Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• nasrin mohammadi ¹
• Rouhollah Rahimi ²
• Vahid Vaziri ³

¹ Faculty of Architecture, Mazandaran University

² Department of Architecture,Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Architecture Faculty of Engineering University of Mohaghegh Ardabili Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Rapid urban changes and the uncontrolled growth of urban development have led to a decline in citizens' connection to urban spaces and a reduced sense of place attachment. This phenomenon is particularly evident in many historic cities with unique cultural identities. However, contemporary urban planning has rarely addressed the emotional bond between citizens and their surroundings. Imam Khomeini Street in Ardabil, as a historic urban space, exemplifies a location that requires redefining the components of place attachment and strengthening its role in fostering social connections among citizens. This study aims to identify and prioritize the factors enhancing the sense of attachment in behavioral settings based on citizens' mental maps in urban spaces. The research employed a mixed-method approach, including structural equation modeling (SEM) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP), alongside qualitative and quantitative analyses to achieve this goal. Data were collected through surveys and interviews with 384 citizens and 15 experts in architecture and urban planning. The findings from factor analysis revealed that the components of behavioral settings fall into three main categories: preserving identity and increasing place attachment, enhancing place attachment and urban space legibility through functional uses and iconic structures, and improving the mental image of urban facades. According to the results, the criterion of enhancing place attachment and urban space legibility through functional uses and iconic structures had the most significant impact on citizens' mental maps. These results suggest that paying attention to the historical, identity-based, and cultural characteristics of the study site, along with creating unique spaces through appropriate design patterns and addressing citizens' needs, can help increase the sense of place attachment in urban spaces. Strategies related to the visual and functional qualities of spaces, understanding citizens' desires, and situating appropriate functions in suitable locations were found to have the greatest influence on fostering place attachment among citizens. These strategies, emphasizing the identity-based and cultural attributes within the spatial framework, can significantly enhance citizens' experiences of urban spaces. By providing an analytical framework for prioritizing the components of place attachment in urban spaces, this research can assist urban planners and designers in considering citizens' preferences and improving urban spaces based on the real needs of residents.

Keywords

• Sense of belonging
• Behavioral spaces
• Mental map
• Urban spaces
• Ardabil

Main Subjects

• environmental psychology