Explaining Components Affecting Immigrant Participation in the Housing Design Process (Case Study: Immigrants in Golshahr Neighborhood, Mashhad)

Subject Areas : Space Ontology International Journal

Farzaneh Khoshsima ¹ , Vahid Ahmadi ² , Hero Farkisch ³ , Toktam Hanaee ⁴

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Received: 2025-01-29 Accepted : 2025-03-30

Keywords: Effective Participation, Immigrants, Participatory Design Process, Housing Design, Golshahr Neighborhood,

Abstract :

The housing design process often prioritizes material objectives while neglecting the unique needs of users. To address this problem, housing design process must align more closely with cultural strategies, particularly regarding immigrant participation in design decisions. This ensures that housing is adopted to meet the requirements of immigrants from diverse cultural backgrounds, thereby increasing their satisfaction with their living environments. This article examines the participation of Afghan immigrants in the housing design process in Golshahr neighborhood of Mashhad. The main objective is to identify the key components affecting their partnership with architects, while the secondary objective is to suggest solutions to enhance the quality of immigrant participation. Initially, partnership components were identified through library research, followed by qualitative assessments using semi-structured interviews with Afghan immigrants in Golshahr. Data analysis was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method with MAXQDA. The results revealed three crucial aspects of immigrant participation: initiating participation, active participation during the design process, and articulating needs by immigrants. Among these, economic efficiency and local trustee from immigrants’ community were the most significant components. To achieve active participation, it is essential to focus on the place of participation, clarify goals, and define participation levels. Additionally, the most crucial aspect of expressing needs is fostering a two-way information exchange between immigrants and architects. Consequently, the study presents nineteen practical principles to enhance immigrant participation in housing design process.

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