نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Urban regeneration, as a multifaceted strategy, aims to enhance the quality of life and promote physical and economic resilience in cities facing decay and inefficiency. This study focuses on Tabriz, examining the role of participatory incentives in urban regeneration and their impact on physical and economic resilience. Employing a descriptive-analytical method with a mixed (quantitative and qualitative) approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, standardized questionnaires, document analysis, and field observations in selected neighborhoods of Tabriz. Findings indicate that social participation, with a mean score of 3.208, is the strongest indicator of urban regeneration, while inter-institutional collaboration (mean 3.150) is the weakest, requiring enhancement. Urban infrastructure emerged as the most significant predictor of physical resilience (Beta=1.410, p<0.001), although weaknesses in urban design and the use of modern technologies were noted. Economically, access to financial facilities and economic diversity were strengths, but job sustainability needs improvement. The study suggests that strengthening infrastructure, developing digital participatory platforms, and establishing efficient institutional structures can enhance Tabriz’s resilience. These findings contribute to the theoretical literature on urban planning and provide practical solutions for Tabriz’s urban management.
کلیدواژهها English
1. Introduction
In recent decades, Iranian metropolises, particularly Tabriz, have faced extensive urban decay, functional inefficiency, and the weakening of social cohesion within their historical neighborhoods. Rapid population growth, accelerated rural-to-urban migration, insufficient investment in public infrastructure, and the absence of participatory approaches in urban governance have collectively led to a decline in the quality of life and reduced physical and economic resilience. Under such circumstances, urban regeneration has emerged as a comprehensive, multidimensional strategy that transcends traditional physical renovation by integrating social, economic, cultural, and environmental dimensions to achieve a sustainable urban balance. However, past experiences indicate that a purely physical and top-down approach to regeneration, implemented without active citizen engagement or effective inter-institutional coordination, has frequently resulted in short-term and unsustainable outcomes. Public participation, as a core principle of sustainable urban development, plays a critical role in ensuring the success of regeneration initiatives, since the involvement of residents in planning, decision-making, and implementation enhances their sense of belonging, social capital, and collective trust. Accordingly, the present study focuses on the role of participatory incentives in enhancing the effectiveness of urban regeneration in Tabriz. These incentives encompass institutional mechanisms, digital participation platforms, and motivational policies that facilitate citizen engagement and strengthen coordination among governmental, private, and community sectors. The primary objective of this research is to conceptualize the relationship between participatory incentives and the dimensions of physical and economic resilience in Tabriz, with the ultimate goal of developing a localized participatory regeneration model that enhances the city’s sustainability, resilience, and social vitality.
2. Materials and Methods
The study adopts a descriptive-analytical design with a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). Data were collected through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The sample included residents, urban managers, planners, and private-sector actors. A total of 100 respondents participated in the quantitative survey, which utilized a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analyses involved Pearson correlation and multiple regression to examine the relationship between participatory incentives and resilience indicators. Independent variables included eight main indicators: urban infrastructure, urban design, environmental management, economic diversity, employment opportunities, investment and financing, social participation, and inter-institutional collaboration. Dependent variables were physical and economic resilience. Qualitative data were triangulated to ensure reliability and validity.
3. Results and Discussion
The study's findings revealed that the level of urban regeneration in Tabriz is moderately high, indicating positive potential, but with areas that require improvement. Social participation, with a mean score of 3.208, emerged as the strongest factor in the regeneration process, reflecting citizens’ willingness to engage in urban development activities. Conversely, inter-institutional collaboration had the lowest mean score (3.150), highlighting the need for stronger coordination among administrative bodies. Among detailed indicators, compliance with construction safety standards and access to financial facilities (mean 3.30) were identified as key strengths, whereas use of modern technologies in participation and institutional coordination (means 3.04 and 3.05) were recognized as major weaknesses.
Correlation analysis revealed strong relationships between economic indicators, including economic diversity, employment, and investment (r > 0.9), underscoring their mutual influence on economic resilience. Likewise, urban infrastructure showed a high correlation with urban design and environmental resource management, confirming its central role in physical resilience. Multiple regression analysis further revealed that urban infrastructure (Beta = 1.410, p < 0.001) is the strongest positive predictor of physical resilience, while urban design (Beta = -0.519, p = 0.017) has a negative and significant impact, indicating deficiencies in urban planning and implementation.
Overall, the results suggest that enhancing the physical and economic resilience of Tabriz requires strengthening infrastructure, developing digital participatory platforms, and establishing efficient institutional mechanisms. Building social trust, providing civic education, and utilizing modern technologies can create the foundation for sustainable, participatory urban regeneration in Tabriz.
4. Conclusions
Urban regeneration can only succeed through inclusive participation and inter-institutional cooperation. The study concludes that urban infrastructure and social participation are the most influential factors in enhancing Tabriz’s resilience, while institutional fragmentation and lack of modern participatory systems remain major challenges.
Key recommendations include:
- Establishing digital platforms for citizen engagement;
- Empowering neighborhood councils for participatory oversight;
- Encouraging private investment and public–private partnerships;
- Using smart urban technologies in design and monitoring;
- Preserving Tabriz’s cultural and historical identity through adaptive reuse of heritage sites.
By implementing these strategies, Tabriz can evolve into a resilient, sustainable, and citizen-oriented city. The study provides a replicable framework for participatory urban regeneration in other Iranian cities.
5. Acknowledgment & Funding
· The authors express their sincere gratitude to all interview participants for supporting this research.
· This article did not receive any financial support from any organization.
6. Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
