environmental psychology
nasrin mohammadi; Rouhollah Rahimi; Vahid Vaziri
Abstract
Rapid urban changes and the uncontrolled growth of urban development have led to a decline in citizens' connection to urban spaces and a reduced sense of place attachment. This phenomenon is particularly evident in many historic cities with unique cultural identities. However, contemporary urban ...
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Rapid urban changes and the uncontrolled growth of urban development have led to a decline in citizens' connection to urban spaces and a reduced sense of place attachment. This phenomenon is particularly evident in many historic cities with unique cultural identities. However, contemporary urban planning has rarely addressed the emotional bond between citizens and their surroundings. Imam Khomeini Street in Ardabil, as a historic urban space, exemplifies a location that requires redefining the components of place attachment and strengthening its role in fostering social connections among citizens. This study aims to identify and prioritize the factors enhancing the sense of attachment in behavioral settings based on citizens' mental maps in urban spaces. The research employed a mixed-method approach, including structural equation modeling (SEM) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP), alongside qualitative and quantitative analyses to achieve this goal. Data were collected through surveys and interviews with 384 citizens and 15 experts in architecture and urban planning. The findings from factor analysis revealed that the components of behavioral settings fall into three main categories: preserving identity and increasing place attachment, enhancing place attachment and urban space legibility through functional uses and iconic structures, and improving the mental image of urban facades. According to the results, the criterion of enhancing place attachment and urban space legibility through functional uses and iconic structures had the most significant impact on citizens' mental maps. These results suggest that paying attention to the historical, identity-based, and cultural characteristics of the study site, along with creating unique spaces through appropriate design patterns and addressing citizens' needs, can help increase the sense of place attachment in urban spaces. Strategies related to the visual and functional qualities of spaces, understanding citizens' desires, and situating appropriate functions in suitable locations were found to have the greatest influence on fostering place attachment among citizens. These strategies, emphasizing the identity-based and cultural attributes within the spatial framework, can significantly enhance citizens' experiences of urban spaces. By providing an analytical framework for prioritizing the components of place attachment in urban spaces, this research can assist urban planners and designers in considering citizens' preferences and improving urban spaces based on the real needs of residents.
environmental psychology
alireza khadivipanah; islam karami
Abstract
Highlights:A significant relationship between privacy variable and residential quality.The effect of the type of building complexes on the amount of privacy and quality of residenceThe proper construction condition of the tower compared to the surrounding, scattered and linear species in terms of privacy ...
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Highlights:A significant relationship between privacy variable and residential quality.The effect of the type of building complexes on the amount of privacy and quality of residenceThe proper construction condition of the tower compared to the surrounding, scattered and linear species in terms of privacy and quality of residence.Impact of ownership status and gender on the quality of residence and privacy.Correlation between the quality of residence variable and the sense of belonging to the place. IntroductionWith rising urban populations and migration to major cities, there is a growing demand for apartment living, often with little attention to psychological and social needs. Political, economic, and social pressures affect both construction patterns and human behavior, leading to residential environments where quantity is often prioritized over quality. The primary hypothesis of this research is that privacy (the independent variable) plays a vital role in enhancing residence quality (the dependent variable). The lack of privacy considerations has resulted in social isolation, diminished human values, and a decline in social and ecological qualities within residential complexes. This points to a critical need for research on how privacy can improve living quality and foster community in densely populated urban areas.The study focuses on Mashhad, where the preservation of privacy and social interaction—especially in religious contexts—is essential. It aims to investigate how privacy in modern residential complexes can create a favorable living environment, enhance social interactions, and promote a strong sense of belonging.Theoretical FrameworkEnsuring privacy within residential complexes not only increases security but also facilitates neighborly interactions. In Western studies, privacy is often associated with personal space and territoriality, framed within the context of security and individual rights. In this research, privacy encompasses both physical and social dimensions, affecting residents’ satisfaction and well-being. Creating personal spaces and controlling spatial boundaries provides individuals with a sense of autonomy, though privacy needs vary across cultures.Adhering to privacy principles can enhance the physical and social dimensions of a residence, ultimately contributing to a better quality of life. Privacy thus emerges as a key social and psychological component of residential design; when effectively integrated, it strengthens social bonds, fosters communication, and improves residents’ quality of life.MethodologyThis study employs an operational research model based on indicators of privacy and residence quality. Privacy is analyzed through individual-social, moral-belief, and behavioral-functional dimensions, while residence quality is assessed in terms of perceptual-emotional, physical-functional, and social-activity factors. To ensure validity, the questionnaire was reviewed by 25 experts, and reliability was tested on a sample of 40 individuals from the target population.Data analysis was performed using regression and path analysis through SPSS software. The statistical population consisted of residents from four residential complexes in Mashhad, each representing a distinct architectural type: Venus (centralized), Farhangian (scattered), Pars (peripheral), and Zanbag (linear). The sample size for each complex type was determined using the Cochran formula.Results and DiscussionThe findings indicate a significant relationship between the physical-functional aspect of residence quality and privacy. Furthermore, privacy and residence quality are positively correlated across all complexes, with varying levels of impact depending on the architectural configuration.Gender differences significantly influence perceptions of privacy and residence quality, with male and female residents exhibiting distinct privacy expectations. The study also highlights the importance of individual-social privacy, which strengthens community bonds and enhances a sense of belonging. A notable correlation was found between the perceptual-emotional dimension of residence quality and the behavioral-functional component of privacy.Among the complex types, linear designs showed the lowest levels of physical and functional quality. Privacy in these complexes is often compromised due to inadequately placed entrances, insufficient natural screening, and poor spatial hierarchies. Conversely, scattered and centralized designs generally foster better privacy, contributing to higher levels of resident satisfaction.ConclusionThe study underscores the importance of privacy in enhancing residence quality in residential complexes. It suggests that privacy should be considered a form of social capital, particularly in cultural and religious settings. Privacy and residence quality are positively correlated, indicating that privacy-sensitive architectural strategies can enhance the social, physical, and functional dimensions of residence.When privacy considerations are well integrated, residents experience greater physical and social satisfaction. The solitary configuration emerged as the most favorable in terms of privacy and residence quality. However, linear complexes frequently fail to meet privacy needs due to issues such as open spatial arrangements, lack of controlled entry, and minimal natural screening. These findings suggest that residential design should prioritize privacy-sensitive transitions from public to private spaces, incorporate adequate vegetation, and maintain controlled entry points to create a balanced, high-quality living environment.
environmental psychology
Mohammad Hasan Yazdani; abolfazl abdolahi fard; shiva velayati; samira saeidi zarangi
Abstract
Highlights- Beautification of the urban space using public art improves the quality of life.- It removes defects and eliminates visual disturbances and urban landscape.- Public arts bring vitality and health to women, who make up half of the society.IntroductionArt has always had a rational and improving ...
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Highlights- Beautification of the urban space using public art improves the quality of life.- It removes defects and eliminates visual disturbances and urban landscape.- Public arts bring vitality and health to women, who make up half of the society.IntroductionArt has always had a rational and improving function in human societies as one of the important pillars of education and training. A skilled artist can control many social anomalies and lead the society to a desirable and bright life. The perception of beauty is one of the human needs that the citizens in the city seek (Moeinifar, 2012:21). Today, cities have become places for doing repetitive activities and the machine life of citizens. In this regard, it is necessary to strengthen the points that have value in terms of urban facilities in the urban design for the benefit of the people, and also the factors and forces required for the entry and stopping of people in the space. Therefore, public art can be used to beautify and improve the visual quality of the city of Ardabil, eliminate architectural problems, beautify, optimize the urban environment and improve the quality of life of the city and its citizens, especially urban women.Theoretical FrameworkTo define public art, two words "art" and "public" should be discussed. The term public art has a very broad meaning and includes everything from urban sculptures to subway graffiti, but is often used as a collective term to cover any art that is not shown in official galleries or museums. Meanwhile, proper planning and special attention to women can be an important factor in urban development; Therefore, the active participation of women in the preparation and implementation of urban plans, laying the groundwork for the greater presence of women in urban spaces, improving the security of public spaces, paying attention to the protection of places where women are more present, the ability to increase visibility, openness and ease of access, increasing the strength of the transportation system at night is one of the things that can play a favorable role in creating suitable urban spaces for women. Joy and happiness are one of the most important human needs that prepare them to face the complexities and problems of today's world. Although many people believe that this art is internal and the person himself should create happiness in his life, but since the city space establishes the most connection with people and the living environment,MethodologyThe current research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. According to the nature of the study, the method of data collection is a survey and a library using a questionnaire with the women of Ardabil city. Cronbach's alpha was used to confirm the validity of the questionnaire, considering that little research has been done in this field, according to professors and specialists, and to check the reliability of the questionnaire. The total alpha coefficient was equal to (.906), which shows the high reliability of the questionnaire. The statistical population in the current research is women (experts and non-experts in art and architecture) in Ardabil who are between 20-35 years old (57,913). To estimate the sample size, Cochran's formula was used, and the number of 381 samples was estimated, of which 185 healthy questionnaires were distributed and completed among the statistical population by a simple random method. In this research, the questionnaire measures the research variables, which consists of 41 questions, divided into two sections, public arts and interactive arts, and one image from each type of art, similar to what was shown in the introduction section of public arts, was selected and An online questionnaire format, in which the participants were asked to express the level of joy they felt after watching that artwork in urban spaces according to the 5-point Likert scale, was designed and sent to the target community through virtual space applications. It should be noted that the questions were evaluated through a 5-option Likert scale. In order to analyze the data in the descriptive statistics section, Excel, Spss software and for inferential statistics in which the relationships between variables are examined based on the purpose of the research, the statistical test with inclusion (one-sample T) was used.Results and DiscussionTo investigate the impact of public art on the perceived vitality of women in Ardabil city and to answer the research question of which type of public art has a greater impact on improving the perceived vitality of women in urban spaces, a one-sample t-test was used.The results of the single-sample t-test showed that abstract art had the highest average score (4.71), followed by the vitality created by this item (4.60), and the desire to create abstract art in the urban space from the point of view of women (4.63). This means that abstract art was the most popular type of public art among the women surveyed.In the next ranks, art embedded in space and applied art had an average score of (4.25), followed by art appropriate to the site and natural environment with an average score of (4.18), artistry (sculptures of celebrities) with an average score of (4.16), and finally the musical fountain with an average score of (4.03).These results suggest that women in Ardabil city perceive abstract art as the most vitalizing type of public art. This may be because abstract art is open to interpretation and can be seen in many different ways, which allows women to connect with it on a personal level. Additionally, abstract art can be seen as a form of escapism, which can be appealing to women who are looking for a way to relax and de-stress.ConclusionThe city of Ardabil has a lot of potential to create public art that is both visually appealing and revitalizing for women. However, the current state of public art in the city is lacking. There are only a small number of famous statues and some examples of murals and lighting. This is a missed opportunity to create a more vibrant and inviting urban environment for women. The managers and planners of the municipality and related bodies should pay more attention to the vitality and vitality of not only the women of the city of Ardabil, but also all sections of the society. They should commission more public art that is designed to appeal to women and other marginalized groups. This would help to create a more inclusive and equitable urban environment for everyone.In addition to commissioning more public art, the municipality should also take steps to improve the security of public spaces. This would make women feel more comfortable and safe in the city, which would encourage them to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the public art. By taking these steps, the municipality can create a more vibrant and inviting urban environment for women and all residents of Ardabil city.
