نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

عنوان مقاله English

Investigating the social values of the cultural landscape in recreating the dilapidated structure of District 22 of Tehran Municipality (Case study: Peikanshahr neighborhood)

نویسنده English

چکیده English

کلیدواژه‌ها English

. Introduction

The rapid urbanization process in recent decades has significantly affected the spatial and social structure of urban neighborhoods, leading to the erosion of social and cultural values in urban contexts. The cultural landscape, as a platform for expressing collective identity and the historical memory of societies, has undergone profound changes as a result of these developments, and many of its inherent values have been marginalized. In Tehran, particularly in District 22 of Tehran Municipality, which is considered the last ring of urban development, neighborhoods such as Paykanshahr are facing multiple challenges. On the one hand, physical deterioration and infrastructural inefficiencies have reduced environmental quality; on the other hand, social discontinuities and a decline in residents’ sense of belonging have threatened the continuity of the cultural landscape. Meanwhile, reinterpreting the social values of the cultural landscape can serve as an effective strategy for regenerating these neighborhoods and for shifting the urban revitalization process from a purely physical approach toward a human-centered and identity-oriented approach.

 

2‌. Materials and Methods

This research is applied–developmental in terms of its purpose and, in terms of its nature and methodology, is classified as mixed-method research (quantitative–qualitative). The mixed approach enables a more comprehensive understanding of the social values of the cultural landscape in an inefficient context through the collection of field data from residents of the Paykanshahr neighborhood, along with the specialized analysis of expert opinions. Data analysis was conducted as follows: quantitative data obtained from the residents’ questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software.

 

3‌. Results and Discussion

Previous studies in the field of urban regeneration have mainly focused on physical and economic dimensions and have paid less attention to the role of the social values of the cultural landscape as an intangible yet vital form of capital. In Iran, existing research has largely examined the cultural landscape at macro scales and in relation to historical monuments; however, analysis of the cultural landscape at the scale of dilapidated neighborhoods—particularly with an emphasis on local social values—remains limited. The gap between theory and practice in urban regeneration, especially within the field of landscape architecture, highlights the need for interdisciplinary research to address these overlooked dimensions. Accordingly, the main objective of this study is to identify and analyze the social values of the cultural landscape within the dilapidated physical structure of the Paykanshahr neighborhood in District 22 of Tehran Municipality and to propose strategies for neighborhood regeneration based on strengthening these values. In line with this objective, the following research questions are raised as the main axes of the study:

·         What social values influence residents’ perceptions of the cultural landscape of the Paykanshahr neighborhood?

·         What impact has physical dilapidation had on the weakening of these social values?

·         What strategies can contribute to restoring the social values of the neighborhood’s cultural landscape during the regeneration process?

Based on these questions, the research hypothesis is that successful regeneration of dilapidated neighborhoods is achieved when policies and interventions focus not only on physical reconstruction but also on restoring social ties, strengthening the sense of belonging, and rebuilding residents’ collective memory. The significance of this research lies in its interdisciplinary approach, which connects the discourse of cultural landscape with the field of urban regeneration and provides a theoretical and practical framework for socially value-based interventions. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for decision-making in the regeneration of deteriorated neighborhoods in Tehran and other Iranian metropolises and can contribute to opening a new pathway for the revitalization of urban identity within the framework of sustainable urban development policies.

 

4‌. Conclusions

The findings of this study indicate that in worn-out urban textures, in addition to physical renovation, greater emphasis should be placed on reviving the spirit of space, time, and collective memory, thereby contributing to improvements in environmental quality and urban sustainability. Programs aimed at the regeneration, renovation, and improvement of worn-out urban textures are considered among endogenous urban development policy initiatives, due to their potential to utilize significant and irreplaceable capacities for housing construction and the expansion of access to urban services. However, given the extensive scale of worn-out textures and the substantial investments required, the realization of such programs is not feasible without the participation of residents and the non-governmental sector.

The lack of active participation in the regeneration and renovation of worn-out textures in Iran—despite the added value generated through these processes—can be attributed to the complexity and multifaceted nature of renovation and improvement projects, as well as the limited return on investment in certain outcomes of the renovation process, such as access networks, passages, public spaces, and green areas. In addition, legal and registration issues, including hereditary, endowment, participatory, or unknown ownership, resistance to relinquishing certain hidden income sources in dilapidated residential areas, difficulties related to the release of deteriorated lands and properties, inadequate access for transporting construction materials, and the lack of transparency in investment processes and capital returns, are considered among the major challenges in this domain.

In order to benefit from public participation and social mobilization, achieve a sustainable and participatory city through the active and effective presence of residents and the non-governmental sector, and create the necessary enabling conditions, it is essential to encourage and support these stakeholders—in other words, to empower them. Empowerment of individuals involved in the rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated urban structures requires planning and action in three key areas:

·         creating effective incentives for owners, developers, and non-governmental investors;

·         establishing a trust-building environment to facilitate cooperation among owners, developers, and non-governmental investors;

·         developing an appropriate legal framework that enables people to commit to or participate in renovation processes and removing existing legal obstacles, including contradictions between the protection of public safety and respect for individual property rights.

Urban regeneration focuses on improving economic, social, and environmental conditions and encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at restoring livability to dilapidated areas, cleared sites, infrastructure, and buildings that have reached the end of their useful life. In its broader sense, regeneration seeks to enhance the overall condition of the city and the well-being of its inhabitants by addressing the underlying causes of urban decline. This approach not only targets the revitalization of abandoned or deteriorated areas, but also addresses broader concerns such as economic competitiveness and quality of life, particularly for residents of deprived neighborhoods.

Accordingly, it is recommended that measures be adopted to recreate social values within a cultural context by transforming residents’ attitudes and perceptions of their place of residence, strengthening individual self-confidence and motivation, encouraging the expression of individual and collective ideas and needs, increasing volunteer activities, enhancing social capital—including norms and networks that enable collective action—improving the image and reputation of places and their residents, fostering public–private partnerships and voluntary groups, and promoting higher levels of education.

5‌. Aknowledgmant & Funding

·         Authors are thankful to all interview participants for supporting this research.

 

6‌. Conflict of Interest

·         The authors declare no conflict of interest