Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: Urban spaces have experienced significant transformations over time, resulting in both physical and functional deterioration. In recent years, governmental and municipal entities have implemented various strategies to revitalize and reconstruct these deteriorated urban areas. However, the substantial volume of deteriorated structures, coupled with the partial and prolonged execution of projects, underscores the inadequacy of these approaches. According to available statistics, approximately 1,350,000 hectares of deteriorated and informal settlements exist within the country’s urban areas, accommodating around 20 million individuals. This situation presents a critical challenge due to two primary concerns: firstly, residents are susceptible to damages from natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods because of substandard construction quality; secondly, these residents are more vulnerable in terms of income, employment, and access to services compared to other urban dwellers. The lack of sufficient funding, inadequate collaboration among various institutions, structural and infrastructural instability, use of non-standard materials, absence of desirable construction qualities, and environmental degradation highlight the urgent need for policies focused on regeneration and resilience enhancement of these settlements. Anjirab, a neighborhood in the city of Gorgan, serves as an example of an informal settlement. Like similar neighborhoods, it is characterized by a heterogeneous population, unauthorized and non-standard constructions, employment in informal sectors, poverty, low income, high immigration rates, and a diverse demographic structure. As generations and the socio-cultural composition of this community evolve, so do the expectations and demands of these low-income groups. Since this neighborhood was built by immigrants without adhering to architectural and urban planning principles, the current study aims to identify the factors influencing its livability.
Methods: This article aims to identify and categorize the drivers of community-led regeneration in Anjirab neighborhood to enhance its livability, utilizing a structured analytical approach. Theoretical data were obtained through bibliographic research, while empirical data were gathered via a Delphi technique survey. The statistical sample consists of 20 urban experts selected through purposive sampling. The development drivers encompass 44 driving forces across five dimensions: economic, social, physical, institutional-management, and environmental, analyzed through the Cross-impact analysis method in MICMAC.
Findings: The system environment analysis reveals that 218 factors exhibit tertiary relationships, indicating significant interaction and mutual influence among key drivers. Further research findings suggest that the driving forces are dispersed in a complex, intermediate state concerning their influence and effectiveness, with clustering patterns showing a concentration of drivers in the independent sector. Of the 44 driving forces, nine have a substantial impact on the future state of community-led regeneration in the Anjirab neighborhood: organized local organizations, attraction of regeneration funds, the attitudes and knowledge of city managers, inclusion of community-led regeneration in urban plans, establishment of specific regulations for regeneration, alignment of plans with residents’ needs and lifestyles, strengthening the role of neighborhood councilors, enhancement of the land’s economic value, and allocation of government funds. Systemically, these forces aim to improve urban environmental quality, positioning them as the most effective and critical drivers.
Conclusion: This research aims to identify the drivers influencing the future state of community-led regeneration in Anjirab neighborhood of Gorgan, with the goal of improving its livability. The findings indicate that the general pattern of dispersion of the studied drivers, based on mutual effects analysis, reveals an unstable environmental system. These drivers display a complex and intermediate state in terms of effectiveness. Clustering analysis shows that the drivers are primarily concentrated in the independent forces sector. Among the 44 driving forces, nine have a key impact on the future of community-led regeneration in Anjirab, with a focus on enhancing livability. The results suggest that the growth and development of community-led regeneration in Anjirab require well-organized local organizations. These organizations can strengthen communication between residents and improve coordination of regeneration activities. Furthermore, attracting financial resources from both domestic and international sources is essential. These funds would facilitate the implementation and improvement of neighborhood regeneration plans and the creation of necessary infrastructure. The attitude and knowledge of city managers are crucial to the success of community-led regeneration. City managers must possess a deep understanding of community-led regeneration concepts and the skills necessary to implement related plans. Additionally, integrating community-led regeneration into urban planning is vital. Urban plans should not only address the needs and challenges of residents but also promote local community strength and solidarity. The establishment of specific laws to support community-led regeneration is also essential. These laws should provide the necessary motivation and support for regeneration activities while addressing local needs and challenges. Plans should be tailored to the needs and lifestyles of the residents, ensuring that design and implementation processes are aligned with their desires and requirements. Strengthening the role of neighborhood councilors can also significantly support community-led regeneration and improve livability. Councilors, who are local residents, can leverage their social credibility to effectively mobilize opinions, communicate with residents, and act as a liaison among all stakeholders.