Functional Dimension and Social Capital in Urban Spaces of Tehran; Case Studies: Sa’adat Abad, Nazi Abad, and Narmak Neighborhoods

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor of Urbanism, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University, Tehran-west branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The neighborhood has long found its social dynamism dependent on its spaces and places. On the one hand, it seems that the interactions and relationships of the residents are formed in the public spaces of the neighborhood, and on the other hand, the public spaces of the neighborhood find their identity from the existing social life. Hence, differences between the functional structure of neighborhoods can lead to changes in the social capacities of the neighborhood. The methodology of the current study was qualitative and aimed to identify the relationship between the components of the functional dimension and the social capital of Tehran residents. In a descriptive-correlational design, 300 residents of the Sa’adat Abad, Nazi Abad, and the Narmak neighborhoods were selected by simple random sampling and answered a self-regulation questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient. The results indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between all components of the functional dimension and social capital in general. The mixed land use dimension had the most relationship with social capital, and the use of space in responding to the needs and efficiency of the network and comfort in space were ranked next. Regarding the relationship between the components of functional dimension and social capital by neighborhood, the results showed that Sa’adat Abad neighborhood had the lowest relationship and Nazi Abad and Narmak neighborhoods had the highest relationship. Assessing these relationships can help urbanism experts provide solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban public spaces and interventions to increase social capital.

Keywords

References

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Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development
Volume 13, Issue 33
March 2021
Pages 255-267

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 September 2020
  • Revise Date: 29 December 2020
  • Accept Date: 01 January 2021

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