نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان

• یاسمن پاک نژاد ¹
• حسین عابددوست ²

¹ دانش آموخته‌ کارشناسی ارشد، گروه پژوهش هنر، دانشکده هنر و معماری، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران.

² دانشیار، گروه ارتباط تصویری، دانشکده هنر و معماری، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت ، ایران.

چکیده

تقویت حس مشارکت و فعالیت اجتماعی در فضای شهری می‌تواند زمینه‌ساز توسعه و پیشرفت کشور باشد. این اصل مورد توجه است که افزایش حس امیدواری شهروندان، تقویت امید اجتماعی در ایران را به همراه دارد. هدف این تحقیق شناخت امید اجتماعی و چگونگی بازآفرینی آن در فضای شهری با استفاده از فرهنگ و هنر با رویکرد حس مکان است. پرسش اصلی تحقیق پیش‌رو این است که چگونه می‌توان در فضای شهری، امیدواری را از طریق حس مکان تقویت کرد؟ روش تحقیق، توصیفی _ تحلیلی و گردآوری مطالب به شیوه کتابخانه‌ای و تجزیه تحلیل داده‌ها کیفی است که با استفاده از راهبرد نظریه زمینه‌ای صورت گرفته‌است. براساس این نمونه گیری کیفی_هدفمند، بیست نفر از شهروندان 18 سال به بالای شهر اصفهان و رشت در این مصاحبه نیمه ساختار یافته شرکت کرده و درک و تفسیر خود را در مورد امید اجتماعی و حس مکان شرح داده‌اند. یافته‌های این پژوهش شامل ارتباط امیدواری در فضای شهری با شش مقوله اصلی خاطره داشتن، پیشینه، میل به سرزندگی، تعامل داشتن ، فرهنگ‌سازی و زیباسازی است. مقوله هسته این مطالعه فرهنگ و هنر است که سایر مقولات را نیز در بر می‌گیرد.

کلیدواژه‌ها

• امید اجتماعی
• فضای شهری
• فرهنگ و هنر
• حس مکان

موضوعات

• بازآفرینی و تجدید حیات بافت تاریخی

عنوان مقاله [English]

Regenerating Social Hope in Urban Public Space Using Culture and Art with a Sense of Place Approach (Case Study: Cities of Isfahan and Rasht)

نویسندگان [English]

• Yasaman Paknejad ¹
• hossein abeddoost ²

¹ Department of Art Research, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

² Department of Graphics, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

چکیده [English]

Highlights

Social hope can be revitalized in urban environments by integrating culture, art, and community participation through a sense-of-place approach that strengthens collective identity.
A strong sense of belonging emerges from memory, historical continuity, vitality, social interaction, culture-building, beautification, and inclusive urban practices rooted in shared experiences.
In Isfahan, artistic expression and urban graphics act as primary drivers of social hope, while in Rasht, local culture, customs, climate, and community traditions shape the foundations of hope and belonging.

 
Introduction
The concept of sense of place, as articulated by Fritz Still, refers to the experiential, perceptual, and emotional bond that individuals develop with particular environments. It arises from the interaction between subjective elements—such as memories, mental imagery, cultural knowledge, and personal experiences—and objective components embedded in the physical environment, such as architectural forms, urban landscapes, textures, sounds, and spatial arrangements. This multidimensional phenomenon encompasses emotional attachment, cognitive interpretation, and behavioral engagement. It evolves gradually as individuals adapt to the social and spatial context, interact with others, and participate in cultural practices.
Still conceptualizes the development of sense of place across three progressive stages: belonging, attachment, and commitment. These stages move from low-intensity awareness to deep emotional connection and, ultimately, strong willingness to contribute to the well-being and continuity of the place. A heightened sense of belonging reflects not only the individual’s lived experiences but also shared cultural memory, collective identity, and social values.
Culture—defined as the collective patterns of thought, tradition, behavior, and meaning within a community—and art, as the tangible and symbolic expression of cultural identity, play pivotal roles in shaping the sense of place. Artistic and cultural interventions embed shared narratives and symbolic meanings into the urban fabric, transforming public spaces into landscapes of memory, identity, and social interaction. These interventions provide opportunities for emotional resonance, aesthetic pleasure, collective engagement, and ultimately the cultivation of social hope. Through the thoughtful integration of cultural narratives and artistic practices, urban environments can encourage optimism, reinforce social ties, and enrich the quality of life for residents. Thus, culture and art serve not only as aesthetic enhancers but also as social catalysts that strengthen emotional attachment to place and energize the collective imagination.
 
Theoretical Framework
The study adopts a descriptive–analytical approach grounded in qualitative inquiry, using the principles of Grounded Theory to uncover underlying patterns and relationships. Through purposive sampling, twenty citizens aged 18 and above from the cities of Isfahan and Rasht were selected to participate in semi-structured interviews. These interviews explored participants’ interpretations, perceptions, and lived experiences related to social hope, sense of place, and the broader cultural and artistic context of their urban environments.
The qualitative method facilitated the identification of the most influential dimensions contributing to sense of belonging—namely memory, historical depth, vitality, social interaction, culture-building, and beautification. Each of these dimensions becomes meaningful through cultural and artistic expressions embedded within the built environment. The research framework therefore focuses on understanding how these elements manifest differently across urban contexts, and how they collectively contribute to the revitalization of social hope.
 
Methodology
The research methodology is based on descriptive–analytical analysis combined with Grounded Theory procedures. Data collection relied on library resources and semi-structured interviews with residents of Isfahan and Rasht. The purposive sampling strategy ensured that participants possessed relevant insights regarding their interaction with urban spaces and their sense of belonging. Interview data were coded systematically to extract major themes, sub-themes, and conceptual categories.
The analytical process enabled the identification of cultural and artistic components that shape emotional attachment and collective identity. By comparing the two cities, the study illuminates how distinct cultural contexts influence the experience of social hope and the formation of sense of place. Ultimately, the methodological approach facilitated the creation of a conceptual model illustrating how cultural–artistic interventions can be strategically used to reinforce social hope in diverse urban settings.
Results and Discussion
The results demonstrate that the components shaping sense of place and social hope differ between Isfahan and Rasht but are rooted in similar underlying dimensions.
In Isfahan:

Memory is shaped through urban graphics, traditional architecture, and the integration of contemporary technologies.
History is represented through architectural heritage, urban graphics, and innovative handicrafts.
Vitality appears in interactive urban graphics, well-maintained facilities, and effective urban management.
Social interaction is reinforced through festivals, public gatherings, and shared cultural activities.
Culture-building emerges through coordinated urban management, cultural events, public services, and visual communication.
Beautification is achieved through artistic design, public art installations, and enriched spatial aesthetics.

In Rasht:

Memory is embedded in architectural traditions, climatic characteristics, and local symbols expressed in urban graphics.
History is conveyed through cultural heritage, architecture, and creative culinary traditions.
Vitality arises from local customs, pedestrian-oriented spaces, and vibrant cultural festivals.
Interaction is strengthened by communal events and the warm, hospitable behavior of residents.
Culture-building relies on community-based festivals, local traditions, and participatory artistic practices.
Beautification is produced through artistic interventions that reflect the region’s unique cultural attributes.

A key comparative insight reveals that while Isfahan relies heavily on artistic expression and urban graphics to generate social hope, Rasht’s foundation lies in its rich local culture and traditional customs. Despite these differences, both cities illustrate that integrating culture, art, and inclusive practices can significantly enhance sense of belonging, environmental attachment, and ultimately, social hope.
Conclusion
This study confirms that the revitalization of social hope in urban spaces is achievable when culture and art are strategically integrated through a sense-of-place approach. Urban art, as a communicative and symbolic medium, not only beautifies spaces but also conveys collective meanings and reinforces cultural identity. Enhancing social hope leads to greater social cohesion, collective agreement, and strengthened community resilience.
By designing urban environments that prioritize cultural expression, artistic creativity, and meaningful engagement, cities can foster optimism, belonging, and long-term social vitality. The findings underscore the importance of qualitative improvements in urban design, the promotion of artistic and cultural activities, and the implementation of educational approaches that encourage civic participation. These strategies collectively contribute to sustainable cultural and social development.
 
Acknowledgment
The present article is based on the M.A. thesis entitled "Recreating Social Hope in Urban Spaces through Culture and Art with a Sense of Place Approach (Case Study: The Cities of Isfahan and Rasht)", which was defended by the first author under the supervision of Dr. Hossein Abeddoost at the Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Guilan.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

• Social hope
• Urban space
• Culture and art
• Sense of place