Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas

Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas

Evaluating the Concept and Role of Sustainable Cultural Development in the Process of Urban Place Design (Case study: Alaviyan Dome area, Hamedan City)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Safoura Jalali 1
Kianoush Zakerhaghighi 2
1 MS candidate, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Hamadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan, Iran
2 Professor of Urban Planning Department, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/gsma.2024.714049
Abstract
Introduction

As we know, sustainable development concerns the depletion of Earth's resources, but it's not only natural resources that are at risk. Other qualities such as ideals, values, cultural identity, and more are also in danger of being destroyed, endangering safe and healthy living. In past debates, during times when economic issues dominated, "culture" found little room for discussion. In recent times, with the recognition of the effectiveness and irreplaceable role of culture in shaping development, especially sustainable development, cultural elements have become fundamentally important in urban planning processes. Yawer et al. (2022) explore "Sustainable Urban Development of Historical Cities: Mosul, Iraq," aiming to present an approach to preserving and enhancing urban history in ways beneficial to the environment, society, culture, and economy. Heritage conservation strives to distinguish itself due to the reality that conservation goals and sustainability goals do not always align. These findings are based on research conducted in Mosul, examining concepts and pillars of sustainable development. The current situation in Mosul was delineated using UNDP reports. Results indicate the need for a strategy to protect historical cities while allowing residents to continue living there. This plan should encompass objectives, strategies, and tools to ensure that a "living historical city" can evolve in accordance with sustainable development principles and compatible with sustainable cycles. This paper employs an inductive approach to apply sustainable development in historical city centers worldwide. Significant research has been conducted on sustainable cultural development and place, including studies in Khuzestan Province (Mahmoudi & Feizpour, 1997), (Sadr Arahami,  2013), (Esmaili et al., 2011), (Salehi Milan & Mohammadi, 2010), (Razmi et al., 2008), (Kazemi & Mohammadi, 1999), (Latifi, 2004), (Behrouzi et al., 2022).

Methodology

The current study utilized the statistical software SPSS for data analysis. The analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistics. In the descriptive statistics section, variables related to the research and demographic characteristics were examined. The validity and reliability of indices were assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to check the normality distribution of data. Descriptive statistical tables and charts were presented to test research hypotheses. In the inferential statistics section, one-sample t-tests, ANOVA techniques, and the proposed formula by Line et al. (2008) were employed to prioritize important options. Parametric tests were used for hypothesis testing based on the distribution of collected data. Non-parametric tests would be used if data were found to be non-normal. Questionnaire data constituted a significant portion of the study's scope.

Results

The research findings obtained from the one-sample t-tests indicate that the social and cultural index, economic index, safety and security index, urban landscape and aesthetics index, mobility and accessibility index, land use and activity index, physical form index, environmental sustainability index, and sense of belonging and participation index are well-aligned with the observed data. As the confidence level obtained for these factors is positive, it can be inferred that all mentioned indices significantly influence the urban planning process. Additionally, findings from the ANP software demonstrate significant and bidirectional relationships between the criteria and sub-criteria examined in this study.

Discussion

Based on the current study, sustainable cultural development in the urban planning process is a complex concept with various dimensions. According to the findings of the one-sample t-test, each of the nine dimensions mentioned fits well with the observed data, and the results support hypotheses one, two, and three with a positive confidence level. This suggests that all social and cultural dimensions, economic dimension, safety and security dimension, urban landscape and aesthetics dimension, mobility and accessibility dimension, land use and activity dimension, physical form dimension, environmental sustainability dimension, and sense of belonging and participation dimension are effective in the urban planning process. Furthermore, the findings indicate that cultural and sustainable cultural development aspects should not be overlooked in urban design evaluations. These dimensions have shown significant impact within the scope studied. Moreover, locations with greater sustainability are likely to provide better opportunities for implementing these dimensions within their limited scope. This is particularly important because, based on the results of the study, the averages obtained and comparisons made using the software used in the study are aligned with the dimensions, criteria, and sub-criteria of sustainable cultural development in urban design evaluations.

Conclusion

In general, based on the findings and comparison with results from other studies and theoretical literature, it can be argued that sustainable cultural development in the urban planning process can be examined in various functional and substantive aspects according to the research findings. One of these dimensions is cultural sustainability, which can contribute to creating a conducive environment for better living. To consider an environment functional in terms of sustainable cultural development in urban design, it must possess various conditions and characteristics. One such characteristic is identity and meaning, which refers to the capacity of a place to foster a sense of identity, authenticity, and enhance sustainability within the limited scope of Gonbad-e Alavian and the city of Hamadan.

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Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas
Volume 5, Issue 1 - Serial Number 17
Spring
Spring 2024
Pages 31-58