Investigation and Comparing Dimensions of Empowerment among Urban Neighborhoods (Case Study: Mashhad Backyard Neighborhood & Taher and Mansour Neighborhood of Kashan)

The concept of empowerment in different dimensions means the division of responsibility and power into different social levels and confronting being powerless and increasing participation. Considering the importance of the topic of empowerment in urban development, in this study, empowerment has been proposed in social and physical dimensions in a comparison approach between two neighborhoods of Mashhad backyard and Taher and Mansour district of Kashan, and the strategies for improving it were presented. The required information was collected using a questionnaire and the sample size was calculated based on the Cochran formula of 380 people. Findings were analyzed using Spss and Amos software. To do the Statistical analyses and responding to research hypotheses, frequency, single t-test sample, Paired t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and for modeling, exploratory factor analysis and modeling structural equations were used. The results show that there are significant differences between two neighborhoods Mashhad backyard and Taher and Mansour district in Kashan city in the social and physical dimensions of empowerment. The results of modeling the formation of structural equations show that, in social dimension, the factor of trust and participation of the residents has the most factor load with 0.77 and is more effective than the other factors on the social empowerment of the studied residents of the neighborhoods. In the physical dimension, the factor of motor satisfaction has the highest factor load of 0.72 and is more correlated with physical capability than other variables. Also, the results of applying Pearson correlation coefficient indicated a positive and significant correlation between physical empowerment and social empowerment in 99 % of confidence level. Comparison review between the dimensions of physical and social empowerment by using T-test, shows that the level of physical capability among residents of Taher and Mansour area was higher than those in Mashhad's backyard. Also, residents of Taher and Mansour neighborhood have a greater social capability than the Mashhad backyard.