Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Urban Planning, Ara.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
2
Department of Urban Planning, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
3
Department of Urban Planning and Architecture, Ilk.C., Islamic Azad University, Ilkhchi, Iran.
Abstract
Small urban spaces, despite their limited scale, can play an effective role in strengthening presence, social interactions, and enhancing the quality of everyday life. However, the lack of an integrated framework for linking spatial characteristics, residents’ social capital, and decision-making mechanisms has caused interventions at this scale to be predominantly based on isolated physical evaluations. This study was conducted with the aim of developing a strategic decision-making framework for enhancing small urban spaces based on residents’ social capital in Tabriz. In terms of purpose, the research is applied, and in terms of approach, it adopts a mixed-methods (quantitative–qualitative) approach with a case study strategy and a descriptive-analytical method. Data were collected through documentary studies, systematic observation, a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, and expert assessments. The statistical population of the quantitative section consisted of residents aged 20 years and above in Tabriz who had experience of being present in the studied spaces. The sample size was determined as 385 participants using Cochran’s formula. After screening, the data were analyzed using SPSS software; the validity of the instrument was examined through expert judgment, the reliability of constructs was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and relationships among variables were evaluated through appropriate statistical tests. A one-sample t-test was used to assess the status of dimensions and indicators, the Friedman test was applied to determine the relative importance of criteria, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between the main constructs. In the final stage, the results obtained from quantitative analyses, field observations, and expert opinions were integrated into a strategic decision-making matrix. The findings showed that the effective criteria for enhancing small urban spaces can be organized into four dimensions: physical-environmental, socio-interactional, social capital, and managerial-strategic. The results indicated that the socio-interactional dimension, with a mean value of 3.36, and the physical-environmental dimension, with a mean value of 3.28, had more favorable conditions compared with the midpoint of the scale. In contrast, the managerial-strategic dimension, with a mean value of 2.82, was below the benchmark level and simultaneously obtained the highest importance rank among the research dimensions. Furthermore, a positive and significant relationship was observed between residents’ social capital capacity and the capacity for enhancing small urban spaces (r=0.552, p<0.001). Consequently, the main issue in enhancing these spaces is not merely the improvement of physical quality, but rather how existing spatial and social capacities can be transformed into effective processes of participation, prioritization, and decision-making. Accordingly, the proposed framework, by connecting place capacity, residents’ social capabilities, and managerial requirements, provides a systematic basis for identifying priorities and strategically guiding interventions in small urban spaces in Tabriz.
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