Motaleate Shahri

Urban Design

A meta-method for studying public art and its connection to creative placemaking and happy urban space

saeideh divsalar; Seyed Moslem Seyedalhosseini; toktam hanaee; hadi sarvari

Volume 13, Issue 51 , August 2024, Pages 3-18

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.139857.4978

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 ... Read More 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 Economy

Avoiding the Bazar: an analysis of spatial and non-spatial attractions affecting the establishment of activities on the edge of the street: clothing retailing activity in Kazeroon city

Gholamreza Moradi; Enayat Mirzaei

Volume 13, Issue 51 , August 2024, Pages 19-32

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2023.139696.4963

Abstract

Highlights Location is a critical concept in retail, especially in the clothing sector. Many clothing stores opt for street locations over the Bazaar (retail agglomeration). Factors such as business hours, accessibility, parking availability, and social networks play a significant role in avoiding ... Read More Highlights Location is a critical concept in retail, especially in the clothing sector. Many clothing stores opt for street locations over the Bazaar (retail agglomeration). Factors such as business hours, accessibility, parking availability, and social networks play a significant role in avoiding retail agglomerations (Bazaar and shopping centers). Parking, street activity, visibility, and proximity to major urban centers are key reasons for establishing stores on the street. Using MaxQDA software is highly effective for qualitative data analysis and interview coding. 1. Introduction Location selection is vital in all types of businesses, including retail, wholesale, service, and manufacturing. This is particularly true for retail businesses, where location often plays a determining role in the success or failure of commercial activities. Agglomeration economies, where stores physically cluster together to gain mutual benefits, are common in retail. In Kazeroon City, many retail activities, especially clothing stores, have traditionally been located in the city center, within the Bazaar or nearby shopping centers. However, in recent years, a noticeable shift has occurred, with some stores opting for street locations instead. This research seeks to explore the reasons behind this trend of avoiding retail agglomeration and the criteria for selecting locations on the street. 2. Theoretical Framework Retail agglomeration occurs when similar or complementary retailers cluster in or near a location, creating a pull factor for both retailers and customers. This concept is a foundational element in economic studies and urban planning. Retail patterns can be categorized hierarchically, from central business districts to isolated store clusters, and by their form into planned or unplanned, linear, or isolated clusters. Three types of retail agglomerations are commonly distinguished: evolved (such as central business districts), created (such as shopping malls), and hybrid (like retail parks). Furthermore, these agglomerations can be classified as planned or unplanned, depending on their level of management and organization. Various theories such as Central Place Theory, the Spatial Interaction Model, Bid Rent Theory, and the Principle of Minimum Differentiation provide insight into how retailers distribute themselves spatially within cities and why they form agglomerations. 3. Methodology This research employs a qualitative approach to collect and analyze data. Kazeroon, a city in Iran's Fars Province, has over 4,877 active economic activities, 395 of which are clothing stores. Of these, 330 are located within the Bazaar or shopping centers (i.e., retail agglomerations), while 65 are located on the street. Data was gathered through face-to-face interviews with 24 street-based clothing vendors, and content was analyzed using MaxQDA software. Spatial analysis was conducted using GIS Pro software to map the spatial distribution and configuration of stores. 4. Results and Discussion The primary reasons for retailers choosing street locations over the Bazaar included factors such as business hours, accessibility, parking availability, social networks, store atmosphere, the size of the shop, COVID-19 impacts, ownership, costs, and the unavailability of empty shops within the Bazaar. These factors can be divided into two categories: non-spatial factors (e.g., business hours, social networks, ownership) and spatial factors (e.g., accessibility, parking availability, store size). Interviews revealed that retailers were attracted to street locations because of convenient customer parking, high visibility, active streets, and proximity to major urban centers. These factors, as well as store size and ownership arrangements, were commonly cited as critical considerations in selecting a location. The deductive approach based on theoretical foundations and past research revealed that parking availability, visibility, active street life, and proximity to major attractions were frequently mentioned by interviewees. Proximity to complementary stores, rental costs, and proximity to competitors were also noted but were not as prominent as in previous studies. The findings suggest that while proximity to complementary stores and cost considerations are significant in other research, in the case of Kazeroon, these factors were less influential. The unique conditions of the city, such as the lack of adequate parking near the Bazaar, shifted the emphasis towards street locations, where customer access is easier due to marginal parking availability. Active street life, visibility, and proximity to major land uses remain consistent with findings from other studies. Notably, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing role of social networks, and the atmospheric quality of street stores emerged as differentiating factors in this study, contrasting with findings from other research. Ownership arrangements and contract types also played a significant role in location decisions, providing an additional layer of complexity not often addressed in traditional retail studies. Moreover, it was discovered that some clothing stores are moving away from the city center and forming new retail clusters on the outskirts, creating new agglomerations. 5. Conclusion The findings of this research underscore that store ownership is a significant factor in avoiding central city locations, as owning property eliminates the need to pay rent, reducing the perceived benefits of agglomeration. Additionally, the rise of social networks as a customer acquisition tool has decreased the reliance on physical proximity to the Bazaar. Limited business hours within the Bazaar, particularly closing on holidays and early evening closures, along with the confined atmosphere of shopping malls, have prompted retailers to establish street-based locations. Among the most critical factors influencing this decision is the ease of customer access, particularly due to the availability of marginal parking. Factors such as active street life, high visibility, and proximity to significant land uses are consistent with previous studies on retail location selection. However, the influence of proximity to competitors and complementary stores, which are frequently emphasized in the literature, were less significant in this study. The research also highlights that certain retailers, far from the city center, are forming new agglomerations in less central areas, indicating the emergence of new retail patterns in Kazeroon. This research contributes to the understanding of retail location dynamics, particularly in smaller cities like Kazeroon. It suggests that retailers prioritize factors that facilitate customer convenience, such as parking and accessibility, over traditional agglomeration benefits. The findings have implications for urban planners and policymakers, particularly in addressing the infrastructural needs of non-central retail areas.

Urban GIS

Spatial analysis and modeling of effective factors on texture inefficiency of Mashhad pilgrimage city

Amir Baghban; sajedeh baghban khiabani; Mozhgan Sabet Teimouri

Volume 13, Issue 51 , August 2024, Pages 33-48

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.138597.4900

Abstract

Highlights - Mashhad’s urban inefficiency problem follows a clustering pattern. - The increase in informal settlements on the outskirts of Mashhad is due to microlithic structures and impenetrable textures. - The G_i statistic highlights the location of cold clusters with lower inefficiency ... Read More Highlights - Mashhad’s urban inefficiency problem follows a clustering pattern. - The increase in informal settlements on the outskirts of Mashhad is due to microlithic structures and impenetrable textures. - The G_i statistic highlights the location of cold clusters with lower inefficiency in the pilgrimage area. - Small rented and unstable buildings exert a stronger influence on the inefficiency of structures than other factors. 1-Introduction Cities are dynamic systems, constantly evolving under the influence of social, cultural, economic, and political factors. Urban inefficiencies, particularly in certain textures, pose significant challenges to urban planners. Inefficient urban textures represent areas where physical, functional, and social quality are severely lacking. These textures, often formed over long periods, fail to meet the needs of their residents. The city of Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest metropolis, encompasses 6688 hectares of inefficient textures. These areas are marked by inadequate housing, inconsistent land use, and poor infrastructure, among other challenges, leading to a low quality of life for residents. This imbalance in physical development and population settlement poses numerous challenges. Hence, evaluating the vulnerability and inefficiency of these textures is critical. This study aims to investigate the spatial patterns of inefficiency in Mashhad's urban textures. 2-Theoretical Framework Inefficient urban textures are sections of a city where infrastructure, buildings, streets, and other components become ineffective, causing a range of socio-economic and physical problems for residents. These inefficient urban areas can be categorized into five types: 2-1-Informal settlements: Primarily house rural migrants and the urban poor. 2-2-Middle inefficient (worn-out) textures: Parts of the city developed after the 1300s without adherence to architectural or urban planning standards. 2-3-Historical city textures: These sections hold historical value in urban planning and architecture but are now inefficient. 2-4-Urban areas with a rural background: Areas within the city that have not integrated with the broader urban fabric. 2-5-Areas with incompatible urban use: Locations where the current usage contradicts urban planning needs. Understanding the development of these textures is crucial for assessing their inefficiency and the urban planning interventions required to address them. 3-Methodology The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach, gathering data through extensive library research and literature reviews. The study area consisted of 6688 hectares of inefficient textures in Mashhad. To assess the level of inefficiency in these areas, the WSUM (Weighted Sum) technique was employed. Further spatial analysis was conducted using ArcGIS software, with a particular focus on spatial self-dependency patterns, analyzed through models like the Global Moran Model and the G_i statistic. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was then used to model the spatial relationships between different factors contributing to urban inefficiency. 4-Results and Discussion The results showed that informal settlements and marginal areas of Mashhad are more inefficient compared to the middle and central parts of the city. Analyzing the spatial pattern of inefficiency using the Global Moran method and G_i statistics revealed that the inefficiencies follow a cluster pattern. The Global Moran method produced a positive score of 0.1, with a z-score of 68.26 at a significance level of 99%. This indicates a significant clustering of inefficient textures. Further analysis with the G_i statistic showed a G value of 0.000120 and a z-score of 19.14, confirming a high-concentration clustering pattern of inefficiency. The spatial correlation analysis revealed that hot spots (high-concentration clusters) are located in the eastern, southeastern, and northwestern parts of the city, where informal settlements dominate. In contrast, cold spots (areas of low inefficiency) were concentrated in the central parts of the city, including the pilgrimage area. The spatial patterns in other parts of the city showed little or no significant clustering. The geographically weighted regression (GWR) model revealed that microlithic buildings, rented housing, and unstable structures have a greater impact on the inefficiency of urban textures than other variables. The combination of spatial patterns and socio-economic factors suggests that the areas of Mashhad most in need of intervention are informal settlements and marginal areas. 5-Conclusion While most studies on inefficient urban textures have utilized multi-criteria decision-making methods or statistical tests, few have focused on spatial analysis. This study introduced a new approach to understanding urban inefficiency by combining WSUM, Moran’s global method, and the G_i statistic to assess spatial patterns. The findings highlight the severe inefficiency in Mashhad’s informal and marginal areas compared to central areas. Hot spots of inefficiency are concentrated in informal settlements on the city’s eastern, northeastern, and northwestern margins, creating a cluster pattern of inefficiency. In contrast, the pilgrimage area and central parts of the city show fewer inefficiencies. The GWR model further emphasized that unstable buildings and rented houses are key drivers of inefficiency in these areas. The study underscores the importance of spatially targeted interventions, especially in informal settlements and marginal areas. Given the diverse types of inefficiencies across the city, urban planners must adopt differentiated strategies when addressing various forms of urban inefficiency. Addressing these issues in informal settlements should be a priority to improve the overall quality of life and urban function in Mashhad.

Urban Planning

Evolution of the nature of conflict and conflict management in urban planning: A systematic review

Bahare Bahra; Mojtaba Rafieian

Volume 13, Issue 51 , August 2024, Pages 49-72

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.139655.4961

Abstract

Highlights: - Understanding urban conflicts often relies on typologies specific to the context, a focus that has drawn considerable attention since the 1980s, especially in urban studies. - The classification of conflicts in urban planning is based on factors such as causal forces, spatial patterns, ... Read More Highlights: - Understanding urban conflicts often relies on typologies specific to the context, a focus that has drawn considerable attention since the 1980s, especially in urban studies. - The classification of conflicts in urban planning is based on factors such as causal forces, spatial patterns, conflict intensity, scale, sources, topics, and planning theory typology. - Urban planners' approaches to conflict and its management are heavily influenced by the structural, political, and organizational cultures of their institutional environments. Introduction: Urban planning has evolved significantly in response to changing socio-economic and political realities, particularly as cities enter the 21st century. The multiplicity of societal interests and conflicting preferences has made conflict an integral part of urban planning processes. Planners, now more than ever, must grapple with these conflicts, as they can significantly impact the success or failure of urban policies and initiatives. Although the discussion surrounding conflict in urban planning has existed for decades, it gained momentum in the 1970s and became especially prevalent in the 1980s with the rise of participatory planning approaches. As participatory models developed, urban theorists began paying more attention to conflicts as an inherent part of urban governance. However, the literature surrounding conflict in urban planning remains fragmented, with differing theoretical and practical approaches. This study aims to bridge this gap by systematically classifying conflicts based on the dominant theoretical, philosophical, and contextual frameworks present in planning theory. Theoretical Framework: Understanding and managing conflict in urban planning requires a systematic typology that reflects the nature of these disputes in different contexts. Conflict typologies in urban planning research generally fall into two major categories: managerial and theoretical. The managerial approach focuses on decision-making processes, conflict resolution techniques, impact assessments, and institutional analysis. This approach aligns with organizational and management studies and seeks to devise strategies for managing conflicts effectively. In contrast, the theoretical approach seeks to understand the root causes of conflicts, emphasizing the philosophical and epistemological underpinnings of urban planning. Theoretical perspectives examine conflicts through lenses such as power dynamics, the role of planning theory, and the influence of political institutions. These two broad approaches—the managerial and the theoretical—are frequently applied within a third situational context, which examines specific urban conflicts tied to space, land use, urban development, regeneration projects, and large-scale initiatives. Methodology: This research employs a systematic review methodology to analyze the evolution of conflict and conflict management in urban planning. The data collection involved a meta-analysis and qualitative content analysis of 139 English-language articles found in the Scopus database. Following the content analysis, an in-depth review of 46 additional sources helped trace the historical development of conflict theories and practices in urban planning. The meta-analysis allowed the study to categorize the diverse approaches to conflict in urban planning into three main paradigms: positivist, post-positivist, and critical. Each of these paradigms brings a unique perspective to conflict management. For example, the positivist paradigm seeks guided consensus, while the post-positivist paradigm looks to resolve conflicts through consensus based on discourse ethics. The critical paradigm, on the other hand, challenges consensus-building as a form of hegemony, arguing that conflicts are constantly reproduced within the structures of urban governance. Results and Discussion: The systematic review revealed that conflicts in urban planning can be broadly classified into three key approaches: managerial, theoretical, and situational. These approaches intersect in different ways, depending on the specific context in which the conflict arises. For example, situational conflicts often arise in areas related to spatial patterns, land use, ownership disputes, and urban regeneration projects. Managerial conflicts are tied to the processes of decision-making, institutional design, and conflict resolution strategies. Theoretical conflicts explore deeper issues, such as the role of power in planning and the underlying philosophies that guide urban policy. In terms of paradigmatic shifts, the evolution of conflict management in urban planning has seen a movement from positivist approaches, which aimed to engineer consensus, to post-positivist approaches that emphasized the ethics of discourse and negotiation. More recently, critical theorists have argued that consensus itself is a mechanism for maintaining power imbalances and that conflicts are never fully resolved but continually reproduced within urban planning processes. This shift reflects a broader political turn in the field of urban planning, where conflicts are understood not just as problems to be solved but as symptoms of deeper systemic issues. Conclusion: The evolution of conflict in urban planning reflects broader ideological and political shifts in the discipline. While early approaches sought to manage conflict through structured consensus-building, more recent perspectives recognize the inherent power dynamics at play in urban governance. Planners today must move beyond traditional regulatory roles and contribute to rethinking urban policy and transforming the symbolic and physical dimensions of urban spaces. However, the effectiveness of planners' roles in conflict management largely depends on the structural contexts and political cultures of the institutions within which they operate. Understanding and addressing these conflicts requires a multifaceted approach that considers both managerial and theoretical perspectives.

Urban Planning

Identifying the factors affecting the place attachment in three scales: home, neighborhood, and city

Mohammad Reza YazdanPanah Shahabadi; Zeinab Adeli

Volume 13, Issue 51 , August 2024, Pages 73-86

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.139973.4984

Abstract

Highlights: - There are distinct differences in the degree of place attachment across the scales of home, neighbourhood, and city. - Place attachment is strongest at the scale of the home, followed by the city, and lastly, the neighbourhood. - The factors shaping place attachment are tangible and ... Read More Highlights: - There are distinct differences in the degree of place attachment across the scales of home, neighbourhood, and city. - Place attachment is strongest at the scale of the home, followed by the city, and lastly, the neighbourhood. - The factors shaping place attachment are tangible and objective at the scale of the home, intangible and subjective at the scale of the city, and a combination of both at the neighbourhood scale. Introduction: Place attachment is an important concept for evaluating the spatial quality of environments, particularly due to its psychological dimension and its strong relationship to the broader concept of sense of place in urban spaces. While the subject has been extensively studied in various fields related to place, less attention has been given to how the scale of place—whether it is the home, neighbourhood, or city—affects the development of this attachment. This study aims to identify and explore the key factors influencing place attachment across these three scales. By understanding the differences in place attachment at varying levels, this research will contribute to a more nuanced approach in urban studies, planning, and design. Theoretical Framework: Recent models of place attachment emphasize that, in addition to personal and locational characteristics, both social and physical factors play a vital role in shaping the sense of attachment. The key factors influencing place attachment can be summarized as follows: Physical Characteristics of a Place: These include elements that range from the smaller scale of the home and neighbourhood to larger urban and national contexts. This includes aspects such as housing satisfaction, the availability and efficiency of services, architectural and aesthetic values, and the sense of safety. Individual Characteristics: Factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, marital status, homeownership, personal values, and community beliefs all significantly impact place attachment. Furthermore, experiences, memories, cultural background, and religion contribute to this connection. Duration of Interaction with a Place: Research indicates that place attachment is a gradual process. Altman associates a stronger attachment with longer periods of residence, as this tends to result in the formation of deeper relationships and connections with the local community. Social Characteristics: The development of place attachment also requires meaningful, long-term engagement and participation within the community. Social participation is seen as one of the strongest drivers of emotional attachment to a place, fostering a sense of security and belonging. Methodology: This research adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews to explore the factors influencing place attachment across three scales—home, neighbourhood, and city. The interviews were conducted in six different neighbourhoods in Tehran, which were selected using a cluster sampling method. Two neighbourhoods were chosen from privileged areas (Darband and Jamaran), two from middle-income areas (Tarasht and West Tehran-Pars), and two from low-income areas (Bolur-Sazi and 13th Aban). The interviews were carried out until theoretical saturation was achieved, with a total of 66 interviews (27 men and 39 women) conducted. Each neighbourhood was represented by 11 interviews. The selected participants were individuals over the age of 25 who had lived in the same neighbourhood for at least five years. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Key concepts related to place attachment were extracted and categorized into factors influencing attachment at the scales of home, neighbourhood, and city. Results and Discussion: At the home scale, four major categories were identified: - Housing structure - Social belonging - Environmental efficiency - Semantic belonging At the neighbourhood scale, the factors influencing place attachment included: - Neighbourhood efficiency - Sense of belonging - Social capital - Institutional-cognitive values At the city scale, four categories emerged: - Vitality - Accessibility and efficiency - Social dependence - Perceptual-semantic value The research revealed significant differences in place attachment across these scales. Place attachment is notably strongest at the home scale, followed by the city, with attachment to the neighbourhood being comparatively weaker. However, this does not minimize the importance of the neighbourhood in shaping place attachment. Further analysis showed that individuals with low attachment to their neighbourhood generally exhibited weak attachment to both the city and their home. This suggests that a certain minimum level of neighbourhood attachment is necessary for the formation of a more comprehensive sense of place attachment. Moreover, the study highlighted differences in the nature of the factors influencing attachment at each scale. At the home level, factors are primarily tangible and objective—such as the physical structure of the house, its functionality, and the immediate social environment. In contrast, at the city scale, factors are more intangible and subjective, involving perceptions of the city's vitality, accessibility, and social dynamics. The neighbourhood scale represented a blend of both objective and subjective factors, reflecting its intermediary role in individuals' experiences of place. Conclusion: The findings of this research underscore the complexity of place attachment and its variation across different scales of place. While the home scale fosters the strongest attachment, followed by the city, the neighbourhood still plays a crucial role in shaping individuals' overall place attachment. The neighbourhood can act as a source of identity and attachment, although it requires further exploration to fully understand its dynamic relationship with other scales. Additionally, the concrete and objective factors that influence attachment at the home scale are contrasted with the more intangible, subjective elements at the city scale, while the neighbourhood embodies a hybrid of these characteristics. This nuanced understanding of place attachment and its relation to the scale of place offers valuable insights for urban planning and design, particularly in fostering environments that strengthen place attachment across all levels of urban life.

Urban Sociology

Studying citizens' narratives on the cultural policies in the city of Tabriz

somayeh shalchi; Maryam Allah dousti

Volume 13, Issue 51 , August 2024, Pages 87-98

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.139835.4976

Abstract

Highlights: - Unilateral implementation of urban cultural policies is problematic. - The process of renovation and reconstruction in Tabriz mirrors modern urban renewal. - Identity is defined and redefined at the intersection of power and cultural shifts. - Citizens call for democratic cultural policies ... Read More Highlights: - Unilateral implementation of urban cultural policies is problematic. - The process of renovation and reconstruction in Tabriz mirrors modern urban renewal. - Identity is defined and redefined at the intersection of power and cultural shifts. - Citizens call for democratic cultural policies that reflect their diverse needs and values. Introduction: Understanding the significance of culture in shaping the meaning of place is crucial in today's world, as cities have become the primary environments for human life. These urban spaces are deeply affected by rapid cultural changes, which influence not only their physical form but also the lives and identities of their residents. In this context, Tabriz, a historically rich city, serves as an ideal case for examining how cultural policies affect urban life. This research investigates the cultural policies of Tabriz through a sociological lens, focusing on the narratives and perspectives of its residents. The main objective is to explore how these policies are perceived by the people of Tabriz and to understand what role they play in shaping the identity, memory, and cultural landscape of the city. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework of this research draws on the works of several key thinkers, including Lefebvre, Crinson, Simmel, Berman, Miztal, Doserto, and Benjamin. According to Lefebvre, urban space is inherently political and never neutral, as it reflects power structures and social relations (Lefebvre, 2015: 21). Crinson suggests that cities are remembered through their buildings, which serve as tangible representations of urban memory (Crinson, 2016: 17). Miztal emphasizes that any objectified entity in a city can evoke perception and memory, providing a narrative about the past (Miztal, 2003: 132). Doserto adds that resistance plays a key role in urban spaces, as individuals create meaning in the city through their actions and interactions (Doserto, 1997). Methodology: This research uses thematic analysis to collect and interpret narratives from residents of Tabriz who are over 25 years old, have lived in the city for more than 10 years, and possess sufficient knowledge about its cultural policies. The participants, both men and women, shared their insights through in-depth interviews. The goal was to gather a diverse range of opinions and experiences, capturing the different ways in which Tabriz's residents understand and engage with the city's cultural policies. Results and Discussion: The thematic analysis yielded several key themes, which are summarized below: The Suffering of Forgetfulness: Drawing on Crinson's theory of urban memory, this theme highlights how urban renewal projects in Tabriz disconnect the present city from its past. As the city's infrastructure is modernized, its historical identity is eroded, leading to a sense of loss among residents. Traces of Memory: Benjamin views the city as a complex site of perception and memory (Benjamin, 1986: 26). In Tabriz, the fast pace of renovations has resulted in the destruction of many historically significant areas, leaving residents with a fragmented sense of their city's past. Repeated Collapse: Berman argues that modernity is a shared experience of both creation and destruction (Berman, 2016: 15). Tabriz, like many cities undergoing rapid modernization, experiences this duality—while modern urban development brings economic opportunities, it also threatens the city's cultural and historical fabric. Memory Policy: Miztal’s notion of memory policy refers to the way in which official narratives are imposed from above, shaping collective memory (Miztal, 2003: 129). In Tabriz, the dominant political and cultural discourses often reshape the city's memory, leaving little room for organic, grassroots narratives to emerge. The Other of the City: Simmel's concept of the duality of self and other is crucial for understanding the subjectivity of urban dwellers. In Tabriz, the coexistence of traditional and modern elements creates a complex dynamic between residents' historical identity and their adaptation to modernity. This is reflected in the city's proximity to Turkey, which shares similar historical and cultural contexts. Channelization of Space: Lefebvre posits that urban planners play a crucial role in controlling and producing space (Lefebvre, 2015: 37). In Tabriz, planners have been instrumental in transforming the city through modernization projects that prioritize infrastructure over the preservation of historical sites, contributing to the loss of cultural memory. Resistance Activism: Doserto's theory of power and resistance in urban spaces (Doserto, 1997) is evident in the actions of Tabriz's citizens, who strive to preserve their ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity. Through various forms of activism, they resist the homogenization of their city's identity and seek to retain its unique character. Conclusion: Cultural sustainability, which encompasses the preservation and expansion of history, values, and relationships, is a key component of urban life. In Tabriz, the process of renovation and reconstruction has been marked by rapid changes and widespread destruction. The residents of Tabriz experience this as a loss of their city’s historical and cultural identity. For Tabriz to develop successful cultural policies, its urban plans must prioritize the needs and interests of its citizens over cars and infrastructure. Moreover, these policies should be democratic and inclusive, reflecting the diversity of the population. The narratives of Tabriz's residents offer valuable insights into their levels of satisfaction with the city's cultural policies and their willingness to engage in its governance. As urban renewal continues to reshape Tabriz, it is crucial to listen to these voices and incorporate them into future policy decisions to create a city that honors both its past and its future.

The evaluation of environmental quality factors on the Behavioral patterns in urban parks- Case study: Mardom park of Hamadan City

Volume 3, Issue 11 , August 2014, , Pages 3-18

Abstract

Nowadays, a faster pace of changes and transformations in different phenomena such people's lifestyles has meant changes in their thinking and needs also. Since people’s lifestyles are more oriented toward isolation, it is more important to reflect at their lives collectively. People's need for ... Read More Nowadays, a faster pace of changes and transformations in different phenomena such people's lifestyles has meant changes in their thinking and needs also. Since people’s lifestyles are more oriented toward isolation, it is more important to reflect at their lives collectively. People's need for places of social interaction and meeting psychological needs have become one of the requirements of urban life. Public spaces are the only spaces where all citizens of every class, age, race, and association have the right to use without any limitation. Environmental quality of urban public spaces is one of the focuses of recent urbanism research and attempting to create an urban public space that meets users desires behavior has always been considered as one of the main strategies of urban projects. Urban parks as a part of public spaces in cities have a fundamental role in resolving human needs. Most urban theorists believe that urban parks are one of the main components of an urban system because in addition to their functional role they increase socialization in urban spaces. Thus, in order to make these spaces more dynamic and to meet the needs of the people, the behaviors shaping the spaces should be noted and examined. Since most parks’ compliance with the needs of users and environmental qualities is, there is a need for a systematic program based on the behavior of users. Furthermore, issues such as neglect of social values, cultural - identity values, and the neglect of physical and structural values have lead to the formation of public spaces that do not meet people’s needs in urban areas. In addition, neglecting to improve the environmental quality of urban public spaces such as urban parks, not taking into account the effective qualities of urban transportation and connections, and the exclusive emphasis on the subjective perception by urban planners and designers has resulted in the formation of urban areas which does not have the capacity to be responsive and flexible in the accordance with people’s expectations and behaviours. For the purposes of this research, Mardom Park in the city of Hamadan was selected as a case study. This study aims to identify and assess the stimulants and patterns of user behavior in terms of their needs and the environmental quality of urban parks. This study was based on fieldwork with a cross-sectional approach and seeks to answer the following question: “what effects do behavioral patterns and domains have on improving the environmental quality of urban parks?” In this study, in order to provide a conceptual framework document-based research was carried out, theoretical issues explored in detail and then analyzed using existing approaches. For this purpose, in addition to the qualitative analysis of urban spaces and behaviors formed in space because of spatial characteristics, quantitative analysis of indicators using questionnaires was used. The quantitative indicators was analyzed by SPSS. The results show that the quality and amount of the influence of environmental quality factors on the quality of activities, which are primarily behaviors or behavioral patterns, are not the same. In addition, the analyses outcomes show direct influence of behavior on environmental quality and environmental quality on behavior. The results indicate on the one hand, human needs are the outcome of behaviorial influences on space and environment and the ability of underlying environment. On the other hand, enhancement of environmental quality and influence of environmental factors on areas and behaviorial patterns in urban parks are not only a quantitative and technical concepts.

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Improvement of Pedestrian Walkway Spatial Quality and Pedestrian-oriented Spaces, in order to Increase the Social Interactions Level of People (The case study: Tarbiat & Valiasr axis, Tabriz metropolitan)

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, , Pages 95-104

Abstract

With the onset of industry revolution, automobile invention and development of cities, the pedestrian and pedestrian-oriented spaces and urban spaces role priority gradually faded and the quality of urban public spaces, urban open spaces, and the pedestrian walkways decreased. Lack of pedestrian-oriented ... Read More With the onset of industry revolution, automobile invention and development of cities, the pedestrian and pedestrian-oriented spaces and urban spaces role priority gradually faded and the quality of urban public spaces, urban open spaces, and the pedestrian walkways decreased. Lack of pedestrian-oriented spaces and current low quality pedestrian spaces affect citizens' social interactions in contemporary metropolitans. Pedestrianism is a part of daily journey and activity of citizens in metropolitans, however, pedestrians' need and security is ignored in current cities. In doing so, majority of current urban spaces in our cities are defined as road way, where the presence of automobile is preferred on designs of high-quality and appropriate pedestrian-oriented spaces. Nevertheless, these spaces play an essential role in increasing contacts and citizens’ social interaction level. In this regard, ignoring human scale and the pedestrians' needs are the problems ahead. Lack of quality in pedestrian-oriented open spaces has led to poor citizens’ presence and social interactions. Hence, identifying factors affecting the quality of mentioned spaces for meeting citizens’ needs and increasing the presence and social interaction level is more important than before. Tabriz metropolitan is not an exception either. Having more roadway spaces compared with pedestrian-oriented way has made the life difficult for the citizens. By conducting rigorous literature review, the study derived influential factors forming theoretical framework of the research (including factors affecting urban pedestrian-oriented spatial quality: vitality, legibility, security, and permeability factors). Research utilized mixed-method approach, where aforementioned influential factors extracted from literature review, formed the qualitative part of the study. In the quantitative part used as the validity of the research, Tarbiat & Valiasr axes in Tabriz metropolitan were studied and evaluated. In other words, the study examined the verification of extracted theoretical framework from literature review, through conducting a survey in quantitative part. In this regard, a questionnaire was used to gather the data about pedestrian-oriented spatial quality and citizens’ satisfaction of the mentioned spaces. G*POWER software and Cochran sampling technique were used to calculate the sample size of the study. Ultimately, using SPSS software the data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical methods. This study indicated that vitality, legibility, and permeability factors, the main factors of urban spaces qualities, play an important role in Tabrizian citizens’ satisfaction of pedestrian-oriented spaces. The finding of this research can be utilized for designing more sociable and friendly atmosphere pedestrian-oriented spaces, where citizens' social interactions are concentrated.

Physical–EnviromentalRehabilitaion Of The Central Core Of City Textures ,Toward Urban Sustainable Development (Case Study: Centeral Texture Of The Khorramabad City)

Volume 2, Issue 7 , July 2013, , Pages 73-88

Abstract

Abstract: The history of the old city centers , due to the geographical center , easy access , and feature historic center of economic gravity - the cultural potentials are high , despite the positive features of downtown , the texture of physical problems ( exhaustion ),environmental problems , in the ... Read More Abstract: The history of the old city centers , due to the geographical center , easy access , and feature historic center of economic gravity - the cultural potentials are high , despite the positive features of downtown , the texture of physical problems ( exhaustion ),environmental problems , in the context of complexity and poor infrastructure suffer. With such a central feature of the city center is the city of Khorramabad The core fabric of the city is mostly worn and in need of restructuring andRehabilitation. The main objective of this research is to broaden the scope of the problem in this context the following objectives of sustainable development is the development of these tissues . In this regard, research on how to achieve physical and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in the context of Rehabilitation core has Khorramabad. The purpose of this study applied descriptive - survey is to introduce the basic concepts and methods of data collection in the library and in the documentation gathered through field studies (questionnaires, interviews and observation's). Methods This study was a descriptive - survey and data collection documents two studies and field) Interview questionnaires and observation's (Population of residents part of the fabric core with a population of over 2797 people in Khorramabad are. According to consider the characteristics of the economical, social , physical and environmental scope of the case study and data analysis of the combined AHP-SWOT methods, the results of the final evaluation of SWOT within the AHP model shows that in the group of strengths , the existence of valuable historical element ( final weight ,./ 272) , existence of activity axis along the Imam Khomeini and Shohada streets ( final weight , ./176 ) and easy access to other parts of the city ( final weight , ./134) are the most important strengths and low quality buildings ( final weight ,./206 ) , microlithic parts ( final weight , ./161) and the narrow and impermeable streets ( final weight , ./135) are the most important weaknesses . However, the high potential of uncultivated area ( final weight ,./ 239) , the potential of constructing tourism spaces ( final weight , ./183 ) and the historical area and promoting an inclusive culture ( final weight , ./139 ) in series are the most important opportunities of the case study, also neglecting adapt to changing demands (final weight ,./266 ) , insecurity and impermeability passages ( final weight , ./194 ) and not defining public open space in quarters ( the final weight ,./143) are the most important threas to the desired range .The overall results indicate that most physical problems and After that, the environmental problems ,economic problems , management problems, social problems , most of it is devoted to . Well as the physical aspects of, poor quality buildings , including the most difficult passages microlithic parts and impermeable tissue study.are . According to final analysis,in this study pivotal offers in order to exploit these strengths, opportunities, reducing weaknesses and threats in the form of SWOT model key strategies for improving the old texture of the city of Khorramabad in the text has been stated in detail which the components of sustainable urban development have been applied.To achieve the goal of sustainable urban development in the sustainable urban development will be stable with a high quality of life for all residents. Thus, in order to improve the quality of life offered as a guide decisions on development strategies, planning and creating new instruments of communication between decision-making factors, decision making and enforcement of the emphasis is.

Identification of factors influencing urban facade's design with an emphasis on aesthetics and ecological dimensions Case study: Valiasr (a.s.) Street –Free Region of Qeshm

Volume 3, Issue 10 , May 2014, , Pages 15-26

Abstract

Outward-oriented architecture has a short history in Iran and the history of establishment of outward-oriented buildings placed next to one another in the margin of a phenomenon called street is even shorter. Urban facades are considered as the most influential elements affecting the quality of urban ... Read More Outward-oriented architecture has a short history in Iran and the history of establishment of outward-oriented buildings placed next to one another in the margin of a phenomenon called street is even shorter. Urban facades are considered as the most influential elements affecting the quality of urban spaces, the modification of which can enhance the aesthetic qualities of the city. In recent decades, developments whether in materials, variety of styles or acceleration in construction have resulted in addressing the issue of façade and reorganization of urban facades. A review into the objectives of the study shows that the urban landscape aesthetic and environmental goals are essential in realizing the desired landscape. Therefore, urban facades as an example of urban micro perspective are not an exception to this rule. The goal of the present research is to address special characteristics of Qeshm city with an emphasis on aesthetical and ecological dimensions and identifying effective factors in the design of urban facades in Vali-e Asr Street in Qeshm as the most prominent street of that city. Looking at the landscape and urban facades of Qeshm Island as well as other cities and metropolises which meet the functional characteristics at national and international levels, it is evident that these urban facades are not in good aesthetical and ecological conditions. This emphasizes the importance and necessity of the present research. It should be noted that method used in the aforesaid research is an analytical-applied one. A surveying method was used in field studies. Data collection was based on field observations and a questionnaire survey of experts and users examining data dispersion indices of the data under study. The questionnaires were randomly (with an in-depth interview) distributed among different segments of the island at different hours. Finally, the obtained data was analyzed using SPSS-20 software. Findings regarding the the viewpoints of people and experts of the aesthetical dimension are presented. The index includes the following criteria as evaluation priorities in aesthetic (façade) beauty: proportions, cleanliness, balance and order in aesthetical dimension and attachment to place, meaningfulness, serenity, legibility and mental attraction in subjective dimension. From an ecological view, indices such as material resistance against moisture, green space to provide heat comfort, resistant materials against heat and green and oxygen generator walls are priorities in the design of urban facades according to experts. In conclusion, understanding priorities in the aesthetical and ecological points of view, a desirable urban perspective can be created. It can be stated in a general survey that it is important to address ecological and aesthetical dimensions in the design of urban facades.

Integrated Transportation Approach: Achieving Sustainable Transportationو Case study: Metropolitan Shiraz

Volume 2, Issue 5 , March 2013, , Pages 47-60

Abstract

In comparison with the past, the public awareness and public sensitivity have notably increased through sustainability. In this regard, different departments have discussed their problems via the approach of sustainability. Sustainable development considers economic, social and environmental dimensions ... Read More In comparison with the past, the public awareness and public sensitivity have notably increased through sustainability. In this regard, different departments have discussed their problems via the approach of sustainability. Sustainable development considers economic, social and environmental dimensions simultaneously. The same is true with sustainable transportation whose sustainable development policies in transportation area seek ways to provide all groups of society with appropriate access, to adjust economic costs and ,more importantly, to reduce the negative environmental impacts. However, almost all indicators show that the current experience of the transportation in our country and the consistent trend in the world are not only in the wrong direction but are also unstable in the longer term. One of the most efficient approaches to achieve sustainability is the strategy of integrating transportation system. "Integrated transportation strategy" is suggested to provide a more sustainable model of transportation to achieve sustainability and address major concerns. This research will study the case study of metropolitan Shiraz which is located in the southwest of Iran, with a population of almost 1.5 million. Facing numerous problems in the domain of urban transportation, Metropolitan Shiraz's current trend is not stable due to the city's struggling with some specific problems such as low share of public transport usage and dependency on car, high level of car ownership, growing population and density in central districts, high level of fuel usage, and increasing pollution. Several actions and plans including some action plans , special and technical programs and software have been carried out to address the aforementioned urban problems in the hope of reducing these problems , but they had not achieved enough efficiency. This study investigates the current situation of the transportation system in Shiraz using information collected via an expert opinion survey, questionnaires and interviewing some managers and experts in public or private organizations, companies, and consulting offices using special method called Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to evaluate the system and define the priorities for future considerations. The results confirm that current set of policies undertaken by urban management and urban governance system in Shiraz almost fails to conform to the desirable criteria of Integrated Transport Approach. Although certain models have been recommended to achieve integration of transportation system, this article opted for a more comprehensive model by Potter and Skinner ( 2000 ). The finding of this research shows that, according to experts’ viewpoints, integration policies should be oriented to improving the public transport system. These policies include basic policies which will be presented as follows: the increase of the accessibility and efficiency of public bus system for potential demand areas; allocation of part of Municipality incomes to public transport sector; and establishment of separated bus lanes especially throughout the central district of the city.

Evaluation of the application of the tenets of grounded theory methodology in Persian urban planning and design research

Bahador Zamani; Ehsan Babaei Salanghooch

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 20 May 2023

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2023.62693

Abstract

In recent years, the use of grounded theory methodology has increased in scientific fields related to the built environment, especially in urban planning and design. On the other hand, researchers' lack of attention to the foundations and methodological considerations of grounded theory and its readings ... Read More In recent years, the use of grounded theory methodology has increased in scientific fields related to the built environment, especially in urban planning and design. On the other hand, researchers' lack of attention to the foundations and methodological considerations of grounded theory and its readings has sometimes led to a type of methodology with eclectic readings, which sometimes lacks and conflicts the nature of the grounded theory methodology and the primary considerations of the intended reading. Despite this, the review and evaluation of the quality of such research in the scientific fields related to the built environment, particularly urban design and planning has been done less. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to systematically evaluate the studies using the grounded theory methodology in urban planning and design in order to understand the appropriate application of the key tenets of this methodology in this field of knowledge and to provide suggestions for future applications. In this regard, the eligible studies have been selected by systematic search of papers published in reliable Persian-language scientific databases applying the systematic review method. After screening the existing studies based on the specified criteria, 44 studies published until 2019 were selected and evaluated based on the evaluation criteria of the grounded theory methodology. The results of the methodological evaluation of the conducted researches based on the grounded theory methodology showed that despite the increasing use of this method in urban planning and design research, many of these research have been unsuccessful in fully and accurately applying the principles and stages of the grounded theory methodology and its readings, and their results have been reduced to a diagram, model and conceptual framework instead of a theory as the expected achievement from the application of this method. In addition, the results of the present study showed that a number of the research only use a set of techniques of the grounded theory methodology including coding or memo writing. Neglecting important processes such as theoretical sampling, constant comparison and in-depth analysis of categories, has caused that these studies did not go beyond the level of description, and while limiting themselves to presenting descriptive themes and narratives, they rarely achieve theory building as the aim of the grounded theory methodology. Based on the findings of this paper, improving the quality of research based on the grounded theory methodology in the field of urban planning and design requires researchers with a correct understanding of the nature, characteristics and principles of the grounded theory and a deep insight of the readings of this method and their differences, in order to measure the appropriateness and justify the choice of the appropriate reading based on the aims and characteristics of the research.

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Improving the quality of housing by paying attention to privacy in the design of residential complexes Case study: Several residential complexes in Mashhad

alireza khadivipanah; islam karami

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 June 2023

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2023.62727

Abstract

The emergence of social housing as a necessity in urban planning systems, the problem of the present research is the quality of living in residential complexes and the premise of the research is the role of privacy in improving the quality of living. The aim of the research is to achieve a human and ... Read More The emergence of social housing as a necessity in urban planning systems, the problem of the present research is the quality of living in residential complexes and the premise of the research is the role of privacy in improving the quality of living. The aim of the research is to achieve a human and social structure in residential complexes by improving the quality of living. The explanation of the components and criteria of the quality of residence and privacy and how it is realized in the samples of the research - four residential complexes in Mashhad) are the questions of the research. Through random sampling in the statistical sample (345 people) and using an open questionnaire, field research was conducted and using spss analysis software, the results of the studies were presented using descriptive tests, mean, correlation, regression and path analysis. . The findings show that there is a significant relationship and correlation between the two variables of privacy and quality of residence, and only two variables of residence status and gender have a direct and positive effect on the variable of quality of residence. A single or concentrated type like the Venus complex has the highest quality of residence and privacy in general and among the components of the quality of residence (perceptual-emotional, physical-functional, social-activity) and privacy components (individual-social, moral-religious). , behavioral-functional). The habitat quality of the scattered species (Farhangian complex) and then the peripheral species (Pars complex) are respectively in favorable conditions. And in relation to the privacy variable, the environmental species (Pars) and then the scattered species (Farhangian) are in favorable conditions. Privacy and quality of living in residential complexes have a correlation and positive significance. Finally, the results of the research are presented in three areas of designing residential units, neighborhood units and residential complexes.

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Explaining the Visual Management Process of the Historical Urban Landscape with an Emphasis on Environmental Affordances (Case Study: Zandiyeh Area of Shiraz)

hajar Asadpour; Mahmoud Ghalehnoee; Armin Bahramian

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 10 March 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.139979.4985

Abstract

The visual aspects of historical urban landscapes are often overlooked, which leads to distorted and unclear images of landscapes that are recorded in the minds of citizens. To optimally manage the visual aspects of historical urban landscapes, it is necessary to take into consideration the affordances ... Read More The visual aspects of historical urban landscapes are often overlooked, which leads to distorted and unclear images of landscapes that are recorded in the minds of citizens. To optimally manage the visual aspects of historical urban landscapes, it is necessary to take into consideration the affordances of the urban landscapes. A recent research study was conducted to explain the process of visual management of historical urban landscapes based on environmental affordances in the studied sample. The Zandiyeh area of Shiraz was chosen for the study due to the changes it has undergone in recent development and organization processes. The research aimed to answer two questions: what are the steps of the visual management process, and what is their status? What is the level of environmental affordances in the area? After conducting library studies and identifying the affordances of the environment, the studied area was networked using the "Photo Grid" technique. Experts were then asked to rate each affordance in this area based on images and their previous knowledge, using an image-based questionnaire. Additionally, various steps of the visual management process in Shiraz were evaluated. The results showed that the current situation of the historical urban fabric of Shiraz is plagued with three categories of problems: "Design and Planning Challenges," "Management Challenges," and "Challenges related to Understanding the Context." In the visual management process, the steps of "Developing Visual Protection Goals" and "Landscape Organization" are the least prioritized for action. The research determined the visual management process in historical urban landscapes, which can be used in the Shiraz historical tissue. By emphasizing the step of framing and environmental affordances, it was determined that Zone No. 5 of the Zandiyeh area (the area adjacent to Vakil mosque and bathhouse) has all the affordances at the optimal level, while Zone No. 2 (Divankhaneh area) received a lower score than other parts, which requires more attention.

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Exploring the Role of Urban Regeneration Dimensions and Components on Enhancing the Obsolete Historical Fabrics in Iran

Reza Alishahi; Najma Esmailpoor

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 14 April 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.139994.4986

Abstract

Urban regeneration, despite the past decade’s consideration in Iran, has rarely been investigated comprehensively. Accordingly, this study examines the synthesis of the dimensions and components of urban regeneration in scientific research publications on urban planning during the 1390s and researchers' ... Read More Urban regeneration, despite the past decade’s consideration in Iran, has rarely been investigated comprehensively. Accordingly, this study examines the synthesis of the dimensions and components of urban regeneration in scientific research publications on urban planning during the 1390s and researchers' attitudes towards it. This paper was conducted with a qualitative approach and the inductive reasoning method in three phases. The desk study method was used in order to extract the components and dimensions of urban regeneration. Afterward, related dimensions and components were identified and verified through the application of the content validity index in accordance with expert opinions. A systematic review was conducted in the second phase to select articles regarding urban regeneration. The content of these articles was analyzed using MaxQDA2020 and VOSviewer software. Finally, a Conceptual model was developed. As a result of the findings, the dimensions of society, economy, and culture, as well as the components of social participation, city and neighborhood economies, and cultural heritage, have received the greatest amount of attention and participation in the synthesis of urban regeneration research. However, the dimensions of environment, management, and law, as well as the components of laws and regulations and environmental pollutants, have received the least attention. According to the findings of the research, in the 1390's, two approaches of economic application of cultural heritage for the purpose of economic prosperity with the ultimate goal of social prosperity in the inefficient areas of the cities and taking advantage of the social potential of the urban areas in order to conduct urban regeneration received the most attention. Thus, a balanced approach should be adopted in order to increase the productivity of research by incorporating both new perspectives, such as paying attention to the capability of urban events as a concept linked to both. Aligning Iran's urban regeneration policies with theories like the Eventful Cities, and Iranshahr can enhance development success. This approach revitalizes urban spaces while preserving cultural and historical aspects, contributing to sustainable development and heritage preservation.

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The Effect of Vegetation on Reducing the Urban Heat Island (Case Study: Karaj City)

Hassan sajadzadeh; fatemeh ghorbanileylestani,

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 22 June 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.140477.5005

Abstract

The Effect of Vegetation on Reducing the Urban Heat IslandCase Study: Karaj CityIntroductionWith the rapid growth of population, urbanization is gaining momentum where urban areas are developed with greater proportion resulting into changes in existing landscape, buildings, roads, and other supporting ... Read More The Effect of Vegetation on Reducing the Urban Heat IslandCase Study: Karaj CityIntroductionWith the rapid growth of population, urbanization is gaining momentum where urban areas are developed with greater proportion resulting into changes in existing landscape, buildings, roads, and other supporting infrastructure. Such a change replaces open land and vegetation in the form of permeable surfaces with concrete surfaces which are impermeable and dry in nature.The consequences of population growth and urbanization on the urban environment, climate, and water supply have caused a wide range of issues. One of the key impacts of rapid urbanization on the environment is the effect of urban heat island (UHI). Such a development leads to the formation of urban heat islands whereby urban regions experience warmer temperatures than their adjacent rural surroundings.Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a growing problem worldwide and increase in the land surface temperature and the formation of heat islands in the metropolis ar n recent years, various studies continuously manifest that the increased ambient air temperature in cities caused by UHI phenomenon embraces enormous negative influences on social, environmental and economic dimensions of cities eas has become one of the environmental problems. The heat island affects the quality of urban life, including energy consumption, air quality, as well as human health.Strategies to mitigate the Urban Heat Island represent an important objective in design and urban planning, especially in cities in hot climates. Mitigation of UHI is necessary for cities to adapt to climate change and enhance sustainable development at a city scale. Cooling cities with urban vegetation management is a sustainable solution for urban heat mitigation and to increase thermal comforts of urban residents. Materials and MethodsRemote sensing is a powerful tool for environmental monitoring that can be used to help understand LULC and rapid urbanization and to estimate UHI and ndvi properties at the Earth’s surface.The present paper, Land cover maps within the administrative boundary of karaj city were derived from the cloud-free Landsat (downloaded free from http://www.usgs.gov/) with a resolution of 30 m for the years 2001-2021. at first 2 images of the warm seasons of the year from 2001-2021 were extracted from Landsat satellite including Landsat 7 (ETM+), Landsat 8 (OLI/TIRS) sensors. After the necessary pre-processing, land surface temperature (LST), and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) land use patterns were calculated for monitoring the land use changes in karaj. The land covers were classified into three types (built-up land, vegetation, and barren land) using the maximum likelihood classification approach.Therefore, the present study explored the relationship between LST and NDVI Karaj region of alborz. The relationship of LST with NDVI was examined using correlation analysis. We used a regression tree model to examine the nonlinear relationships between LST and normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI).This study focused on tow objectives. Firstly, analyzing land surface temperature (LST), normalized difference vegetation (NDVI) indices. Secondly, investigating interrelationships among LST, NDVI. Finally, the environmental criticality index (ECI) was used to identify and analysis of the sensitive regions.Discussion of ResultsIn this paper, the negative impact of Urbanization over a time and its effect on increasing trend of temperature and degradation of urban ecology was assessed using the Landsat thermal data and field survey of karaj city, alborz.In karaj City, LST showed an increased trend from 2001 to 2021 years, as increase the maximum temperature in the period from 2001 to 2021 was 4 °C, while increase the minimum temperature of 19°C was observed from 2001 to 2021.The result showed that the type of land use had an effect on LST. The results showed that the arid lands around the city have the highest temperature and form very hot temperature areas. The observed results showed that the central portion of the city exhibited the highest surface temperature compared to the surrounding open area, the areas having dense built-up displayed higher temperatures and the areas covered by vegetation exhibited lower temperatures.The highest temprature of studied region is observed around the city due to existence of barren lands and in to the city around the industrial centers, around the airport, passenger terminal, around the metro stations, the highways and streets of heavily congested areas and urban decay context areas. At the same time, analyzing the land surface temperature maps in karaj indicate the areas without vegetation have a maximum LST and areas with high density vegetation have minimum LST.The landuse maps also show the reduction of barren lands, vegetation and increasing the urban landuse. This indicates that the decrease in vegetation cover and increase in urban landuse were the most important factors in development of the heat islands in karaj. Also Land use maps also show a decrease in the area of arid lands and vegetation and increase urban use.The findings show normalized difference vegetation index is strongly correlated with the variations of land surface temperatures. The correlation coefficient between LST and NDVI was negative and inverse. The highest environmental sensitivity was in the East and Northeast parts of the city were identified.ConclusionsThis paper has demonstrated the relationship between urban heat islands and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in karaj city. Results indicated that the spatial distribution of the land surface temperature was affected by the land use-land cover change and anthropogenic causes.The results illustrated that barren lands surrounding the city in continuous and dense have the largest urban thermal islands and forming very hot temperature limits and in the study area, extreme high-temperature zones were observed, possibly due to dense concrete surfaces.Hence, the development of green roof vegetation and tailored to the indigenous climate is proposed as solution to mitigate urban thermal island and dealing with environmental crisis.Keywords: Urban heat islands, vegetation, satellite images, Karaj

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Place Quality Evaluation in Deteriorated Urban Areas: The Case of Abkooh Neighborhood in Mashhad, Iran

Golbarg Ghaemmaghami Farahani; Hooman Ghahremani; Hossein Bahrainy

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 07 July 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.140295.4997

Abstract

Despite the numerous development plans formulated in Iran with the aim of enhancing place qualities so far, the assessment process of such qualities has remained rather expert-oriented, following a top-down approach. This has made for a growing disparity between actual users’ expectations and priorities ... Read More Despite the numerous development plans formulated in Iran with the aim of enhancing place qualities so far, the assessment process of such qualities has remained rather expert-oriented, following a top-down approach. This has made for a growing disparity between actual users’ expectations and priorities discerned by professionals and executive managers. This gap manifests itself in a multitude of forms, such as the outward migration of residents and urban fabric gentrification. Abkooh is among Mashhad's oldest neighborhoods -with a history dating back to 400 years ago- that has failed to reclaim its place qualities in the contemporary urban context despite having undergone three development plans since 2006. The present study investigates the need to assess place qualities in deteriorated urban areas and proceeds to explore the distinctions between top-down and bottom-up assessment approaches in these areas. The present work endeavors to explore the theoretical approach to place quality through secondary research and qualitative content analysis using MAXQDA2018. Secondly, as the focal point of the current study, a phenomenological approach along with a combination of first-person and existentialist phenomenological techniques has been used to explore the nature of place quality in the Abkooh neighborhood and evaluate it. The results revealed that the quality of place in deteriorated urban areas can be examined in five perceptual-semantic, physical, socio-economic, functional, and environmental dimensions; However, in the Abkooh neighborhood of Mashhad, due to the distinct legal conditions, especially in the issue of land ownership, the legal-management dimension is one of the priorities affecting the improvement of the quality of the place; In addition, our results suggested a different prioritization of these dimensions across the Abkooh phenomenon and theoretical findings. By comparing the phenomenological results with the currently-implemented model of place quality assessment indicated in the latest approved plan entitled “Abkooh Neighborhood Quality of Urban Life Improvement Plan", it has been determined that the plan prepared for the mentioned neighborhood with a top-down evaluation approach has not been able to assess all the place qualities. Considering the different challenges of inefficient urban contexts, which in each case are affected by the existing context, results revealed that relying solely on theoretical studies and focusing on the priorities set by authorities would not yield a favorable level of place quality improvement and place-making in deteriorated urban areas and bottom-up approaches such as phenomenology are revealed to be crucial to evaluating the quality of the place.

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Spatial analysis of small-scale agglomeration economies: specialization and diversity of economic activities in Kazeroon city

Gholamreza Moradi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 09 July 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.141197.5042

Abstract

The agglomeration economies have long been a subject of interest among researchers. Previous studies in this area have primarily focused on the economic aspects at the national, regional, and city levels, with limited attention given to smaller scales, particularly streets. However, in this study, instead ... Read More

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The Cooling Effects of Urban Lakes on the Morphology of Surrounding Structures( Case Study: District 22 of Chitgar Lake, Tehran)

Farzaneh Amoozadeh; Sara Soleimani

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 06 August 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.140353.4999

Abstract

Urban areas pose formidable environmental challenges, including harmful atmospheric emissions. This has culminated in elevated temperatures and urban densification. One of the most significant them is Urban Heat Island (UHI), which manifests more prominently in densely populated urban locales. Among ... Read More

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Analyzing the receptiveness of child-friendly tourism development indicators in a commercial complex (Case study: Yazd Fars Gulf Tourism Commercial Complex)

leila Oveisi; akbar Pourfaraj; mohammadamir oveisi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 14 August 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.139863.4992

Abstract

The emergence of child-friendly tourism has been a response to children's needs for leisure and in harmony with lifestyle changes. With the development of the city, the increase in population and the ever-increasing changes in the field of leisure and consumption, recreational commercial complexes ... Read More The emergence of child-friendly tourism has been a response to children's needs for leisure and in harmony with lifestyle changes. With the development of the city, the increase in population and the ever-increasing changes in the field of leisure and consumption, recreational commercial complexes have entered the cycle of tourism and leisure of citizens. Improper design and neglect of children's needs in these urban spaces cause fatigue, behavioral abnormalities in children and create an unpleasant experience that can negatively affect the experience of companions, other visitors and tourists. In the present research, we intend to analyze the realization of the key components of child-friendly development in commercial and recreational complexes as a part and subsystem of tourism. The subject of our study is the business, entertainment and tourism complex of the Persian Gulf of Yazd. The current research has been carried out with a mixed approach in two consecutive phases. The first phase of the research is qualitative with an approach based on grounded theory, which used the theme analysis technique of Clark and Brown (2013) to analyze the data obtained from the interviews. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 31 experts in the field of child tourism, architecture and design of child-friendly spaces, and child psychology, who were selected in a targeted way and as a chain reference. The second phase is a quantitative research which used the method of failure analysis and its effects to analyze the data. The results of the research during the theme analysis process, which included 5 times of continuous review between data sets and coded extractive summaries, led to the identification of 39 categories in the form of 7 main categories "facilities and physical facilities, management and planning, safety and sense of security, educational needs" and self-actualization, social and cultural needs, visual and appearance needs, and recreation, entertainment and social events. As the results of the FMEA technique show, the category of developing codified regulations for spatial planning and management in the field of children with 370.58 RPN coefficient is priority 1, the categories of paying attention to children's scales in the design of space, designing the space of children's interactions in order to social integration and to arouse a sense of belonging. A space in the child, creating a physically safe environment, received the next priorities. These categories were related to the main categories of management and planning, visual and appearance needs, and security. These categories all refer to improving the capabilities of the commercial-entertainment complex. Since the needs of children do not show much dynamics, it is necessary to consider the development of child tourism with proper planning and investment in the private and public sectors.

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Homogeneous Climate Response Units in Tehran Metropolitan

Aliakbar Shamsipour; Zeinab Kia; Ghasem Azizi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 05 September 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.140790.5015

Abstract

Urban spaces with different characteristics from natural environments require revision of traditional climatic zoning so that climatic conditions can be used in city planning and management. The city of Tehran, with its topographical, structural, physical, and geometrical characteristics and different ... Read More Urban spaces with different characteristics from natural environments require revision of traditional climatic zoning so that climatic conditions can be used in city planning and management. The city of Tehran, with its topographical, structural, physical, and geometrical characteristics and different urban development patterns, has different responses to different climatic conditions. Homogeneous climate response units (HCR) perform urban climate classification based on building density maps and the natural geomorphology of the earth, their purpose is to prepare a map with a set of homogenous areas with urban space, and its advantage is in providing climate guidelines for Planning is in comprehensive urban plans. To conduct the study, layers of spatial information of land use/cover, building density, green spaces, hydrographic network, air temperature, precipitation, road network, population density and city topography were used in the GIS environment. By integrating the layers of information, the urban climate map of Tehran was obtained in 17 climatic units, followed by 8 climatic guidelines for urban planning. The results obtained from the analysis of the findings showed that mountains, riverbeds, lakes and green spaces are among the most important homogenous climate response units of Tehran, which should be preserved. The central and southern areas of the city do not have favourable weather conditions and proper ventilation and have heat stress and high-intensity air pollution. One of the reasons is the high construction density, population, activity, traffic and lack of green infrastructure. The north of Tehran has a good climatic condition, one of the reasons for which is the proximity of this area to the mountains and rivers of the north of the city. The physical expansion of the city on the side of the heights, especially in the direction of the gorges often reduces the dynamic capacity of the atmosphere, ventilation and air circulation. It is one of the factors of increases the environmental heat load the formation of urban heat islands and intensifying air pollution.

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Measuring the realization of social justice in the bioethics of citizens Study sample: urban areas of Ardabil

esmail DALIR

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 05 September 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.140928.5022

Abstract

Bioethics can serve as a basis for creating a global ethical habitat and as a real space of justice and a new metanarrative. This article has been compiled with the aim of identifying and determining the dimensions of social justice and its relevance and impact on the biological ethics of Ardabili citizens. ... Read More

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Rereading the ontology of urban contemporary neighborhoods based on the social aspect of the traditional neighborhood

Mohamadreza Pourjafar; Seyed Mahdi Khatami; ali soltani; Fatemeh Shams

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 05 September 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.141272.5046

Abstract

The concept of a traditional neighborhood as a social unit within a geographical area and in the role of a self-reliance system is perhaps as old as human life. For thousands of years, the neighborhood as an understandable physical and urban heritage has saved the society from collapse by maintaining ... Read More

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A meta synthesis approach in the field of place making studies with a biophilic approach

elnaz khalili; Seyed Muslim Seyedolhosseini; toktam hanaee; sanaz saeedi mofrad

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 14 September 2024

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2024.140601.5008

Abstract

The continued acceleration of the urbanization process around the world has led to the aggravation of environmental problems and natural environments through standard placement and according to nature-friendly solutions. At the same time, they play an important role in the overall health of urban communities, ... Read More The continued acceleration of the urbanization process around the world has led to the aggravation of environmental problems and natural environments through standard placement and according to nature-friendly solutions. At the same time, they play an important role in the overall health of urban communities, increasing different populations, such as improving air quality. Reduction of carbon and increase of biodiversity, which are the main factors in the quality of urban life in today's cities. The focus is on integrating biophilic design principles.The current research was applied in terms of purpose and qualitative nature with a systematic review and qualitative meta-composite using an inductive perspective, as suggested by Sandelowski and Barroso. We conducted a systematic literature search in two Semantic Scholar databases and the Web Of Science website in recent years, with an update of 2023, and the results of each study were analyzed using inductive coding in MaxQDA software.The studies conducted are between 2017 and 2023. The most selected studies in this research belong to 2020, with 36%. The inductive codes of this research were categorized in the form of five main environmental, social, economic, functional, and physical categories and were identified according to the degree of concept similarity in the form of 12 sub-categories. According to the degree of similarity of the sub-categories, they reached 28 indicators. Our study showed that the quality of biophilic placemaking can be related to different levels of connection with nature and human understanding. The literature reports biophilicity and placemaking as independent phenomena, but our results tell a different story, showing that they are actually intertwined and related to environmental quality. This study aims to clarify the search for places that occur between people and natural environments so that future research can use new ideas called biophilic placemaking.

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