Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Analysis of the socio-economic effects of wide sidewalks on the revitalization of worn-out neighborhood centers (Case study: Feyzabad neighborhood, Kermanshah)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
2 PhD student, Department of Architecture, Aras International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
As the identity jewels of cities, dilapidated neighborhood centers play an unparalleled role in social cohesion and the continuity of urban life. The revitalization of these centers guarantees economic dynamism and strengthens social capital on a local scale. The present study aimed to analyze the socio-economic effects of wide sidewalks on the revitalization of the Feyzabad neighborhood center in Kermanshah. This study was conducted with a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative) and through a field survey using a researcher-made questionnaire (14 questions) and completed by 365 residents and businessmen of the neighborhood, along with observation and analysis of documents. The questionnaire's face-content validity and its reliability were confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87. The data were analyzed with SPSS software and using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation test. Descriptive findings showed that the components of “local business boom” (with an average of 4.45) and “increase in real estate value” (with an average of 4.34) in the economic dimension, and the components of “social life dynamics” (with an average of 4.01) and “maintaining neighborhood identity” (with an average of 3.89) in the social dimension, obtained the highest average. On the other hand, the results of the Pearson correlation test indicated a very strong and positive relationship between the implementation of the wide sidewalk project and neighborhood revitalization, such that the correlation coefficient for the economic factor was 0.91 and for the social factor was 0.87, which were significant at the 0.01 level. Overall, the findings confirm the effectiveness of the pedestrianization strategy as an integrated measure in the socio-economic revitalization of dilapidated urban areas.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 January 2026

  • Receive Date 26 November 2025
  • Revise Date 28 January 2026
  • Accept Date 29 January 2026