نشریه برنامه ریزی توسعه شهری و منطقه ای
پیاپی 27 (زمستان 1402)

In contemporary times, the cultivation and advancement of libraries hold substantial importance as indicative markers of cultural progress. This research endeavors to examine the cultural and social implications arising from the establishment of a library within the Vanak village neighborhood of Tehran. The study employs a theoretical framework grounded in the human-environment perspective, focusing on three key areas of intervention: changes in the local community, leisure opportunities, and reading behavior. The ensuing analysis encompasses the assessment of social, cultural, economic, and physical consequences. Methodologically, the study employs a two-fold approach, employing thematic analysis as the primary methodology, followed by a supplementary survey method. The negative aftermath of constructing the library primarily manifests in diminished street-level safety for patrons, reduced psychological comfort of neighbors, conflicts between neighbors and library patrons, and parking space challenges for residents. Conversely, the positive ramifications encompass enhanced accessibility to the library space, improved academic performance among students, increased prosperity of businesses neighboring the project, the fortification of institutional social capital through coupling school-library connections, mitigation of social harm, and heightened cultural awareness within the neighborhood. Lastly, to mitigate adverse consequences and amplify positive effects, the study proposes four potential scenarios for future project developments: failure, compensation, welcome, and hope.

With the global surge of urbanization and population growth, the well-being of children within modern urban developments has been largely overlooked, necessitating an urgent need for attentiveness towards their needs in cities. Consequently, the assessment of urban neighborhoods in terms of child-friendly city components becomes an essential area of research. This study employs a survey method to evaluate the dimensions and components associated with a child-friendly city. Utilizing a cluster-spatial sampling approach, ten neighborhoods from five regions of Ardabil are selected as representative samples (two neighborhoods per region). A total of 400 researcher-developed questionnaires are then distributed proportionally based on the population of each selected neighborhood. The collected data is subsequently analyzed using one-sample t-statistics in SPSS software, as well as multi-criteria decision-making models to prioritize the neighborhoods according to the research criteria. The findings reveal distinctive characteristics of child-friendly city dimensions and components across the various neighborhoods of Ardabil. Interestingly, when comparing the dimensions, the environmental-physical and organizational-managerial dimensions emerge as the most problematic areas within the studied neighborhoods. Additionally, it is noteworthy that despite the inherent spatial disparities between neighborhoods, Neighborhood No. 1 in District 4 and Neighborhood No. 3 in District 2 of Ardabil Municipality exhibit greater challenges compared to other neighborhoods under investigation.

Understanding the causes and determinants of development and underdevelopment has emerged as a crucial focus within the realm of social and economic studies over the past five decades. Regional development, as a fundamental requirement for progress, encompasses diverse dimensions aimed at achieving regional equilibrium, reducing infrastructural disparities, and addressing structural and territorial gaps. This developmental model not only exhibits exceptional efficiency in terms of resource management and harnessing regional potential, but also strives to narrow or eradicate disparities within and between regions through the spatial organization of socio-economic and structural activities, capitalizing on local capacities unique to each region. This particular study seeks to conduct a comprehensive structural analysis of the drivers influencing regional development in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Employing an applied theoretical framework, the research employs a descriptive-analytical survey approach. Data and information were gathered through an extensive examination of relevant academically-sound sources alongside field observations, including interviews and questionnaires. Quantitative analysis, employing cross-impact analysis and Micmac software, was employed to analyze the collected data. Twenty key factors were thus extracted and identified as crucial drivers influencing regional development in the province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

The phenomenon of global urbanization is currently undergoing rapid advancements. This scholarly study aims to contribute to the discourse surrounding mental health promotion and the revitalization of urban neighborhoods within the framework of urban planning in Iran. Within this context, the examination of environmental characteristics is of utmost importance due to their substantial impact on mental well-being. This study sought to investigate the individual effects of various environmental characteristics on the overall health of citizens, as well as explore the role of environmental preferences as a mediating variable. Recognizing the influential role of urban environmental design on the mental health of individuals, this research was conducted with the objective of establishing a relationship between the perception of environmental variables and public mental health in residential neighborhoods, while also considering the mediating effect of environmental preferences among the population of Mazandaran. Data was collected via a questionnaire comprising two sections. The first section addressed mental health, utilizing a standardized questionnaire, whereas the second section assessed participants' perceptions of neighborhood characteristics, including security, amenities, aesthetics, and destinations, along with their environmental preferences. The application of structural equation modeling revealed a statistically significant influence of the participants' perception of environmental characteristics on mental health, with a corresponding decrease in mental health condition when environmental preferences were reduced.

Walking constitutes a fundamental activity and pedestrians play a vital role in the vitality of urban spaces. This research endeavor aims to conduct a comparative analysis of walkability between Tehran's Takhti and Marzdaran neighborhoods while validating the findings and comparing specialized models. The assessment of data and the comparative examination of the two neighborhoods were carried out utilizing three quantitative models: WalkScore, Smartraq, and SpaceSyntax. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS LISREL software. The research methodology employed was descriptive, analytical, and survey-based, representing an applied approach. The statistical population encompassed 250 residents from both neighborhoods. The analysis of pedestrian circulation models revealed that the Takhti neighborhood attained a WalkScore rating of 93.07%, achieved a connectivity index of 1.76 in the Space Syntax model, and exhibited three positive Z-scores in the Smartraq model. Conversely, the Marzdaran neighborhood obtained a WalkScore rating of 77.86%, recorded a connectivity index of 1.69 in the Space Syntax model, and displayed three negative Z-scores in the Smartraq model. By evaluating these outcomes and subjecting them to statistical analyses, encompassing the examination of performance, physical, social, and environmental criteria, it becomes evident that the Takhti neighborhood, with an average score of 3.52, exhibits a superior capability for walkability compared to the Marzdaran neighborhood, which achieved an average score of 2.40. These results reinforce the quantitative model findings regarding walkability in the Takhti neighborhood.

In contemporary society, marginalization has emerged as a significant social issue, imposing formidable barriers to social development. Accordingly, this study aims to explore the causal and contextual factors contributing to the stagnation of social development among marginalized residents of Pakdasht and Qiyam-Dasht. The study population consists of individuals residing in the marginalized areas of Pakdasht and Qiyam-Dasht, who were purposively and theoretically sampled. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 38 residents from these areas, with the criterion of theoretical saturation determining the termination of interviews. The data analysis followed the grounded theory method, employing the Straussian approach. The research findings reveal the causal conditions for the suspension of social development, including mutual irreversibility, transient and instrumental actions, weak self-concept, intergenerational perpetuation of poverty, and limited access to resources. Furthermore, the grounds contributing to the stagnation of social development manifest through categories such as divergent roles, gaps in social awareness, inadequate resource availability and reference groups, erosion of family boundaries, and institutional distrust. The outcomes illuminate that the mosaic structure of these regions has been shaped by ethnic conflicts and identity clashes. The dominance of ethnic pursuits, stemming from these conflicts and regressive ideologies, has hindered societal convergence. Furthermore, identity conflicts, exacerbated by profound inequalities, have impeded the adaptation of these ethnic groups to the modern world, particularly in the context of Tehran. Consequently, individuals in these areas tend to engage in transient and utilitarian actions, limiting the establishment of sustainable social interactions and impeding social development.