Urban Design
Esmat Paikan; Sajedeh Sedaghat
Abstract
In many Iranian cities, the quantitative growth of outdoor advertising has been accompanied by a decline in visual environmental quality; yet how citizens actually experience this condition — in real space and in real time — remains unstudied. Shams-Abadi Street in Isfahan, with its distinctive medical-commercial ...
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In many Iranian cities, the quantitative growth of outdoor advertising has been accompanied by a decline in visual environmental quality; yet how citizens actually experience this condition — in real space and in real time — remains unstudied. Shams-Abadi Street in Isfahan, with its distinctive medical-commercial identity and location within the city's UNESCO-listed historic fabric, presents a case in which accumulated billboards, banners and murals stand in apparent conflict with the area's cultural-historical character. This paper investigates the lived experience of citizens encountering outdoor advertising on this street and asks: what layers of experience emerge in this encounter, and what factors shape the relationship between visual stimulus and citizen response?
A qualitative, multi-method design was adopted. The primary data-collection instrument was the go-along interview (Kusenbach, 2003), which places the researcher alongside the participant in the real environment so that lived experience can be captured in situ. Twenty participants (11 male, 9 female; aged 20–60) were recruited through purposive sampling and accompanied along an 800-metre fixed route. Data were analysed through three complementary layers using methodological triangulation: reflexive thematic analysis of interview transcripts (Braun & Clarke, 2006), thematic analysis of 113 behavioural incidents recorded during walks, and systematic visual coding of 20 purposively selected advertising images across 16 variables.
Three overarching themes emerged from the interview layer: a quantity-quality contradiction leading to perceptual saturation; a sharp gap between the street's historical-cultural identity and the content of its advertising; and the dominance of negative affect (70 codes) over positive (53 codes). The key finding from the incident layer was that 41.8% of all recorded reactions (208 instances) took the form of spontaneous unprompted discourse — not message processing. Visual analysis documented critically low design quality (mean 1.95/5) and historical contextual fit (mean 1.90/5). Based on triangulation across the three data layers, the Multi-Layer Lived Experience model (MLLE) is proposed, demonstrating that lived experience operates simultaneously across embodied, affective-cognitive, and semantic-identity levels. The study introduces cultural affordance as an extension of Gibson's theory in historically rich urban settings, and identifies 'advertising as urban discourse trigger' as a previously undocumented fourth function of outdoor advertising.
Urban Design
mahsa sholeh; Aida Afshari
Abstract
Multisensory perception of urban spaces, particularly the role of non-visual senses such as olfaction, remains an underexplored area within urban studies. The present study aims to conduct a systematic analysis of smellscape perception in the historic Vakil Bazaar of Shiraz and to elucidate its role ...
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Multisensory perception of urban spaces, particularly the role of non-visual senses such as olfaction, remains an underexplored area within urban studies. The present study aims to conduct a systematic analysis of smellscape perception in the historic Vakil Bazaar of Shiraz and to elucidate its role in shaping users' sensory experience. Grounded in the theoretical framework of smellscape and adopting a mixed-method approach, this research seeks to address the following questions: How is the smellscape perceived within this bazaar? Which odor sources exert the most significant influence on user experience? And what relationships exist among olfactory perception, subjective perception, and overall spatial perception?
The research employs a descriptive-analytical methodology based on field data collection. The identification and classification of dominant odors within the study area were carried out using the novel scent-walk technique. Perceptual data were gathered through structured questionnaires administered to a randomly selected sample of 120 space users. Key indicators assessed included odor intensity, pleasantness, spatial extent of diffusion, and odor harmony. Data analysis was performed using correlation tests in SPSS software.
The findings reveal that odors associated with traditional land uses—particularly herbal medicine shops (attari) and carpet workshops—exert the greatest impact on users' olfactory perception and function as identity-defining elements of the space. In contrast, odors emanating from newer commercial uses exhibit significantly lower levels of pleasantness and harmonic integration. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation was observed among olfactory perception indicators, subjective perception, and overall spatial perception. The study concludes that acknowledging smellscape as an integral component of urban intangible heritage can effectively contribute to enhancing the experiential quality of historic spaces and strengthening the sense of place.
Urban Design
Azin Ahmadi; Yaser Goldust; Vida Makani
Abstract
With the expansion of apartment living and increasing residential density, attention to the quality of sociable spaces in residential complexes has emerged as a major concern in environmental design and management. Various studies have been conducted over the years to identify the factors affecting sociability ...
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With the expansion of apartment living and increasing residential density, attention to the quality of sociable spaces in residential complexes has emerged as a major concern in environmental design and management. Various studies have been conducted over the years to identify the factors affecting sociability in residential complexes design. However, owing to the context-specific nature of this concept, considerable diversity in perspectives and a lack of consensus among researchers remain evident. Accordingly, the present study seeks to address this knowledge gap and converge the fragmented findings of the existing literature by developing a classified list of the factors affecting sociability in residential complex design. In terms of its nature, this study falls within the category of qualitative research and adopts a meta-synthesis approach. The research population comprised Persian-language studies published in the National Publications Database between 2011 and 2025. The screening process was conducted sequentially at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Of the 88 studies initially identified, 45 studies were ultimately included in the coding stage following screening, application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessment. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings indicated that, following the integration of semantically similar items and the removal of redundancies, the factors affecting sociability could be formulated into 21 concepts, which were organized into eight categories: legibility, social presence, conviviality, diversity, user health, facilities, aesthetic, and sense of place attachment. By converging the fragmented findings of previous studies, the results of this research can provide a useful basis for researchers, designers, and housing policymakers in decision-making related to the design of sociable spaces in residential complexes.
Urban Design
Monib Talebi; Nina Ghaslani; Atoosa Hassani; Mehrdad Yousefzamani
Abstract
Highlights
In Sanandaj Traditional Bazaar, the shop window is experienced simultaneously as a functional solution and a disruptive element in the lived experience of the market.
By reducing dust, improving order, protecting goods, and facilitating maintenance, shop windows respond to some of the ...
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Highlights
In Sanandaj Traditional Bazaar, the shop window is experienced simultaneously as a functional solution and a disruptive element in the lived experience of the market.
By reducing dust, improving order, protecting goods, and facilitating maintenance, shop windows respond to some of the practical needs of shopkeepers.
The installation of shop windows transforms the fluid threshold between the shop and the passage into a rigid boundary, weakening direct interaction among customers, goods, and shopkeepers.
Shop windows reduce the bodily presence of shopkeepers at the shopfront and, consequently, weaken informal surveillance and the sense of social security within the bazaar.
By limiting touch, smell, and close engagement with goods, shop windows diminish the multisensory quality of the bazaar.
The shop-window-based model is not fully compatible with the occupational structure and social composition of users in Sanandaj Traditional Bazaar.
Introduction
Traditional bazaars in Iranian cities are not merely infrastructures for everyday commodity exchange; they are complex lifeworlds shaped by social relations, collective memory, and multisensory experiences. In recent decades, the gradual introduction of modern retail elements—especially glass shop windows—has posed new challenges to the spatial and social logic of these historic environments. While shop windows are commonly associated with cleanliness, order, security, and visual attraction in modern retail settings, their insertion into traditional bazaars may alter the ways in which people perceive, use, and inhabit these spaces.
The traditional bazaar of Sanandaj represents a distinctive case in this regard. In this bazaar, the extension of goods into the passageway has long created a fluid threshold between the shop and the public path. This threshold is not simply a physical edge but a lived spatial condition in which movement, bodily presence, negotiation, sensory contact, and everyday sociability are intertwined. The emergence of glass shop windows, therefore, is not only a technical change in the mode of display but also a transformation in the lived experience of the bazaar.
Theoretical Framework
The study is grounded in hermeneutic phenomenology, particularly inspired by Gadamer’s interpretive approach. From this perspective, space is not understood merely as a physical container or functional arrangement but as a horizon of lived experience constituted through bodily presence, perception, movement, memory, and interpretation. Traditional bazaars, therefore, are approached as lived worlds in which architectural form, everyday practices, and sensory experience are deeply intertwined.
Phenomenological discussions in architecture emphasize that meaning emerges through embodied engagement with space. Thinkers such as Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty have shown that the human relationship with the world is first and foremost sensory and bodily rather than purely conceptual. Within such a framework, the bazaar is not simply a setting for exchange but a multisensory milieu of seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, moving, pausing, and interacting.
The notion of the shopfront or threshold is central here. In the traditional Iranian bazaar, the boundary between the shop and the passage is fluid and negotiable. Goods extend outward, customers encounter commodities at close range, and the shopkeeper’s bodily presence at the threshold contributes to social surveillance, trust, and everyday interaction. The glass shop window transforms this fluid threshold into a more rigid, controlled, and predominantly visual boundary. Thus, the shop window is interpreted not only as a retail device but also as a spatial and social phenomenon that reconfigures the relationship between body, commodity, perception, and public space.
Methodology
This research employs a hermeneutic phenomenological method to understand and interpret the lived meanings associated with shop windows in Sanandaj Traditional Bazaar. The goal is not to measure variables quantitatively but to reveal how participants experience and make sense of the phenomenon in their everyday lives.
Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 participants, including 8 shopkeepers and 8 long-term bazaar users. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on their rich and sustained experience of the bazaar and their familiarity with both traditional and contemporary modes of commodity display. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Each interview lasted between 45 and 55 minutes, and some were conducted in two sessions to avoid participant fatigue.
In addition to interviews, field observations and systematic note-taking were undertaken. These observations focused on the arrangement of goods, the extent to which shops extended into the passageway, patterns of movement and pause, bodily responses to shops with and without shop windows, and the sensory conditions of the space, including sound, smell, and light.
After full transcription, the interview texts were read repeatedly, and meaning units were extracted. At the first stage, 278 initial themes were identified. Through iterative reading, comparison with field notes, and interpretive synthesis, these themes were organized into broader horizons of meaning. Short follow-up interviews were also conducted with some participants to clarify ambiguous points. Finally, drawing on Gadamerian hermeneutics, a fusion of horizons between the researcher and participants was achieved, resulting in a set of final themes that informed the interpretation.
Results and Discussion
The findings show that shop windows in Sanandaj Bazaar are experienced as both beneficial and problematic. On the positive side, they help protect goods from dust, improve cleanliness and order, reduce the effort required for daily display arrangements, enhance security, and, in some cases, facilitate circulation by limiting the spread of merchandise into the passageway.
However, participants also viewed shop windows as incompatible with the traditional character of the bazaar. By replacing the open and fluid threshold between the shop and the passage with a rigid glass boundary, shop windows weaken direct interaction among customers, goods, and shopkeepers. They also reduce the visible presence of shopkeepers at the shopfront, which in turn diminishes informal social surveillance and the sense of collective safety.
In addition, shop windows reduce the bazaar’s multisensory quality by limiting touch, smell, and other forms of close engagement that are important in many local trades. Participants further noted that most occupations in Sanandaj Bazaar do not structurally require shop windows and that their use often reflects imported modern retail models rather than local needs. Finally, shop windows were perceived as socially out of place, as they introduce a sense of formality and luxury that may alienate many of the bazaar’s regular users, particularly villagers, low-income groups, and older people.
Conclusion
This study shows that the introduction of shop windows into Sanandaj Traditional Bazaar is not simply an architectural modification but a transformation with spatial, sensory, and social consequences. Although shop windows offer practical benefits, such as reducing dust, protecting goods, and easing some of the everyday burdens of shopkeeping, they also disrupt key qualities of the traditional bazaar. They formalize the threshold between the shop and the passage, reduce the bodily presence of shopkeepers, weaken natural surveillance, limit multisensory engagement, and conflict with both the occupational structure and the social composition of the bazaar.
The findings suggest that modernization policies in historic bazaars should avoid one-size-fits-all, shop-window-centered approaches. Instead, interventions should be context-sensitive and grounded in the lived experiences of users. Three considerations are especially important: first, the mode of display should be compatible with the sensory and functional requirements of each trade; second, the living threshold between the shop and the passage should be preserved and reinterpreted rather than replaced by rigid barriers; and third, the social composition and aesthetic expectations of the bazaar’s primary users should remain central to any design or policy decision.
Urban Design
parima Yami Marandi; Hassan sajadzadeh
Abstract
Highlights
This study investigates street cafés along the Enqelab Square–University of Tehran axis as urban “third places.”
Street cafés perform functions beyond commerce by fostering social interaction, psychological security, and collective identity.
Café ...
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Highlights
This study investigates street cafés along the Enqelab Square–University of Tehran axis as urban “third places.”
Street cafés perform functions beyond commerce by fostering social interaction, psychological security, and collective identity.
Café management, spatial quality, and social vitality exert the strongest influence on users’ experience.
Temporal flexibility, integration with the street, and environmental conditions emerge as the main weaknesses.
Management, spatial quality, and social interaction explain more than 70% of the perception of third place.
Major improvements include human-centered design, enhanced management, adjusted operating hours, and stronger integration with the sidewalk.
Extended Abstract
Street cafés along the Enqelab Square–University of Tehran corridor function as significant third places that enhance social interaction, sense of belonging, and urban experience. The findings indicate that café management, spatial quality, sensory experience, and social vitality have the strongest positive effects on users, whereas environmental sustainability and café–street integration remain comparatively weaker dimensions. Overall, these cafés make an important contribution to the creation of vibrant urban spaces; however, improvements in sustainability and connectivity with public space are still required.
Introduction
Urban public spaces play a vital role in supporting social interaction, shaping identity, and sustaining everyday urban life. The concept of the “third place” refers to spaces beyond home and work that facilitate informal social interaction, with cafés representing one of the most prominent examples of such environments. These spaces strengthen social capital and reinforce place attachment. Street cafés along the Enqelab–University of Tehran corridor operate as human-centered settings that promote interaction, memory, and urban vitality. Accordingly, this study examines their role in the formation of third places and explores how design, management, and micro-scale planning can enhance their social performance and improve users’ experience.
Theoretical Framework
General characteristics of the third place and the position of street cafés
The concept of the “third place,” introduced by Oldenburg, refers to informal and accessible spaces beyond home and work that support social interaction, a sense of belonging, and community cohesion. Such places help reduce loneliness and strengthen social life. In the Iranian context, they also provide opportunities for dialogue and informal engagement within urban environments. Street cafés constitute a key example of third places, where design qualities and semi-public settings encourage interaction and, in turn, improve livability, social satisfaction, and neighborhood vitality.
Street cafés as third places and spatial experience
Street cafés function as third places by offering informal and accessible environments for social interaction and the exchange of ideas. They bring together diverse social groups, thereby reinforcing social cohesion and trust, and often serve as a “second home” for regular users. Design features such as human scale, comfort, natural light, and soft boundaries encourage longer stays and richer patterns of interaction. Along the Enqelab–University of Tehran corridor, these cafés contribute to socialization and urban vitality and are assessed in this study through 13 third-place indicators.
Theoretical linkage of the third place with the views of Jacobs, Lefebvre, and Relph
The concept of the third place is theoretically grounded in the ideas of Jacobs, Lefebvre, and Relph, all of whom emphasize lively public spaces, everyday interaction, and place attachment. Third places foster social capital, identity formation, and civic participation through social, cultural, and physical dimensions. This study extends the concept by incorporating management and environmental sustainability, demonstrating that the physical, spatial, and managerial characteristics of street cafés shape users’ experiences and enhance vitality, psychological security, and sense of place along the Enqelab–University of Tehran corridor.
Figure 1. Conceptual model of the relationships among the research variables
Methodology
This applied descriptive–analytical study investigates how street cafés along the Enqelab Square–University of Tehran corridor contribute to the formation of third places. Drawing on data collected from 380 café users, together with expert opinions, the research evaluates 13 third-place indicators through questionnaires and field observations. The findings show that, owing to their accessibility, informal atmosphere, and street-edge location, these cafés function as hubs of social interaction and urban vitality. The principal contribution of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of the social, cultural, physical, managerial, and environmental factors that shape user experience and place attachment within one of Tehran’s most important cultural corridors.
Case Study Introduction
The Enqelab Square–University of Tehran corridor is one of Tehran’s most vibrant cultural and social spaces, distinguished by its large student population, cultural activities, bookstores, and numerous street cafés. Field surveys identified 42 active street cafés that serve as accessible and informal gathering places for students, artists, employees, and visitors. The corridor’s strong cultural identity, social diversity, pedestrian-friendly environment, and concentration of cafés make it an ideal case for examining the concept of the third place. These cafés contribute to urban vitality by promoting social interaction, cultural identity, sense of belonging, spatial quality, and psychological security.
Figure 1. a) Location of the study area, b) Spatial distribution of cafés within the study area, and c) Photographs of the cafés
Results and Discussion
Street cafés along the Enqelab–University of Tehran corridor function effectively as third places. The study demonstrates high reliability ( ) and reveals that café management, spatial quality, social vitality, and sense of belonging are the factors that most strongly shape user experience. Among these, management, spatial quality, and social interaction emerge as the principal predictors, explaining approximately 71% of the variation in users’ perceptions. The weaker dimensions include temporal continuity, social equality, and integration with the street. Overall, the findings support Oldenburg’s theory and indicate that cafés enhance social interaction, place attachment, and urban vitality, although improvements in design, management, and pedestrian planning remain necessary.
Conclusion
Street cafés along the Enqelab–University of Tehran corridor function as important third places that extend beyond commercial use and contribute to social interaction, psychological security, place attachment, and urban vitality. Analysis of 380 questionnaires shows that café management, spatial quality, social vitality, and sensory experience are the strongest factors shaping users’ perceptions, while temporal adaptability, street integration, and environmental quality remain weaker dimensions. Correlation and regression analyses confirm that management, spatial quality, and social interaction are the main predictors of third-place formation, explaining more than 70% of its variance. Overall, these cafés successfully support third-place functions; however, improvements in operating hours, sidewalk integration, and environmental management are still needed. Key recommendations include strengthening human-centered design, improving management quality, adjusting opening hours, and enhancing the physical connection between cafés and the street in order to reinforce their role as urban social nodes.
Acknowledgment
The authors sincerely express their appreciation to all individuals who contributed to this research through their collaboration, guidance, or support.
This study received no specific financial or institutional funding.
Urban Design
Farshad Nourian; Sajedeh Nazarimajd
Abstract
HighlightsInstagram narratives reshape the production and reproduction of collective urban memories.The study integrates collective memory theory with social media–based urban research.A systematic literature review based on the PRISMA and TCCM frameworks was conducted.The proposed Urban Memory ...
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HighlightsInstagram narratives reshape the production and reproduction of collective urban memories.The study integrates collective memory theory with social media–based urban research.A systematic literature review based on the PRISMA and TCCM frameworks was conducted.The proposed Urban Memory Cycle model explains the temporal process of memory representation.The framework contributes to urban planning, urban design, and heritage management studies. Extended AbstractIntroductionUrban spaces are dynamic arenas in which collective memories are continuously formed and reproduced through interactions among physical environments, social activities, and everyday narratives. In recent years, social media platforms, particularly Instagram, have significantly transformed the ways urban experiences are documented, circulated, and remembered. Through geotagging, visual storytelling, and user-generated narratives, Instagram has become an influential medium for shaping citizens' perceptions of urban places and collective urban identities.Despite the growing body of literature on collective memory and social media data in urban studies, there is still no integrated conceptual framework capable of explaining the temporal process through which collective memories are represented through Instagram narratives. Most previous studies have either focused on the physical and historical dimensions of memory or emphasized quantitative analyses of social media data, while the relationship among temporal interaction, spatial experience, and digital representation has remained underexplored. Therefore, this study seeks to answer the following research question:What conceptual framework can explain the representation of collective memories in urban spaces based on Instagram narratives?Theoretical FrameworkThe theoretical foundation of this study lies at the intersection of collective memory studies, urban spatial theories, and social media research. Maurice Halbwachs defined collective memory as a socially constructed process shaped within spatial and cultural contexts. Urban spaces, particularly historic public spaces, preserve and reproduce collective memories through landmarks, monuments, and shared experiences. Scholars such as Aldo Rossi emphasized the role of urban artifacts in maintaining the identity and spirit of cities.At the same time, digital platforms have transformed the mechanisms of memory production and representation. Instagram creates a visual archive of urban experiences through geotagged photographs, hashtags, captions, and user interactions. However, many previous studies have primarily focused on quantitative analyses, such as spatial clustering and network structures, while the qualitative and temporal dimensions of memory representation have received comparatively less attention.To address this gap, the study adopts temporal interaction theory, which explains the relationship between users and places through three stages: pre-experience, experience, and reflection. Based on this perspective, the article develops the conceptual model of the Urban Memory Cycle, which connects these temporal stages with three dimensions: the physical environment, activity, and meaning.MethodologyThis study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to identify and synthesize the conceptual foundations related to collective memory, Instagram narratives, and urban representation. The review process was conducted using the PRISMA framework to ensure transparency and methodological rigor.Relevant studies were collected from Scopus, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate using Persian and English keywords, including collective memory, social media, Instagram, urban space, and city. English-language studies published between 2015 and 2024 were included, whereas Persian-language studies were considered without temporal limitation because of the limited number of relevant sources. Non-scientific materials and studies unrelated to urban environments were excluded.Initially, 121 records were identified. After removing duplicate and irrelevant sources through title, abstract, and full-text screening, 28 studies were selected for the final analysis. The selected studies were then analyzed through qualitative coding and organized using the TCCM framework, including Theory, Context, Characteristics, and Methods. This approach enabled the identification of dominant theoretical trends and methodological gaps necessary for constructing the final conceptual model.Results and DiscussionThe findings reveal that previous studies have extensively examined physical dimensions, such as landmarks, monuments, historic spaces, and urban symbols, as well as social activities and visual narratives associated with collective memory. However, the integration of temporal processes and mixed qualitative–quantitative approaches remain limited.The TCCM analysis demonstrated that collective memory studies mainly emphasize historic urban spaces and place identity, whereas Instagram-based urban studies often focus on geotagged data, spatial clustering, and user interaction patterns. Only a limited number of studies have examined how digital narratives influence the formation and reproduction of collective memories over time.In response to these gaps, this article proposes the Urban Memory Cycle model. The model integrates three dimensions—the physical environment, activity, and meaning—with three temporal stages: pre-experience, experience, and reflection. During the pre-experience stage, users form expectations about places through Instagram narratives and images. During the experience stage, individuals physically interact with urban spaces while simultaneously documenting their experiences through photographs and captions. During the reflection stage, users revisit and reproduce memories by sharing and reinterpreting digital narratives.The model explains how Instagram functions as a digital archive of collective memory and how urban experiences evolve from data to narrative and from narrative to memory.ConclusionThis study proposes a conceptual framework for understanding the representation of collective memories in urban spaces through Instagram narratives. By integrating collective memory theory, place attachment studies, and social media–based urban research, the article introduces the Urban Memory Cycle model, which explains the temporal relationship among physical space, social activity, and meaning-making processes.The findings indicate that, while previous studies have addressed the physical and narrative aspects of urban memory, limited attention has been paid to the temporal and process-oriented dimensions of memory reproduction in digital environments. The proposed framework contributes theoretically by bridging collective memory studies with data-driven urban research and contributes practically by providing a conceptual basis for urban planning, public space design, and heritage management.Future studies may empirically test the proposed model through case studies and comparative analyses across multiple social media platforms.AcknowledgmentThis article is derived from the Master’s thesis of the second author conducted at the School of Urban Planning, University of Tehran, under the supervision of the first author.
Urban Design
mehrdad hedayatian; Alireza Einifar
Abstract
HighlightsThe concepts of presence, sociability, and environmental quality often overlap and lack clear conceptual boundaries in domestic urban studies.Recent theoretical shifts regard urban space not as a passive backdrop, but as an active agent in shaping social interactions.Canter’s place model ...
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HighlightsThe concepts of presence, sociability, and environmental quality often overlap and lack clear conceptual boundaries in domestic urban studies.Recent theoretical shifts regard urban space not as a passive backdrop, but as an active agent in shaping social interactions.Canter’s place model is integrated with key dimensions of social interaction in urban open spaces.Presence, sociability, and environmental quality each align most strongly with one of the spatial, behavioral, or perceptual dimensions.Sustainable social interaction requires balanced integration of presence, sociability, and environmental quality in urban design. IntroductionUrban open spaces constitute vital arenas for everyday social life, enabling a wide range of encounters, collective practices, and cultural expressions. However, the conceptualization of the mechanisms through which these spaces facilitate social interactions remains fragmented. Among the most frequently invoked but ambiguously defined concepts are presence, sociability, and environmental quality. While often mentioned in research, these constructs are applied inconsistently, with overlapping meanings and unclear boundaries.This study aims to clarify their conceptual positions and interrelations by constructing an analytical framework grounded in Canter’s theory of place. Through a qualitative meta-synthesis of 373 domestic articles, supplemented by insights from international scholarship, the research develops a five-component model of social interactions in urban open spaces. The goal is to contribute a theoretically informed and practically applicable framework that can guide urban designers, planners, and policymakers toward creating spaces that are both socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Theoretical FrameworkEvolution of Theories on Social Interaction in Urban Open SpacesThe relationship between space and social interaction has been theorized through several distinct phases:Classical and Structuralist Theories (pre-1960s): These approaches treated space as a passive container, with social interactions determined largely by societal structures, hierarchies, and institutions rather than spatial form.Human-Centered and Experiential Approaches (1960s–1980s): Inspired by Jane Jacobs and others, this perspective emphasized urban space as an active setting for lived experience, spontaneous encounters, and informal social life.Spatial and Quantitative Approaches (1980s–2000s): Analytical methods such as Space Syntax highlighted the relationship between spatial configuration and behavioral patterns, focusing on how design and layout influence movement and interaction.Contextual and Participatory Approaches (2000s–present): Recent theories integrate notions of spatial justice, sustainability, digital technology, and community agency, reflecting a multi-layered and dynamic understanding of urban interactions.Components of Social Interactions in Open SpacesBased on theoretical and empirical studies, five overarching components shape social interactions in urban open spaces:Spatial–EnvironmentalBehavioral–ActivityPerceptual–PsychologicalContextual–CulturalTechnological–DigitalInterpretation via Canter’s Place Model: This study aligns three primary components with Canter’s model of place:The spatial–environmental dimension corresponds to form;The behavioral–activity dimension relates to spatial actions;The perceptual–psychological dimension aligns with meaning.Contextual–cultural and technological–digital dimensions are treated as moderating factors, influencing the intensity and quality of interactions. The final model conceptualizes social interaction as a triad of form–activity–meaning, surrounded by cultural and technological mediators. This holistic perspective allows for a deeper explanation of how urban open spaces foster social life. MethodologyThe research adopts a qualitative, fundamental–descriptive approach, employing the meta-synthesis method based on Sandelowski and Barroso’s (2006) seven-step model.Data Collection: An initial pool of 687 domestic articles was identified. After applying PRISMA-based inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles were selected for detailed analysis.Analysis Tool: MAXQDA software was used to code, categorize, and interpret findings.Key Gap: Domestic literature often uses presence, sociability, and environmental quality without systematic differentiation, leading to conceptual ambiguity.The analysis demonstrates that each of the three core concepts is structured around the three main dimensions (physical–environmental, activity–behavioral, and perceptual–psychological), supported by seven sub-dimensions. Importantly, each concept exhibits a dominant orientation:Presence → Physical–EnvironmentalSociability → Activity–BehavioralEnvironmental Quality → Perceptual–Psychological Results and DiscussionPresence: Presence reflects the capacity of a space to attract and retain users. It is strongly associated with the physical–environmental dimension, including amenities, accessibility, and spatial organization. Yet, mere physical occupation does not guarantee meaningful interaction; it is a prerequisite rather than a sufficient condition.Sociability: Sociability corresponds to the activity–behavioral dimension, emphasizing participatory environments, collective events, and opportunities for face-to-face engagement. This highlights the role of programming and design for activity in enabling vibrant urban life.Environmental Quality: Closely tied to the perceptual–psychological dimension, environmental quality involves users’ perceptions of safety, comfort, attractiveness, and belonging. These subjective evaluations strongly influence whether individuals choose to linger, engage, or avoid a space.Together, these findings underscore that social interaction is a multidimensional phenomenon, shaped by an interplay of physical, behavioral, and perceptual elements. Recognizing the distinct but complementary orientations of presence, sociability, and environmental quality provides a theoretical foundation for integrated urban design strategies. ConclusionThe proposed conceptual framework clarifies the overlapping domains of presence, sociability, and environmental quality while situating them within a multidimensional model of social interaction in urban open spaces.Key conclusions include:Each concept exerts a distinct influence on social interactions, yet they are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.Presence functions as a prerequisite, enabled by spatial accessibility and environmental amenities.Sociability is enhanced through participatory programming, collective activities, and inclusive design.Environmental Quality shapes users’ psychological perceptions and willingness to remain, creating conditions conducive to interaction.Sustainable social interaction requires balanced integration across physical, behavioral, and perceptual domains. Overemphasizing one while neglecting others produces limited results.By adopting this integrated perspective, urban planners and designers can create spaces that are not only functionally efficient but also socially inclusive and psychologically engaging. Such environments form the backbone of sustainable and socially resilient cities.
Urban Design
Kimia Haghnegahdar; mahsa sholeh; Sahand Lotfi; Alireza Sadeghi
Abstract
Highlights- The historical design of the Sang-e Siah neighborhood passively harmonized with climatic conditions, ensuring high spatial quality and thermal comfort.- Physical modifications in Shiraz's historical urban fabric have weakened the ability of urban geometry to regulate microclimatic conditions ...
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Highlights- The historical design of the Sang-e Siah neighborhood passively harmonized with climatic conditions, ensuring high spatial quality and thermal comfort.- Physical modifications in Shiraz's historical urban fabric have weakened the ability of urban geometry to regulate microclimatic conditions effectively.- Neglecting the microclimatic effects of urban geometry leads to a decline in both thermal comfort and environmental quality in urban open spaces.- The principles embedded in Shiraz's historical urban design provide valuable insights for sustainable and climate-responsive urban development.IntroductionThe rapid pace of urbanization and its associated environmental challenges, coupled with the rising demand for energy to regulate thermal conditions, have underscored the necessity of addressing the microclimatic consequences of urban development. Given the increasing global temperatures and the urgency of climate adaptation, it is essential to examine the impact of urban form on microclimatic conditions and thermal comfort.The historical urban fabric of Shiraz, particularly in the Sang-e Siah neighborhood, represents an exemplary case of passive adaptation to climatic conditions. Through careful spatial planning, traditional urban layouts optimized thermal comfort by minimizing solar exposure and enhancing ventilation. However, recent modifications to the city's historical districts have undermined these adaptive strategies, leading to increased urban heat stress and a reduction in outdoor comfort levels.Meteorological records from Shiraz indicate a persistent rise in average temperatures, aligning with global climate change trends. These data highlight the importance of incorporating climate-sensitive urban design strategies to improve thermal comfort. The traditional design of Shiraz’s historic districts, characterized by narrow alleys, shaded pathways, and strategically oriented streets, exemplifies an effective response to the city's climatic challenges. This study aims to quantitatively assess the impact of geometric transformations in the Sang-e Siah neighborhood on microclimatic conditions and thermal comfort.Theoretical FrameworkUrban geometry consists of key parameters such as the sky view factor (SVF), height-to-width (H/W) ratio, and street orientation, all of which play a critical role in influencing climatic factors such as solar radiation exposure, wind flow, temperature distribution, and humidity retention. These elements collectively determine the thermal comfort of outdoor urban spaces.A reciprocal relationship exists between urban microclimates and broader climatic systems, with urban geometry serving as a crucial intermediary. By adopting climate-responsive urban design principles, planners and designers can mitigate unfavorable microclimatic effects, ensuring more livable and thermally comfortable urban environments. This study examines the extent to which changes in urban form influence these parameters and provides recommendations for sustainable urban planning practices.MethodologyThis research employs a descriptive-analytical approach and falls within the category of applied studies. Data collection was carried out through a combination of historical document analysis, field surveys, and meteorological data evaluation. The ENVI-met software, a highly reliable microclimate simulation tool, was utilized to model the impact of physical alterations on thermal comfort in the Sang-e Siah neighborhood.To ensure the accuracy of the findings, simulated results were compared against on-site temperature, humidity, and wind speed measurements. The study focused on the hottest day of the year—July 1, 2022—to capture extreme temperature conditions and their effects on urban microclimates. This methodological approach provides a robust basis for assessing the thermal performance of the historical urban geometry and its contemporary modifications.Discussion and FindingsThe findings of this study underscore the significant impact of geometric transformations in the neighborhood on microclimatic conditions. Specifically, the increase in SVF and the reduction in H/W ratios have resulted in the following effects:Elevated ambient temperatures due to increased exposure to solar radiation.Enhanced radiant heat effects, leading to a measurable decline in thermal comfort.Increased wind speeds in specific areas, contributing to dust dispersion while simultaneously reducing humidity levels.Decreased humidity, which intensifies heat stress and exacerbates outdoor discomfort.These combined effects have significantly reduced outdoor thermal comfort in the study area. The results emphasize the importance of maintaining traditional urban design principles to ensure microclimatic stability in historic districts.ConclusionThis study confirms that urban geometry variables such as SVF, H/W ratio, and street orientation play a fundamental role in shaping microclimatic conditions. The historical structures in Shiraz were designed in harmony with local climatic conditions, employing passive cooling strategies that enhanced thermal comfort in outdoor spaces. However, modern transformations—particularly the widening of streets and reductions in building heights—have disrupted this balance, exacerbating urban heat stress.To promote sustainable urban development, urban planners and designers should integrate lessons from Shiraz’s historical urban fabric. Strategies such as limiting SVF through shaded pathways, maintaining optimal H/W ratios for improved thermal regulation, and orienting streets to maximize natural ventilation can serve as effective guidelines for improving urban thermal comfort in Shiraz and other arid cities experiencing similar climatic challenges.
Urban Design
Farzaneh Amoozadeh; Sara Soleimani
Abstract
HighlightsUrban designs that allow the incorporation of natural elements lead to improved environmental quality.Deepening urban valleys facilitates greater wind flow from lake surfaces, enhancing cooling effects.Reducing building surface coverage enhances airflow and improves thermal comfort.Increasing ...
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HighlightsUrban designs that allow the incorporation of natural elements lead to improved environmental quality.Deepening urban valleys facilitates greater wind flow from lake surfaces, enhancing cooling effects.Reducing building surface coverage enhances airflow and improves thermal comfort.Increasing building height and decreasing the surface coverage factor (SC) reduces temperature levels. IntroductionUrban areas are responsible for two-thirds of the world’s primary energy consumption, which contributes significantly to urban heat islands (UHI) (Keirstead et al., 2012). UHIs are a major environmental issue, characterized by higher urban temperatures due to concentrated human activities. This study examines the cooling effects of Chitgar Lake on its surrounding urban area, aiming to mitigate future heating issues in Tehran by exploring how urban lakes can influence UHI. Specifically, it analyzes the role of urban geometric configurations in mitigating heat around lakes, which serve as urban open spaces.Theoretical FrameworkUrban planners utilize indicators like Floor Area Ratio (FAR), Surface Coverage (SC), and Building Height (H) to regulate urban forms. FAR relates to building volume, while SC denotes the proportion of built surfaces, indicating building permeability. Figure 1 illustrates the calculation of FAR and SC.Figure 1: Illustration of Urban Planning Indicators - FAR and SC.Among urban morphology elements, water bodies (e.g., rivers and lakes) significantly impact urban heat islands (Sarralde et al., 2015). The cooling effect of urban water bodies results from two main mechanisms: (a) evaporation, and (b) latent heat absorption, both of which lower surrounding temperatures compared to areas without water.MethodologyThis research compares two time periods—before and after the construction of Chitgar Lake—to assess the lake’s cooling effects on its surroundings. Two critical thermal conditions were selected from each period: one representing the environment after the lake’s construction and another before it. Meteorological data from these periods were analyzed, and simulations were conducted using the ENVI-met modeling software. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) was subsequently calculated with Biomet software (Wang et al., 2021).Figure 2: Research Process Diagram (a) and Sample Model Descriptions (b).Results and DiscussionComparison of Conditions Pre- and Post-Lake Construction: Simulation data reveal a general temperature decrease in the area following Chitgar Lake’s construction. Model A, representing the current urban fabric, acts as a heat absorber. Although it generates a warmer atmosphere, the shadowed areas remain cooler, providing enhanced thermal comfort. In Model A, humidity intensifies during pre-dawn hours, gradually decreasing as sunlight increases.Impact of Height-to-Width Ratio: Taller buildings deepen urban valleys (H/W > 1), casting longer shadows that lower temperatures and improve thermal comfort. However, these deep valleys tend to retain moisture due to limited sunlight and airflow. In contrast, shorter valleys (H/W < 1) permit more sunlight and airflow, leading to reduced humidity but higher temperatures, resulting in less favorable thermal comfort.Comparison of Urban Form Layout: Analyzing the SB-1 and SB-2 models showed that increasing building height and reducing surface coverage (SC) lead to temperature reductions due to higher FAR (increased density). Larger cross-sectional areas hinder wind flow, retaining humidity in street valleys. The urban form model with the best thermal comfort index was CC-2, characterized by high humidity and optimal thermal conditions. Conversely, SB-1, with a high occupancy coefficient and high permeability, exhibited the most critical thermal state, acting as a heat absorber with elevated temperatures.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that urban open spaces with natural cooling elements, such as water bodies, along with wind flow and shading, significantly improve thermal comfort during hot summer days. Models show that urban spaces allowing natural factors to penetrate are of higher quality. As building height increases and urban valleys deepen, extended shadows help lower temperatures and create areas with balanced thermal comfort. Streets oriented from northeast to southwest, and to a lesser degree east-west, experience the lowest temperatures while maintaining high humidity, which improves thermal comfort through lake-enhanced wind flow.Additionally, denser urban street valleys with low permeability hinder wind flow, contributing to inadequate thermal comfort. This study found that modifying urban form, building orientation, and the height-to-width ratio can enhance urban valley permeability, reducing thermal pollution effects and lowering cooling energy demands.
Urban Design
saeideh divsalar; Seyed Moslem Seyedalhosseini; toktam hanaee; hadi sarvari
Abstract
Highlights:Public art is a key factor in improving the quality of life and enhancing the attractiveness of urban spaces.Public art and creative placemaking contribute to increasing happiness and improving the quality of happy urban spaces.Analyzing research methods in public art and creative placemaking ...
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Highlights:Public art is a key factor in improving the quality of life and enhancing the attractiveness of urban spaces.Public art and creative placemaking contribute to increasing happiness and improving the quality of happy urban spaces.Analyzing research methods in public art and creative placemaking identifies effective solutions for enhancing happy urban spaces.Extended Abstract1-IntroductionIn today's world, metropolises face numerous environmental, social, and aesthetic challenges that directly affect the quality of life and happiness of their inhabitants. Consequently, creating favorable living conditions and improving the quality of urban spaces have become central concerns in the development of sustainable cities. Public art emerges as an effective tool for enhancing urban spaces and enriching the living experience of city dwellers. Through the creation of creative and aesthetically pleasing environments, public art can strengthen social interactions and increase overall citizen satisfaction. Despite this, existing studies exploring the impact of public art on creative placemaking and the development of happy urban spaces, especially from a methodological perspective, encounter significant challenges. This research focuses on analyzing the methodologies employed in studies on public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces, identifying weaknesses in research methods, and providing recommendations for improvement. Special attention is paid to examining data collection and statistical analysis methods. The findings of this research are expected to improve the quality of studies in this field and serve as a foundation for future inquiries.2- Theoretical Framework2.1 Public Art:Public art, as an essential tool in contemporary urban design, is used in public spaces to enhance social interactions and improve urban identity. From sculptures and murals to graffiti, public art actively shapes the visual and social experiences of citizens, influencing cultural identity, social relationships, and the overall quality of urban environments.2.2 Creative Placemaking:Creative placemaking refers to the innovative process of using art and culture to enhance the economic, social, and physical characteristics of a place. This approach promotes collaboration among various community sectors, aiming for economic revitalization and the strengthening of local identity through artistic and cultural initiatives. As a developmental strategy, creative placemaking necessitates the active participation of artists and cultural organizations to improve aesthetics and social cohesion.2.3 Happy Urban Space:A happy urban space is designed to promote the happiness and well-being of its citizens. By addressing emotional and social needs, such spaces foster a sense of belonging, increase life satisfaction, and provide positive experiences. The design of happy urban spaces should aim to enhance the quality of life and public welfare for all.3- MethodologyThis research employs a mixed-method approach with an applied nature. Utilizing a "Meta-Method" study framework, the research examines and analyzes existing literature in the fields of public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces. For primary data collection, scholarly articles published on Google Scholar were reviewed using selected keywords. The study's statistical population consisted of articles published between 2013 and 2023. Initially, 331 relevant articles were identified, from which 26 were selected based on the research objectives and the quality of their content. Content analysis and open coding methods were employed with the help of Maxqda software to analyze the collected data. The aim of this study is to provide a structured and in-depth analysis of the relationships between public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces, contributing to a deeper understanding of their role in enhancing urban quality of life and social interactions.4-Results and DiscussionThe findings of this research were analyzed using Saunders' "Research Onion" model, which organizes research processes into seven layers. The results indicate that most of the reviewed studies have employed an interpretative approach, utilizing various qualitative analyses to explore public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces. Additionally, critical and positivist approaches were observed, albeit to a lesser extent. Many of the studies adopted inductive methods to investigate relationships and causal factors. The research is primarily descriptive-analytical, providing detailed descriptions and analyses of the issues. A significant portion of the studies focused on the role of public art in cultural and social regeneration, as well as the promotion of urban identity. While quantitative research in this area remains limited, the use of mixed methods can lead to more comprehensive analyses and facilitate the development of more effective urban spaces, enhancing the role of public art in improving the quality of life.5-ConclusionThe present study's review of research in the fields of public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces reveals a valuable interconnection between these concepts. While researchers have examined these topics independently, their intersections and combined effects have received less attention. Studies on happy urban spaces, in particular, are scarce. This research, through the use of Saunders' framework and a systematic review of articles published between 2013 and 2023, shows that approximately 80% of the research utilized qualitative methods, 12% employed quantitative methods, and 8% used mixed methods. The most common focus was on "the relationship between spatial patterns of public art and creative placemaking in community development," while the least explored area was "increasing happiness in urban spaces through public art." Furthermore, studies in this century have placed limited emphasis on the impact of public art on creative placemaking and happy urban spaces, with comparative and critical studies also being sparse. The lack of qualitative analytical tools is evident in these studies. Based on these findings and the identified limitations, it is recommended that future research prioritize broader comparative and critical studies, incorporating diverse research methods, both qualitative and quantitative. Focusing on the influence of public art in creative placemaking and promoting happy urban spaces, especially in developing countries, can significantly enhance urban environments and improve citizens' quality of life. The development of qualitative analytical tools, such as interpretive and inductive methods, will be essential in disentangling and understanding the relationships between public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces, encouraging further research in this field.
Urban Design
Nina Ghaslani; Azadeh Aghalatifi; Marjan NematiMehr; Hamid Nadimi
Abstract
Highlights:
- A systematic classification of Persian language studies on place memory and an analysis of their structure and content using a systematic review.
- Research gaps in place memory studies are highlighted to guide future studies.
- Keywords related to the memory of place and frequently ...
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Highlights:
- A systematic classification of Persian language studies on place memory and an analysis of their structure and content using a systematic review.
- Research gaps in place memory studies are highlighted to guide future studies.
- Keywords related to the memory of place and frequently appearing components are identified and discussed.
Introduction:
Architecture and urban planning are deeply intertwined with the environment, which serves as a vessel for individual and collective human experiences that form memory. Memory studies, a rapidly growing research field, span various disciplines, including social sciences, humanities, landscape studies, architecture, and urbanism. In Iran and worldwide, research has explored memory in built environments from diverse perspectives. This article seeks to analyze and interpret the body of work published in Iran, aiming to prevent redundancy in this field while identifying existing research gaps.
Methodology:
This research adheres to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement list for information collection and document screening. The study sample was selected based on internet searches of related keywords (e.g., memory and place memory) across Mogiran, SID, and Ganj-Irandoc scientific databases. No time limits were set for the search, but the focus was on publications between 2006 and 2022. Initially, 206 articles were retrieved from the Mogiran site, 101 articles from SID, and 16 doctoral theses related to architecture and urban planning. Following a thorough screening process that involved reviewing titles, abstracts, and content relevance, a final selection of 38 articles from scientific research publications was made, rated from A to D in the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology's scientific publications portal. Additionally, 4 doctoral theses were selected for in-depth review after similar screening.
To systematically extract and categorize information, a table was designed based on each article's publication year. The data analysis and interpretation were conducted through coding and grouping similar content. This systematic approach enabled the authors to interpret and describe various aspects of the phenomenon under study, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive understanding of place memory in Persian language research.
Results and Discussion:
This research focuses on the publication and evolution of scientific studies on place memory in Iran, examining both the structure and content of these studies. A central theme in the research is the concept of collective or individual memory. The majority of studies emphasize collective memory, a shared memory among the people of a region or city, often detached from individual experiences.
In the context of place memory, the processes of memory formation, recording, transmission, continuity, and recall are distinct yet interconnected. Depending on the research's case study—whether it involves a city, village, single building, or urban space—these processes include various components. Generally, these components can be categorized into three main groups: spatial, social, and emotional.
Sociologists like Maurice Halbwachs and Pierre Nora have noted that the sociability of a space significantly influences collective memory. One result of sociability is face-to-face communication, which relies on the space's ability to accommodate people together—a crucial factor in memory studies. In essence, a space's potential to become memorable is closely tied to its capacity for social interaction and presence.
Interestingly, few articles explore the topic of memory in relation to homes that are not linked to childhood experiences. Another notable issue is the relationship between age and memory. From an early age, individuals develop positive and negative feelings toward their environment, which can be shaped by physical changes in residential areas. Such changes not only impact children's spatial behavior but also influence their psychological development.
When public spaces fail to consider children's needs, expectations, and desires, their design—crafted solely by adults—can negatively affect children's social, cultural, and mental development. Public spaces are often the only areas where children can play and socialize outside their homes and schools. This underscores the importance of creating environments that engage children constructively, making residential areas where significant childhood memories are formed more livable.
Conclusion:
The growing volume of studies in various fields necessitates summarizing and interpreting existing research, identifying frequently studied areas, and finding research gaps to inspire new topics for future exploration. This study addresses the critical issue of place memory within Persian language research through a systematic review.
The relatively small number of existing studies in this field suggests that place memory research is still in its infancy, with limited depth and focus. The concept of memory has not yet reached saturation in any of the discussed fields, presenting future research opportunities. The most critical factor in strengthening memory in a place—sustaining mental patterns—has been scarcely discussed in the literature. Topics related to memory, such as revival and reconstruction in historical contexts, identity, belonging, and attachment to place, have been repeatedly examined. The importance of understanding identity and the solutions some researchers offer by referencing the past, alongside the growing trend of memory studies, highlight the significance of further exploring this topic.
Urban Design
Toktam Roshandel; Bakhtiar Bahrami; Mehdi Saidi; Goran Erfani
Abstract
Highlights: Parents' consent emerges as a highly influential factor.Children require a secure and enjoyable pedestrian route from home to school.Environmental affordances usable during both day and night play a pivotal role. Introduction:Children's physical activity and mobility are pivotal ...
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Highlights: Parents' consent emerges as a highly influential factor.Children require a secure and enjoyable pedestrian route from home to school.Environmental affordances usable during both day and night play a pivotal role. Introduction:Children's physical activity and mobility are pivotal for their overall health. This study, conducted in Mashhad City, Iran, explores children's perspectives on environmental characteristics that impact physical mobility and activity.Theoretical Framework:Utilizing a theoretical framework comprising 28 measures, this research aims to unveil the environmental features within neighborhoods contributing to the improvement of children's physical mobility and activity.Methodology:To accomplish this, the present study collected the perspectives of 450 children aged 9 to 13 (43.8% girls and 56.2% boys) regarding a specific set of these attributes within Mashhad City, Iran. Utilizing exploratory factor analysis, a model was constructed based on the children's responses to the survey measures.Results and Discussion:This model identifies seven factors and 24 measures influencing the mobility and physical activity of children in their neighborhoods: Parents' Approval: Encompasses measures associated with "parents' permission and concern" and reflects "children's desire for independence and agency." Results suggest that parental concern about the autonomous presence of their children in neighborhood spaces significantly inhibits the children's mobility and independent activities. Walking Path: Associated with measures conveying the concepts of "optimal and joyful mobility on paths," this factor emphasizes features like adequate width and appropriate flooring. The potential for 'playing along the route from home to school' is crucial for children's mobility. According to children, this pathway serves not only as a route for the essential journey to school but also should provide opportunities for social and optional activities, including play and enjoyment. Social Security: Linked to measures reflecting 'the sense of security regarding strangers and bullies' in neighborhoods. An interesting result is the association of "creating a pleasant atmosphere such as colored sidewalks" with social security. Children believe that the use of specific colors on sidewalks not only provides a fun atmosphere but also establishes spaces for local socialization, consequently reducing the threat of bullying and outsiders. Environmental Affordance: Associated with activities reflecting children’s physical abilities, such as climbing trees and running in open spaces without obstacles. The results indicate that children test these capabilities through movement and exploration of their surroundings. Additionally, the inclusion of "night lighting" as a measure in this factor suggests a preference among children for exploratory play during the night. Legibility: Aligned with Lynch's theory of legibility, this factor involves measures related to way-finding by architectural elements. The findings indicate that children use 'buildings' and 'stores on the ground floor' as landmarks for navigation in their neighborhoods. Diverse Environment for Exploration: Associated with measures representing attractive routes, various play equipment, and nature connectedness. Children's positive assessment of the existence of winding paths in the neighborhood indicates that engaging in exploratory activities along these paths can increase their mobility in their community. Furthermore, integrating a variety of natural elements and play equipment in their neighborhood can enhance children's movement and exploration, making the experience deeper and more enjoyable. Mobility Safety: The final factor is associated with measures indicating safe mobility in neighborhoods. In addition to the fear of a car accident, children's desire for age/gender-appropriate play equipment highlights their concern for their physical safety. The results indicate that inappropriate play equipment and car traffic have the least impact on children's mobility in their neighborhoods. Conclusion:Interventions targeting these factors can significantly enhance children's mobility experiences, promoting not only physical activity but also social interaction and a deeper connection with their surroundings. The recurring theme of children's desire for playful activities emphasizes a fundamental need for quality movement and physical activities.
Urban Design
Marzieh Shafiei; Bahador Zamani
Abstract
Highlights-The pleasantness of a soundscape to a place depends largely on context.-Decreasing sound levels may not result in a high-quality acoustic environment.-The environmental characteristics of the spaces and the activities they may enable influence directly on the pleasantness of the soundscape.- ...
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Highlights-The pleasantness of a soundscape to a place depends largely on context.-Decreasing sound levels may not result in a high-quality acoustic environment.-The environmental characteristics of the spaces and the activities they may enable influence directly on the pleasantness of the soundscape.- The frequency of people's exposure to the soundscape also affects their perception of the soundscape pleasantness and imageability. IntroductionUrban open spaces play an important role in improving the quality of urban life. In the past, urban designers mainly focused on the visual esthetics and physical aspects of urban spaces, but neglected acoustic elements. Ignoring the role of sound in urban planning has led to an increase in environmentally disturbing sounds, which ultimately leads to an unclear human perception of sounds. To avoid these issues, acoustic research to create high-quality spaces has become one of the current aims of urban planners and environmental designers.MethodologyThis study investigated the soundscape quality of the Chahar Bagh Abbasi pedestrian Axis in Isfahan, one of the most valuable historical-cultural urban spaces in Iran. The study aimed to answer the following questions:1. What are the sound components that affect the pleasantness of the soundscape of the area?2. How is the overall quality of the soundscape on the Chahar Bagh Abbasi pedestrian Axis?3. What are the sound imageability components in the Chahar Bagh Abbasi pedestrian Axis?To determine the dominant sound sources in the space, non-interventional observation and audio recording were used. To clarify the perception of different people of the pedestrian Axis soundscape, a questionnaire was distributed. To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach’s alpha test was used. The obtained rate was equal to 0.731, which shows the adequate reliability of the questionnaire. The statistical population of the research is all people present on the Chahar Bagh Abbasi pedestrian Axis. For this purpose, 384 questionnaires were randomly distributed among the people. To analyze the results of the questionnaire, SPSS software and the analytical method of correlation coefficient and step-by-step regression were used.Results and discussionThe findings of this research showed that simply reducing negative sounds in the environment does not lead to the formation of a positive sound environment. Physical background sound levels are also important factors in the sound assessment of public spaces in cities. Other findings showed that some groups of people did not consider some sounds to be undesirable. This depends on people’s habits regarding the current state of the environment soundscape and the low intensity of hearing these sounds in the space. The findings also showed that the frequency of people’s presence in urban spaces is among the factors affecting how people perceive and the quality of the urban soundscapes. In fact, in this research, it was found that the higher the exposure to the soundscape, the less pleasant it is. Therefore, merchants, due to long-term exposure to the soundscape during the day, perceived the soundscape of the pedestrian Axis as less satisfactory compared to others, while tourists due to short exposure to the soundscape of the area, found the soundscape more pleasant. Furthermore, it was found that the duration of people’s exposure to the soundscape is also effective in assessing the sound imageability of the area so that citizens and merchants can better identify sound imageability components in the area due to the longer exposure to sounds.ConclusionThe results of the questionnaire suggest that exposure to sounds in the short or long term can affect people’s perception of the sound imageability of a space. Overall, merchants and citizens in this space, due to their longer exposure to sound sources, have a better recognition of the components of sound imageability than tourists. For example, the sounds that merchants and citizens of Chahar Bagh Abbasi pedestrian Axis mentioned as characteristics of this area are largely similar. This also applies to the identification of sound signals in the space, such that merchants in this area and citizens at the next level have better performance in detecting loud and close sounds in the space due to their frequent visits to the space compared to tourists. A significant point in people’s answers regarding the identification of background sounds is that the length of time people are exposed to the soundscape of the pedestrian Axis does not have much effect on the correct identification of background sounds. This is because background sounds are the combination of several individual sound sources that are attenuated due to distance, making it difficult to distinguish them from other sounds.
Urban Design
Maryam Roosta; mahsa sholeh; Negin Amiri
Abstract
Highlights- Sense walking and in-depth interviews were used to analyze the richness of smell and taste senses in urban space.- The experience of the senses of smell and taste and the dimension of time and place mutually affect each other.- The richness of the senses of smell and taste affects the enhancement ...
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Highlights- Sense walking and in-depth interviews were used to analyze the richness of smell and taste senses in urban space.- The experience of the senses of smell and taste and the dimension of time and place mutually affect each other.- The richness of the senses of smell and taste affects the enhancement of the memorability and identity of the urban space.IntroductionEveryday urban experience is achieved through the process of perception and sense experience through sensory organs. Living in a multi-sensory environment is inevitable, and the experience of encountering sights, smells, and sounds makes it possible to know the environment. It seems that in different urban spaces of Iran, taking into account the native conditions of the environment and current traditions among the people, the role of sensory landscapes and its effect on the quality of the urban space requires more investigations. The main problem of the current research is the need to pay more attention to the issue of "sensory richness" and analyze its indicators and examples as one of the important qualities of the urban space, with an emphasis on the two senses of smell and taste. Based on this, the present article aims to explain the process of recognizing and analyzing an urban space with an emphasis on improving the quality of sensory richness in the two areas of smell and taste senses.Theoretical FrameworkRegarding the sense of smell, the variety of smells, the presence of sources of smells in the environment, smells dependent and related to time, consistent smells, smells of passers-by, and smelling comfort are among the indicators that, according to sources, affect the richness of the space. There are also researches about the effect of the sense of smell in the urban space, in the context of racial, ethnic, native, historical and cultural contexts, and it shows the effect of different cultural contexts on the transmission of social meanings and values and the display of historical heritage through the sense of smell in an urban space.Regarding the sense of taste, while emphasizing the dependence and direct connection of this sense with the sense of smell, the presence of fruitful plants, local memories related to the experience of taste in space, and the presence of land uses that stimulate taste have an effect on the richness of the sense of taste.MethodologyIn order to conduct this research, the "qualitative" strategy has been used to collect and analyze data. In the first step, the review of library resources was carried out with the aim of compiling the theoretical framework of the research and extracting effective indicators in the thematic area of sensory richness. After that, the indicators obtained from this part were analytically recognized and field studied in two steps in the studied sample; In the first step, the sensory perception of the environment was carried out by "sensory walking" with the help of field survey by one of the researchers as an urban studies expert. After that, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 space users. These numbers were selected as available samples and the interviews were continued until reaching a kind of "theoretical saturation" and repeated answers. The data obtained from the interviews were coded in "Atlas" software and subjected to content analysis.Results and DiscussionThe findings of the interviews revealed the deep dimensions of the smell experience along the way for users. In these interviews, special users with a keen sense of smell were mentioned many times along the way. In some of these comments, the use of smell to remember the length of the route and even addressability was clearly evident. This issue, while clarifying the process of tracking odor sources by space users, shows the effect of place and the inseparable dependence of sensory experiences with place.In a deeper layer, the analysis of the interviews shows that remembering and recalling smell experiences, especially in urban spaces with historical qualities, is very tied to nostalgia and memory and has an effect on deepening the sense of belonging to a place. This issue is very important from the analytical point of view of urban space. Context—which can be a set of antecedent conditions or facts about a place or a particular event in it—plays a decisive role in the quality of the smellscapes in a place.The findings show that in the sensory experience of Hafez Street, in particular, the presence of "orange trees" as an example of the "fruitful plants" index, in addition to the possibility of simultaneously deepening the senses of smell and taste, to the perception of the "sense of time" as well as the "memorability of space" and Also, "identifying the sensory experience of the path" has also been effective. In the experience of the sense of taste along this path, as expected, the findings indicate the effect of the use of taste stimuli on the deepening of the sensory experience of space and its perception.ConclusionAmong the indicators of the quality of the senses of smell and taste, "smell comfort", "presence of fruitful plants" and "memorable uses with taste stimulation", have a greater role in the experience process of citizens' environmental perception. Also, in the analysis of the findings from the qualitative survey, it is possible to emphasize the two-way relationship between the deepening of the "sense of smell" and the memorability and identity of the place, as well as the reciprocal relationship of "perception of time" with the depth of the smell sensory experience.It seems that, especially in urban spaces with historical value, paying attention to the identity aspects of odors from natural resources or users with an identity smell or taste experience, both in the layer of future research and in the layer of executive plans, can have a multifaceted effect on improving the quality of the space and help deepen the sense of belonging to the place among the users.
Urban Design
Iman Ghalandarian; Golbarg Ghaemmaghami Farahani
Abstract
Highlights- This paper proposes a model for improving the implementation of small-scale participatory projects.- The model is based on the findings of a case study of the Mahalle Ma project in Mashhad, Iran.- The model identifies three key relationships: the people and the facilitator, the people and ...
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Highlights- This paper proposes a model for improving the implementation of small-scale participatory projects.- The model is based on the findings of a case study of the Mahalle Ma project in Mashhad, Iran.- The model identifies three key relationships: the people and the facilitator, the people and urban management, and urban management and the facilitator.IntroductionContemporary urban planning knowledge has undergone significant changes, shifting from natural and engineering sciences to interdisciplinary fields with a focus on social and human sciences. Urban development plans now emphasize public and private participation. As the second-largest city in Iran, Mashhad plays a vital role within the country due to its regional centrality, large population, and diversity. It is essential to prioritize social sustainability and encourage public participation in the planning process.Theoretical FrameworkImplementation is a critical component of the urban design process and can be interpreted in two ways: as the essence of the entire process or as an independent step within the process. Through a systematic study of various sources and analysis of urban design processes conducted by researchers, it is possible to categorize the urban design process involved in selecting the design group, defining initial objectives, assessing the existing conditions, clarifying goals, presenting design alternatives, evaluating options, optimizing, developing an implementation plan, implementing, and conducting post-implementation evaluations. Based on research synthesis, factors influencing the implementation of small-scale participatory projects can be categorized into five aspects: development stakeholders (including designers and implementers), management-planning system structures, economic considerations, public participation, and legal considerations.MethodologyThis paper adopts a qualitative approach and data-based method through semi-structured interviews to identify obstacles, challenges, and factors influencing the implementation of small-scale participatory projects (specifically, neighborhood units) in Mashhad. The study focuses on stakeholders including individuals, urban management, and facilitators involved in the "Mahalle Ma" project. Theoretical sampling was employed until saturation was reached. Data analysis utilized qualitative content analysis with a summative approach and MAXQDA 2018. Open and axial coding techniques were applied to identify the foundational concepts related to the implementation of the targeted projects.Results and DiscussionThe results of this study highlight the importance of effective collaboration and communication between stakeholders, including the people, urban management, and the facilitator team. Building trust, improving public participation, and addressing financial constraints are essential for the successful implementation of small-scale participatory projects.The relationship between the people and the facilitator: The quality of real participation by the people, as the most important stakeholder group, has a significant impact on achieving the goals of the plan. Negative experiences and a lack of trust in city management can present challenges for the project. To enhance citizens' participation, the facilitator and designer can employ appropriate techniques to involve people in the process, clarify the project definition, and connect it with the needs assessment stage. Effective communication with the social council of the neighborhoods is also crucial, as the lack of it can hinder the quality of citizens' participation.The relationship between the people and urban management: Urban management has initiated this plan with long-term goals in mind, including fostering a culture of participation. However, the inadequate allocation of funds and a lack of effective inter-organizational synergy have resulted in intangible short-term outcomes for the people. This situation raises concerns about increasing mistrust and decreasing satisfaction with the municipality's performance.The relationship between urban management and the facilitator: Both urban management and the facilitator play crucial roles in promoting public satisfaction with the project. They should work towards achieving long-term goals by monitoring, improving, and maintaining a continuous planning process. This entails fostering a culture of participation through trust-building and capacity development. However, the frequent changes in design and planning approaches due to shifts in the urban management structure can affect the facilitator's authority to achieve project goals. The facilitator team should also ensure a constant connection between the needs assessment stage, design, and implementation steps.ConclusionThis study highlights the crucial role of urban management throughout the various stages of an urban development project. In the pre-implementation stage, urban management plays a fundamental role in selecting an expert design and implementation team. They also prioritize goals based on the type of management system in place.Recognizing the current situation requires the collaboration of the facilitator and the people to establish a shared understanding of the problem. The facilitator acts as a mediator, identifying the real demands of the people and conveying them to management levels to define the project in subsequent stages. Verification of goals and adjustments are made in consultation with citizens, academic experts, and local institutions.The presentation of design alternatives by the facilitator team ensures alignment with the real needs of the people. Evaluation and optimization of alternatives involve active participation from the people, who contribute to selecting the optimal alternative based on their genuine needs. Urban management also considers economic and technical factors in choosing the optimal option.During the implementation stage, urban management plays a critical role in ensuring the design team's recommendations are executed properly by selecting the right contractors. The involvement of the social council, representing the people, is essential in monitoring the implementation process in line with the goals and needs assessment.In the post-implementation stage, continuous monitoring and modification are necessary, with direct input from the people through the facilitator team and urban management. This promotes the long-term continuity and success of the plan, fostering a culture of participation.
Urban Design
Faeze Rahmani Jami; Maryam Mohammadi
Abstract
HighlightsIntroducing the methods of measuring emotions and emotional response in urban spaces and examining the advantages and disadvantages and the validity of each method.Developing a mixed method for measuring emotions in urban spaces.Identifying the physical and non-physical factors affecting users’ ...
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HighlightsIntroducing the methods of measuring emotions and emotional response in urban spaces and examining the advantages and disadvantages and the validity of each method.Developing a mixed method for measuring emotions in urban spaces.Identifying the physical and non-physical factors affecting users’ feelings in the urban space and their attraction and exclusion. IntroductionThe effects of emotions on all of man’s daily decisions are undeniable. Using, residing in, and leaving an urban space pertain to the users’ emotions. Therefore, it is important to measure and evaluate the users’ emotions in urban spaces. The purpose of this research is to identify the factors affecting emotions in urban spaces and prioritize them in the selected space.Theoretical FrameworkIn the first step, the literature was reviewed, and a conceptual model for measuring emotional response was then presented. Based on this model, emotions can be measured in three layers: physiological, perceptual, and behavioral. The users’ affective response in the urban space can be investigated on that basis. This case study addresses a sequence of Emamat Street in the city of Mashhad, Iran.MethodologyThe research was conducted based on a hybrid method. A biometric sensor (Empatica-E4) was used to collect data at the physiological level. Cognitive data were collected through walking interviews and videos. In addition, the speed of walking in the behavioral layer was measured. The resulting data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, and the factors affecting the emotional response in this street were finally identified. The factors identified as a result of the analysis made in the above three layers were adapted to each other. Based on the exploratory analysis made through the SPSS software, the factors affecting the emotional response were prioritized. Twenty people participated in this survey and shared their emotional responses in the selected sequence of Emamat Street, which is one kilometer long.Results and DiscussionThe results demonstrated that the users’ emotional response was pleasant. According to the results of the data in the biological layer, it was found that the part with a dominant natural character conveys more peace. Moreover, the monotonous sections, the inactive environments of the street, and the part with heavy traffic cause unpleasant emotional responses. The analysis of perceptual data indicated that the presence of greenery and retails exhibits a greater effect on pleasant feelings. The analysis of movement speed shows that in environments involving attractiveness, there is a diverse, relaxed decrease in the speed of movement over the space and the desire to stay. Based on the results, it was found that factors such as greenery, traffic, land use and activity, behavioral patterns, crowd, and noise pollution have effects on the emotional response. In order to prioritize the factors affecting the emotional response in the above space, the data were analyzed in the physiological and cognitive layers in SPSS. The results were rather the same. It can also be concluded that among the factors affecting the emotional response, non-physical ones, such as natural elements, crowd, noise pollution, and land use and activity, have greater influences than physical factors like the type of flooring and facade. Among these, the greatest effects on the desired emotional response are exhibited by the type of activity including exercise, the presence of a group of elderly people, and the existing nature, including tall trees on the edge of the park, visible vegetation, and plants and decorative flowers present over the space. ConclusionThis study was designed to identify the factors influencing the affective and behavioral response in urban spaces. We first explained the conceptual framework of the research by reviewing the literature on studies conducted in this area and examining the theories related to the emotional response in urban spaces, factors affecting emotions within the city, and methods of measuring the affective and behavioral response in the city. The research methodology was developed along with a practical test for assessing the affective and behavioral response and the experiment path given the available tools and methods used in previous projects and studies.The results obtained from the analysis of the recorded data on the heart rates of the participants in the experiment, the speeds of their movement in each sequence, and their cognitive responses revealed that factors such as vegetation, vehicular traffic, land use and activity, behavioral patterns, crowdedness, and noise pollution are effective on the affective response, and, thereby, affect people’s senses. This research was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, the constraints ruling over urban spaces made it more difficult to perform the experiment with more participants. Obviously, conducting the experiment with a larger number of participants can bring about more reliable results. The reason for using a homogeneous age and social group was to decrease the probability of recording data outside the standard range. Naturally, doing research with a larger sample size would allow use of more diverse age groups. Based on the above findings, some suggestions are made for designing the space based on emotions, as follows.- The vegetation and greenery space has a significant impact in the creation of a feeling of peace. The variety in the color and type of vegetation may also increase the pleasant feeling. However, if the vegetation reduces visibility, it would be effective in the creation of an unpleasant feeling.- Water in the urban space beings about a feeling of naturalness and tranquility in users. However, in a space filled with crowd and noise pollution, the sound of water can increase noise pollution.- The ground floor in urban spaces obviously affects the pedestrians’ perception more than other floors. Thus, the transparency of the wall, its beauty, variety, and coherence have prominent impacts in the creation of pleasant emotions.- It is better to avoid building long, rigid, inactive walls. If there are such spaces, the ground for creating activity at certain intervals should be provided.- The street-crossing areas should be designed in parts of the route with sufficient visibility for drivers and pedestrians; moreover, the pedestrian lanes need to be clear.- When there is a potential for overcrowding, the movement and activity interference should be minimized to reduce the resulting crowdedness and arousal.- The context for the emergence of desirable behavioral patterns such as exercise in the park should be provided in all directions, and a certain space for undesirable behaviors should be predicted as well.AcknowledgmentWe are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this research paper.This article is extracted from the first author's master thesis in titled "Identification of physical and non-physical factors affecting pedestrians' emotional response in urban streets and presenting solutions (Case study: Emamat street of Mashhad)" which was defended at the University of Art under supervision of Dr. Maryam Mohammadi.
Urban Design
Shirin Eslami; ahmad shahivandi
Abstract
Highlights- The functional activity component exhibits the greatest weight in the measurement of the sense of place in the Qods district of the city of Qom, Iran.- The physical-visual component has the lowest weight in the measurement of the sense of place in the residents of the Qods district.- Structural ...
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Highlights- The functional activity component exhibits the greatest weight in the measurement of the sense of place in the Qods district of the city of Qom, Iran.- The physical-visual component has the lowest weight in the measurement of the sense of place in the residents of the Qods district.- Structural equation modeling indicates the optimal fit for the sense of place measurement model in the residents of the Qods district.- The indicator of invitation has the highest weight in the specification of the sense of place of the residents of the Qods district. IntroductionThe weakening nature of the place is one of the most important challenges facing contemporary cities. The contemporary citizen faces spaces without meaning and identity that have not yet turned into places. This is more important in new urban settlements, due to the lack of historical, identity, and existence backgrounds. The subject of this case study, the Qods district, located in the city of Qom, Iran, which suffers from disturbances in various aspects, is an example of new urban developments that require attention. The purpose of this research is to measure and analyze the importance of the components of the sense of place in the Qods district, to answer the following questions: What are the indicators of achieving a sense of place in the Qods district as a new urban development? How can one evaluate the effects of each component of the sense of place on the Qods settlement residents?Theoretical FrameworkThe term sense of place denotes people’s attachment and relation to the place, or the structure of feeling, as some have put it (Agnew, 1987, cited in Arefi, 1999: 180). Experts have held relatively similar viewpoints regarding the components of the sense of place and its indicators. In large part, most of these opinions have confirmed the physical environment, activity, and perception as the three main components. According to Shamai (1991), the sense of place consists of three phases. The first phase concerns belonging to a place, the middle phase is attachment to a place, and the final phase is commitment to a place (Shamai, 1991: 349). Hummon (1992) describes five levels of the sense of place, or place attachment, as follows: uncommitted placelessness, relativity, place alienation, divided rootedness, and cohesive rootedness (Cross, 2001: 10). As a result of the interdisciplinary nature of the concept of sense of place, numerous experts and schools of thought have offered various perspectives that can be said to have a lot of similarities and few differences. Different experts such as sociologists, geographers, environmental psychologists, anthropologists, architects, and urban planners have addressed the concept of sense of place in different ways in their studies. Among the numerous kinds of research conducted in different countries in the past half-century, most of the academic studies have been focused on conceptual analysis and formulation of theoretical models on the one hand and on evaluation of this category in different scales on the other. MethodologyThis research was conducted through a mixed paradigm and a descriptive-analytical method. The data collection tools were library-documentary studies, and the population included 245 residents of the Qods district. The data analysis tools involved two descriptive and inferential analyzes using the statistical methods of Structural Equation Modeling and Pearson correlation test, implemented in the SPSS 23 and Amos Graphics 26 software. The conceptual model of this research consisted of 3 main components, i.e. form, activity, and perception, 12 indicators, and 45 sub-indices.Results and DiscussionThe results obtained from the second-order factor analysis model in this research indicate which of the components affecting the sense of place in the residents of the Qods district has a greater weight and effect in the induction of this concept to the residents. Based on the research findings, among the 3 identified components, 12 indicators, and 45 relevant sub-indicators, the functional-activity, perceptual-semantic, and physical-visual components, in that order, exhibit greater weights in the evaluation of the sense of place from the perspective of the Qods district inhabitants. Among the variables observed in the assumed model of this research, the factors of invitation, social participation, motivation, land use, and activity have greater weights in the specification of the residents’ sense of place. Moreover, the correlation between the conceptual components of the research indicates that there is a significant relationship between the three components of the sense of place in the residents of the Qods district. Furthermore, the measurement of the fitness of the conceptual model of the research, according to the indicators of structural equations, demonstrates that the model is desirable.ConclusionThe following can be stated in response to the first research question as the indicators of achieving a sense of place in the Qods district as a new urban development: indicators of identity and authenticity, motivation, and mental image (in the perceptual-semantic component), indicators of land use and activity, accessibility, urban furniture, invitation, social participation, and safety-security (in the functional-activity component), and indicators of visual coherence, construction form, and visual richness (in the physical-visual component). In response to the second research question, the greater importance and weight of the functional-activity component than the perceptual and visual components indicates that if urban management pays more attention to the residents’ functional and social needs, the indicators of this component, as the most important factor in the induction of a sense of place, will have a greater impact. Moreover, the inferential analysis of the structural equation modeling in the evaluation of the indicators confirms that many indicators have received less attention in the Qods district, while these indicators can be effective on the residents’ continuity and satisfaction, their sense of attachment to the place of residence, and fulfillment of their mental expectations.
Urban Design
yasaman Ghaderi; Seyed Mahdi Khatami
Abstract
HighlightsThe five human senses are known as the window of human communication with the surrounding environment.Perceptions caused by sensory stimuli play an important role in the improvement of the quality of urban space and creation of an atmosphere of memory.In the theoretical foundations and research ...
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HighlightsThe five human senses are known as the window of human communication with the surrounding environment.Perceptions caused by sensory stimuli play an important role in the improvement of the quality of urban space and creation of an atmosphere of memory.In the theoretical foundations and research background section, the library method was used, along with the two methods of sense-walking and sensory notation, used in the section on field studies.The sense of sight exhibits the greatest sensory stimulation, and the sense of taste has the least stimulation.Greater attention is paid to the visual dimension of the environment in today’s designs of commercial spaces. IntroductionThe variety in sensory perceptions creates a quality for the urban space that is known as sensory richness. In other words, sensory richness causes different sensory experiences to take shape and the space to be more responsive ultimately (McGlynn, 2013). The study demonstrates that the sense of eyesight and perception based thereon has received greater attention than the other senses with the emergence of the modern age. Meanwhile, the other senses provide a deeper understanding of space (Khoury, 2006). Therefore, it can be stated that the missing link between urban space and sensory richness involves sufficient attention to all the five human senses. On the other hand, the larger the number of sensory organs involved in the perception of space, the greater its impact and the more complete and more profound the understanding thereof. This will also increase the possibility of the attractiveness, role-playing, and evocativeness of the space and the presence of all members of the society therein. Therefore, it seems that the perceptions caused by sensory stimuli have received less attention from urban designers and scape architects so far in spite of their important role in the specification of the quality of urban space and the creation of a space of memory.Theoretical FrameworkThroughout history, many philosophers have emphasized the need to pay attention to sensory experiences and have challenged the excessive superiority of the sense of eyesight over the others and addressed its pathology. In his book entitled Responsive Environments, Ian Bentley introduced the importance of senses in the specification of the quality of sensory richness in urban spaces and emphasized the need to address non-visual senses. Considering all the senses except eyesight has been an important principle of visual research such as that conducted by Maurice Merleau-Ponty (Bently et al., 2003). Juhani Uolevi Pallasmaa believes that the sense of eyesight separates us from the world, while the others connect and unite us therewith (Pallasmaa, 2012). Mónica Degen uses the term sensory scape in regard to the interdependence of human senses and the simultaneous presence of different sensory experiences in the urban space. This term is derived from the term olfactory scape, which was first mentioned by Porthos (Degen, 2008). Paul Rodaway, who is an expert in the science of human geography, has expressed the concept of sensory geography to regard the structure of the human body as a general positioning system that relies on four sensory groups: eyesight, hearing, smell, and touch (Rodaway, 2002). In the research conducted in the field of scape, various theorists have mentioned three additional senses to the five included in the classical classification, initially made by Aristotle. These include the senses of direction, familiarity, and time. For example, Kevin Andrew Lynch has emphasized the sense of spatial orientation in his book entitled Image of the City. Thinkers such as Wunderlich and Podvin have assumed urban space to involve four dimensions, the fourth being time. They believe that spaces turn over time into places where life flows. These spaces are given more meaning by time-dependent parameters.MethodologyThe method used in this research is descriptive-analytical. In order to collect information and meet the required criteria and metrics, the methods of sensory richness and library information collection were used along with the available books and articles. To carry out field experimentations, the methods of observation and interview were used along with extensive oral questions about the quality of sensory richness, photography, and compilation. The sense-walking and sensory notation methods were used as data collection tools. At first, the library information collection method was used in order to achieve different quality dimensions of sensory richness. The two case studies considered in this research involve Tehran Grand Bazaar and Bamland Shopping Center in Tehran, Iran.Results and DiscussionThe sense of eyesight won the first place in both study areas, although it could be said to be more affected in Bamland Shopping Center than in Tehran Grand Bazaar, with a difference of 3 points. The remarkable point about Tehran Grand Bazaar is that the senses of eyesight and hearing have been given equal points there. This means that the two senses are equally involved in this area, while the second priority in Bamland Shopping Center concerns the sense of touch. The sense of smell, with 18 points, is the second priority in the study area of Tehran Grand Bazaar. The third priority in Bamland Shopping Center pertains to the sense of hearing. The senses of taste and touch are ranked third in Tehran Grand Bazaar, with a score of 14, while the senses of smell and taste are ranked fourth and fifth in Bamland Shopping Center, respectively.ConclusionAs stimulating elements, the five senses affect human perception and behavior in the urban space as well as its quality so that the use of different senses leads to a deeper relationship between man and space. As a result, a better perception of the environment is obtained. The qualitative levels of the components of sensory richness were examined and compared to answer the main question of the research, i.e. what changes have been made to urban designers and planners’ concern for the qualitative components of sensory richness in the design of commercial spaces in Tehran. It can be stated that better sensory richness with greater variety has been provided in Tehran Grand Bazaar, but the concern for sensory richness has not continued in all dimensions in a modern complex such as Bamland Shopping Center. In both cases, the sense of sight is ranked first, and most environmental stimuli pertain to this sense. There is greater variety in sensory stimuli in the study area of Tehran Grand Bazaar, and more attention than to the other senses is paid to sight and hearing, which are ranked almost equally. In the study area of Bamland Shopping Center, however, the second most involved sense after sight is the sense of touch, and fewer senses are involved overall. It is also noteworthy that the sense of sight has received a higher score in Bamland Shopping Center than in Tehran Grand Bazaar. This problem can be interpreted in terms of the idea that the visual dimension of the environment has received greater attention in today’s designs, and the other senses have been neglected to some extent by architects, landscape architects, and urban designers.
Urban Design
sara salehi; Hassan sajadzadeh; Mohammad Saied Izadi; kasra ketabollahi
Abstract
Highlights- The relationship between the city and the movies was addressed, and the cinematic sequences were evaluated.- Movie locations and the need to benefit from the diversity of urban spaces in Iran were addressed.- The streets of big cities in Iranian movies are places to pass through, not to attend.
Introduction
The ...
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Highlights- The relationship between the city and the movies was addressed, and the cinematic sequences were evaluated.- Movie locations and the need to benefit from the diversity of urban spaces in Iran were addressed.- The streets of big cities in Iranian movies are places to pass through, not to attend.
Introduction
The bond between the city and the movies is a two-way, strong one more than a century old. The movies has always been defined with respect to the city and urban spaces since the first days of its creation—late 19th century.
If the audience perceives urban spaces as having various functions and appropriate spatial qualities in the movie, the perception is associated with the real space and causes different feedbacks than those spaces in the long term.
Despite the increasing global desire to use the cinematic image of the city to achieve various layers of information, the Iranian movies still fails to present a correct image of the city. The beating heart of every city, urban spaces are still not used in the Iranian movies in the general sense.
While large, important cities such as Paris, London, New York, and Berlin are always in a two-way relationship with the movies and urban spaces, where the city and the various relevant issues are always exposed to cinematic representations as everyday, critical, or praiseworthy matters, reflection on such issues is still heretical in Iran. Especially, critical reflection about Tehran, as the main location in the Iranian movies, has not received much attention. A way to understand the urban space is to represent the city, urban spaces, and the complex, contradictory whole using the movies. Therefore, the main purposes of this research are to 1- examine the characteristics of different periods of the Iranian movies from the beginning of its formation to 2019, 2- examine different dimensions of selected works of the Iranian fiction movies after the Islamic Revolution of 1978, 3- extract urban space creation criteria in the fiction movies works, and 4- represent the image of a more human-oriented urban space in the Iranian movies. The latter suggestion is made because it is assumed that the Iranian cinematographer can achieve a dialectic of indicating the positive and negative aspects of the existing spaces in the country’s cities by using the correct criteria for representation of urban spaces in the movies, thereby nurturing informed, insistent viewers and causing active measures on the part of environmental designers to create more humane spaces.
Theoretical Framework
The final criteria were evaluated with the methods of analyzing the content, watching the movie, and surveying the city in the movie. Based on the conceptual model, the final criteria include the following in the order specified from the filmmaker’s point of view: the qualities of the urban space in the movie, diversity in the use of urban spaces, method of payment for the place, types of urban space, and types of character. The criterion of diversity in urban spaces, which concerns the use of these spaces in different parts of the city (not only in a specific region) with the urban surveying method in the movie, seeks the diversity of urban spaces presented in the city of Tehran in the fiction movies of choice produced after the revolution, and the final map is generated in the GIS software. 5 more criteria were examined first in the most important movies produced after the revolution with the method of content analysis and movie watching.
Methodology
In a comparative study, what can help the researcher to achieve his goal is greater emphasis on simultaneous analysis and examination of contrasts, as practiced in this research.
Findings and Discussion
All the above points indicate that the Iranian moviemaker still considers the city and its imposed modernity to be the source of many problems.
Another issue emphasized by Iranian moviemakers is to demonstrate the constant development of the city and its spaces regardless of the events of the story and peoples’ wishes. In some movies, no emphasis is placed on the urban space if actually depicted, and it is regarded simply as a background for the events of the story. All locations are focused on certain areas in Tehran and the like.
Conclusion
The results of the research demonstrate that we have not been very successful in creation of urban spaces in the past decades, and the few spaces that have been created and recreated have not been welcomed by cinematographers for various reasons. Moreover, the represented urban areas have been restricted to certain areas in Tehran, which has been subject to the conditions mentioned in the section on findings.
Furthermore, most of the selected movies in the fiction and urban fields were filmed in Tehran, and we are faced all around Iran with a pure centralism in terms of selection of the location of filming in urban spaces despite the availability of a variety thereof. This process should be corrected to address different aspects of various cities in Iran in fiction movies.
Urban Design
Esmat Paikan; Mohammad Reza Pourjafar; Ehsan Ranjbar
Abstract
Highlights
- The curvature in the street makes it more exciting, and greater variety in curvature causes more arousal and pleasure.
- Streets with medium enclosure (1:2 and 1:1) exhibit the most desirable values of size and enclosure.
- The presence of a square or a prominent building, the permeability ...
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Highlights
- The curvature in the street makes it more exciting, and greater variety in curvature causes more arousal and pleasure.
- Streets with medium enclosure (1:2 and 1:1) exhibit the most desirable values of size and enclosure.
- The presence of a square or a prominent building, the permeability of the street, and the variation in its landscape increase the pleasantness and arousal.
- The three-dimensional rhythms of the street walls exhibit greater pleasure and arousal than the two-dimensional rhythms.
- The portable EEG devices (MindWave MW001 headset) are suitable for evaluation of environmental design interventions in the field of architecture and urban development.
Introduction
The environment can cause positive and negative emotions in citizens. Emotions are important due to their impacts on people’s behaviors, because emotions make up a main component of social behavior, and extraction of emotional responses is one of the best ways to understand different fields of experience and perception. Nowadays, mental health problems and the emphasis on increasing social interactions have led to more and more concern for the subject of emotions, but the impact of physical-spatial factors has received less attention from the conducted studies. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the physical-spatial measures of urban streets on pedestrians’ emotional responses by placing the individual in a pseudo-real environment. Moreover, this study makes possible the use of a new neural measurement tool in urban studies and evaluates its accuracy.
Theoretical Framework
The review of previous studies demonstrated that the environmental parameters that can affect emotion include non-physical human factors on the one hand and physical ones on the other. The physical factors that make up the subject of this research can be divided into two categories: 1- non-artificial factors, i.e. green space, and 2- artificial factors, which include the size and enclosure of the space, the shape and form of the space, the characteristics of the surfaces including architectural style, the color and texture of materials, and the variation in spatial sequences. Given the number of studies conducted on the effect of natural factors and certain characteristics of surfaces in the field of architecture, the present research examined four physical parameters.
Methodology
Ten of the most important physical-spatial variables that make up different states and types of the spatial structure of an urban street, which can affect the individual emotions of pedestrians, were selected for investigation and used to design 18 tests. The research was conducted with a combined method consisting of: 1- a self-report method of Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) images and 2- a neurological method using electroencephalography. In the EEG method, the single-channel MindWave MW001 headset, produced by Neurosky, was used as the instrument. The research population included 50 students of Tarbiat Modares University. The research was conducted with the help of controlled experiments using the mobile digital 3D modeling technique, which makes it possible for people to navigate the virtual street in the city. After the data extracted by the health and Stroop tests were confirmed, the data analysis was made using a quantitative-statistical method.
Results and Discussion
The findings regarding the shape and form of the space demonstrated that people feel more pleased in curved streets than in straight streets, and there is greater arousal in streets of the former than the latter shape. However, the level of control in a straight street is higher than that in a curved or spiral street. As for the size and enclosure of the urban space, the results indicated that there is greater pleasure in a street with medium enclosure (1:2 and 1:1) than in one with low or high enclosure (1:4 and 1:1.2), but streets with medium enclosure exhibit less arousal. Spaces with less enclosure cause people to have more control over the space. The results also demonstrated that the pleasure and arousal experienced by people is increased by the existence of the square as a spatial element and a landmark building as a physical element, permeability in the spatial structure of the street and brokenness in the path, and variation in the landscape of the street. It was only in the street with physical retraction and protrusion that no effect on arousal was observed, although the level of pleasure should increase. Moreover, the results indicated that the pleasure in the street with the curved corner was greater than that with the other forms. However, the shape of the street corner exhibits no effect on the arousal. Furthermore, the walls that are completely three-dimensional exhibit greater pleasure and arousal than those featuring walls with two-dimensional and three-dimensional rhythms. Finally, the walls that are completely two-dimensional have the least pleasantness and arousal. There is a higher level of control in the street with 2D rhythms than in that with 3D rhythms. The results also showed that visual permeability in the physical structure of the street increases the arousal and control of the space, but it has no effect on the pleasure. Another result of this research is that there is 75% conformity in the results obtained from the two methods of SAM and EEG, which demonstrates that the data (EEG) extracted from the device can extract people’s emotions well.
Conclusion
In general, the current research confirms the results of previous studies, but it precisely demonstrated by measuring the extracted neural data that the levels of emotional pleasure, arousal, and control are affected by the shape and form of the street, the size and enclosure of the street space, the presence of a spatial and physical element that creates attention and emphasis in the street, permeability in the spatial structure of the street, rotation along the street and perspective change along the path, two and three-dimensional wall street rhythms, and the shape and form of the corners of the street intersection. However, physical indentations and protrusions exhibit no effect on arousal, and visual permeability has no effect on pleasure. In addition, the results showed that the EEG data extracted from the headset (MindWave MW001) used in this study could well capture the emotions of individuals, thus making up a proper potential tool for evaluation of environmental design interventions in the field of architecture and urban planning. The results of the present study, which indicate the psychological effects of urban design of a street, help to select and design the appropriate elements and physical characteristics of the space, increase positive emotions and reduce negative emotions, and ultimately improve the mental health of citizens.
Acknowledgment
This article is taken from the doctoral thesis of urban planning with the title "Explaining the effects of the physical-spatial components of an urban street on the emotional stimulation of pedestrians with an emphasis on the use of neuroscience" which was defended by the first author with the guidance of the second author and the advice of the third author in the Tarbiat Modares University.
Urban Design
mona mehranfar; Jamaleddin Soheili; reza afhami
Abstract
Highlights- The graphics used in the urban furniture in District Two of the city of Qazvin, Iran have created a sense of place in the citizens.- Seats, sitting areas, and square elements play the most important role in creation of a sense of place through urban furniture.- Visual structure and architecture ...
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Highlights- The graphics used in the urban furniture in District Two of the city of Qazvin, Iran have created a sense of place in the citizens.- Seats, sitting areas, and square elements play the most important role in creation of a sense of place through urban furniture.- Visual structure and architecture play the most important role in creation of a sense of place, environmental graphics, and urban furniture. IntroductionLittle attention has been paid in the current era to the field of environmental graphicsand the creation of new experiences to induce a sense of place, which has caused environmental graphics to encounter stability and inactivity. This is due to ignorance and insufficient concern for it in strategic research. Today, architects and designers have tried to crystallize the aesthetic aspects of these elements besides the functional aspects in the study of urban graphics, and what they create involves aesthetic meanings and creates a sense of place in the audience. Moreover, the issue of creating a sense of place, one of the most important factors in environmental quality in Iranian cities, has been largely forgotten in the field of environmental graphics in the current era. Today’s urban space is sometimes left open even in response to performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the urban graphics in District Two of the city of Qazvin, Iran in order to improve the sense of place in citizens and then to achieve a model of urban graphics reading.Theoretical FrameworkThe visual quality of the urban environment involves an area with two systems of esoteric and external existence that must be understood simultaneously in order to improve the promotion of a sense of place for the audience. Cities with favorable visual environments are capable of expanding citizens’ aesthetic experience, promote their mental image of the society, and strengthen their civic pride. Meanwhile, the visual environment of a city emerges through the complex system of signs and the social, economic, and cultural characteristics of their communities. In the process of human-urban interaction, the visual environment provides the conditions for citizens’ and visitors’ perception, cognition, and environmental evaluation as a common interface. Man’s main perceptions from the environment depend on visual perception and visual factors. Thus, visual data provide man with the possibility of communication with the environment, because they play an effective role in promotion of the reading of urban spaces and visual perception of the environment. If we fail to consider the visual principles, graphic works, and visual representations in urban spaces, chaos and visual pollution will be created in urban environments, and these visual inconsistencies will intensify people’s psychological unrest. Therefore, environmental graphics can contribute to the organization of the visual system, improvement of the visual qualities, and enrichment of the sensory-visual features of urban spaces and consequently provide visual and mental peace and particular effects to the audience. As a part of the performance of environmental graphics, urban furniture has an important role in beautification and quality improvement along with creation of a sense of place in urban environments. Therefore, it can be stated according to earlier studies that architects and designers have tried to crystallize the aesthetic aspects of urban furniture besides the functional aspects of these elements in their current studies, and what they create involves aesthetic meanings and a sense of place.MethodologyThe present qualitative-quantitative study is considered as a survey in terms of purpose. In the collection of qualitative data, library tools were used for a review of the studies conducted in the field, and the obtained data were evaluated using the method of content analysis. In the quantitative part of the present study, field tools (observation and questionnaire) were used. The researcher-made questionnaire of the present study, which was prepared according to the data obtained from library studies and the theoretical framework of the present study, was distributed to one hundred citizens in District Two of Qazvin, who were selected using simple random sampling. The Friedman test was first used to rank the criteria and indicators concerning the respondents to the present research questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using the method of content analysis in the following step.Results and DiscussionThe results indicate that the physical structure of urban graphics in District Two of Qazvin involves a balanced quality of significant signs that attract the audience’s attention, and specify the sense of place in the area depending on the form, color, and materials. Among the components of environmental graphics reading in District Two of Qazvin, the components of visual structure and architecture exhibit the greatest roles, where they have created a sense of place in the residents of this district proportionally to their contexts and the types of color combination used, because there is a strong mutual relationship between the components of proportion and color combination and the reading of environmental graphics.ConclusionAccording to the data extracted from the questionnaire and the opinions collected from the residents of the district, it can be stated in general that seats and sitting places and square elements are ranked highest according to the conducted Friedman test, while elements such as trash cans and murals are ranked lowest.
Urban Design
shima abedi; Sanaz saeedi
Abstract
Highlights
- The characteristics mentioned by 8-year-old children as used in the wayfinding process include green space and the forms of buildings.
- The directional factors considered in the selection of signs in children’s wayfinding process include the colors and shapes of buildings, building ...
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Highlights
- The characteristics mentioned by 8-year-old children as used in the wayfinding process include green space and the forms of buildings.
- The directional factors considered in the selection of signs in children’s wayfinding process include the colors and shapes of buildings, building forms, and shapes and architectures of buildings, and the performance of buildings has a direct impact on the choice of signs in wayfinding.
- The uniqueness of the sign, color, form, shape, and distinction have great impacts in the consideration of the signs and further completion of the wayfinding process.
- The guiding elements used in children’s wayfinding are different at different ages.
Introduction
Spatial navigation is influenced by landmarks, which are prominent visual features of the environment. These cues are stored in memory as structures based on places in space, and help advance path knowledge. Spatial representation of landmarks is preferably coded according to their capability of navigation. Signs affect our ability to navigate a familiar or unfamiliar environment successfully. Sights are messages from the urban space. This is especially important for children, who do not usually have the independence and experience required to move in an urban environment. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of urban signs on children navigating the urban space in the Sajjad neighborhood of the city of Mashhad, Iran.
Theoretical Framework
Humans create images of cities in their minds according to their physiological and social characteristics, such as age, gender, social class, ethnicity, nationality, skills, and information received from the environment. These images turn into the basis for a person’s behavior toward the environment. Moving through space and navigating are essential aspects of space exploration. As part of the understanding and experience of the environment, routing involves spatial decision-making for arrival at the destination. Sights are a kind of message from urban spaces. People choose landmarks in the city for their routing. Humans navigate with information support by quickly observing and understanding signs, maps, and signals. Route knowledge includes the important sights in the environment. This study sought to investigate the effect of signs on children navigating urban spaces.
Methodology
This applied research was a quantitative-qualitative survey with a sequential strategy. Data collection was based on a review of authoritative sources concerning the research topic, the indicators were extracted based on experts’ views, and the test was performed in a case study. Initially, twenty questionnaires were completed as a preliminary, randomized test and distributed among children. The population included 245 children aged 8-12 years, selected in the Sajjad neighborhood, given an accuracy of 95% and a confidence level of 0.05. Sample size was set to 150 children and then reduced to 106 due to the lack of cooperation of some children. Thus, 106 girls and boys in the age range of 8-12 years were randomly interviewed. The questionnaire was divided into two parts based on a five-point Likert scale. The variables in the theoretical framework of the research were tested in the questionnaire. Moreover, Cronbach’s alpha, obtained as 0.761 for the questionnaire, was used to assess validity and reliability, which indicates the desired coefficient of reliability and content validity of the questionnaire.
Upon completion of the questionnaire, the children were interviewed, and the meanings of the questions were fully explained to them. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively in Amos using confirmatory factor analysis methods. A qualitative analysis was made of the children’s paintings, and overlay and graphic methods were used to summarize it. The main variables of the research included routing and signage, which were evaluated according to the theoretical framework of the research.
Results and Discussion
The results indicate that differences in children’s age groups cause differences in the effectiveness of signals in their wayfinding. Moreover, physical elements and signs in urban spaces are highly effective in their guidance through the study area. Among the features used by 8-year-old children in the wayfinding process, we can mention green spaces and the forms of buildings. Children aged 9-10 years pay attention to the physical forms and distinctions of buildings in the routing process. Children with 10-12 years of age refer to buildings with greater color variety and ones with more distinctive architectural forms than others. The results demonstrate that the uniqueness of the sign, color, form, shape, and distinction has a great effect in the process of considering the sign and the persistence of the wayfinding process. Therefore, given the priority of following the signs in children’s process of wayfinding in urban spaces, it can be pointed out that the physical, functional, and semantic manifestation of the signs also has a great impact in the process.
The role of signals in children of the examined age range was investigated according to the theoretical model of the research, along with the characteristics of signals in the environment. Initially, signs were paid greater attention by children, as extracted from the questionnaires and drawings. Among the signs mentioned by children in the Sajjad neighborhood were those of Laleh Street, Melli Bank, Jami Park, Pomegranate Juice Store, and Mina Park..
Conclusion
Children in the 10-12 age range use prominent commercial and residential buildings in wayfinding. Studies indicate the effect of a distinct body on children’s wayfinding behavior, given that signs are one of children’s navigation tools. It was found through the examination of the routing process as the main variable of the researchthat wayfinding is facilitated for children in the Sajjad neighborhood by the available signs and indicators. The analysis results of the effect of cues in children’s wayfinding process indicate that different guiding elements are used in the process at different ages. At the age of 8, children use paths and buildings to navigate. In the age groups of 11-12 and 9-10 years, they pay attention to the forms of roads and the shapes and functions of buildings, and turn in different directions at decision points during the wayfinding process. In the drawings, attention is paid to the ways and to the forms, shapes, functions, and colors of buildings. Therefore, children’s familiarity with the neighborhood has been observed in their wayfinding. The results indicate that there are relationships between wayfinding and environmental characteristics (physical and communication components of signals).
Urban Design
Alimohamad Saadati; Fereshte Ahmadi; Ali Ghafari; Elham Nazemi
Abstract
Highlights:
Improvement of the quality of life in historical contexts
Presentation of a conceptual model of the role of urban spaces in public life
Without the interaction of the environment, community, and economy, the quality of life will not improve.
There are many physical-functional ...
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Highlights:
Improvement of the quality of life in historical contexts
Presentation of a conceptual model of the role of urban spaces in public life
Without the interaction of the environment, community, and economy, the quality of life will not improve.
There are many physical-functional and environmental qualities in urban public spaces that can guarantee the success of the field in satisfaction of residents and users of historic districts.
Introduction
In addition to performing all its standard functions in other urban areas, an urban space in a historic district should play its role at a higher multifaceted level matching the characteristics of a historic district with established identity. Accordingly, the present work aimed to discover how the components of an urban space, on the one hand, and the constituent elements of the flow of life in a historic district, on the other, are linked and interact so as to enable reasonable management of urban space potentials in a historic district and their proper application to enhance the quality of life for the residents and users.
Theoretical Framework
The model consisted of six components defining the following factors: the environmental component, with life quality in micro‑spaces and environmental sustainability as criteria; the empirical-aesthetic component, with old-new area integration and quality of urban landscape as criteria; the functional component, with variety in environment usage, environmental liveliness and quality, safety and security, and transportation and accessibility as criteria; the socio-cultural component, with social liveliness and cohesion and maintenance of population balance as criteria; the economic component, with economic liveliness and stability and flexibility of development plans as a criterion; and the temporal component, with time management in public spaces and continuity of place as criteria.
Generated based on the urban space components, the presented conceptual model offered a new approach to urban planning and management, and was concerned with all the urban regeneration measures adopted in historic districts. Functioning on local, regional, urban, and extramural scales, it can also assume applications in the quality assessment of measures adopted in public arenas within historic districts.
Methodology
The above strategy will in turn keep indigenous residents in historic contexts, have immigrants to those areas return, and bring about socio-economic and environmental sustainability. Employing logical reasoning, the Delphi method, and expert opinions, this descriptive-analytical study first discussed the urban space components and their qualitative requirements. Next, the dimensions and measures of the quality of urban life were analyzed, and their factors concerning the urban space and environmental quality and topics formed on urban design, planning, and management were identified based on the theoretical views found in the literature. In the next step, the factors extracted based on the characteristic features of historic districts were monitored and reviewed. The 91 factors obtained from the Delphi method were reduced to 64 after views and comments from about forty experts in the field were applied. Finally, the results were presented as a conceptual model describing the role of urban spaces on quality‑of‑life enhancement in historic urban districts.
Results and Discussion
According to the findings, there are many physical–functional and environmental qualities in public urban spaces that can guarantee the arena’s success in provision of the residents and users of historic districts with satisfaction. However, taking notice of economic activities and social mobility in these districts is fundamental to the effectiveness of a measure adopted for enhancement of the quality of life in public arenas within historic districts. Meanwhile, a rise in the sensitivity of local communities to the values of historic districts and the potentials of public arenas for enhancement of the quality of life therein encourages them to assume an active role in the application of these arenas and the local communities’ socio-economic potentials in enhancement of the quality of public arenas. This can also enable these communities to express problems and propose solutions; in some cases, it can even lead to innovative financing ideas for project implementation. In tandem with urban planning, it ensures the sustainability of public arenas in historic districts, and improves the quality of life for their residents and users. Therefore, the issues of socio-cultural livability and dynamic economy are the cornerstones of the formation of quality spaces within historic districts, and the quality of life will not improve regardless of the triad of the environment, society, and economy.
Conclusion
The presented conceptual model, based on the urban space components, offers a new approach to urban planning and management, and is concerned with all the urban regeneration measures adopted in historic districts. Functioning on local, regional, urban, and extramural scales, the model can also assume applications in the quality assessment of measures implemented in public arenas within historic districts. Here is a brief description of the intervention measures adopted for these districts and their regeneration process based on the proposed model.
The socio-cultural component. Contextualizing, contributing to/collaborating with, providing a process orientation for, innovating, and influencing the satisfaction of residents and users in public areas, utilizing the contribution/collaboration from the users of public arenas, delegating authority to non‑governmental organizations for utilization management, allowing for effective, constructive interaction among the organizations involved in the quality enhancement of historic districts and observing the pertinent legal frameworks, clarifying the procedures and promoting the accountability of officials, and respecting the cultural, social, and economic structures of life in the district.
The empirical-aesthetic component. Integrating old and new spaces within public arenas while respecting the features of their historic districts and taking notice of the mass and space simultaneously and avoiding shell designs.
The environmental component. Reducing environmental pollution and protecting energy resources and the natural heritage.
The functional component. Providing a favorable impact on space liveliness and enhancing social inclusion to be able to hold various events.
The economic component. Helping businesses flourish and promoting tourism.
The temporal component. Taking notice of nightlife, holding seasonal, monthly, and weekly events and recognizing the sense of place and making an effort to preserve it within the environment.
Urban Design
Farshad Nourian; Behnaz Aminzadeh; Mazyar Abaee
Abstract
Highlights
The urban design process has a vital role in the implemented result of urban design projects.
Bridging the theory-practice in urban design needs a combination of the implementation phase in the design process.
The gradual approach to the urban design process deals with a step-by-step ...
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Highlights
The urban design process has a vital role in the implemented result of urban design projects.
Bridging the theory-practice in urban design needs a combination of the implementation phase in the design process.
The gradual approach to the urban design process deals with a step-by-step process combined with real-world implementation and feedbacks.
Introduction
Although more than half a century has passed since the academic birth of urban design, it still suffers from ambiguities in theory and practice. Questions emerge such as the following. Can urban design be a definite discipline? Is urban design independent of urban planning, architecture, and landscape architecture? What is the role of urban design in the real world, and what is the final product? What is the appropriate process and the main toolboxes? Answers to these questions must be part of the common discourse of the field, definite answers to clarify all the ambiguities.
Theoretical Frameworks
Despite these ambiguities, urban design continues to be considered as an intellectual tradition. It plays a significant role in everyday human life, and remains a subject matter in many studies. In recent years, many urban projects have sought to create noble environments for people while providing economic benefits for the private sector and local governments. Some research has attempted to evaluate such projects. The results point to the fact that many such projects have failed to accomplish their stated goals. Theoretically, this appears to be the result of a theory-practice dichotomy.
However, there has been a gap in comprehensive research since the 1990s on the urban design process. Although several different parameters affect the implementation of designed projects, the urban design process may play a significant role in the end product. Hence, the question is what could be the relationship between the urban design process and on-the-ground project realization? A complementary question is whether we can manipulate the urban design process to achieve the stated design goals and realize the projects as intended. To answer these questions, we first present a literature review on the urban design process and then discuss the results of our examination of some implemented projects to find clues about how to handle the urban design process and solve the theory-practice dichotomy of urban design itself.
Urban design ambiguities can influence the urban design process as its central procedural dimension, which has implemented projects as its results. Although different parameters cooperate to make it troublesome to utilize a project, all designs are affected by the urban design process. Thus, the question concerns the relationship between the urban design process and project realization. It is also unknown whether we can manipulate the urban design process to ensure the realization of projects. In addition, based on the theory-practice dichotomy, we need to know whether the evaluation of urban design projects and their realization can give us a clue as to how to handle the urban design process. Therefore, we attempt to resolve theoretical ambiguity in urban design by examining some real-world projects. Here, we assume that the urban design process can also transfer theoretical ambiguities to real-world practice as a medium that canalizes theoretical knowledge to practice.
Methodology
The research addresses many unknown topics and undefined parameters. Thus, it may not be possible to develop a specific theoretical framework with a clear list of measurable criteria to meet the research goals through a classified research method. Our literature review leads to a framework that points to a relationship between the subject matters. This framework is not exhaustive because our research does not rely on quantitative measurements and focuses on experience with the subject.
Therefore, the study is restricted to qualitative research. Due to the uncertainties about the topics, a theoretical interpretation is made of the literature based on qualitative research to develop a framework for an experimental approach to the issue. Content analysis and action research lead us to calibration of the framework. The result provides an ultimate configuration for a practical framework which can be an a priori model which can be calibrated to an ultimate model by experience. Such an experience clarifies the parameters and their relationships through direct contact with the research domain. Therefore, a model is created for the urban design process after the literature review, applicable to examination of operational experience. Finally, we observe that the process is not an ultimate one but can help us find an ultimate one based on the iteration of the a priori model.
Here, the case study addresses the master plan for the Abbasabad region in Tehran. We use this project as the subject of our content analysis. The project is examined through the documents, i.e., reports, administrative correspondences, and proceedings, based on the meetings of cultural and technical committees.
The documents are analysed in MaxQda. The keywords used in the software include project, realization, process, ratification, Article 5 Commission, master plan, specific plan, implementation, and construction. After the first search in the documents, the useless words are eliminated, and the search is carried out again for their classification. The results are analyzed interpretively. Next, another project–i.e., design of the southern Kan area–is used as a case study implemented on the ground.
Results and discussion
The generalization of the incremental process can be explained theoretically, but the experimental proof requires more cases and several, repeated experimental applications of the process. Practical application of the process can calibrate the framework to a more realistic one. The result of the theoretical explanation is that the general format of the process can change over time to turn to a complete model, other models, or derivations of the present model.
In fact, a model is generated after the literature review calibration of which through experimental research leads to a design process.
Conclusion
The incremental process, as proposed in this paper, needs to be tested over time. The relationship between practice and implementation can be recognized through direct experimentation with the incremental process. However, the relationship between implementation and theory (following that between theory and practice) can be recognized through research methods such as design studies. This can demonstrate how theoretical knowledge can be converted to the practical material of projects.
Acknowledgment: The article has been derived from the Ph.D. thesis entitled Revisiting the Urban Design Process with a Focus on Implementation of Projects, which has been defended by the third author under the first author’s supervision and the second author’s advisory at the University of Tehran.
We should thank Naghshe Jahan-Pars Consulting Co. And Gozineh Consulting Co. for providing us with the materials for the two case study projects of Abbas Abad Region Master Plan and Southern Kan Area Design, respectively.
Urban Design
Seyed Mojtaba Safdarnejad; Seyed Abdolhadi Daneshpour; Mostafa Behzadfar
Abstract
Highlights · Playing various diverse roles by rivers and their abundant quality values for humans and their habitats · Utilizing the competitive advantage of urban rivers according to a ...
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Highlights · Playing various diverse roles by rivers and their abundant quality values for humans and their habitats · Utilizing the competitive advantage of urban rivers according to a comprehensive planning and a holistic, multi-sectoral, intelligent, and creative management · Necessity of paying attention to the core characteristics of the rivers and their use as character shaping components of public places based on urban rivers in planning and design process 1. Introduction Rivers have been effective in the location, appearance, and development of settlements, everywhere including in Iran, and have offered them various qualities. The current problem of water in the country has emphasized the issue of water quality and health of rivers. However, simultaneous protection of rivers, response to the concern of how to handle them in the development of settlements, and utilization of this gift to the benefit of the public requires an identification of their dimensions, functions, and values within different branches of science. Recognition of the importance of rivers, along with avoidance of an incomprehensive view in their planning, management, and exploitation, provides a collective consensus among the people, officials, and professionals, which paves the way for the use of rivers to improve the quality of life. 2. Theoretical Framework By reviewing the functions, values, and qualities of rivers, while emphasizing the need for their protection, this study seeks to re-examine and re-emphasize their importance for settlements and their inhabitants and the need for comprehensive consideration of these natural phenomena. It also highlights the need to change attitudes toward rivers and avoid sectoral planning and management in different scales and systems of study, and indicates the importance of adopting a comprehensive view. In the context of urban design, the study explains the central role of rivers in distinguishing public places. Accordingly, the primary purposes of the research are to review and account for the functions, values, and qualities of rivers for settlements and to explain the dimensions of river-centeredness in cities and public places. The secondary purposes are to account for the different dimensions of urban rivers in accordance with the systems of study in different branches of science and to explain the necessity of adopting a holistic approach in confrontation with urban rivers. The review of the research literature indicates that most studies have examined aspects of the role and value of rivers along with their focuses. Specifically, domestic studies have not attempted to comprehensively investigate the issue, and involve minor references to certain functions or qualities of rivers. In addition, these studies have not examined the centrality of rivers in settlements and public places. 3. Methodology This developmental-applied research seeks to reform the attitudes and perspectives of urban management professionals and experts in river-related branches of science (including urban planning and design) and to note the importance of a holistic view for their protection and use by reviewing the roles and functions of rivers and their qualities and values for humans and settlements. In addition, the present study attempts to investigate the centrality of the river in public places that are based on this natural phenomenon. It is based on the empiricism paradigm and a qualitative approach, where the method of multi-case study is adopted to examine the status of theoretical concepts extracted from the literature in order to collect the necessary data for description, analysis, and comparison of the case samples along with field surveys. 4. Results and Discussion The present study has examined the related literature including field surveys conducted in different Iranian cities with rivers, identified, formulated, and presented the roles and functions/values and qualities of the river as environmental/ecological, physical/spatial, functional, economic, social/cultural, perceptual and psychological, legal, geographical, and other systems of study, and shown the scopes of investigation of various branches of science for them. In addition, it has introduced the multiple dimensions of rivers and indicated the necessity of overhaul and metamorphosis treatment of rivers due to their multifaceted nature after provision of the required framework within river-related branches of science. On the one hand, the study has identified the items that can be inferred as differentiating factors in river-based public places using river characteristics with logical conclusions drawn from river roles/functions/values/qualities. On the other hand, the findings confirm that water and its effects and characteristics (i.e. the status of the river as basis) are the most important factors used for distinguishing river-centered public places from others. Therefore, it is necessary in the planning and design of such places to consider the central features of the river and use them as components that shape the distinct personality of the place. Thus, effectiveness of the river and river-centeredness in public places with rivers as basis at sustainable place-making requires particular concern for activity and attempt, function and use, climatic comfort, economic competitiveness, social interaction, identity and culture, energy supply, education and culture, landscaping, physical and mental well-being, self-actualization, pedestrianism, meaning creation, infrastructure, appearance and landscape, internal cohesion, external cohesion, and connection with the nature. 5. Conclusion Playing numerous, diverse roles, rivers provide many values and qualities for the settlements involving them and their inhabitants. Although Iran is located mostly in arid and semi-arid climates, many of its settlements experience the presence of small and large rivers, permanent and seasonal. Taking advantage of this opportunity and enjoying such qualities and values as a competitive advantage requires a well-codified, comprehensive plan and transcendental, intelligent, creative management. The results of the research demonstrate that most of the interviewees believe that the river can be used as a public place provided that the required training is offered to users, and proper planning, design, and maintenance is established under the supervision of the government and urban management as designated domains for the river free of the risk of damaging it. Potential applications of this research include the integration of planning, design, and management of rivers, sustainable place-making and reconstruction with a focus on rivers, revision of urban development documents, and revision of the relevant laws. Acknowledgement The present article has been developed based on the PhD dissertation of Seyed Mojtaba Safdarnejad in Urban Planning, entitled Regeneration of Urban Rivers as Sustainable Public Places, in progress at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology under supervision of Dr. Sayed Abdolhadi Daneshpour and advisory of Dr. Mustafa Behzadfar. Highlights 1. Playing various diverse roles by rivers and their abundant quality values for humans and their habitats 2- Utilizing the competitive advantage of urban rivers according to a comprehensive planning and a holistic, multi-sectoral, intelligent, and creative management 3- Necessity of paying attention to the core characteristics of the rivers and their use as character shaping components of public places based on urban rivers in planning and design process
