Providing a Conceptual Model of the Underground Space as an Urban Development Catalyst Using the Grounded Theory

Over time, cities are confronted with a number of natural and artificial problems such as lack of green and open spaces, high density and lack of recreational spaces, which in some cases can be reasonably efficient use of underground spaces. The Aim of current study was to present a conceptual model that include factors which construct underground spaces as a development catalyst.

This qualitative reseacrh was carried out based on grounded theory in 2019. In order to analyze documentary studies, cross-sectional and content analysis were used and to gather the required data, in-depth and open ended interviews were conducted. Thirty five experts and faculty memebers of university in urbanism field were selected as a sample based on snowball sampling technique.

After studying documents and interviewing experts and analyzing qualitative data, with respect to the number of citations (237 citations), 29 initial codes of the underground spaces constructor were extracted as urban development catalyst. These initial codes were categorized in five axial codes including perceptual, visual, morphological, service and functional codes and also three components including activity, physical and imaginations that construct underground spaces as an urban development catalyst.

Component of subsurface activity and citizens' perceptions of these spaces lead to services such as security and safety. The component of citizen perceptions and image leads to the identification of items such as fit, human scale, comfort, and so on in urban underground spaces. The interaction between activity and physical components comprises two important factors of land use and transport, and factors such as land use mixing and access hierarchy, leading to the enhancement of the performance of underground space as urban development catalyst.