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Investigating The Role of Citizen Participation in the Optimization of Urban Park Design (Case Study: Narges Park, Karaj)
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Zeinab Ansari   , Mahdi Khansefid * , Mohsen Kafi , Amir Alambeigi |
| University of Tehran & University of Tehran |
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Abstract: (11 Views) |
Citizen participation in the development and management of urban green spaces plays a vital role in enhancing urban vitality and improving residents' quality of life. This study aims to investigate the role of citizen participation in optimizing urban park design and strengthening the sense of place attachment. A sequential mixed-methods approach was employed in three stages: (1) an exploratory study in three major Iranian cities—Tehran, Shiraz, and Karaj—through interviews with municipal experts, (2) a participatory design workshop with 50 users of Narges Park in Karaj, and (3) a quantitative survey with 384 questionnaires. Qualitative data were analyzed using MAXQDA software through inductive coding, revealing that the most significant concerns of users were lack of security (34 repetitions), inadequate sanitary facilities, and insufficient spaces dedicated to children and older adults. Quantitative analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in Smart-PLS demonstrated that "participation" had the strongest significant relationships with "system behavior" (T=9.668) and "reduction of participation barriers" (T=2.272). The findings indicate that sustainable participation relies more on local cultural connections, perceived safety, and mutual trust than on financial incentives. Notably, older adults emerged as "park stewards" with substantial potential for active engagement. Conversely, traditional educational and awareness-raising methods alone showed no significant effect on participation, suggesting a need to shift toward hands-on, experiential approaches. The hybrid participation model (combining in-person and digital platforms) proposed in this study advances beyond previous one-dimensional approaches and offers an effective framework for designing and managing neighborhood parks in Iran. Based on these findings, it is recommended that at least 10% of annual park budgets be allocated to educational and cultural programs, that older adults be empowered to participate in park management, and that digital interactive platforms be developed to facilitate reporting and idea exchange.
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| Keywords: Neighborhood park, Participatory design, Urban green space, Structural equation modeling, Citizen participation. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/4 | Accepted: 2026/08/16 | Published: 2026/09/9
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