Scientific Quarterly Journal

Revitalizing an Urban Void Based on Participatory Planning with Tactical Urbanism Approach (Case Study: Sobhani Square, Shiraz)

Volume 16, Issue 67
Summer 2024
Pages 14-25

Document Type : Applied Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. in Urban Design, Department of Urban Design, School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D. Candidate in Urbanism, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty pf Architecture and Urbanism, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

3 M.Sc. in Regional Planning, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

4 Ph.D. Candidate in Urbanism, School of Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

5 B.Sc. in Urbanism, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Bojnord University, Bojnord of North Khorasan, Iran.

6 Ph.D. Candidate in Urbanism, Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Art, Architecture and Civil, Islamic Azad Univesity, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

7 Ph.D. Candidate in Urbanism, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

8 Ph.D. Candidate in Urbanism, Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University of Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.

9 M.Sc. in Urban Management, Urban Management Faculty of Art and Architecture, Apadana Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran.

10 M.Sc. Student in Urban Design, Department of Urban and Regional Design and Plannung, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

11 Master of Public Administration, Faculty of Humanities, Payame Noor University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran.

12 M.Sc. Student in Urban Design, Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Art, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

13 Ph.D. Candidate in Urbanism, Department of Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

14 B.Sc. Student in Urbanism, School of Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

15 M.Sc. in urbanism, School of Urban Planning, École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Paris-La Villette, Paris, France.

Abstract
There are several spaces in cities that are never used, although citizens are allowed to be in them. It seems that these spaces are invisible and do not exist. The existence of these spaces can be caused by various factors, such as weakness in planning and design, or functional and physical limitations. By ignoring them, social and safety issues will arise over time and also they can turn into a weakness for the city. This is despite the fact that many of these spaces have the potential to turn into quality places. This article which is a type of field research, describes the experience of Hamsaakht Urban Activists Society-NGO in revitalizing an urban void adjacent to Sobhani Square in Shiraz, Iran to find how activists and non-governmental organizations can be effective in revitalizing urban voids, with the participation of users, and what challenges do they face in this way? And what effects will the revitalization of this urban void have on other similar spaces in the neighborhood? The current research methodology involves field research using the observation technique of sample members. Activists encourage residents to participate and develop a sensitivity towards the space, to improve their sense of belonging. The aim is to determine whether meaningful physical changes will occur in this place compared to other similar spaces in the Maba’as residential complex and what effects these changes will have on other spaces. The research results indicate that despite the success of tactical urbanism methods, users were hesitant to actively participate in costs and social capital was inadequate due to a lack of trust in city authorities and a generalization to other urban activists. Additionally, a weak sense of belonging was observed due to rental and instable accommodation. However, the project had a positive impact on the municipality and board members of the Maba’as residential complex, and steps have been taken to revitalize similar urban voids.

Keywords

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