Dr. Mostafa Behzadfar Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development 2008-5079 18 50 2025 05 22 An Analysis of Factors Influencing Residents’ Happiness in Urban Neighborhoods Using the Ethnographic Method; Case Study: Darvazeh Ghar Neighborhood (Harandi), Tehran An Analysis of Factors Influencing Residents’ Happiness in Urban Neighborhoods Using the Ethnographic Method; Case Study: Darvazeh Ghar Neighborhood (Harandi), Tehran 67 90 221085 10.22034/aaud.2025.468624.2901 FA Delyar Asadi Ph.D. Candidate in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Iran. 0009-0009-8018-6119 Ghasem Motalebi Associate Professor of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author). 0000-0002-3495-7498 Rouhollah Rahimi Assistant Professor of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran. 0000-0003-0597-6160 Journal Article 2024 07 19 Happiness, which stems from two components—overall life satisfaction and the experience of positive emotions throughout the day—is significantly influenced by individuals’ attitudes and behaviors within their surrounding spatial context. Accordingly, the importance of the environment as a setting that fosters and nurtures joyful lives becomes increasingly evident. In this research, the Darvazeh Ghar neighborhood was selected for study on happiness, as studies indicate it occupies an underrepresented position in terms of happiness-related policies. One of the most influential factors on happiness is the environment and physical elements (architectural spaces). The present study aims to develop strategies that, through interventions in the spatial structure of the neighborhood, can pave the way for positive transformations in residents’ social interactions, enhance their well-being and vibrancy, and ultimately break the vicious cycle of social issues and harms. The aim was to employ the urban ethnographic approach, one of the qualitative research methods, to investigate and understand the concept of happiness in the minds of Darvazeh Ghar residents and to identify the causes of their unhappiness. Subsequently, based on the knowledge derived from the theoretical foundations of the research and the findings obtained from ethnographic field studies, proposals were made on two levels. At the macro level, the scope of action encompasses the entire Darvazeh Ghar neighborhood, including goal-setting and policy development in the socio-cultural, physical-infrastructural, environmental-health, and economic empowerment domains. At the micro level, the southwestern section of the neighborhood, at the intersection of Shoosh and Khayyam Streets, was selected as the starting point for intervention due to its distinct population structure and unique social characteristics. Findings indicated that by focusing on improving the quality of life for women and children living in Darvazeh Ghar and creating settings conducive to experiencing joy and a sense of security, initial architectural interventions could be undertaken. These actions could empower these groups and, in the long term, facilitate happiness for all neighborhood residents by fostering environmental satisfaction and strengthening social bonds. Happiness, which stems from two components—overall life satisfaction and the experience of positive emotions throughout the day—is significantly influenced by individuals’ attitudes and behaviors within their surrounding spatial context. Accordingly, the importance of the environment as a setting that fosters and nurtures joyful lives becomes increasingly evident. In this research, the Darvazeh Ghar neighborhood was selected for study on happiness, as studies indicate it occupies an underrepresented position in terms of happiness-related policies. One of the most influential factors on happiness is the environment and physical elements (architectural spaces). The present study aims to develop strategies that, through interventions in the spatial structure of the neighborhood, can pave the way for positive transformations in residents’ social interactions, enhance their well-being and vibrancy, and ultimately break the vicious cycle of social issues and harms. The aim was to employ the urban ethnographic approach, one of the qualitative research methods, to investigate and understand the concept of happiness in the minds of Darvazeh Ghar residents and to identify the causes of their unhappiness. Subsequently, based on the knowledge derived from the theoretical foundations of the research and the findings obtained from ethnographic field studies, proposals were made on two levels. At the macro level, the scope of action encompasses the entire Darvazeh Ghar neighborhood, including goal-setting and policy development in the socio-cultural, physical-infrastructural, environmental-health, and economic empowerment domains. At the micro level, the southwestern section of the neighborhood, at the intersection of Shoosh and Khayyam Streets, was selected as the starting point for intervention due to its distinct population structure and unique social characteristics. Findings indicated that by focusing on improving the quality of life for women and children living in Darvazeh Ghar and creating settings conducive to experiencing joy and a sense of security, initial architectural interventions could be undertaken. These actions could empower these groups and, in the long term, facilitate happiness for all neighborhood residents by fostering environmental satisfaction and strengthening social bonds. https://www.armanshahrjournal.com/article_221085_783150e2bd64f91b038bc3831117587c.pdf