17Analyzing the causal relationships between social resilience and urban space vitality in the face of environmental hazards using structural equation modeling (case study: Oskou city)

Zidabi Oskouei, Faegheh; Moosavi, MirSaeed; Najafgholipour Kalantari, Nasim; Abdollahzadeh Taraf, Akbar

doi:10.22034/uep.2025.556033.1753

17Analyzing the causal relationships between social resilience and urban space vitality in the face of environmental hazards using structural equation modeling (case study: Oskou city)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faegheh Zidabi Oskouei ¹

MirSaeed Moosavi ²

Nasim Najafgholipour Kalantari ³

Akbar Abdollahzadeh Taraf ²

¹ Ph.D. candidate, Department of Urban Design, Ta. C, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Ta. C, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Ta. C, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

10.22034/uep.2025.556033.1753

Abstract

The growing increase in environmental crises in recent years has made strengthening social resilience one of the core priorities in urban planning. In this context, urban vitality, considered a key dimension of environmental quality, can, through factors such as social interaction, activity diversity, spatial presence, and environmental quality, enhance belonging, trust, and social connectedness, thereby improving communities’ adaptive capacity in the face of hazards. Social resilience, measured through social cohesion, collective participation, solidarity, and public trust, is also a fundamental element of urban sustainability. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the relationship between urban vitality and social resilience, considering the mediating role of “risk perception and preparedness toward environmental crises,” including risk awareness, lived crisis experience, mental preparedness, and perceived vulnerability, in the city of Oskou. A quantitative research approach based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using AMOS 26 was employed. The statistical population consisted of all residents aged 18 and above in Oskou, and the sample size was determined as 384 using Cochran’s formula. The findings indicated that urban vitality has a significant direct effect on social resilience (0.52) and an indirect effect through risk perception and preparedness (0.27). The model demonstrated an acceptable level of fit (CFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.065). Overall, the results show that enhancing urban vitality by improving social experience, increasing risk awareness, and strengthening local cohesion can contribute to higher levels of social resilience. These findings align with existing literature and underscore the combined role of spatial quality and perceptual factors in shaping community resilience.

Keywords

Oskou city

Perception of environmental crisis

Social resilience

Vitality of urban spaces

Subjects

Urban Studies

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