Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Sociological Analysis of Citizen Participation in the Regeneration of Worn Urban Textures in Javadieh Neighborhood of Tehran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Ph.D Candidate in Economic Sociology and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Communication and Media, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Islamic Azad University, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Social Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Communication and Media, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction 
With the growth and expansion of cities over time, the urban form and its population also change. Urban areas are no longer able to respond to population growth. Therefore, gradually, some urban areas grow in a sick way, and some others wear out. Worn-out is one of the issues related to the urban space, which leads to disorder, imbalance, disproportion, and disorder. Therefore, in line with development policies, city managers should adopt measures based on preserving the city body and securing and strengthening cities. One of the development measures in this field is urban regeneration. Urban regeneration is a comprehensive and integrated vision that solves problems related to the city, including urban decay, with a set of measures. Recognizing and examining the relationships between physical characteristics and social reactions, improving the economic situation and increasing the quality of life, optimal use of urban land and preventing the indiscriminate development of cities, the importance of the role of different social groups and local forces, attention to the environment, etc. are among the items that are considered in regeneration programsIn these types of programs, the presence and role of the people is essential. In other words, citizen participation can play a facilitating role in regeneration programs. Without people’s participation, it will be difficult for city managers to implement regeneration programs, and it will bring huge costs. Therefore, given the importance of citizen participation in regeneration programs, this article aims to examine the sociological process of citizen participation in the regeneration of dilapidated urban textures. By identifying the sociological components of participation, in addition to reducing urban management costs, it is possible to implement regeneration programs with greater speed and quality by leveraging the power of local participation. This will facilitate urban management, improve and develop the urban space, and, as a result, increase the quality of life in worn-out areas.
Materials and Methods
Based on the research objective and question, a qualitative research method was used for this article. Given that in this article, argumentative descriptions and discovery of meanings and interpretations of social actors as participants in the regeneration of dilapidated textures are important, the analysis method in this study is a qualitative analysis method. To study the participation section (residents of dilapidated textures), the focus group discussion (FGD) method was used, and in the regeneration programs section, the open and semi-open interviews with specialists and experts were used. In order to take samples, first, a map of worn texture was prepared, and the characteristics of the roads of the Javadiye neighborhood, including highways, main streets, side streets, alleys, and dead ends, were extracted. Based on this, from the total of 6951 license plates in the Javadieh neighborhood, 1404 license plates needed to be renovated, and 5547 license plates needed to be renovated. Then, using the cluster sampling method, the desired samples were selected from the license plates identified as needing renovation (recreated) of the sample population. According to the sampling, two groups were selected by lot, and from them, two groups of 12 people from the residents of dilapidated neighborhood license plates in the Javadieh neighborhood were selected to participate in the focus group meetings. Experts and specialists were also selected based on their familiarity, expertise, and knowledge of the state of dilapidated neighborhoods, including the mayor, deputy, manager, expert, and facilitator, and open interviews (in the form of questions and answers) were conducted with them. Based on the objectives, main question, and research model, focus group questions and interviews were prepared. Two focus group sessions were held with groups of 12 people for a period of about 45 to 60 minutes. The results of the sessions were written and implemented, and the required materials were extracted and categorized. Using the extracted information, the main research question was answered. To better discover the relationships between the data, a qualitative interview analysis was conducted with MAXQDA software. The answers to the research questions were summarized, and conclusions were drawn using the results of the software. Using the results of the focus group sessions and interviews, the participation model and its challenges in the Javadieh neighborhood were identified, and a proposed model was presented to attract and increase participation.
Findings
The research findings showed that measures such as transparency and trust building, proper public awareness and proper advertising, providing citizens with appropriate and easy facilities for renovating their homes, paying attention to ethnic and local values and preserving the identity of the fabric, gradualness of regeneration programs and their implementation, and integration in management are the main components of attracting public participation in dilapidated urban fabrics. Also, if regeneration is accompanied by protecting the rights of individuals, considering their ownership rights and proper management in regenerated buildings, paying attention to the essential needs of the people, developing discourse spaces, developing and creating access to public spaces such as parks and green spaces, modifying and shaping urban passages appropriately, informing and educating owners, creating facilities and incentives for them, empowering neighborhoods, the cultural and social effects of regeneration programs, and paying attention to the environment, it is effective in public participation. In this regard, applying modern methods in redevelopment and ensuring the physical security of newly constructed buildings, emphasizing integrated management in planning for redevelopment, paying attention to the rights of owners, paying attention to the fulfillment of the tasks of organizations related to redevelopment programs, continuity in planning and its implementation, considering justice in enjoying urban facilities, and the need for some amendments in laws related to redevelopment are among other important issues.
Conclusion
A review of past studies and research on public participation in programs to regenerate dilapidated urban areas showed that building trust is the main challenge facing participation in this type of area. However, the results of this article showed that before trust can be established in the people, some steps must be taken. In other words, building trust itself has prerequisites that, if not addressed, trust will not be formed, and after trust is established, there are intermediary links that participation will not be formed without considering them. Theoretical studies, interviews, and surveys in Javadieh neighborhood showed that paying attention to the needs, interests, and satisfaction of the people, strengthening security, paying attention to cultural values, strengthening group cohesion, strengthening the sense of belonging to the neighborhood (a sense of membership, a sense of influence, paying attention to needs, and strengthening emotional bonds), delegating authority, providing the opportunity for discourse, and transparency in information are among the things that lay the groundwork for building trust.
Keywords

Subjects


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Volume 5, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 46-60

  • Receive Date 25 September 2024
  • Revise Date 14 November 2024
  • Accept Date 18 December 2024