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Volume 38, Issue 4 (2023)
GeoRes 2023, 38(4): 559-567 |
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Received: 2023/09/12 | Accepted: 2023/10/14 | Published: 2023/12/31
Received: 2023/09/12 | Accepted: 2023/10/14 | Published: 2023/12/31
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Aghlmand Azarian S, Saghafi Asl A, Abdollahzadeh Taraf A, Sattarzadeh D. Identifying Factors Affecting the Improvement of Social Relations in the Urban Space under the Influence of the Place-making Approach in Ferdous Neighborhood of Tabriz. GeoRes 2023; 38 (4) :559-567
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1- Department of Art & Architecture, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
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Introduction
Public spaces are created for citizens to engage in diverse activities, and a wide range of objective and subjective components influence the formation of an urban public space and its transformation into a meaningful place. In other words, public spaces are always places where social processes, such as socialization or social withdrawal, and the social behaviors that manifest these processes can be observed [Hosseinikia et al., 2023].
Urban spaces serve as a platform for the formation of social interactions, and improving their quality has emerged as one of the most important objectives of urban design scholarship in contemporary times [Sharepour, 2014]. Since the city embodies the social life of individuals, it is the presence of people, their interactions, and their daily lives that make it lively and dynamic [Ghods et al., 2020]. Humans seek urban spaces as places to relax, release psychological pressures, and engage in social interactions. Human connections form the foundation of society, and the broader and deeper these connections are, the stronger the societal structure becomes [Arcodia & Whitford, 2006].
However, in most cities in the country today, people perceive urban space merely as a passageway. Instead of spaces inviting pause and social exchange, they encourage escape. Rapid urbanization in recent decades and neglect of human quality-of-life dimensions have led to adverse consequences for individual and social health in cities.
In many developing countries, rapid urbanization has reduced urban open spaces. The opportunities these spaces provide clearly demonstrate their importance and necessity. The sense of alienation from the environment introduced by modernity has highlighted the need to transform spaces into collective places as an important concept [Thomas, 2015].
Social connection is a vital necessity for humans as social beings. A person’s social relationships with others are practically realized through the establishment of cultural and social boundaries for themselves and others [Ghaempour & Shahabi, 2020]. Socialization also contributes to individual growth, increasing the sense of belonging in that space [Hosseinikia et al., 2023].
Social interaction is a vital necessity for life in any society. Despite this necessity, the way social interactions are formed and how individuals engage with each other is critically important. Weak social relationships in neighborhoods are among the major issues faced by Iranian cities, including Tabriz. Despite the need for quality social connections, urban neighborhoods in Iran, such as Tabriz, lack social hubs, resident presence in public spaces, rich neighborly relations, and so forth. Given humans’ essential need for social life, it is crucial to develop quality neighborhoods that foster social interactions.
Weak social relationships in neighborhoods can lead to reduced interactions, weakened sense of belonging, diminished collective spirit, and more. Therefore, one approach to enhancing neighborhood social relations is attention to placemaking. Under these conditions, the question arises: what role and impact does placemaking have on social relations in urban spaces?
Madanipour et al. highlight a significant distinction between space and place, arguing that while space is seen as an open and abstract expanse, a place is a part of space occupied by someone or something and carries meaning and value [Madanipour et al., 2017]. Defining a place solely as a physical location overlooks the “path dependency” in its socio-political and historical context. Moreover, given globalization dynamics, the characteristics defining a place are rooted in countless networks that integrate local networks into broader global networks [Pancholi et al., 2019].
Placemaking is an interdisciplinary and multifaceted concept that has been extensively studied since the mid-1970s. Before the 1970s, key thinkers such as Jacobs and Whyte drew on placemaking concepts while exploring people-place relationships [Jacobs, 1961; Whyte, 1989]. These studies primarily focused on the influence of physical and natural environments on users’ behaviors [Strydom et al., 2018].
There is no single, universally accepted definition of placemaking. According to some interpretations, creating certain urban places has been a core objective within influential traditions of urban planning and design. This raises emerging challenges and controversial, evolving solutions within these fields. In recent studies, place is considered a process in which the arrangement of a place is a product of user activities; thus, placemaking is a social activity involving people [Akbar & Edelenbos, 2021].
Ultimately, placemaking often comprises structures of places or experiences that communities can represent and share from a local perspective. As a component of participatory urban planning, placemaking should integrate these diverse interests [Beza & Hernandez, 2018].
Placemaking focuses on democratic intervention through the active participation of all stakeholders. Interested parties, community members, facilitators, local authorities, NGOs, universities, etc. collaborate to negotiate decisions about their environment [Akbar & Edelenbos, 2021].
Placemaking efforts often emphasize aesthetics, cleanliness, and the renovation of public spaces to foster development and attract investment, while overlooking considerations of economic inequality. Placemaking has the potential to challenge social inclusivity, foster a sense of belonging, and provide a framework for mobilizing collective action [Toolis, 2017].
Placemaking is a multifaceted (considering multiple perspectives) and public (allowing dominant user participation) approach concerned with “revitalizing, planning, designing, and managing cohesive spaces.” It is both a process and a philosophy [Abdollahi et al., 2010].
Experts’ perspectives on urban placemaking and public urban space were examined. To validate the indicators proposed in the study’s conceptual model, experts’ familiarity with these concepts was assessed.
Social relations reflect patterns of life in a society. They define the lifestyle of each community and represent the social identity of that society. Social relations deal not with reality per se but with an abstracted level of reality. Social interaction can be a physical activity, a perspective, a dialogue, or interpersonal communication, which necessitates defining events, corresponding activities, and the participation of people in social networks [Mousavi et al., 2021].
The content of an environment can determine its role in the city. In other words, until citizens have opportunities to engage socially with others and interact in an environment, that environment cannot fulfill its role as an urban space. Understanding the relationship between society and environment is crucial in urban design [Mihaylov & Perkins, 2014].
Specifically, social relations are mutual dependencies and behavioral orientations among humans. Urban studies emphasize the social dimension because it benefits individual well-being [Brough et al., 2006].
There is a significant relationship between social interactions and urban space design. Factors influencing interaction formation can be categorized into two dimensions: the impact of space on people and the impact of people on the formation of interactions. The first refers to environmental factors, including physical and functional aspects, while the second pertains to the influence of people on each other, linked to customs, traditions, and societal culture [Koca & Kayilioglu, 2017].
Historical studies of social interactions in urban spaces, considering residential, economic, and social functions show that prior to the twentieth century and before changes in the physical structure of urban spaces such as neighborhoods and streets, the quality of these spaces supported social interactions. However, with technological advancements, migration, and urbanization, social interactions have declined. The transition from single-family homes to residential complexes and high-rise buildings has resulted in weaker social relationships than in the past [Zuma & Rooijackers, 2020].
Experts in social interactions emphasize the role of public spaces in fostering social engagement, believing that the presence of others attracts people more than any other factor. Furthermore, social aspects and ongoing activities, along with visual form and aesthetic dimensions that allow humans to experience movement within the space, are crucial for interaction formation. Participation and collaboration are also recognized as key factors for enhancing social interactions [Kalantari & Hoseinizadeh, 2017].
So far, the review has provided theories related to place, placemaking, and factors influencing social relations in urban spaces. To extract the theoretical model of the study, criteria, components, and dimensions affecting placemaking and social interaction enhancement were categorized. Accordingly, factors influencing placemaking were identified across qualitative, social, economic, perceptual, and managerial dimensions, and finally, based on the effective components of each dimension, the study’s conceptual model was developed in line with the research objectives.
Methodology
The present study is applied in nature and was conducted in 2021 in the city of Tabriz. The study was designed to achieve a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the concept of placemaking in the revitalization of social relations in urban spaces. The main objective of this research was to examine citizens’ attitudes toward placemaking and its use for reviving social interactions in contemporary neighborhoods.
The research adopted a quantitative approach. To evaluate the components formulated in the conceptual model, survey methods and descriptive-analytical techniques were employed. Initially, based on content analysis of previous related studies, concepts and criteria affecting the creation of place and the revitalization of social relations were identified, and a hypothetical framework for the study was developed. In the second phase, for each indicator summarized in the table, a structured questionnaire was designed and analyzed using statistical methods. The rationale and method of each step are explained below.
A significant portion of the data was collected through surveys and questionnaires. Accordingly, a 49-item questionnaire was developed based on recognized components of the placemaking concept in revitalizing social relations and assessed using a Likert scale (Very High, High, Medium, Low, Very Low). Fardos neighborhood in Tabriz was investigated using the quantitative questions of the questionnaire. The results were entered into SPSS version 26, and statistical tests were applied to identify and quantitatively analyze the factors influencing the concept of placemaking in enhancing social relations. These tests included regression analysis (to determine which parameters are influential in the context and examine the effect of independent parameters), Spearman correlation (to evaluate the correlation between parameters), Friedman test (to determine the importance of each component in the neighborhood), and ANOVA (to compare factors within the neighborhood).
Initially, neighborhoods in Tabriz were considered where citizens showed a higher tendency to use existing places and where these spaces were generally accessible to the public. The aim was to identify areas with the highest citizen presence and visitation. Based on the obtained scores, Fardos neighborhood was selected as the study area.
Fardos neighborhood is located in District 2 of the Tabriz Municipality. It lies in the southeastern part of Tabriz and is adjacent to Yagchian Boulevard, Elgoli, Baharestan, and Bagcheban areas.
Findings
The research findings include both quantitative and qualitative results, which are presented based on the study outcomes.
Identification and Analysis of Factors Influencing Placemaking in the Revitalization of Social Relations
In this section, the selected urban space was analyzed and examined. In the first step, factors influencing the revitalization of social relations were identified. Using multiple regression analysis, the linear relationship between a set of independent parameters and a dependent parameter can be studied while also considering the relationships among the independent parameters.
The results indicated that the correlation coefficient (R) between the parameters was 0.670, suggesting a very strong correlation between the set of independent parameters and the dependent parameter. Furthermore, the adjusted coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.449, indicating that 44.9% of the total variation in the enhancement of social relations in urban spaces is dependent on placemaking components, including physical, social, managerial-policy, perceptual-meaningful, and economic dimensions. The next output indicates the impact of each parameter in the model.
Dependent Parameter: Factors Influencing Placemaking in Social Relations
A significance level of less than 0.05 (p<0.05) indicates a relationship between the parameters. The Beta value specifies the type and strength of the relationship (negative for an inverse relationship, positive for a direct relationship).
There was a strong, positive relationship between social and physical dimensions (n=383, r=0.435) with a significance level of less than 0.01. Therefore, it can be stated with 95% confidence that a direct and strong correlation of 0.435 exists between social and physical dimensions. Additionally, there was a direct and strong relationship between management-policy approaches, physical quality, and the level of social relations. It was found that improving the quality and efficiency of management and policy approaches for urban development could enhance physical quality by 0.506 and revitalize social relations to a very high extent (0.411).
Determining the Mean Rank of Factors Influencing the Concept of Placemaking Using the Friedman Test
To measure participants’ opinions and rank the importance of each factor influencing the concept of placemaking in revitalizing social relations in urban neighborhoods, the Friedman test was applied. Based on the test value (601.691) with a significance level of less than 0.01, it can be concluded that statistically, the importance and role of each factor in enhancing the concept of placemaking in revitalizing social relations were significant (significance level = 0.000).
The mean rank of each subcomponent influencing the concept of placemaking was examined separately, and the mean rank of each was evaluated. Understanding each of these components enables the provision of strategies and policy recommendations aimed at developing social relations and placemaking in urban neighborhoods.
Discussion
The aim of this study was to clarify the concept of placemaking for enhancing social relations. The collection and analysis of data, including results from the questionnaire and statistical tests, demonstrated that the concept of placemaking has a significant impact on citizens’ social relations. Placemaking is an approach whose application yields positive outcomes at the local community level by altering behavioral patterns of users.
Analysis of the factors influencing placemaking in social relations indicated that the presence of lively passageways within neighborhoods, sufficient neighborhood-level security, and a distinct local identity received the highest mean ranks in the studied area. Conversely, indicators such as community-based planning and design approaches and the use of public art in bottom-up planning received the lowest mean ranks. Therefore, organizing and revitalizing social relations requires both short- and long-term planning aimed at increasing citizen consultation and participation in planning and design, as well as designing attractive social spaces to enhance public presence. In line with this, other studies have shown that vibrant and active public spaces strengthen social relations among users and foster attachment to place, drawing attention to social interactions [Brough et al., 2006].
The findings of this study suggest that a successful public space adheres to the same features that make any place successful. A combination of comfort, accessibility, mixed land uses, sociability, security, and other factors is necessary for fostering social relations. Accordingly, Wyckoff [2014] emphasized providing conditions to establish or enhance a sense of security, Grabow [2013] highlighted activity diversity and mixed land uses, and Ebrahimpour and Ostadi [2022] stressed movement organization within the network and the design of continuous access networks. Habibi et al. argued that, to increase social interactions, extensive public participation in activities, appropriate distribution of land uses, and projects aimed at enhancing the perceptual quality of spaces are essential in the context of placemaking [Habibi et al., 2021].
Moreover, the revitalization of urban social relations based on placemaking approaches should involve a continuous planning process from national macro levels to local micro levels. The results of the present study indicate that optimal management and policymaking should first be established, alongside economic investment and resident empowerment. In line with these findings, Markusen and Gadowa identified public and private support in economic investment as one of the successful factors in place creation [Markusen & Gadowa, 2016]. Additionally, physical, social, and perceptual-meaningful dimensions must be evaluated and implemented from the citizens’ perspective.
Placemaking should be practiced through activities, community engagement, and everyday participation [Krause, 2014]. Regarding citizen participation for enhancing social relations from a placemaking perspective, other research also emphasizes this point [Akbar & Edelenbos, 2021]. According to these studies, participatory planning and activities involving both citizens and professionals, as well as interactions between citizens and governmental organizations, can promote and revitalize social relations at the neighborhood level in urban spaces. Experiences reviewed in the study suggest that the placemaking process can reproduce social relations and be applied in contemporary urban planning in the country.
It is recommended that the role of capacities in developing neighborhood communities, participation of local actors, and the addition of neighborhood space infrastructure for social interactions be prioritized. These interventions and revitalizations act as facilitators and coordinators, ultimately leading to the development of neighborhood-level social relations.
Conclusion
The indicators of lively passageways in the neighborhood, sufficient neighborhood-level security, and a distinct local identity were found to be the most important factors in enhancing social relations in urban spaces. Conversely, indicators such as community-based planning and design approaches and the use of public art in bottom-up planning were considered the least important.
Acknowledgments: We sincerely thank the experts for their participation in completing the questionnaires and the Urban Planning Department of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, for their support.
Ethical Permission: No issues are reported.
Conflict of Interest: This article is derived from the first author’s doctoral dissertation entitled “Clarifying the Impact of the Placemaking Concept on Enhancing Social Relations in Contemporary Urban Neighborhoods in Iran: Case Study of Selected Neighborhoods in Tabriz”, which is currently being prepared at Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch.
Author Contributions: Aghlmand Azarian S (First Author): Principal Researcher / Introduction Writer (28%); Saghafi Asl A (Second Author): Methodologist / Statistical Analyst (24%); Abdollahzadeh Taraf A (Third Author): Statistical Analyst (24%); Sattarzadeh D (Fourth Author): Discussion Writer (24%)
Funding: This study was conducted with personal funding from the first author.
Public spaces are created for citizens to engage in diverse activities, and a wide range of objective and subjective components influence the formation of an urban public space and its transformation into a meaningful place. In other words, public spaces are always places where social processes, such as socialization or social withdrawal, and the social behaviors that manifest these processes can be observed [Hosseinikia et al., 2023].
Urban spaces serve as a platform for the formation of social interactions, and improving their quality has emerged as one of the most important objectives of urban design scholarship in contemporary times [Sharepour, 2014]. Since the city embodies the social life of individuals, it is the presence of people, their interactions, and their daily lives that make it lively and dynamic [Ghods et al., 2020]. Humans seek urban spaces as places to relax, release psychological pressures, and engage in social interactions. Human connections form the foundation of society, and the broader and deeper these connections are, the stronger the societal structure becomes [Arcodia & Whitford, 2006].
However, in most cities in the country today, people perceive urban space merely as a passageway. Instead of spaces inviting pause and social exchange, they encourage escape. Rapid urbanization in recent decades and neglect of human quality-of-life dimensions have led to adverse consequences for individual and social health in cities.
In many developing countries, rapid urbanization has reduced urban open spaces. The opportunities these spaces provide clearly demonstrate their importance and necessity. The sense of alienation from the environment introduced by modernity has highlighted the need to transform spaces into collective places as an important concept [Thomas, 2015].
Social connection is a vital necessity for humans as social beings. A person’s social relationships with others are practically realized through the establishment of cultural and social boundaries for themselves and others [Ghaempour & Shahabi, 2020]. Socialization also contributes to individual growth, increasing the sense of belonging in that space [Hosseinikia et al., 2023].
Social interaction is a vital necessity for life in any society. Despite this necessity, the way social interactions are formed and how individuals engage with each other is critically important. Weak social relationships in neighborhoods are among the major issues faced by Iranian cities, including Tabriz. Despite the need for quality social connections, urban neighborhoods in Iran, such as Tabriz, lack social hubs, resident presence in public spaces, rich neighborly relations, and so forth. Given humans’ essential need for social life, it is crucial to develop quality neighborhoods that foster social interactions.
Weak social relationships in neighborhoods can lead to reduced interactions, weakened sense of belonging, diminished collective spirit, and more. Therefore, one approach to enhancing neighborhood social relations is attention to placemaking. Under these conditions, the question arises: what role and impact does placemaking have on social relations in urban spaces?
Madanipour et al. highlight a significant distinction between space and place, arguing that while space is seen as an open and abstract expanse, a place is a part of space occupied by someone or something and carries meaning and value [Madanipour et al., 2017]. Defining a place solely as a physical location overlooks the “path dependency” in its socio-political and historical context. Moreover, given globalization dynamics, the characteristics defining a place are rooted in countless networks that integrate local networks into broader global networks [Pancholi et al., 2019].
Placemaking is an interdisciplinary and multifaceted concept that has been extensively studied since the mid-1970s. Before the 1970s, key thinkers such as Jacobs and Whyte drew on placemaking concepts while exploring people-place relationships [Jacobs, 1961; Whyte, 1989]. These studies primarily focused on the influence of physical and natural environments on users’ behaviors [Strydom et al., 2018].
There is no single, universally accepted definition of placemaking. According to some interpretations, creating certain urban places has been a core objective within influential traditions of urban planning and design. This raises emerging challenges and controversial, evolving solutions within these fields. In recent studies, place is considered a process in which the arrangement of a place is a product of user activities; thus, placemaking is a social activity involving people [Akbar & Edelenbos, 2021].
Ultimately, placemaking often comprises structures of places or experiences that communities can represent and share from a local perspective. As a component of participatory urban planning, placemaking should integrate these diverse interests [Beza & Hernandez, 2018].
Placemaking focuses on democratic intervention through the active participation of all stakeholders. Interested parties, community members, facilitators, local authorities, NGOs, universities, etc. collaborate to negotiate decisions about their environment [Akbar & Edelenbos, 2021].
Placemaking efforts often emphasize aesthetics, cleanliness, and the renovation of public spaces to foster development and attract investment, while overlooking considerations of economic inequality. Placemaking has the potential to challenge social inclusivity, foster a sense of belonging, and provide a framework for mobilizing collective action [Toolis, 2017].
Placemaking is a multifaceted (considering multiple perspectives) and public (allowing dominant user participation) approach concerned with “revitalizing, planning, designing, and managing cohesive spaces.” It is both a process and a philosophy [Abdollahi et al., 2010].
Experts’ perspectives on urban placemaking and public urban space were examined. To validate the indicators proposed in the study’s conceptual model, experts’ familiarity with these concepts was assessed.
Social relations reflect patterns of life in a society. They define the lifestyle of each community and represent the social identity of that society. Social relations deal not with reality per se but with an abstracted level of reality. Social interaction can be a physical activity, a perspective, a dialogue, or interpersonal communication, which necessitates defining events, corresponding activities, and the participation of people in social networks [Mousavi et al., 2021].
The content of an environment can determine its role in the city. In other words, until citizens have opportunities to engage socially with others and interact in an environment, that environment cannot fulfill its role as an urban space. Understanding the relationship between society and environment is crucial in urban design [Mihaylov & Perkins, 2014].
Specifically, social relations are mutual dependencies and behavioral orientations among humans. Urban studies emphasize the social dimension because it benefits individual well-being [Brough et al., 2006].
There is a significant relationship between social interactions and urban space design. Factors influencing interaction formation can be categorized into two dimensions: the impact of space on people and the impact of people on the formation of interactions. The first refers to environmental factors, including physical and functional aspects, while the second pertains to the influence of people on each other, linked to customs, traditions, and societal culture [Koca & Kayilioglu, 2017].
Historical studies of social interactions in urban spaces, considering residential, economic, and social functions show that prior to the twentieth century and before changes in the physical structure of urban spaces such as neighborhoods and streets, the quality of these spaces supported social interactions. However, with technological advancements, migration, and urbanization, social interactions have declined. The transition from single-family homes to residential complexes and high-rise buildings has resulted in weaker social relationships than in the past [Zuma & Rooijackers, 2020].
Experts in social interactions emphasize the role of public spaces in fostering social engagement, believing that the presence of others attracts people more than any other factor. Furthermore, social aspects and ongoing activities, along with visual form and aesthetic dimensions that allow humans to experience movement within the space, are crucial for interaction formation. Participation and collaboration are also recognized as key factors for enhancing social interactions [Kalantari & Hoseinizadeh, 2017].
So far, the review has provided theories related to place, placemaking, and factors influencing social relations in urban spaces. To extract the theoretical model of the study, criteria, components, and dimensions affecting placemaking and social interaction enhancement were categorized. Accordingly, factors influencing placemaking were identified across qualitative, social, economic, perceptual, and managerial dimensions, and finally, based on the effective components of each dimension, the study’s conceptual model was developed in line with the research objectives.
Methodology
The present study is applied in nature and was conducted in 2021 in the city of Tabriz. The study was designed to achieve a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the concept of placemaking in the revitalization of social relations in urban spaces. The main objective of this research was to examine citizens’ attitudes toward placemaking and its use for reviving social interactions in contemporary neighborhoods.
The research adopted a quantitative approach. To evaluate the components formulated in the conceptual model, survey methods and descriptive-analytical techniques were employed. Initially, based on content analysis of previous related studies, concepts and criteria affecting the creation of place and the revitalization of social relations were identified, and a hypothetical framework for the study was developed. In the second phase, for each indicator summarized in the table, a structured questionnaire was designed and analyzed using statistical methods. The rationale and method of each step are explained below.
A significant portion of the data was collected through surveys and questionnaires. Accordingly, a 49-item questionnaire was developed based on recognized components of the placemaking concept in revitalizing social relations and assessed using a Likert scale (Very High, High, Medium, Low, Very Low). Fardos neighborhood in Tabriz was investigated using the quantitative questions of the questionnaire. The results were entered into SPSS version 26, and statistical tests were applied to identify and quantitatively analyze the factors influencing the concept of placemaking in enhancing social relations. These tests included regression analysis (to determine which parameters are influential in the context and examine the effect of independent parameters), Spearman correlation (to evaluate the correlation between parameters), Friedman test (to determine the importance of each component in the neighborhood), and ANOVA (to compare factors within the neighborhood).
Initially, neighborhoods in Tabriz were considered where citizens showed a higher tendency to use existing places and where these spaces were generally accessible to the public. The aim was to identify areas with the highest citizen presence and visitation. Based on the obtained scores, Fardos neighborhood was selected as the study area.
Fardos neighborhood is located in District 2 of the Tabriz Municipality. It lies in the southeastern part of Tabriz and is adjacent to Yagchian Boulevard, Elgoli, Baharestan, and Bagcheban areas.
Findings
The research findings include both quantitative and qualitative results, which are presented based on the study outcomes.
Identification and Analysis of Factors Influencing Placemaking in the Revitalization of Social Relations
In this section, the selected urban space was analyzed and examined. In the first step, factors influencing the revitalization of social relations were identified. Using multiple regression analysis, the linear relationship between a set of independent parameters and a dependent parameter can be studied while also considering the relationships among the independent parameters.
The results indicated that the correlation coefficient (R) between the parameters was 0.670, suggesting a very strong correlation between the set of independent parameters and the dependent parameter. Furthermore, the adjusted coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.449, indicating that 44.9% of the total variation in the enhancement of social relations in urban spaces is dependent on placemaking components, including physical, social, managerial-policy, perceptual-meaningful, and economic dimensions. The next output indicates the impact of each parameter in the model.
Dependent Parameter: Factors Influencing Placemaking in Social Relations
A significance level of less than 0.05 (p<0.05) indicates a relationship between the parameters. The Beta value specifies the type and strength of the relationship (negative for an inverse relationship, positive for a direct relationship).
There was a strong, positive relationship between social and physical dimensions (n=383, r=0.435) with a significance level of less than 0.01. Therefore, it can be stated with 95% confidence that a direct and strong correlation of 0.435 exists between social and physical dimensions. Additionally, there was a direct and strong relationship between management-policy approaches, physical quality, and the level of social relations. It was found that improving the quality and efficiency of management and policy approaches for urban development could enhance physical quality by 0.506 and revitalize social relations to a very high extent (0.411).
Determining the Mean Rank of Factors Influencing the Concept of Placemaking Using the Friedman Test
To measure participants’ opinions and rank the importance of each factor influencing the concept of placemaking in revitalizing social relations in urban neighborhoods, the Friedman test was applied. Based on the test value (601.691) with a significance level of less than 0.01, it can be concluded that statistically, the importance and role of each factor in enhancing the concept of placemaking in revitalizing social relations were significant (significance level = 0.000).
The mean rank of each subcomponent influencing the concept of placemaking was examined separately, and the mean rank of each was evaluated. Understanding each of these components enables the provision of strategies and policy recommendations aimed at developing social relations and placemaking in urban neighborhoods.
Discussion
The aim of this study was to clarify the concept of placemaking for enhancing social relations. The collection and analysis of data, including results from the questionnaire and statistical tests, demonstrated that the concept of placemaking has a significant impact on citizens’ social relations. Placemaking is an approach whose application yields positive outcomes at the local community level by altering behavioral patterns of users.
Analysis of the factors influencing placemaking in social relations indicated that the presence of lively passageways within neighborhoods, sufficient neighborhood-level security, and a distinct local identity received the highest mean ranks in the studied area. Conversely, indicators such as community-based planning and design approaches and the use of public art in bottom-up planning received the lowest mean ranks. Therefore, organizing and revitalizing social relations requires both short- and long-term planning aimed at increasing citizen consultation and participation in planning and design, as well as designing attractive social spaces to enhance public presence. In line with this, other studies have shown that vibrant and active public spaces strengthen social relations among users and foster attachment to place, drawing attention to social interactions [Brough et al., 2006].
The findings of this study suggest that a successful public space adheres to the same features that make any place successful. A combination of comfort, accessibility, mixed land uses, sociability, security, and other factors is necessary for fostering social relations. Accordingly, Wyckoff [2014] emphasized providing conditions to establish or enhance a sense of security, Grabow [2013] highlighted activity diversity and mixed land uses, and Ebrahimpour and Ostadi [2022] stressed movement organization within the network and the design of continuous access networks. Habibi et al. argued that, to increase social interactions, extensive public participation in activities, appropriate distribution of land uses, and projects aimed at enhancing the perceptual quality of spaces are essential in the context of placemaking [Habibi et al., 2021].
Moreover, the revitalization of urban social relations based on placemaking approaches should involve a continuous planning process from national macro levels to local micro levels. The results of the present study indicate that optimal management and policymaking should first be established, alongside economic investment and resident empowerment. In line with these findings, Markusen and Gadowa identified public and private support in economic investment as one of the successful factors in place creation [Markusen & Gadowa, 2016]. Additionally, physical, social, and perceptual-meaningful dimensions must be evaluated and implemented from the citizens’ perspective.
Placemaking should be practiced through activities, community engagement, and everyday participation [Krause, 2014]. Regarding citizen participation for enhancing social relations from a placemaking perspective, other research also emphasizes this point [Akbar & Edelenbos, 2021]. According to these studies, participatory planning and activities involving both citizens and professionals, as well as interactions between citizens and governmental organizations, can promote and revitalize social relations at the neighborhood level in urban spaces. Experiences reviewed in the study suggest that the placemaking process can reproduce social relations and be applied in contemporary urban planning in the country.
It is recommended that the role of capacities in developing neighborhood communities, participation of local actors, and the addition of neighborhood space infrastructure for social interactions be prioritized. These interventions and revitalizations act as facilitators and coordinators, ultimately leading to the development of neighborhood-level social relations.
Conclusion
The indicators of lively passageways in the neighborhood, sufficient neighborhood-level security, and a distinct local identity were found to be the most important factors in enhancing social relations in urban spaces. Conversely, indicators such as community-based planning and design approaches and the use of public art in bottom-up planning were considered the least important.
Acknowledgments: We sincerely thank the experts for their participation in completing the questionnaires and the Urban Planning Department of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, for their support.
Ethical Permission: No issues are reported.
Conflict of Interest: This article is derived from the first author’s doctoral dissertation entitled “Clarifying the Impact of the Placemaking Concept on Enhancing Social Relations in Contemporary Urban Neighborhoods in Iran: Case Study of Selected Neighborhoods in Tabriz”, which is currently being prepared at Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch.
Author Contributions: Aghlmand Azarian S (First Author): Principal Researcher / Introduction Writer (28%); Saghafi Asl A (Second Author): Methodologist / Statistical Analyst (24%); Abdollahzadeh Taraf A (Third Author): Statistical Analyst (24%); Sattarzadeh D (Fourth Author): Discussion Writer (24%)
Funding: This study was conducted with personal funding from the first author.
Keywords:
References
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