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Volume 38, Issue 4 (2023)
GeoRes 2023, 38(4): 579-586 |
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Received: 2024/01/28 | Accepted: 2024/03/9 | Published: 2024/03/27
Received: 2024/01/28 | Accepted: 2024/03/9 | Published: 2024/03/27
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Yazarloo H, Miri G, Karimian Bostani M. Investigating the Role of Public Participation in the Improvement and Revitalization of the Worn-Out Fabric of the City Center in Gorgan. GeoRes 2023; 38 (4) :579-586
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1- Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran
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Background
Urban areas are intricate structures shaped by numerous institutions and individuals. Over time, cities evolve dynamically, expanding physically and adapting to social, economic, and environmental needs. Unplanned rapid growth, however, disrupts urban harmony and creates challenges for sustainable development.
Previous Studies
Urban sprawl and population growth have caused substantial physical and social challenges in Iranian cities. Habibi et al. (2007) identified four types of deteriorated urban fabrics: historical heritage areas, non-historical urban zones, informal settlements, and degraded areas. These neglected spaces significantly hinder urban development and sustainability (Moridsadat & Mohammadian, 2018). Urban fabric deterioration often results from industrialization, centralized population growth, and socioeconomic shifts, leading to economic, social, and physical decline in central neighborhoods (Lotfi et al., 2010). Residents of such areas face issues like inadequate services, crime, and poor housing (Mosayyebzadeh et al., 2021). Current revitalization efforts often fail due to a lack of comprehensive strategies and public participation (Faridnia & Mirkatooli, 2018). In response, participatory approaches have been emphasized to foster community involvement in urban renewal, essential for sustainable development (Maleki et al., 2020).
Aims
This study investigated the effects of revitalization on the central deteriorated urban fabric of Gorgan and evaluated the role of public participation in this process.
Research Type
The study was a survey-based research conducted in 2023, focusing on assessing the impacts of urban revitalization and public participation in Gorgan's central deteriorated areas.
Research Society, Place, and Time
The research was conducted in 2023 in the city of Gorgan, Iran, focusing on 1,040 households residing in its central deteriorated area, home to approximately 126,000 residents.
Sampling Method and Number
Using Cochran's formula, the sample size was calculated as 280 households. The head of each household was surveyed using simple random sampling to ensure unbiased representation of the population.
Used Devices & Materials
A 26-item questionnaire, developed through field studies and expert input, served as the primary tool. It utilized a 4-point Likert scale to assess two main areas: the impacts of revitalization and public participation. Content validity was refined through input from 21 urban planning academics, and reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.7. Data analysis employed AHP prioritization and regression analysis in SPSS 24.
Findings by Text
This study examined 11 key criteria for the effects of urban regeneration and revitalization of the deteriorated central fabric of Gorgan city. Among these criteria, preventing unbalanced development and horizontal sprawl, enhancing financial and non-financial participation, and fostering a sense of belonging and reducing migration to urban areas were identified as the most significant impacts, while reviving the historical values of neighborhoods and reducing urban land prices were the least significant (Table 1).
Table 1. Key Impacts of Rehabilitation and Revitalization in Gorgan City
The study also investigated the impact of participation on spatial order in other areas of Gorgan city, analyzing 15 sub-criteria grouped under three main categories: activity, form, and meaning (Table 2). These main criteria and their sub-criteria were analyzed using the AHP model, with weights assigned to each criterion. For example, the activity criterion received the highest weight and importance among the main criteria (Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6).
Table 2. Main and Sub-Criteria for Urban Revitalization
Table 3. Pairwise Comparison of Sub-Criteria for Performance
Table 4. Pairwise Comparison of Form Sub-Criteria
Table 5. Pairwise Comparison of Meaning Sub-Criteria
Table 6. Paired Comparisons of Main Criteria
Subsequently, adjusted weights for the sub-criteria were calculated for final comparisons. The results indicated that increasing private and public sector participation, expanding social opportunities for participation, and fostering internal investments were the most influential factors in this process (Table 7).
Table 7. Inter-Group Factors of Sub-Criteria
Finally, regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between citizen participation and the effects of urban regeneration and revitalization in Gorgan. This participation was found to play a crucial role not only in strengthening the sense of belonging to neighborhoods but also in controlling unbalanced horizontal development (Table 8).
Table 8. The Impact of Participation in the Regeneration and Revitalization of the Deteriorated Urban Fabric of Gorgan Using Regression Analysis
Main Comparisons to Similar Studies
The findings of this study align with prior research emphasizing the significance of urban revitalization and citizen participation in enhancing the functionality and socio-spatial structure of deteriorated areas. For instance, Davoodpour and Niknia (2012) highlight that revitalization leads to sustainable development and spatial order in urban settings, a conclusion supported by this study's findings in Gorgan. Similarly, Sajadi et al. (2011) demonstrate that empowerment and improvement strategies effectively address spatial issues, resonating with the observed benefits of citizen involvement in Gorgan. Ziyyari et al. (2010) and Hamidi & Nikpour (2023) also corroborate that revitalization prevents uncontrolled urban sprawl and facilitates balanced growth. Furthermore, the emphasis on strengthening community identity and belongingness aligns with findings by Moridsadat & Mohammadian (2018), who identify trust, social cohesion, and attachment as pivotal factors. Overall, the present study reinforced the consensus that participatory and integrated approaches were vital for the successful revitalization of urban areas.
Suggestions
The study recommends forming official revitalization entities, reducing fees, offering financial aid and technical support, fostering public-private partnerships, and ensuring fair benefits for property owners to enhance urban life quality.
Conclusion
The revitalization and renewal of Gorgan's central deteriorated urban fabric play a significant role in curbing uneven urban sprawl, strengthening both financial and non-financial participation, fostering a sense of belonging, and reducing migration to other urban areas. A significant relationship exists between citizen participation and the improvement of Gorgan's deteriorated fabric, with such efforts notably enhancing community identity and attachment to central neighborhoods.
Acknowledgments: Not reported by the authors.
Ethical Permission: Not reported by the authors.
Conflict of Interest: This article is derived from the dissertation of the first author under the supervision of the second author and consultation of the third author.
Authors' Contributions: Yazerloo H (First Author), Introduction Writer/Discussion Writer/Methodologist/Statistical Analyst (35%); Miri G (Second Author), Discussion writer/Introduction writer (35%); Karimian Bastani M (Third Author), Methodologist/Discussion writer (30%)
Funding: Not reported by the authors.
Urban areas are intricate structures shaped by numerous institutions and individuals. Over time, cities evolve dynamically, expanding physically and adapting to social, economic, and environmental needs. Unplanned rapid growth, however, disrupts urban harmony and creates challenges for sustainable development.
Previous Studies
Urban sprawl and population growth have caused substantial physical and social challenges in Iranian cities. Habibi et al. (2007) identified four types of deteriorated urban fabrics: historical heritage areas, non-historical urban zones, informal settlements, and degraded areas. These neglected spaces significantly hinder urban development and sustainability (Moridsadat & Mohammadian, 2018). Urban fabric deterioration often results from industrialization, centralized population growth, and socioeconomic shifts, leading to economic, social, and physical decline in central neighborhoods (Lotfi et al., 2010). Residents of such areas face issues like inadequate services, crime, and poor housing (Mosayyebzadeh et al., 2021). Current revitalization efforts often fail due to a lack of comprehensive strategies and public participation (Faridnia & Mirkatooli, 2018). In response, participatory approaches have been emphasized to foster community involvement in urban renewal, essential for sustainable development (Maleki et al., 2020).
Aims
This study investigated the effects of revitalization on the central deteriorated urban fabric of Gorgan and evaluated the role of public participation in this process.
Research Type
The study was a survey-based research conducted in 2023, focusing on assessing the impacts of urban revitalization and public participation in Gorgan's central deteriorated areas.
Research Society, Place, and Time
The research was conducted in 2023 in the city of Gorgan, Iran, focusing on 1,040 households residing in its central deteriorated area, home to approximately 126,000 residents.
Sampling Method and Number
Using Cochran's formula, the sample size was calculated as 280 households. The head of each household was surveyed using simple random sampling to ensure unbiased representation of the population.
Used Devices & Materials
A 26-item questionnaire, developed through field studies and expert input, served as the primary tool. It utilized a 4-point Likert scale to assess two main areas: the impacts of revitalization and public participation. Content validity was refined through input from 21 urban planning academics, and reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.7. Data analysis employed AHP prioritization and regression analysis in SPSS 24.
Findings by Text
This study examined 11 key criteria for the effects of urban regeneration and revitalization of the deteriorated central fabric of Gorgan city. Among these criteria, preventing unbalanced development and horizontal sprawl, enhancing financial and non-financial participation, and fostering a sense of belonging and reducing migration to urban areas were identified as the most significant impacts, while reviving the historical values of neighborhoods and reducing urban land prices were the least significant (Table 1).
Table 1. Key Impacts of Rehabilitation and Revitalization in Gorgan City
The study also investigated the impact of participation on spatial order in other areas of Gorgan city, analyzing 15 sub-criteria grouped under three main categories: activity, form, and meaning (Table 2). These main criteria and their sub-criteria were analyzed using the AHP model, with weights assigned to each criterion. For example, the activity criterion received the highest weight and importance among the main criteria (Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6).
Table 2. Main and Sub-Criteria for Urban Revitalization
Table 3. Pairwise Comparison of Sub-Criteria for Performance
Table 4. Pairwise Comparison of Form Sub-Criteria
Table 5. Pairwise Comparison of Meaning Sub-Criteria
Table 6. Paired Comparisons of Main Criteria
Subsequently, adjusted weights for the sub-criteria were calculated for final comparisons. The results indicated that increasing private and public sector participation, expanding social opportunities for participation, and fostering internal investments were the most influential factors in this process (Table 7).
Table 7. Inter-Group Factors of Sub-Criteria
Finally, regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between citizen participation and the effects of urban regeneration and revitalization in Gorgan. This participation was found to play a crucial role not only in strengthening the sense of belonging to neighborhoods but also in controlling unbalanced horizontal development (Table 8).
Table 8. The Impact of Participation in the Regeneration and Revitalization of the Deteriorated Urban Fabric of Gorgan Using Regression Analysis
Main Comparisons to Similar Studies
The findings of this study align with prior research emphasizing the significance of urban revitalization and citizen participation in enhancing the functionality and socio-spatial structure of deteriorated areas. For instance, Davoodpour and Niknia (2012) highlight that revitalization leads to sustainable development and spatial order in urban settings, a conclusion supported by this study's findings in Gorgan. Similarly, Sajadi et al. (2011) demonstrate that empowerment and improvement strategies effectively address spatial issues, resonating with the observed benefits of citizen involvement in Gorgan. Ziyyari et al. (2010) and Hamidi & Nikpour (2023) also corroborate that revitalization prevents uncontrolled urban sprawl and facilitates balanced growth. Furthermore, the emphasis on strengthening community identity and belongingness aligns with findings by Moridsadat & Mohammadian (2018), who identify trust, social cohesion, and attachment as pivotal factors. Overall, the present study reinforced the consensus that participatory and integrated approaches were vital for the successful revitalization of urban areas.
Suggestions
The study recommends forming official revitalization entities, reducing fees, offering financial aid and technical support, fostering public-private partnerships, and ensuring fair benefits for property owners to enhance urban life quality.
Conclusion
The revitalization and renewal of Gorgan's central deteriorated urban fabric play a significant role in curbing uneven urban sprawl, strengthening both financial and non-financial participation, fostering a sense of belonging, and reducing migration to other urban areas. A significant relationship exists between citizen participation and the improvement of Gorgan's deteriorated fabric, with such efforts notably enhancing community identity and attachment to central neighborhoods.
Acknowledgments: Not reported by the authors.
Ethical Permission: Not reported by the authors.
Conflict of Interest: This article is derived from the dissertation of the first author under the supervision of the second author and consultation of the third author.
Authors' Contributions: Yazerloo H (First Author), Introduction Writer/Discussion Writer/Methodologist/Statistical Analyst (35%); Miri G (Second Author), Discussion writer/Introduction writer (35%); Karimian Bastani M (Third Author), Methodologist/Discussion writer (30%)
Funding: Not reported by the authors.
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