Challenges of participatory urban design: Suggestions for socially rooted problems in the case study of Sang-e-siah, Shiraz, Iran

Souri, Elham; Pakzad, Jahanshah; Foroughmand Araabi, Hooman

Abstract

The paper commences by introducing a problematic participatory urban design project. This is followed by identifying the main social obstacles found through qualitative interviews (with 20 residents of the neighborhood) and meetings with authorities (including municipality of Shiraz and other organizations responsible for providing and maintaining urban infrastructures).
Through the interviews, the residents’ perceptions and concerns about the neighborhood were found to be important factors. The study concludes that the major barriers to public participation in the urban project consisted of two distinctive categories a) mental constraints of both residents and authorities, embodied in misunderstandings of the participatory approaches b) challenging socio-economic condition of the community embodied in high rates of social problems.
These findings can be better explained in light of the studies on the history of Iranian society which point at culturally produced, mental barriers to engaging in communal activities. In particular, participatory activities face deep-rooted issues. Counteracting them requires long-term programs such as educational and cultural initiatives, some of which are considered within this paper.
This study offers insights into participatory urban design in Iranian historical districts. As a long-term policy, educational and cultural changes are discussed. The long-term policy follows enhancing socioeconomic characteristics of the communities through delivering environmental qualities, as a mid-term policy.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: Silk Cities Conference
• Start Date: Jul 11, 2017
• End Date: Jul 13, 2017
• Acceptance Date: Jul 7, 2017
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: challenges, participatory, urban design, suggestions, socially rooted problems, case study, Sang-e-siah, Shiraz, Iran
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/884396
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Silk Cities Conference