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Volume 39, Issue 4 (2024)
GeoRes 2024, 39(4): 409-418 |
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Received: 2024/11/8 | Accepted: 2024/12/9 | Published: 2024/12/12
Received: 2024/11/8 | Accepted: 2024/12/9 | Published: 2024/12/12
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Amerian B, Hafez Rezazadeh M, Miri G. Modeling the Approach of the Right to the City in Urban Space, Yazd City. GeoRes 2024; 39 (4) :409-418
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1- Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran
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Background
The urban environment should ensure the well-being of all segments of society; however, with the expansion of neoliberal policies, spatial inequalities in cities have increased. In this context, the concept of the "right to the city" has emerged as a tool to confront these inequalities and promote social justice in urban spaces.
Previous Studies
Various studies have been conducted on the right to the city. For example, the findings of Lopez Cifuentes and Sonnino 2024) highlight the complexity of assembly methods in urban democracy, which aim to shift control away from capitalist structures. Additionally, Gholami et al. [2024] find a positive and significant relationship between the indicators of urban space quality and the realization of the right to the city in Ahvaz. In line with this, Rashidi et al. [2024] have emphasized the critique of urban development processes and tools. Marsousi et al. [2023] pointed to a significant negative difference between the components of a just city and the right to the city in Tehran. Samadi et al. [2023] have found out that access to public services and democracy were the most important indicators of the right to the city. Javaheripour [2015] discuss the legal issues surrounding land ownership and residential units in neighborhoods. Furthermore, Mullick and Patnaik [2022] have emphasized the role of information and communication technology in bridging social gaps. These studies demonstrate that urban issues and the realization of the right to the city require special attention.
Aim(s)
The present research was conducted with the aim of modeling the right to the city approach in the urban space of Yazd.
Research Type
This research is descriptive in terms of its objective and applied in terms of its results.
Research Society, Place, and Time
The research society consists of the citizens of Yazd, with a total population of 515,659 and the study was conducted in Yazd in 2024.
Sampling Method and Number
Based on Cochran's formula, the sample size was estimated to be 325 participants. The data collection was carried out through two methods: documentary and field-based (using questionnaire).
Used Devices & Materials
The research utilized a questionnaire as the main tool for data collection. The questionnaire was designed based on relevant articles and adapted to the study area. The indicators included in the questionnaire were categorized into various dimensions such as citizens' rights, city self-allocation (physical share, control, and ownership), urban vitality (recreation, security, urban communication), and participation (urban organization, decision-making) (Table 1). To ensure the validity of the questionnaire, content validity was confirmed by experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which resulted in a value of 0.76, indicating acceptable reliability.
Table 1) Dimensions and Indicators Under Investigation
For data analysis, SPSS 26 was used for descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests, while structural equation modeling was conducted using AMOS version 26. These tools facilitated the evaluation of model fitness and the analysis of the structural relationships between the study's variables.
Findings by Text
An analysis of the demographic characteristics of the respondents revealed that 28% were women and 72% were men. The majority belonged to the age group of 35 to 50 years (approximately 74%), and the highest educational attainment was at the bachelor’s level, comprising 42% of the participants. In terms of occupational status, the most common category was students, accounting for 29.24% of the respondents (Table 2).
Table 2. Summary of Respondents’ Characteristics
The evaluation of the dimensions of the “Right to the City” using the one-sample T-test indicated that the overall status of this concept in Yazd is undesirable and significantly lower than the normative level. Specifically, the component of control and ownership recorded a t-value of -7.15, urban vitality -7, and citizen participation -6.67, all statistically significant at the 0.01 level (Tables 3 and 4). These results suggest that residents do not perceive themselves as adequately benefiting from their right to the city, particularly in terms of ownership, participation in decision-making, and access to urban spaces.
Table 3. Descriptive Statistics of the Dimensions and Components of the Right to the City in Yazd
Table 4. Evaluation of the Right to the City Dimensions in Yazd Based on One-Sample T-Test (p = 0.0001)
The structural model developed to assess the influence of various components on the realization of the “Right to the City” demonstrated a good model fit. The RMSEA value was 0.048, falling within the acceptable range, and other fit indices such as GFI (0.908) and Parsimony Index (0.965) further confirmed the adequacy of the model (Table 5).
Table 5. Goodness-of-Fit Indices of the Final Research Model
Path analysis results in the final model indicated that the “participation” component had the most significant direct effect on the realization of the Right to the City, with a standardized coefficient of 0.4 at the 0.01 significance level. Within this component, indicators such as public involvement in urban decision-making and representation of diverse social groups were particularly influential. The second most impactful component was “urban vitality,” with a standardized coefficient of 0.2 (p ≤ 0.01), followed by “appropriation of the city” with a coefficient of 0.16 (p ≤ 0.05). Notable indicators in these dimensions included safety, communication, and leisure (in urban vitality), as well as physical share and control/ownership (in appropriation) (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Final Model of the Factors Influencing the Realization of the Right to the City in Yazd
Main Comparisons to Similar Studies
The current study examined the concept of "Right to the City" in the urban space of Yazd, focusing on the philosophical foundation of Henri Lefebvre's theory. This approach aligns with findings from similar studies emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in urban governance. Previous research highlight that active citizen engagement enhances urban governance, leading to improved planning and execution of urban projects[Li et al., 2020]. This aligns with the current study's finding that citizen participation plays a crucial role in realizing the Right to the City, especially in the context of access to housing and public urban spaces [Li et al., 2020]. Moreover, some studies corroborate the significance of participatory mechanisms in bridging gaps between citizens and urban planners, thereby improving quality of life and public satisfaction [Mouratidis & Poortinga, 2020]. The study also discusses urban vitality as a key component of the Right to the City, echoing Liu et al., [2020], who found that dynamic urban spaces encourage social interaction and a sense of belonging, which are vital for improving urban living [Liu et al., 2020]. Finally, the research supports the view that effective urban policies should prioritize citizen control and ownership of urban spaces to foster vibrant, sustainable, and equitable cities [De Koe, 2013]. These findings are consistent with other studies in the field, underscoring the need for comprehensive policies to strengthen this right [Javaheripour, 2015; Gholipour et al., 2019].
Suggestions
This study focuses on promoting transparency, fairness, and efficiency in urban management, recognizing social and cultural diversity, and encouraging citizen participation. Together, they enhance quality of life and foster a stronger sense of belonging and responsibility, leading to a more inclusive and sustainable city.
Conclusion
The components of the right to the city (control and ownership, urban vitality, and citizen participation) are in an unfavorable state in Yazd; therefore, ensuring equal access to the city's resources for all residents should be given special attention.
Acknowledgments: Nothing to declare.
Ethical Approval: Nothing to declare.
Conflict of Interest: This article is extracted from the first author's doctoral dissertation, supervised by the second author and advised by the third author, at the Islamic Azad University, Zahedan Branch.
Author Contributions: Amerian B (First Author), Main Researcher/Discussion Writer (40%); Hafez Rezazadeh M (Second Author), Methodologist (30%); Miri Gh (Third Author), Methodologist (30%)
Funding: This research was conducted with the authors’ personal funding.
The urban environment should ensure the well-being of all segments of society; however, with the expansion of neoliberal policies, spatial inequalities in cities have increased. In this context, the concept of the "right to the city" has emerged as a tool to confront these inequalities and promote social justice in urban spaces.
Previous Studies
Various studies have been conducted on the right to the city. For example, the findings of Lopez Cifuentes and Sonnino 2024) highlight the complexity of assembly methods in urban democracy, which aim to shift control away from capitalist structures. Additionally, Gholami et al. [2024] find a positive and significant relationship between the indicators of urban space quality and the realization of the right to the city in Ahvaz. In line with this, Rashidi et al. [2024] have emphasized the critique of urban development processes and tools. Marsousi et al. [2023] pointed to a significant negative difference between the components of a just city and the right to the city in Tehran. Samadi et al. [2023] have found out that access to public services and democracy were the most important indicators of the right to the city. Javaheripour [2015] discuss the legal issues surrounding land ownership and residential units in neighborhoods. Furthermore, Mullick and Patnaik [2022] have emphasized the role of information and communication technology in bridging social gaps. These studies demonstrate that urban issues and the realization of the right to the city require special attention.
Aim(s)
The present research was conducted with the aim of modeling the right to the city approach in the urban space of Yazd.
Research Type
This research is descriptive in terms of its objective and applied in terms of its results.
Research Society, Place, and Time
The research society consists of the citizens of Yazd, with a total population of 515,659 and the study was conducted in Yazd in 2024.
Sampling Method and Number
Based on Cochran's formula, the sample size was estimated to be 325 participants. The data collection was carried out through two methods: documentary and field-based (using questionnaire).
Used Devices & Materials
The research utilized a questionnaire as the main tool for data collection. The questionnaire was designed based on relevant articles and adapted to the study area. The indicators included in the questionnaire were categorized into various dimensions such as citizens' rights, city self-allocation (physical share, control, and ownership), urban vitality (recreation, security, urban communication), and participation (urban organization, decision-making) (Table 1). To ensure the validity of the questionnaire, content validity was confirmed by experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which resulted in a value of 0.76, indicating acceptable reliability.
Table 1) Dimensions and Indicators Under Investigation
For data analysis, SPSS 26 was used for descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests, while structural equation modeling was conducted using AMOS version 26. These tools facilitated the evaluation of model fitness and the analysis of the structural relationships between the study's variables.
Findings by Text
An analysis of the demographic characteristics of the respondents revealed that 28% were women and 72% were men. The majority belonged to the age group of 35 to 50 years (approximately 74%), and the highest educational attainment was at the bachelor’s level, comprising 42% of the participants. In terms of occupational status, the most common category was students, accounting for 29.24% of the respondents (Table 2).
Table 2. Summary of Respondents’ Characteristics
The evaluation of the dimensions of the “Right to the City” using the one-sample T-test indicated that the overall status of this concept in Yazd is undesirable and significantly lower than the normative level. Specifically, the component of control and ownership recorded a t-value of -7.15, urban vitality -7, and citizen participation -6.67, all statistically significant at the 0.01 level (Tables 3 and 4). These results suggest that residents do not perceive themselves as adequately benefiting from their right to the city, particularly in terms of ownership, participation in decision-making, and access to urban spaces.
Table 3. Descriptive Statistics of the Dimensions and Components of the Right to the City in Yazd
Table 4. Evaluation of the Right to the City Dimensions in Yazd Based on One-Sample T-Test (p = 0.0001)
The structural model developed to assess the influence of various components on the realization of the “Right to the City” demonstrated a good model fit. The RMSEA value was 0.048, falling within the acceptable range, and other fit indices such as GFI (0.908) and Parsimony Index (0.965) further confirmed the adequacy of the model (Table 5).
Table 5. Goodness-of-Fit Indices of the Final Research Model
Path analysis results in the final model indicated that the “participation” component had the most significant direct effect on the realization of the Right to the City, with a standardized coefficient of 0.4 at the 0.01 significance level. Within this component, indicators such as public involvement in urban decision-making and representation of diverse social groups were particularly influential. The second most impactful component was “urban vitality,” with a standardized coefficient of 0.2 (p ≤ 0.01), followed by “appropriation of the city” with a coefficient of 0.16 (p ≤ 0.05). Notable indicators in these dimensions included safety, communication, and leisure (in urban vitality), as well as physical share and control/ownership (in appropriation) (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Final Model of the Factors Influencing the Realization of the Right to the City in Yazd
Main Comparisons to Similar Studies
The current study examined the concept of "Right to the City" in the urban space of Yazd, focusing on the philosophical foundation of Henri Lefebvre's theory. This approach aligns with findings from similar studies emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in urban governance. Previous research highlight that active citizen engagement enhances urban governance, leading to improved planning and execution of urban projects[Li et al., 2020]. This aligns with the current study's finding that citizen participation plays a crucial role in realizing the Right to the City, especially in the context of access to housing and public urban spaces [Li et al., 2020]. Moreover, some studies corroborate the significance of participatory mechanisms in bridging gaps between citizens and urban planners, thereby improving quality of life and public satisfaction [Mouratidis & Poortinga, 2020]. The study also discusses urban vitality as a key component of the Right to the City, echoing Liu et al., [2020], who found that dynamic urban spaces encourage social interaction and a sense of belonging, which are vital for improving urban living [Liu et al., 2020]. Finally, the research supports the view that effective urban policies should prioritize citizen control and ownership of urban spaces to foster vibrant, sustainable, and equitable cities [De Koe, 2013]. These findings are consistent with other studies in the field, underscoring the need for comprehensive policies to strengthen this right [Javaheripour, 2015; Gholipour et al., 2019].
Suggestions
This study focuses on promoting transparency, fairness, and efficiency in urban management, recognizing social and cultural diversity, and encouraging citizen participation. Together, they enhance quality of life and foster a stronger sense of belonging and responsibility, leading to a more inclusive and sustainable city.
Conclusion
The components of the right to the city (control and ownership, urban vitality, and citizen participation) are in an unfavorable state in Yazd; therefore, ensuring equal access to the city's resources for all residents should be given special attention.
Acknowledgments: Nothing to declare.
Ethical Approval: Nothing to declare.
Conflict of Interest: This article is extracted from the first author's doctoral dissertation, supervised by the second author and advised by the third author, at the Islamic Azad University, Zahedan Branch.
Author Contributions: Amerian B (First Author), Main Researcher/Discussion Writer (40%); Hafez Rezazadeh M (Second Author), Methodologist (30%); Miri Gh (Third Author), Methodologist (30%)
Funding: This research was conducted with the authors’ personal funding.
Keywords:
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