Sociability and vitality of urban public spaces: Evidence from the perspective of experts and users in Valiasr St., Tehran

Today, with the increasing trend of privatization of public spaces and its control in various ways; Sociability of public space, which is one of the pillars of urban vitality; Has been challenged.On the other hand, lack of attention to the social dimension of vitality is observed in most studies. This study seeks to identify the most important indicators of sociability to achieve vitality in Valiasr St., Tehran from the perspective of experts and street users.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the two concepts of sociability and vitality in Valiasr Street, Tehran to use the results in urban public space planning.

In this regard, a comparative analysis is performed based on the views of experts on Valiasr Street and the users of this street. By adopting a combined approach with a sequential exploratory research design and using three methods of unstructured interview, observation committee and field observation, research data were collected.

A total of 7 main criteria were identified by experts, but 3 of these 7 criteria were not approved by users. The results were then discussed in two areas. First, it was found that, contrary to experts' views, criteria that are more collectivist are less preferred by users. There were also fundamental differences in the views of the two groups. So that the experts had a scientific but idealistic attitude towards the issues and issues of public spaces. While users' point of view is a simple, minimal but realistic view of their preferences and desires from a public space, which is based on their lived experience of public spaces.

Finally, the realization of the sociability of public spaces depended on a series of requirements and underlying conditions that can be sought in the field of macro-political, institutional and social structures.