Browsing by Author "Ranjbar, Ehsan"

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  • An Analysis on the Factors Affecting the Creation of Event-Oriented Urban Public Spaces Case Study: Central Part of Tehran (District 12)
    (2022-04) Mava, Fatemeh Salehi; Khatami, Seyed Mahdi; Ranjbar, Ehsan
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    Problem statement: In recent experiences, from the perspective of culture-led urban design, events play a paramount important role in improving the quality of urban public spaces. However, less exists on the nature of urban public spaces and their constructive roles in the development of events. Even previous studies have failed to provide clear answers to key questions such as what factors affect the event-oriented public space? What is the effect of different types of public space on amount of events? Research objectives: This study aims to explain and develop event-oriented criteria for urban public spaces and then to measure and compare the extent to which different urban spaces in District 12 are event-oriented. Research method: The article's methodological approach contains both qualitative and quantitative. In the first step, different methods were used to select case studies as an event place in District 12, such as content analysis of documents during two years, field visits, and in-depth interviews with experts. Then, the factors affecting the eventuality of public spaces were recognized based on the current literature. Finally, the event-oriented quality of several urban spaces in Tehran's historical heart was measured and compared by using checklists and analyzing the data in SOCNETV software. Conclusion: The research results show five criteria, including accessibility, connectivity, space facilities, inclusiveness, and security, have the most significant impact on events' formation and durability. Also, among the different types of public spaces, the pedestrian streets and parks in Tehran's 12th district have a higher amount of events compared to other types.
  • Culture-led Regeneration in Historical and Cultural Areas : The Case of a Historical Quarter in Mashhad, Iran
    (2024-12-06) Afsari Bajestani, Sepideh; Ranjbar, Ehsan
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    Despite extensive current literature confirming the significant contribution of culture to urban regeneration and the rise of culture-led regeneration as a key approach for developing urban areas rich in cultural heritage, a critical question remains: Which specific strategies should be prioritised and adapted within the culture-led regeneration process? This paper examines the role of culture-led regeneration in enhancing the quality of cultural and historical districts in Mashhad, Iran. Based on a critical literature review, it presents a conceptual framework for culture-led regeneration, considering different approaches and their appropriate spatial strategies: competitive-led, community-led, and creative-led. Building upon this conceptual framework and drawing on a case study methodology, the paper qualitatively evaluates the integration of culture into current development initiatives in a cultural and creative area in Mashhad. The findings indicate that current urban regeneration initiatives tend to prioritise profit-driven and competitive-led approaches, often with a limited conceptualisation of arts and culture. Subsequently, using the Delphi technique, the framework is employed to propose an alternative model for culture-led regeneration for the selected area. The findings of the Delphi technique emphasise the importance of prioritising community-led and creative-led strategies for the success of culture-led regeneration in the area. The paper concludes by discussing practical implications for the design of the area based on the proposed model of culture-led regeneration.
  • Evaluating urban public spaces from mental health point of view: Comparing pedestrian and car-dominated streets
    (2022-12) Hematian, Hooman; Ranjbar, Ehsan
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    Introduction: So far, the planning and design of public urban spaces have not been specifically researched from the perspective of mental health. Only a few studies in the field of urban mental health have investigated the effect of different dimensions of public space design on mental health. Focusing on the street as a major type of public space in all cities around the world, the present study seeks to examine the effect of the dimensions and qualities of street design on mental health. Methods: This experimental study evaluates the psychological results related to two types of urban streets with and without motor traffic. Using a mixed design and a cross-sectional study of the users of public spaces (n = 547), we have measured their level of mental health as well as environmental perception after facing one of the two types of environment. The data were experimentally analyzed via partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and SmartPLS 3.0 software package. Results: The results show that mental health in pedestrian streets is greatly affected by micro-level physical features of the environment and more specifically by natural elements. Whereas, in car-dominated streets, the macro-level physical features of the environment have a stronger effect on mental health. From these features, pollution had the strongest effect on mental health in car-dominated streets. Three further factors are important to mental health in pedestrian streets which include social relationships, safety, and social surveillance. In both streets, factors such as mixed land use, public transportation, attractiveness, active edge, quality of the pedestrian path, soundscape, and air pollution have the closest association with mental health. Additionally, the dominance of cars not only affects mental health through air and noise pollution but also threatens it by limiting the social experience of space. Conclusions: Although experimental and longitudinal evidence is needed to verify findings, The study illustrates those spaces with better public qualities (i.e., pedestrian streets) tend to have stronger effects on citizens’ mental health.
  • Examining older adults' attitudes towards different mobility modes in Iran
    (2022-07-02) Panahi, Niloofar; Pourjafar, Mohammadreza; Ranjbar, Ehsan; Soltani, Ali
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    Introduction: Mobility is one of the main factors affecting healthy aging. Older people have distinct mobility patterns, and age-related problems might make it difficult to move independently, which can have various health consequences. However, there is a scarcity of studies on older people's mobility views in the Global South, particularly Iran. This paper examines older adults' attitudes towards different mobility modes in Shiraz, Iran, to fill this gap. Methods: Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 66 older adults, and thematic analysis was used to identify their mobility attitudes and barriers. Results: As a result, five main themes were extracted, including environmental, socio-cultural, operational, economic, and health factors. In general, the respondents stressed the physical and mental health benefits of walking and cycling, although they thought Shiraz lacked enough walking and cycling infrastructure. Furthermore, many older adults were so reliant on their cars that they thought it would be difficult to survive without one. The inefficiency of public transit adds to a reliance on private vehicles. Conclusion: Examining the opinions of older adults provided valuable insights into the challenges they face when using different mobility modes. As there is a growing trend of car use among older adults in Shiraz, the city needs strategies to encourage older people to use more active and environmentally friendly modes of mobility, which can help improve the health of older adults.
  • Heritage and the Regeneration of Urban Brownfields: Insights on Public Perception in Tehran, Iran
    (2023-05) Ghabouli, Elias; Soltani, Ali; Ranjbar, Ehsan
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    Brownfields particularly in old city centers reveal the story of abandonment and concealment, shaping the identity and collective memory of urban areas. Therefore, research and practice must prioritize both reutilization and heritage values. This study centers on the regeneration of historical brownfields in Tehran, the capital of Iran, and assesses public perceptions of redeveloped historical brownfields. Based on their approach to patrimony, the study categorized reclaimed brownfields as interpretive, cultural, or ecological sites. A questionnaire was administered to citizens who visited three sampled sites (n = 385) to collect data. According to the results of principal component analysis (PCA), women preferred the non-economic component, which includes environmental, social, heritage, and aesthetic dimensions, while men and older, highly educated respondents preferred the economic dimension in relation to brownfields. Despite positive attitudes towards brownfield regeneration, environmental and heritage dimensions, especially intangible heritage, are less well-known. However, heritage justifies and determines brownfield redevelopment. Increasing commitment to preserving heritage during brownfield regeneration has a positive effect on the perception of respondents.
  • The impacts of public space flagship projects on local communities : evidence from Atigh Square of Isfahan, Iran
    (2024-06-03) Ghalani, Zohreh; Ranjbar, Ehsan; al-Ameen, Ali
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    The examination of the comprehensive effects of flagship projects on adjacent neighborhoods remains inadequately explored, particularly within developing countries. This scholarly void is expanding despite limited research on public space flagship projects. The current study delves into a problematic case study: Atigh Square, located within the historical center of Isfahan, Iran. This site has undergone substantial efforts to transform into a pedestrian-oriented public space, aimed at recapturing its original configuration fro the eleventh century. The 5 criteria of identity, economy, social, physical, and tourism features and 22 indicators attributed to them were extracted from the theoretical literature. Mixed methods research was pursued, using seminal publications, quantitative data from a questionnaire, and qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with several experts. Furthermore, the integration and connectivity of the area before and after regeneration was compared using Depth map software package. The results of the analysis show that the impact of the project in social, identity-related, infrastructural, and economic sub-criteria was weak, but it achieved relative success in terms of planning and tourism indicators. Besides, the sanitation sub-class received the highest rank whereas facilities and public services had the lowest rank among the sub-classes. As with the subjective and objective quality of life, the project was not a great success. Overall, although the project has considerably enhanced the physical and visual conditions of the area, it has failed to solve the social and economic problems of the surrounding fabric. The findings significantly contribute to the existing body of global literature concerning the impacts of flagship projects on surrounding areas, as the research explores diverse facets of these effects. The results underscore the necessity for flagship projects to be meticulously planned, taking into account not only the specific circumstances and challenges of local communities but also their integration into the broader socio-economic dynamics of the entire city.
  • Streets and Stress : A Pilot Study on How Quality and Design of Streets Impacts on Urban Stress
    (2024-01) Sadeghpoor, Fereshteh; Ranjbar, Ehsan; Esmaeilinasab, Maryam; Seyed Valiloo, Mirhojat; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    Objectives: To identify how quality and design of streets impacts urban stress. Background: Few studies have comprehensively addressed environmental factors affecting stress in urban public spaces. However, a remarkable portion of our everyday life is spent in public spaces, particularly streets. Method: This study seeks to evaluate the effect of three types of streets as major public spaces on stress. These include a street with the dominance of green spaces (A), a motorist-oriented street (B), and a pedestrian street (C). For this purpose, we selected a group of participants (n = 16) aged 20-30, with an equal number of men and women who were generally healthy and had normal stress levels. Participants were asked to wear an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset, walk different streets, and answer the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) and urban design qualities questionnaires. Results: According to the results, participants experienced the highest stress in street type B and the lowest in type A. Conclusions: Green space and vegetation, a sense of security, privacy and coziness, climatic comfort, and safety of space had the most positive effect on stress reduction. Whereas noise pollution, vehicle traffic, and crowdedness were the most critical factors of stress. Finally, our findings suggest that the component of green space has a more significant effect on stress reduction compared with the elimination of vehicle traffic.
  • A study of Theoretical Streams Related to Urban Spaces
    (2022-05) Rezapour, Amin; Ranjbar, Ehsan
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    Problem statement: The frequency and plurality of ideas and approaches on the subject of “urban spaces,” as well as the variety of definitions, characteristics, opinions, and methods of dealing with this topic, has led to various and sometimes contradicting perceptions among academics in this field. Furthermore, because urban spaces theories are not limited to a single field of study and have been explored in philosophical, sociological, psychological, political, and economic contexts, research in this topic has clear complexities and requires more investigation. Typifying theoretical ideas is one of the most common techniques to simplify and handle such challenges. This article seeks to provide a typology and, more clearly, a kind of stream of theories and perspectives related to the subject of urban spaces. Research objective: This stream study organizes and categorizes the frequency of approaches in the field of “urban spaces”, making it easier to comprehend and analyze what different urban spaces theorists have proposed. Using this stream study, it is possible to discern what type of approach has been adopted, and what definition of “space and urban space” each theorist and theorist in each stream of thought has articulated. Furthermore, by identifying and framing streams of thought, it is possible to understand which stream of thought(s) each theorist belongs to, and then his/her views can be better understood. In addition, any researcher can use one or more streams in the future to conduct research. Additionally, each researcher can employ one or more streams for future study on the subject of urban spaces and better explain and explore his preferred urban space within the framework of that stream of thought. Research method: To achieve the goal of this study, the “two-dimensional typology” method was used. This method consists of two steps. According to the purpose of the article, the first step was to “choose a typology strategy.” “Empirical strategy” was selected as one of the common strategies at this stage. The second step was to “build a typology”, which was completed by describing the “ Constructs “, “Bounds”, and “Representative types” and using them to fulfill the typology. The analysis section of the article explains how to use this method and how to create types. Conclusion: The stream study of theoretical approaches to urban spaces is divided into three main streams and eight streams of thought: 1) empirical macro-stream including a) empirical-cultural stream, b) empirical-behavioral stream, c) empirical-critical stream, and d) empirical-perceptual stream; 2) Theoretical macro-stream includes: a) theoretical-psychological stream, b) theoretical-critical stream, c) theoretical-political economy stream, and d) theoretical-sociological stream; and 3) empirical-theoretical stream
  • Toward a social responsibility-based model for urban design education
    (2023-12-04) Khatami, Seyed Mahdi; Boujari, Pouria; Ranjbar, Ehsan
     A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
    There is a need for a model for urban design education due to its responsibility for the impact on the society and environment according to the twenty-first-century paradigm shift in higher education toward the social responsibility of universities. As an academic discipline concerned with the built environment, urban design can have a pivotal role in meeting the university social responsibility goal of promoting sustainable development. This article aims to provide the background for redesigning and adapting the educational program of urban design to the social responsibility approach. To this end, the study proposes a social responsibility-based model for urban design education through expert discussion in order to operationalize the responsibility of urban design toward the environment and society. The model is a process-oriented one consisting of four steps, namely, values, management, practices, and impacts.