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Volume 37, Issue 2 (2022)
GeoRes 2022, 37(2): 267-276 |
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Received: 2022/03/25 | Accepted: 2022/04/14 | Published: 2022/06/20
Received: 2022/03/25 | Accepted: 2022/04/14 | Published: 2022/06/20
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Dadgar F, Ghasri M. Investigating the Role of Diversity Index in the Quality of Urban Environment Emphasizing the Role of Market (Case Study: Rasouli Crossroad Market of Zahedan). GeoRes 2022; 37 (2) :267-276
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F. Dadgar1, M.A. Ghasri *1
1- Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Sistan and Baluchestan University, Zahedan, Iran
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Introduction
The issue of urban environmental quality was first raised in 1976 by urban thinkers and planners (Teymoori & Asgari, 2015). The industrialization of societies and its impacts on living environments have increasingly underscored the necessity of paying attention to the quality of the living environment. The tendency to improve environmental quality in a specific place or for a particular individual or group requires focused attention from urban planners. In fact, the concept of quality is a composite parameter that is influenced by multiple factors (Rahman et al., 2005). In urban studies, environmental quality has been examined from the perspectives of various disciplines, including urban planning, social sciences, psychology, urban geography, economics, political science, and management. Assessing quality of life and determining individuals’ and groups’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with different aspects of life constitute the main subject and objective of all planning efforts.
Urban environmental quality refers to people’s satisfaction with the spatial and physical characteristics of urban environments (Azadeh et al., 2021). The set of environmental quality factors includes functional, aesthetic, experiential, and environmental dimensions (Rahimi et al., 2019).
Theories addressing the physical dimension of urban environmental quality can be divided into two main categories. The first category emphasizes the objective domain of the environment and considers urban environmental quality as an inherent attribute of the environment, independent of the observer. In this regard, Kaplan’s model can be mentioned. The second category of theories emphasizes the subjective domain of individuals (Teymoori & Asgari, 2015; Bahreini & Tabibian, 1998). Scholars and experts have referred to a wide range of indicators and factors that influence urban environmental quality.
For example, Southworth proposed twelve general criteria as the main and effective factors in urban environmental quality, including accessibility, comfort and convenience, vitality and liveliness, joy, form, environmental protection, diversity, meaning, legibility, openness of spaces, maintenance and management, and health (Bahreini & Tabibian, 1998). Kevin Lynch, in his studies, considers vitality, meaning (sense), adaptability, accessibility, control and supervision, as well as the two fundamental criteria of efficiency and justice, to be influential in urban environmental quality (Shahi Aqbelaghi et al., 2016). Jane Jacobs identifies mixed land uses (in terms of both functional diversity and the age diversity of buildings), permeability and accessibility, density, legibility, safety, and transparency as the main components of environmental vitality and urban quality (Jacobs, 1992).
Bentley points to factors such as permeability, diversity, legibility, flexibility, sensory richness, and sense of belonging, and considers them effective in increasing users’ presence in the environment and enhancing environmental responsiveness (Bentley, 1985). Carmona introduced eight components as environmental dimensions of urban design, including spatial, contextual, social, sustainability, perceptual, visual, morphological, and functional aspects (Johari et al., 2013). It can be argued that the most important model for explaining the theoretical framework of urban environmental quality was proposed by Canter. According to this model, known as the place model, the urban environment is conceived as a place composed of three interrelated dimensions: physical form, activities, and perceptions.
As Lang also noted, in the past, environmental design specialists were heavily influenced by visual aspects and tended to regard the city more as a work of art than as a place for people’s everyday life (Karimi et al., 2016). In summary, within the evolutionary trajectory of the concept of urban environmental quality, it can be stated that urban quality components have gradually shifted from a single-component approach emphasizing objective and aesthetic features toward a composite, four-dimensional approach encompassing objective aesthetic, subjective–perceptual aesthetic, functional, and environmental dimensions (Golkar, 2001). Jacobs (1992), in her seminal book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, and Bentley (1985), in his highly influential work Responsive Environments, emphasize that diversity is one of the key characteristics of urban environmental quality. In this sense, ensuring diversity of experiences requires the presence of a rich mix of functions and activities that are beneficial to people from all social strata and different age groups. The term “diversity” generally denotes a condition of multiplicity and heterogeneity and often refers to a situation in which the recognition and integration of differences have been successfully achieved. The issue of diversity is commonly summarized within two dimensions: cultural and economic. A rational understanding of (urban) diversity predates the wave of globalization that began in the late 1970s. Since the 1960s, authors with different intellectual backgrounds have articulated clear demands for urban redevelopment strategies that stimulate physical and social heterogeneity (Vormann, 2005).
High-quality urban design generates diversity and empowers people to make choices regarding density levels, building types, transportation options, and the style and type of activities. The principles governing cities, and consequently urban spaces, were largely derived from fixed assumptions until Henri Lefebvre introduced the concept of the “right to the city.” However, if it is accepted that the city belongs to everyone and that equality of rights and opportunities must be guaranteed for all, the city will inevitably exhibit diversity and difference. As a result, public urban spaces assume diverse forms shaped by the varying interests of different social groups that produce them and by the specific range of functions they accommodate (Carmona, 2018). The foundation and prerequisite of any deep, continuous, and developmental process for individuals within the urban environment is the necessary complexity and diversity of the city and its spaces. Every good city and desirable urban space must possess sufficient diversity and should neither be monotonous nor chaotic (Karami et al., 2015).
Diversity does not manifest solely in physical form and structure; rather, it is also reflected in the activities that a place accommodates and encourages. Activities are largely responses to the attractiveness of space. While the concept of attractiveness is of great importance, two other points deserve emphasis. First, physical diversity, at an appropriate scale, is a prerequisite for joy and vitality in space, yet it cannot alone guarantee sustainability. For instance, city centers that contain only commercial functions tend to exhibit vibrancy and diversity at specific hours of the day unless, through the expansion of multiple activities and diverse functions, vitality and diversity are sustained beyond shopping hours. The second and complementary point is that, in reality, there is no place that lacks at least a minimum level of diversity; even in such cases, diversity can be enhanced through conscious strategies and the appropriate use of elements (Mahmoudnezhad & Ghane, 2016).
Schulz argues that life is essentially about choosing among different qualities; precisely because humans need places as points of encounter and interaction, such places must be rich in diversity and variety. According to Schulz, urban space requires vitality, the spirit of life, in order to offer diverse options to its users. Therefore, diversity is one of the factors most closely associated with the vitality of urban spaces. Jane Jacobs equates diversity with vitality and maintains that environments characterized by diversity will inevitably be lively places. She emphasizes activity and people as essential elements in creating vibrant urban spaces. From the perspective of Bentley et al. (1985), diversity of land uses and physical diversity lead to higher levels of diversity. The diversity of activities, forms, and the presence of people contributes to the formation of a rich composite mental image, enabling different users to interpret and understand places in various ways and thereby generating multiple meanings.
In urban design, a city characterized by diversity consists of an interwoven fabric that enables the provision of varied spaces and activities, thereby fostering vitality and liveliness. Jacobs (1992) also argues that diverse physical patterns and forms in the environment enhance human relationships. Another definition of diversity proposed by Jacobs is based on “diversity in cultural opportunities,” which is considered a criterion of diversity aimed at accommodating different age and ethnic groups within the user population (Harun et al., 2013). Lively cities tend to develop systems with more active public spaces in which encounters, movement, interaction, and communication among people are made possible (Najari Nabi & Mahdinezhad, 2020). Based on the above, the factors related to “diversity” in the urban environment can be categorized as diversity in physical form and building structure, mixed and diverse land uses, racial or ethnic diversity, cultural–social diversity, economic diversity, perceptual and mental diversity, age diversity of users, environmental security, vitality, joy, social participation, and flexibility.
Among urban spaces, bazaars function as the core of everyday urban life, serving as places for the interaction of people, goods, and information and facilitating spontaneous and self-generated synergies among individuals and communities. In addition, bazaars provide affordable and fresh food for residents, economic opportunities for job seekers, and social gathering places in areas that may lack such facilities. Historically, bazaars have been major engines of urban growth while simultaneously offering sustainable solutions for adapting to this growth. Today, bazaars are important places that embody the sense of “life” and the “heartbeat” of the city. In a bazaar, one can feel the pulse of energy and potential that represents urban quality and attracts both tourists and local residents. Numerous researchers have examined the role of bazaars in urban environmental development from different perspectives (Masoudi Nezhad, 2005; Deka, 2017; Khairunnisa & Tjung, 2019).
Nevertheless, the role of diversity in collective–commercial spaces in enhancing urban environmental quality has received comparatively less attention. This is despite the fact that diversity in commercial spaces such as bazaars, through its impact on economic factors and the provision of diverse services, is one of the key contributors to urban environmental diversity, which in turn can attract investment and promote urban development. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of commercial space diversity in improving the quality of the urban environment in the Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar of Zahedan
Methodology
This research was a descriptive–analytical study conducted in 2021 using documentary and library studies in combination with a series of field investigations in the Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar neighborhood of Zahedan. Zahedan, as the largest city in southeastern Iran, is considered a relatively new city due to its short history of development. The rapid and unbalanced growth of the city during the early decades of its formation led to the emergence of neighborhoods with varying levels of quality. The province contains various types of markets, including free-zone commercial complexes, border markets, traditional and local bazaars, shopping arcades, and modern markets, as well as a particular type of market that itself constitutes a primary tourist attraction. However, Rasouli Bazaar, also known as Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar, represents a combination of different types of markets and has long held particular importance, especially during specific periods such as the Nowruz holidays and summer seasons, attracting a large number of visitors.
The study area, namely the Rasouli Crossroads neighborhood in Zahedan, located along Molavi Hosseinbar Street, is considered one of the relatively old neighborhoods of the city. Due to the economic significance of Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar, this area is well known not only within Iran but also in neighboring countries. Given these characteristics, as well as the dynamic nature of the market, its richness in sensory stimuli, and the presence of diverse activities at different times of the day, this bazaar was selected as a case study for evaluating the diversity indicator.
The target population of the study, for the fieldwork and questionnaire distribution, consisted of approximately 500 ordinary citizens and visitors to Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar. Participants were selected using a random sampling method. The sample size was determined based on Cochran’s formula (n=360).
The indicators and components influencing urban environmental quality in relation to diversity were extracted through qualitative content analysis of the relevant research background and existing theoretical frameworks and were subsequently evaluated from the perspectives of 30 experts. The selected experts consisted of specialists and professionals in the field of urban management and were chosen using a purposive non-random sampling method. In the initial stage, after reviewing the relevant research literature, a list of indicators and the components affecting each indicator was prepared. Accordingly, a questionnaire was designed based on the identified indicators and evaluated by the experts.
The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions, including both open-ended and closed-ended items. The open-ended questions were designed to allow experts to add any indicators or components they considered relevant but missing. Responses to the questionnaire were measured using a five-point Likert scale, including the options “completely desirable,” “desirable,” “moderate,” “undesirable,” and “completely undesirable.” Based on expert feedback, the questionnaires were revised, and four items were removed.
Content validity was assessed through the pilot distribution of 50 questionnaires, aimed at evaluating both the content and the comprehensibility of the questions for the target population (the general public). This assessment was conducted by examining respondents’ answers and their consistency with the objectives of the research, leading to the revision of several questions to better capture all research objectives and parameters. Subsequently, two additional questions were removed from the original 30-item questionnaire, resulting in a final total of 24 questions. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.86).
The collected data were analyzed in two stages: descriptive and inferential. A one-sample t-test was employed for inferential analysis. In addition, the impact coefficient of each dimension, as an independent parameter, on the dependent parameter of urban environmental quality was examined using multivariate regression within a structural equation modeling framework implemented in SPSS version 26 and LISREL software
Findings
Based on demographic information, 39.16% of respondents were female and 60.83% were male. The age group 45–65 years had the highest frequency at 37.5%, while the group over 65 years had the lowest frequency at 7.22%. Additionally, 69.72% of respondents were local residents.
The reliability of the research instrument for each examined dimension indicated that the reliability coefficients for the environmental, economic, physical-spatial, socio-cultural, perceptual-cognitive, and functional dimensions were 0.85, 0.79, 0.92, 0.88, 0.93, and 0.94, respectively, demonstrating the high validity of the instrument.
Considering the crowding and congestion in the studied neighborhood and the lack of facilities, the environmental conditions and cleanliness of the market were slightly below average and did not have a significant effect on enhancing urban environmental diversity. The greatest expected impact on increasing urban diversity was observed in the economic dimension. Among the factors influencing urban environmental diversity in the Rasouli Crossroads Market in Zahedan, the diversity of businesses, reasonable prices compared to other markets, and suitability of businesses for all age groups were considered the most important by respondents. Offering a variety of handicrafts and industrial goods, as well as a range of businesses catering to different age groups, met diverse needs of different demand groups, particularly the variety of prices, which effectively satisfied people from various economic backgrounds.
The functional dimension of the Rasouli Crossroads neighborhood, due to the provision of diverse services such as restaurants and tea houses, the variety of consumer products, and both domestic and imported goods, was another important factor in creating urban environmental diversity from the respondents’ perspective. Functional diversity in commercial environments encourages more visitors and directly contributes to population density in the area. However, the lack of certain activities limited its significant impact on enhancing the market’s urban environmental diversity.
The crowding in the market, combined with visitors from neighboring cities and countries, facilitated cultural interactions and exchanges, evident in the diversity of traditional attire among visitors. Thus, the functional dimension directly influences the socio-cultural dimension affecting urban environmental diversity. Moreover, a lively environment with climatic comfort increases public satisfaction and enhances urban environmental quality. Field observations showed that many people visit the market solely to enjoy the lively atmosphere. In this study, the socio-cultural index had the second-highest influence on creating urban environmental diversity in Zahedan, following the economic index.
Field observations revealed that the co-location of multiple functions in the Rasouli Crossroads area is traditionally present; the simultaneous presence of residential, commercial, cultural, and social uses, particularly in older neighborhoods, is not a new phenomenon. The area has a dense structure with semi-grid and semi-organic streets. There is intense competition between street vendors and commercial shops, each focusing on specific types of goods. Most trade involves imported goods, which are consistently popular, such as textile shops, which are prominent due to the local importance of clothing. Additionally, stores selling groceries, second-hand clothing and shoes, household appliances, and other businesses are abundant, contributing significantly to the market’s vibrancy and meeting a wide range of public needs.
In the physical-spatial dimension, factors such as adequate parking space and appropriate aisle widths had less impact on enhancing urban environmental diversity. The traditional structure and congestion in the market do not provide sufficient space for movement, indicating a need for focused attention on physical renovation or reconstruction.
In the structural equation model using multivariate regression, the greatest effect on urban environmental diversity in the studied neighborhood was observed in the economic index (0.221), while the environmental index had the lowest effect (0.072). The impact coefficients for the perceptual-cognitive, socio-cultural, functional, and physical-spatial indices were 0.123, 0.120, 0.099, and 0.098, respectively. The coefficient of determination was 0.819, indicating that 81.9% of the variations in urban environmental quality are explained by these indices.
Discussion
The aim of this study was to examine the parameters affecting urban environmental quality, with an emphasis on the diversity criterion in the Rasouli Crossroads Market neighborhood in Zahedan. Paying attention to the influential dimensions of urban environmental quality in this market can play a significant role in the development of tourism in Zahedan and the province.
Improving the diversity of urban environmental quality, particularly in markets, requires concerted efforts from urban planners and designers. The primary and most important function of markets is their economic function. In Islamic cities, the economic dimension of the market is so important that, from the perspective of Virth, the market is the main defining feature and the best measure of the authenticity of Eastern Islamic cities compared to cities in other cultural regions. In this study, the economic dimensions influencing environmental diversity in the Rasouli Crossroads Market were positively evaluated by the public. Price diversity, offering a range of quality options, and the availability of suitable income-generating opportunities contributed to public satisfaction with the market’s economic function. Scholars such as Dadvar et al. (2016) and Kakavand et al. (2013) have also emphasized the importance of economic factors, particularly in commercial environments, for enhancing urban environmental diversity.
Although the economic dimension attracts the most attention in market environments, the internal world of the market is full of diverse functions, with commercial activities and sales units coexisting. Urban spaces are places for the presence of all citizens and their participation in collective life. These spaces operate at the city-wide scale and must accommodate diverse groups of citizens. The market environment, as a commercial space with unique characteristics, is a place of significant crowding. In the Rasouli Crossroads Market, a variety of land uses, from religious to health-related, can be observed. In response to the research questions regarding the tangible and intangible characteristics of the market, it was noted that the market, despite the establishment of new malls and markets elsewhere in the city, has continued to successfully perform its role as a place filled with retail activities and diverse uses, flexible building patterns, and a multicultural spatial core. This has contributed to the vitality of the urban space and attracted visitors. The emphasis on social interaction and socio-cultural dimensions is consistent with the findings of scholars such as Pourheidar Shirazi (2015), Keshavarzfazl & Manjazi (2021), and Carpiano & Hystad (2011).
The study findings indicate that the ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of Zahedan has positively influenced product innovation and retail variety. Cultural mixing and interaction among people from different ethnic groups and neighboring countries such as India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have highlighted the socio-cultural dimensions of the Rasouli Market. Therefore, the unique characteristics of the Rasouli market street in the city can inspire urban design, particularly in the city center. The existing ethnic and cultural diversity and the presence of opportunities for offering various goods have led to the provision of diverse services and products, such as handicrafts, varied food, clothing, language and dialect, religious ceremonies, and customs, reducing monotony in the market fabric. This feature can transform the neighborhood into a tourism-attracting area. Diversity in the Rasouli Crossroads Market enhances user choice, activates the area, and increases permeability and flexibility. Consequently, the socio-cultural dimension directly and indirectly affects the functional dimension, including suitability, diversity, and activity variation. Habibi et al. (2019) have also identified the functional dimension as the second most influential factor on urban environmental quality. Similarly, Najari Nabi & Mahdinezhad (2020) and Rishbeth (2001) have emphasized activity diversity and service provision in improving urban environmental quality.
Zahedan is a city with a long history of migration, spanning roughly a century. The studied area was initially established by Mr. Rasouli Thaniabadi, who migrated from Yazd. Today, the market’s reputation extends beyond Iran and is well-known in neighboring countries, especially the Persian Gulf states. From the beginning, the presence of various ethnic groups, including Birjandi, Yazdi, Baloch, Sistani, and Indian (Sikh) traders, indicates a culturally interactive environment in Zahedan. According to the findings, the main reason for attracting people to this area is the diversity of commercial activities. Additionally, street vendors, despite causing congestion and slowing pedestrian movement, enhance the market’s vibrancy, memorability, and appeal. Urban vitality reflects the daily life and dynamism of citizens in relation to their residential environment, and this continuous interaction contributes to the process of place-making and fostering a sense of belonging. Components such as crowding, vibrancy, numerous retailers, and climatic comfort were prioritized by respondents as influential factors in creating urban environmental diversity. To generate urban vitality, both attractiveness and user satisfaction must be considered as essential prerequisites. Urban vitality, as a perceptual-cognitive dimension, includes internal and external aspects: the internal dimension encompasses physical and non-physical elements (space and activities), while the external dimension includes spatial, cultural, economic, and social factors. In this study, internal dimensions included functional diversity, business diversity, pricing, and services in the economic dimension, while external dimensions involved cultural mixing and socio-cultural factors, all of which influenced user attraction and satisfaction. Urban vitality, as a perceptual-cognitive factor influencing environmental diversity, has been highlighted by Khastoo & Rezvani (2010), Landry (2000), and Soltani et al. (2013), with Khastoo & Rezvani identifying shopping centers as the most important criterion for urban vitality.
Despite the significant effects of socio-cultural and perceptual-cognitive dimensions on environmental quality, market crowding and the diversity of offered services and products have caused a decline in environmental quality. The environmental dimension was rated below the theoretical average, indicating the need to enhance this indicator. The environmental dimension includes a wide range of factors, such as water quality, noise pollution, urban sewage systems, waste management, and other aspects that greatly impact environmental quality, especially in commercial spaces. The main reason for the decline in the environmental quality of the Rasouli Crossroads Market is population density, cultural mixing, insufficient attention to hygiene, and the lack of adequate facilities. Addressing these factors can enhance the market’s impact on urban environmental diversity in Zahedan. The emphasis on environmental factors as determinants of environmental quality has also been highlighted by Akan et al. (2012), Gurjar et al. (2010), and Hoseini Abas-abadi & Talei (2016).
In Iranian markets, diversity in morphology and building forms contributes to urban environmental diversity and directly and indirectly impacts city quality. Market morphology, especially in traditional markets, largely depends on its functional characteristics. Markets differ according to their reach and operational scope, which directly affects their physical form. Neighborhood markets serving only their local area differ from large markets. Large markets like Rasouli, with functional diversity, have a greater influence on environmental diversity. In this study, the average physical-spatial index of the examined neighborhood was below the medium level. While much of the Rasouli market retains a traditional structure, many façades have started modernization through material changes. It is clear that the dimensions affecting urban environmental quality are interrelated, so that changes in one dimension influence others directly or indirectly. Enhancing economic, socio-cultural, and functional indicators increases diversity and attracts more visitors. Population density demands more space; insufficient parking and narrow aisles affect service quality and gradually influence other dimensions, potentially lowering overall urban environmental quality. Therefore, improving and expanding physical infrastructure in public spaces is crucial for creating accessible public spaces and enhancing their quality, as emphasized by Golchin & Mafakheri (2017) and Samadi et al. (2020).
Findings from this study indicate that the diversity index significantly contributes to urban vitality, liveliness, and environmental quality. However, its impact on urban environmental quality has been scarcely studied to date. Beyond its positive effect on environmental quality, creating diversity in physical, environmental, socio-cultural, and other dimensions can directly improve the environment and indirectly influence economic, social, and cultural parameters, such as employment, tourism, and attracting visitors. Therefore, it is recommended that the diversity index be considered as an influential factor on urban environmental quality in future studies, with particular emphasis on commercial and other cultural-social spaces.
Conclusion
The Rasouli Crossroads Market in Zahedan, as a lively urban space, plays a significant role in creating environmental diversity in the city. Economic, socio-cultural, perceptual-cognitive, and functional indicators have the greatest impact on the urban environmental diversity of the market, while environmental and physical-spatial indicators have the least impact. Paying attention to the diversity of commercial spaces, such as markets, through its influence on economic factors and the provision of varied services, is a key factor in fostering urban environmental diversity, which in turn can attract investment, support urban development, and enhance overall urban environmental quality.
Acknowledgments: Not applicable.
Ethical Permission: Not applicable.
Conflict of Interest: Not applicable.
Author Contributions: Dadgar F (first author), Introduction Writer/Main Researcher/Discussion Writer (50%); Ghasri MA (second author), Methodologist/Assistant Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (50%).
Funding: Not applicable.
The issue of urban environmental quality was first raised in 1976 by urban thinkers and planners (Teymoori & Asgari, 2015). The industrialization of societies and its impacts on living environments have increasingly underscored the necessity of paying attention to the quality of the living environment. The tendency to improve environmental quality in a specific place or for a particular individual or group requires focused attention from urban planners. In fact, the concept of quality is a composite parameter that is influenced by multiple factors (Rahman et al., 2005). In urban studies, environmental quality has been examined from the perspectives of various disciplines, including urban planning, social sciences, psychology, urban geography, economics, political science, and management. Assessing quality of life and determining individuals’ and groups’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with different aspects of life constitute the main subject and objective of all planning efforts.
Urban environmental quality refers to people’s satisfaction with the spatial and physical characteristics of urban environments (Azadeh et al., 2021). The set of environmental quality factors includes functional, aesthetic, experiential, and environmental dimensions (Rahimi et al., 2019).
Theories addressing the physical dimension of urban environmental quality can be divided into two main categories. The first category emphasizes the objective domain of the environment and considers urban environmental quality as an inherent attribute of the environment, independent of the observer. In this regard, Kaplan’s model can be mentioned. The second category of theories emphasizes the subjective domain of individuals (Teymoori & Asgari, 2015; Bahreini & Tabibian, 1998). Scholars and experts have referred to a wide range of indicators and factors that influence urban environmental quality.
For example, Southworth proposed twelve general criteria as the main and effective factors in urban environmental quality, including accessibility, comfort and convenience, vitality and liveliness, joy, form, environmental protection, diversity, meaning, legibility, openness of spaces, maintenance and management, and health (Bahreini & Tabibian, 1998). Kevin Lynch, in his studies, considers vitality, meaning (sense), adaptability, accessibility, control and supervision, as well as the two fundamental criteria of efficiency and justice, to be influential in urban environmental quality (Shahi Aqbelaghi et al., 2016). Jane Jacobs identifies mixed land uses (in terms of both functional diversity and the age diversity of buildings), permeability and accessibility, density, legibility, safety, and transparency as the main components of environmental vitality and urban quality (Jacobs, 1992).
Bentley points to factors such as permeability, diversity, legibility, flexibility, sensory richness, and sense of belonging, and considers them effective in increasing users’ presence in the environment and enhancing environmental responsiveness (Bentley, 1985). Carmona introduced eight components as environmental dimensions of urban design, including spatial, contextual, social, sustainability, perceptual, visual, morphological, and functional aspects (Johari et al., 2013). It can be argued that the most important model for explaining the theoretical framework of urban environmental quality was proposed by Canter. According to this model, known as the place model, the urban environment is conceived as a place composed of three interrelated dimensions: physical form, activities, and perceptions.
As Lang also noted, in the past, environmental design specialists were heavily influenced by visual aspects and tended to regard the city more as a work of art than as a place for people’s everyday life (Karimi et al., 2016). In summary, within the evolutionary trajectory of the concept of urban environmental quality, it can be stated that urban quality components have gradually shifted from a single-component approach emphasizing objective and aesthetic features toward a composite, four-dimensional approach encompassing objective aesthetic, subjective–perceptual aesthetic, functional, and environmental dimensions (Golkar, 2001). Jacobs (1992), in her seminal book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, and Bentley (1985), in his highly influential work Responsive Environments, emphasize that diversity is one of the key characteristics of urban environmental quality. In this sense, ensuring diversity of experiences requires the presence of a rich mix of functions and activities that are beneficial to people from all social strata and different age groups. The term “diversity” generally denotes a condition of multiplicity and heterogeneity and often refers to a situation in which the recognition and integration of differences have been successfully achieved. The issue of diversity is commonly summarized within two dimensions: cultural and economic. A rational understanding of (urban) diversity predates the wave of globalization that began in the late 1970s. Since the 1960s, authors with different intellectual backgrounds have articulated clear demands for urban redevelopment strategies that stimulate physical and social heterogeneity (Vormann, 2005).
High-quality urban design generates diversity and empowers people to make choices regarding density levels, building types, transportation options, and the style and type of activities. The principles governing cities, and consequently urban spaces, were largely derived from fixed assumptions until Henri Lefebvre introduced the concept of the “right to the city.” However, if it is accepted that the city belongs to everyone and that equality of rights and opportunities must be guaranteed for all, the city will inevitably exhibit diversity and difference. As a result, public urban spaces assume diverse forms shaped by the varying interests of different social groups that produce them and by the specific range of functions they accommodate (Carmona, 2018). The foundation and prerequisite of any deep, continuous, and developmental process for individuals within the urban environment is the necessary complexity and diversity of the city and its spaces. Every good city and desirable urban space must possess sufficient diversity and should neither be monotonous nor chaotic (Karami et al., 2015).
Diversity does not manifest solely in physical form and structure; rather, it is also reflected in the activities that a place accommodates and encourages. Activities are largely responses to the attractiveness of space. While the concept of attractiveness is of great importance, two other points deserve emphasis. First, physical diversity, at an appropriate scale, is a prerequisite for joy and vitality in space, yet it cannot alone guarantee sustainability. For instance, city centers that contain only commercial functions tend to exhibit vibrancy and diversity at specific hours of the day unless, through the expansion of multiple activities and diverse functions, vitality and diversity are sustained beyond shopping hours. The second and complementary point is that, in reality, there is no place that lacks at least a minimum level of diversity; even in such cases, diversity can be enhanced through conscious strategies and the appropriate use of elements (Mahmoudnezhad & Ghane, 2016).
Schulz argues that life is essentially about choosing among different qualities; precisely because humans need places as points of encounter and interaction, such places must be rich in diversity and variety. According to Schulz, urban space requires vitality, the spirit of life, in order to offer diverse options to its users. Therefore, diversity is one of the factors most closely associated with the vitality of urban spaces. Jane Jacobs equates diversity with vitality and maintains that environments characterized by diversity will inevitably be lively places. She emphasizes activity and people as essential elements in creating vibrant urban spaces. From the perspective of Bentley et al. (1985), diversity of land uses and physical diversity lead to higher levels of diversity. The diversity of activities, forms, and the presence of people contributes to the formation of a rich composite mental image, enabling different users to interpret and understand places in various ways and thereby generating multiple meanings.
In urban design, a city characterized by diversity consists of an interwoven fabric that enables the provision of varied spaces and activities, thereby fostering vitality and liveliness. Jacobs (1992) also argues that diverse physical patterns and forms in the environment enhance human relationships. Another definition of diversity proposed by Jacobs is based on “diversity in cultural opportunities,” which is considered a criterion of diversity aimed at accommodating different age and ethnic groups within the user population (Harun et al., 2013). Lively cities tend to develop systems with more active public spaces in which encounters, movement, interaction, and communication among people are made possible (Najari Nabi & Mahdinezhad, 2020). Based on the above, the factors related to “diversity” in the urban environment can be categorized as diversity in physical form and building structure, mixed and diverse land uses, racial or ethnic diversity, cultural–social diversity, economic diversity, perceptual and mental diversity, age diversity of users, environmental security, vitality, joy, social participation, and flexibility.
Among urban spaces, bazaars function as the core of everyday urban life, serving as places for the interaction of people, goods, and information and facilitating spontaneous and self-generated synergies among individuals and communities. In addition, bazaars provide affordable and fresh food for residents, economic opportunities for job seekers, and social gathering places in areas that may lack such facilities. Historically, bazaars have been major engines of urban growth while simultaneously offering sustainable solutions for adapting to this growth. Today, bazaars are important places that embody the sense of “life” and the “heartbeat” of the city. In a bazaar, one can feel the pulse of energy and potential that represents urban quality and attracts both tourists and local residents. Numerous researchers have examined the role of bazaars in urban environmental development from different perspectives (Masoudi Nezhad, 2005; Deka, 2017; Khairunnisa & Tjung, 2019).
Nevertheless, the role of diversity in collective–commercial spaces in enhancing urban environmental quality has received comparatively less attention. This is despite the fact that diversity in commercial spaces such as bazaars, through its impact on economic factors and the provision of diverse services, is one of the key contributors to urban environmental diversity, which in turn can attract investment and promote urban development. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of commercial space diversity in improving the quality of the urban environment in the Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar of Zahedan
Methodology
This research was a descriptive–analytical study conducted in 2021 using documentary and library studies in combination with a series of field investigations in the Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar neighborhood of Zahedan. Zahedan, as the largest city in southeastern Iran, is considered a relatively new city due to its short history of development. The rapid and unbalanced growth of the city during the early decades of its formation led to the emergence of neighborhoods with varying levels of quality. The province contains various types of markets, including free-zone commercial complexes, border markets, traditional and local bazaars, shopping arcades, and modern markets, as well as a particular type of market that itself constitutes a primary tourist attraction. However, Rasouli Bazaar, also known as Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar, represents a combination of different types of markets and has long held particular importance, especially during specific periods such as the Nowruz holidays and summer seasons, attracting a large number of visitors.
The study area, namely the Rasouli Crossroads neighborhood in Zahedan, located along Molavi Hosseinbar Street, is considered one of the relatively old neighborhoods of the city. Due to the economic significance of Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar, this area is well known not only within Iran but also in neighboring countries. Given these characteristics, as well as the dynamic nature of the market, its richness in sensory stimuli, and the presence of diverse activities at different times of the day, this bazaar was selected as a case study for evaluating the diversity indicator.
The target population of the study, for the fieldwork and questionnaire distribution, consisted of approximately 500 ordinary citizens and visitors to Rasouli Crossroads Bazaar. Participants were selected using a random sampling method. The sample size was determined based on Cochran’s formula (n=360).
The indicators and components influencing urban environmental quality in relation to diversity were extracted through qualitative content analysis of the relevant research background and existing theoretical frameworks and were subsequently evaluated from the perspectives of 30 experts. The selected experts consisted of specialists and professionals in the field of urban management and were chosen using a purposive non-random sampling method. In the initial stage, after reviewing the relevant research literature, a list of indicators and the components affecting each indicator was prepared. Accordingly, a questionnaire was designed based on the identified indicators and evaluated by the experts.
The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions, including both open-ended and closed-ended items. The open-ended questions were designed to allow experts to add any indicators or components they considered relevant but missing. Responses to the questionnaire were measured using a five-point Likert scale, including the options “completely desirable,” “desirable,” “moderate,” “undesirable,” and “completely undesirable.” Based on expert feedback, the questionnaires were revised, and four items were removed.
Content validity was assessed through the pilot distribution of 50 questionnaires, aimed at evaluating both the content and the comprehensibility of the questions for the target population (the general public). This assessment was conducted by examining respondents’ answers and their consistency with the objectives of the research, leading to the revision of several questions to better capture all research objectives and parameters. Subsequently, two additional questions were removed from the original 30-item questionnaire, resulting in a final total of 24 questions. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.86).
The collected data were analyzed in two stages: descriptive and inferential. A one-sample t-test was employed for inferential analysis. In addition, the impact coefficient of each dimension, as an independent parameter, on the dependent parameter of urban environmental quality was examined using multivariate regression within a structural equation modeling framework implemented in SPSS version 26 and LISREL software
Findings
Based on demographic information, 39.16% of respondents were female and 60.83% were male. The age group 45–65 years had the highest frequency at 37.5%, while the group over 65 years had the lowest frequency at 7.22%. Additionally, 69.72% of respondents were local residents.
The reliability of the research instrument for each examined dimension indicated that the reliability coefficients for the environmental, economic, physical-spatial, socio-cultural, perceptual-cognitive, and functional dimensions were 0.85, 0.79, 0.92, 0.88, 0.93, and 0.94, respectively, demonstrating the high validity of the instrument.
Considering the crowding and congestion in the studied neighborhood and the lack of facilities, the environmental conditions and cleanliness of the market were slightly below average and did not have a significant effect on enhancing urban environmental diversity. The greatest expected impact on increasing urban diversity was observed in the economic dimension. Among the factors influencing urban environmental diversity in the Rasouli Crossroads Market in Zahedan, the diversity of businesses, reasonable prices compared to other markets, and suitability of businesses for all age groups were considered the most important by respondents. Offering a variety of handicrafts and industrial goods, as well as a range of businesses catering to different age groups, met diverse needs of different demand groups, particularly the variety of prices, which effectively satisfied people from various economic backgrounds.
The functional dimension of the Rasouli Crossroads neighborhood, due to the provision of diverse services such as restaurants and tea houses, the variety of consumer products, and both domestic and imported goods, was another important factor in creating urban environmental diversity from the respondents’ perspective. Functional diversity in commercial environments encourages more visitors and directly contributes to population density in the area. However, the lack of certain activities limited its significant impact on enhancing the market’s urban environmental diversity.
The crowding in the market, combined with visitors from neighboring cities and countries, facilitated cultural interactions and exchanges, evident in the diversity of traditional attire among visitors. Thus, the functional dimension directly influences the socio-cultural dimension affecting urban environmental diversity. Moreover, a lively environment with climatic comfort increases public satisfaction and enhances urban environmental quality. Field observations showed that many people visit the market solely to enjoy the lively atmosphere. In this study, the socio-cultural index had the second-highest influence on creating urban environmental diversity in Zahedan, following the economic index.
Field observations revealed that the co-location of multiple functions in the Rasouli Crossroads area is traditionally present; the simultaneous presence of residential, commercial, cultural, and social uses, particularly in older neighborhoods, is not a new phenomenon. The area has a dense structure with semi-grid and semi-organic streets. There is intense competition between street vendors and commercial shops, each focusing on specific types of goods. Most trade involves imported goods, which are consistently popular, such as textile shops, which are prominent due to the local importance of clothing. Additionally, stores selling groceries, second-hand clothing and shoes, household appliances, and other businesses are abundant, contributing significantly to the market’s vibrancy and meeting a wide range of public needs.
In the physical-spatial dimension, factors such as adequate parking space and appropriate aisle widths had less impact on enhancing urban environmental diversity. The traditional structure and congestion in the market do not provide sufficient space for movement, indicating a need for focused attention on physical renovation or reconstruction.
In the structural equation model using multivariate regression, the greatest effect on urban environmental diversity in the studied neighborhood was observed in the economic index (0.221), while the environmental index had the lowest effect (0.072). The impact coefficients for the perceptual-cognitive, socio-cultural, functional, and physical-spatial indices were 0.123, 0.120, 0.099, and 0.098, respectively. The coefficient of determination was 0.819, indicating that 81.9% of the variations in urban environmental quality are explained by these indices.
Discussion
The aim of this study was to examine the parameters affecting urban environmental quality, with an emphasis on the diversity criterion in the Rasouli Crossroads Market neighborhood in Zahedan. Paying attention to the influential dimensions of urban environmental quality in this market can play a significant role in the development of tourism in Zahedan and the province.
Improving the diversity of urban environmental quality, particularly in markets, requires concerted efforts from urban planners and designers. The primary and most important function of markets is their economic function. In Islamic cities, the economic dimension of the market is so important that, from the perspective of Virth, the market is the main defining feature and the best measure of the authenticity of Eastern Islamic cities compared to cities in other cultural regions. In this study, the economic dimensions influencing environmental diversity in the Rasouli Crossroads Market were positively evaluated by the public. Price diversity, offering a range of quality options, and the availability of suitable income-generating opportunities contributed to public satisfaction with the market’s economic function. Scholars such as Dadvar et al. (2016) and Kakavand et al. (2013) have also emphasized the importance of economic factors, particularly in commercial environments, for enhancing urban environmental diversity.
Although the economic dimension attracts the most attention in market environments, the internal world of the market is full of diverse functions, with commercial activities and sales units coexisting. Urban spaces are places for the presence of all citizens and their participation in collective life. These spaces operate at the city-wide scale and must accommodate diverse groups of citizens. The market environment, as a commercial space with unique characteristics, is a place of significant crowding. In the Rasouli Crossroads Market, a variety of land uses, from religious to health-related, can be observed. In response to the research questions regarding the tangible and intangible characteristics of the market, it was noted that the market, despite the establishment of new malls and markets elsewhere in the city, has continued to successfully perform its role as a place filled with retail activities and diverse uses, flexible building patterns, and a multicultural spatial core. This has contributed to the vitality of the urban space and attracted visitors. The emphasis on social interaction and socio-cultural dimensions is consistent with the findings of scholars such as Pourheidar Shirazi (2015), Keshavarzfazl & Manjazi (2021), and Carpiano & Hystad (2011).
The study findings indicate that the ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of Zahedan has positively influenced product innovation and retail variety. Cultural mixing and interaction among people from different ethnic groups and neighboring countries such as India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have highlighted the socio-cultural dimensions of the Rasouli Market. Therefore, the unique characteristics of the Rasouli market street in the city can inspire urban design, particularly in the city center. The existing ethnic and cultural diversity and the presence of opportunities for offering various goods have led to the provision of diverse services and products, such as handicrafts, varied food, clothing, language and dialect, religious ceremonies, and customs, reducing monotony in the market fabric. This feature can transform the neighborhood into a tourism-attracting area. Diversity in the Rasouli Crossroads Market enhances user choice, activates the area, and increases permeability and flexibility. Consequently, the socio-cultural dimension directly and indirectly affects the functional dimension, including suitability, diversity, and activity variation. Habibi et al. (2019) have also identified the functional dimension as the second most influential factor on urban environmental quality. Similarly, Najari Nabi & Mahdinezhad (2020) and Rishbeth (2001) have emphasized activity diversity and service provision in improving urban environmental quality.
Zahedan is a city with a long history of migration, spanning roughly a century. The studied area was initially established by Mr. Rasouli Thaniabadi, who migrated from Yazd. Today, the market’s reputation extends beyond Iran and is well-known in neighboring countries, especially the Persian Gulf states. From the beginning, the presence of various ethnic groups, including Birjandi, Yazdi, Baloch, Sistani, and Indian (Sikh) traders, indicates a culturally interactive environment in Zahedan. According to the findings, the main reason for attracting people to this area is the diversity of commercial activities. Additionally, street vendors, despite causing congestion and slowing pedestrian movement, enhance the market’s vibrancy, memorability, and appeal. Urban vitality reflects the daily life and dynamism of citizens in relation to their residential environment, and this continuous interaction contributes to the process of place-making and fostering a sense of belonging. Components such as crowding, vibrancy, numerous retailers, and climatic comfort were prioritized by respondents as influential factors in creating urban environmental diversity. To generate urban vitality, both attractiveness and user satisfaction must be considered as essential prerequisites. Urban vitality, as a perceptual-cognitive dimension, includes internal and external aspects: the internal dimension encompasses physical and non-physical elements (space and activities), while the external dimension includes spatial, cultural, economic, and social factors. In this study, internal dimensions included functional diversity, business diversity, pricing, and services in the economic dimension, while external dimensions involved cultural mixing and socio-cultural factors, all of which influenced user attraction and satisfaction. Urban vitality, as a perceptual-cognitive factor influencing environmental diversity, has been highlighted by Khastoo & Rezvani (2010), Landry (2000), and Soltani et al. (2013), with Khastoo & Rezvani identifying shopping centers as the most important criterion for urban vitality.
Despite the significant effects of socio-cultural and perceptual-cognitive dimensions on environmental quality, market crowding and the diversity of offered services and products have caused a decline in environmental quality. The environmental dimension was rated below the theoretical average, indicating the need to enhance this indicator. The environmental dimension includes a wide range of factors, such as water quality, noise pollution, urban sewage systems, waste management, and other aspects that greatly impact environmental quality, especially in commercial spaces. The main reason for the decline in the environmental quality of the Rasouli Crossroads Market is population density, cultural mixing, insufficient attention to hygiene, and the lack of adequate facilities. Addressing these factors can enhance the market’s impact on urban environmental diversity in Zahedan. The emphasis on environmental factors as determinants of environmental quality has also been highlighted by Akan et al. (2012), Gurjar et al. (2010), and Hoseini Abas-abadi & Talei (2016).
In Iranian markets, diversity in morphology and building forms contributes to urban environmental diversity and directly and indirectly impacts city quality. Market morphology, especially in traditional markets, largely depends on its functional characteristics. Markets differ according to their reach and operational scope, which directly affects their physical form. Neighborhood markets serving only their local area differ from large markets. Large markets like Rasouli, with functional diversity, have a greater influence on environmental diversity. In this study, the average physical-spatial index of the examined neighborhood was below the medium level. While much of the Rasouli market retains a traditional structure, many façades have started modernization through material changes. It is clear that the dimensions affecting urban environmental quality are interrelated, so that changes in one dimension influence others directly or indirectly. Enhancing economic, socio-cultural, and functional indicators increases diversity and attracts more visitors. Population density demands more space; insufficient parking and narrow aisles affect service quality and gradually influence other dimensions, potentially lowering overall urban environmental quality. Therefore, improving and expanding physical infrastructure in public spaces is crucial for creating accessible public spaces and enhancing their quality, as emphasized by Golchin & Mafakheri (2017) and Samadi et al. (2020).
Findings from this study indicate that the diversity index significantly contributes to urban vitality, liveliness, and environmental quality. However, its impact on urban environmental quality has been scarcely studied to date. Beyond its positive effect on environmental quality, creating diversity in physical, environmental, socio-cultural, and other dimensions can directly improve the environment and indirectly influence economic, social, and cultural parameters, such as employment, tourism, and attracting visitors. Therefore, it is recommended that the diversity index be considered as an influential factor on urban environmental quality in future studies, with particular emphasis on commercial and other cultural-social spaces.
Conclusion
The Rasouli Crossroads Market in Zahedan, as a lively urban space, plays a significant role in creating environmental diversity in the city. Economic, socio-cultural, perceptual-cognitive, and functional indicators have the greatest impact on the urban environmental diversity of the market, while environmental and physical-spatial indicators have the least impact. Paying attention to the diversity of commercial spaces, such as markets, through its influence on economic factors and the provision of varied services, is a key factor in fostering urban environmental diversity, which in turn can attract investment, support urban development, and enhance overall urban environmental quality.
Acknowledgments: Not applicable.
Ethical Permission: Not applicable.
Conflict of Interest: Not applicable.
Author Contributions: Dadgar F (first author), Introduction Writer/Main Researcher/Discussion Writer (50%); Ghasri MA (second author), Methodologist/Assistant Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (50%).
Funding: Not applicable.
Keywords:
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