Alishahi; Najma Esmailpoor
Abstract
Urban regeneration, despite the past decade’s consideration in Iran, has rarely been investigated comprehensively. Accordingly, this study examines the synthesis of the dimensions and components of urban regeneration in scientific research publications on urban planning during the 1390s and researchers' ...
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Urban regeneration, despite the past decade’s consideration in Iran, has rarely been investigated comprehensively. Accordingly, this study examines the synthesis of the dimensions and components of urban regeneration in scientific research publications on urban planning during the 1390s and researchers' attitudes towards it. This paper was conducted with a qualitative approach and the inductive reasoning method in three phases. The desk study method was used in order to extract the components and dimensions of urban regeneration. Afterward, related dimensions and components were identified and verified through the application of the content validity index in accordance with expert opinions. A systematic review was conducted in the second phase to select articles regarding urban regeneration. The content of these articles was analyzed using MaxQDA2020 and VOSviewer software. Finally, a Conceptual model was developed. As a result of the findings, the dimensions of society, economy, and culture, as well as the components of social participation, city and neighborhood economies, and cultural heritage, have received the greatest amount of attention and participation in the synthesis of urban regeneration research. However, the dimensions of environment, management, and law, as well as the components of laws and regulations and environmental pollutants, have received the least attention. According to the findings of the research, in the 1390's, two approaches of economic application of cultural heritage for the purpose of economic prosperity with the ultimate goal of social prosperity in the inefficient areas of the cities and taking advantage of the social potential of the urban areas in order to conduct urban regeneration received the most attention. Thus, a balanced approach should be adopted in order to increase the productivity of research by incorporating both new perspectives, such as paying attention to the capability of urban events as a concept linked to both. Aligning Iran's urban regeneration policies with theories like the Eventful Cities, and Iranshahr can enhance development success. This approach revitalizes urban spaces while preserving cultural and historical aspects, contributing to sustainable development and heritage preservation.
Regeneration and revival of historical context
Golbarg Ghaemmaghami Farahani; Hooman Ghahremani; Hossein Bahrainy
Abstract
Despite the numerous development plans formulated in Iran with the aim of enhancing place qualities so far, the assessment process of such qualities has remained rather expert-oriented, following a top-down approach. This has made for a growing disparity between actual users’ expectations and priorities ...
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Despite the numerous development plans formulated in Iran with the aim of enhancing place qualities so far, the assessment process of such qualities has remained rather expert-oriented, following a top-down approach. This has made for a growing disparity between actual users’ expectations and priorities discerned by professionals and executive managers. This gap manifests itself in a multitude of forms, such as the outward migration of residents and urban fabric gentrification. Abkooh is among Mashhad's oldest neighborhoods -with a history dating back to 400 years ago- that has failed to reclaim its place qualities in the contemporary urban context despite having undergone three development plans since 2006. The present study investigates the need to assess place qualities in deteriorated urban areas and proceeds to explore the distinctions between top-down and bottom-up assessment approaches in these areas. The present work endeavors to explore the theoretical approach to place quality through secondary research and qualitative content analysis using MAXQDA2018. Secondly, as the focal point of the current study, a phenomenological approach along with a combination of first-person and existentialist phenomenological techniques has been used to explore the nature of place quality in the Abkooh neighborhood and evaluate it. The results revealed that the quality of place in deteriorated urban areas can be examined in five perceptual-semantic, physical, socio-economic, functional, and environmental dimensions; However, in the Abkooh neighborhood of Mashhad, due to the distinct legal conditions, especially in the issue of land ownership, the legal-management dimension is one of the priorities affecting the improvement of the quality of the place; In addition, our results suggested a different prioritization of these dimensions across the Abkooh phenomenon and theoretical findings. By comparing the phenomenological results with the currently-implemented model of place quality assessment indicated in the latest approved plan entitled “Abkooh Neighborhood Quality of Urban Life Improvement Plan", it has been determined that the plan prepared for the mentioned neighborhood with a top-down evaluation approach has not been able to assess all the place qualities. Considering the different challenges of inefficient urban contexts, which in each case are affected by the existing context, results revealed that relying solely on theoretical studies and focusing on the priorities set by authorities would not yield a favorable level of place quality improvement and place-making in deteriorated urban areas and bottom-up approaches such as phenomenology are revealed to be crucial to evaluating the quality of the place.
Regeneration and revival of historical context
maryam hematian dehkordi; Afsoon mahdavi; mohammad reza iravani
Abstract
Highlights:
Urban regeneration stands at the intersection of diverse urban policies, representing a pivotal strategic choice in advancing global urban development.
Non-physical elements, embodied in the form of social capital, can serve as both a tool and a catalyst for a renovation that is not only ...
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Highlights:
Urban regeneration stands at the intersection of diverse urban policies, representing a pivotal strategic choice in advancing global urban development.
Non-physical elements, embodied in the form of social capital, can serve as both a tool and a catalyst for a renovation that is not only more desirable but also widely accepted within the context of residents.
The influential factors contributing to the development of local community culture, encompassing semantic, physical, functional, and social dimensions, play a pivotal role in empowering residents, fostering trust, strengthening their sense of belonging, and ultimately ensuring the feasibility of urban regeneration in the central core of Shahrekord.
Introduction:
Urban regeneration, situated at the intersection of urban policies, represents a crucial strategic avenue for advancing global urban development. Analysis of the evolving trends in urban regeneration experiences underscores that success within urban areas hinges not solely on physical enhancements but also on social dimensions where residents actively participate in the regeneration process. This research aims to establish criteria for the feasibility of urban regeneration, with a specific focus on fostering the development of local community culture.
The findings of the research, particularly in the context of Shahrekord, highlight that the cultivation of local community culture in the central core translates into enhanced control over the living environment and its content. Consequently, this socio-economic transformation contributes to an improved Quality of Life (QoL). The four pivotal criteria—structure (encompassing both natural and artificial dimensions), meaning (in terms of identity, authenticity, and motivational role), activity (spanning economic, social, and cultural aspects), and social factors (such as cultural needs, trust, and hope)—emerge as influential elements shaping the development of local community culture in the context of urban regeneration.
Thus, a comprehensive approach is imperative, taking into account all cultural, economic, functional, and spatial components of the plan, as cultural elements and their indicators manifest across all the aforementioned dimensions.
Theoretical Framework:
Contrary to traditional approaches that focus solely on physical perspectives, this research recognizes the significance of metaphysical components—social assets, tools, and motivators—in achieving a more desirable and acceptable urban revitalization. The study challenges the one-dimensional (physical) approach prevalent in many Iranian urban regeneration efforts, emphasizing the need to involve residents in decision-making processes. In Shahrekord, the lack of coordination among organizations, neglect of residents' opinions, and indifference toward human structures have led to a spectrum of problems in the central core. The study aims to introduce and examine feasibility criteria for urban regeneration by investigating components influencing the development of local community culture, thereby leveraging the institutional capacity of the local culture sector for socio-political and socio-economic growth.
Methodology:
Ethnography, a qualitative approach delving into the social processes and mental nature of human life, serves as the research method for field studies. The study area, the central core of Shahrekord city, is characterized by shared behavioral, cognitive, and speech paradigms among local residents. Sixteen individuals from the local community were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Ethnography allowed the researcher to understand shared patterns within the group. Themes/categories derived from previous research formed the basis for interview questions. The study population consisted of inhabitants in the central core, and themes were continuously revised and finalized through consistent comparison, resulting in ultimate concepts and themes.
Conclusion:
This paper explores the feasibility criteria for urban regeneration, emphasizing the development of local community culture in Shahrekord's central core. Urban regeneration, a multifaceted process, encompasses diverse strategies and planning policies. The research sheds light on interventions in Shahrekord, particularly the central core, highlighting deficiencies in residents' participation and urban regeneration education. The lack of trust between residents and the city management system, coupled with the absence of trust in residents' decision-making capabilities, impedes meaningful engagement. The research emphasizes the need for residents' participation in shaping their living environment, connecting it to residence and employment, which provide meaning to livelihood. Social and communicative participation, along with cultural mediation, enhances social ties, meets various human needs, and improves quality of life (QoL) and welfare. The development of local community culture in the central core enhances control over the living environment, leading to socioeconomic transformation and an elevated QoL. The identified criteria—structure, meaning, activity, and social factors—emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach, considering cultural, economic, functional, and spatial components for successful urban regeneration.
