Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Exploring the Impact of Sense of Belonging on Public Realm in Azadi Park, Shiraz

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Atefeh Rahimi 1
Pouya Hajizade 2
Mahsa Sholeh 3
Sahand Lotfi 3
1 M.A. Student in Urban Design, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2 M.A. in Regional Planning, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
3 Associate Professor of Urban Design, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
10.22034/uep.2025.512662.1615
Abstract
Introduction 
The sense of belonging has emerged as one of the most critical interdisciplinary concepts in contemporary urban research, environmental psychology, spatial sociology, and participatory urban planning. It represents the deep and multidimensional connection between people and their physical surroundings. Far beyond mere physical presence, this feeling reflects a psychological and emotional attachment shaped by lived experiences, sensory perceptions, emotional memories, and social interactions. When individuals develop a profound sense of belonging to a place, they are more likely to engage in responsible behavior, cultivate a sense of ownership, participate in civic activities, and experience psychological well-being and satisfaction with their living environment.
Urban public spaces—particularly parks—play a vital role in facilitating and enhancing this sense due to their inherent characteristics of openness, accessibility, and sociability. Parks are more than just recreational zones; they act as arenas for social interaction, cultural expression, physical activity, and intergenerational memory-making. In this context, the case of Azadi Park in Shiraz, Iran, provides a unique lens through which the relationship between public space and sense of belonging can be explored. With its historical legacy, vast area, strategic location, and entrenched presence in the collective memory of the city’s residents, Azadi Park exemplifies the layered meanings public spaces can hold.
However, despite its symbolic status and consistent public use, Azadi Park has faced gradual deterioration in certain sections, including physical wear and tear, safety concerns, and underutilization. These challenges can potentially weaken users’ emotional connection and reduce the quality of public life. This study investigates the primary components that influence the development and strengthening of a sense of belonging in Azadi Park. The broader goal is to provide insights for enhancing public spaces’ spatial, psychological, and social performance in similar urban contexts.
Materials and Methods
This study adopts an applied, descriptive-analytical methodology designed to identify and analyze the key factors contributing to the sense of belonging in Azadi Park. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on extensive theoretical literature in urban design, environmental psychology, and spatial experience.
The questionnaire captured users’ subjective experiences, behavioral patterns, emotional responses, and perceptions of the park’s physical and social environment. The target population consisted of 200 visitors to Azadi Park, selected using ‘simple random sampling’ by ‘Cochran’s sampling formula’ to ensure statistical reliability.
To ensure the validity and reliability of the data collection tool, the ‘Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin’ (KMO) test and ‘Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity’ were applied. These confirmed the instrument’s suitability for factor analysis. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was measured using ‘Cronbach’s alpha’, which yielded a value of 0.848, indicating high reliability.
Data was analyzed using ‘Exploratory Factor Analysis’ (EFA) with SPSS software. EFA was employed to distill and identify the latent constructs that explain users’ sense of belonging variations. This approach extracted five principal factors that offered a robust framework for understanding the multidimensional nature of place attachment in the context of a public urban park.
Findings
The findings of the research highlight five core factors that significantly influence the development and enhancement of the sense of belonging among Azadi Park users:
1. Interactivity and Presence: This dimension underscores the importance of freedom of access and the capacity of a space to foster meaningful interpersonal connections. Areas of the park that support social engagement—such as open lawns, picnic zones, playgrounds, and walking trails—are particularly effective in generating a sense of active presence and emotional attachment. These areas facilitate spontaneous and structured social interactions that enhance the emotional experience of place.
2. Visual Aesthetics: The visual and sensory qualities of the park’s environment were found to affect emotional responses and psychological comfort substantially. Elements such as landscape design, plant variety, color harmony, lighting quality, and spatial composition contribute to the aesthetic experience. A pleasing visual environment promotes tranquility, enjoyment, and a deeper emotional bond with the space, which are crucial for cultivating a lasting sense of belonging.
3. Provision of Activities and Spatial Diversity: Azadi Park offers a wide array of amenities, including a children’s amusement park, event halls, bike paths, green spaces, and cultural stations, which cater to different demographic groups and interests. This functional diversity not only draws a wide range of visitors but also encourages repeated visits, sustained interactions, and lasting memories. The multiplicity of spaces allows users to find personalized meaning in the park, reinforcing their attachment to it.
4. Memorability and Place Attachment: Many users associate Azadi Park with deeply personal or generational memories. Landmarks such as the artificial lake, the bird sanctuary, and specific playgrounds serve as emotional anchors, reinforcing the park’s symbolic and nostalgic value. This factor emerges as the most emotionally charged, linking individuals to a shared urban history and identity. Such memory-laden spaces play a key role in forming long-term attachment and a feeling of ownership.
5. Accessibility and Legibility: The ease with which users can navigate the park and understand its spatial layout plays a critical role in their sense of safety and comfort. Clear signage, well-lit pathways, and defined entry points contribute to spatial legibility. In contrast, poorly lit or visually confusing sections—particularly in the park’s southern periphery—were identified as problematic zones associated with antisocial behavior and diminished attachment. The concept of “behavioral settings” was used to analyze these spaces, distinguishing between positive and negative zones based on their ability to encourage or discourage appropriate social behavior.
The spatial analysis of these behavioral zones revealed that spaces with intentional design, adequate lighting, appropriate seating, and open sightlines facilitated ‘positive’ behavioral patterns. For example, the children’s play area in the northwest was identified as a successful behavioral zone. Conversely, underused or neglected areas suffered from littering, loitering, and a sense of insecurity, forming ‘negative’ behavioral zones that suppressed the development of place attachment.
Conclusion
The study concludes that sense of belonging is not merely a theoretical construct but a practical tool that urban designers, planners, and policymakers can use to improve the quality and functionality of public spaces. It offers a multi-layered understanding of how emotional, behavioral, and spatial dynamics intersect to shape users’ relationships with the urban environment.
To enhance the sense of belonging in public spaces like Azadi Park, the research proposes a set of actionable recommendations:
• Develop clear and well-lit pedestrian pathways to improve safety and navigation.
• Upgrade urban furniture and amenities with consideration for age and activity needs.
• Foster a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational programs to activate the space.
• Preserve and celebrate historical and symbolic elements that evoke shared memories.
• Improve environmental security through both official surveillance and natural oversight.
• Incorporate local cultural art and symbols to reinforce place identity and community pride.
More broadly, the study advocates for a holistic and participatory design approach to public space creation and management—one that integrates physical, emotional, behavioral, and cultural dimensions. In doing so, urban spaces like Azadi Park can evolve into inclusive, vibrant, and meaningful environments that resonate with the diverse populations they serve.
Keywords
Azadi Park Shiraz
Public realm
Sense of belonging
Sense of Place
Urban space quality

Subjects

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Urban Economics and Planning
Volume 6, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 204-222

  • Receive Date 16 March 2025
  • Revise Date 10 May 2025
  • Accept Date 22 May 2025