Policy-making to Promoting Social Vitality in Informal Settlements (Case Study: Koshtargah Neighborhood-Urmia)

Subject Areas : Urban policy

Rasoul Darskhan ¹ , Nima Bayramzadeh ²

1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Art, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran.
2 - M.A in Urban planning, Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.

Received: 2021-08-31 Accepted : 2021-10-12 Published : 2021-04-21

Keywords: Informal settlement, Strategic Planning, Urmia, Social vitality,

Abstract :

The main purpose of this study is Policy-making to promote social vitality in the Koshtargah neighborhood. The research method is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of descriptive-analytical. In this research, two documentary and field methods have been used. Data collection tools are in several forms: observation, questionnaire, interview, and receipt. The statistical population of the study is the residents of the Koshtargah neighborhood. In this research, the sampling method is non-probabilistic and available sampling and Cochran's formula has been used for sampling, which has a sample size of 372 people. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and the reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha test with a value of 0.724. Data analysis was performed quantitatively using the statistical method of one-sample t-test and policy-making using SWOT model and QSPM matrix. The results of this study indicate that the social, economic and physical dimensions of social vitality are not significantly different from the average level and this indicates the average level of vitality in the Koshtargah neighborhood. According to the results of the one-sample t-test, it can be concluded that the situation of vitality is at a low level, which requires the development of special planning in order to policy the promotion of vitality in this neighborhood. according to the results of the internal and external matrix, social vitality in the Koshtargah neighborhood is strategically conservative in terms of strategic location in the area (WO), which requires taking advantage of opportunities to compensate for weaknesses. In this regard, based on optimal use of existing potentials in the neighborhood, Strategies have been developed and prioritized.Extended AbstractIntroduction:Today, urban society, especially metropolises, are involved in many problems, the objective manifestation of which can be seen in the increase of pollution, environmental problems, the spread of crime and the decline of social vitality of the people. Promoting social vitality as the main pillar of countries' development has various effects in individual and collective areas and the experiences of other countries show the positive impact of this issue on social welfare and social development. It can be boldly said that social vitality has become one of the most important developmental parameters today that plays a major role in the psychological and social excellence of society. Undoubtedly, our country is one of the developing countries and in this way it needs efficient and dynamic human resources. However, today, due to the uncontrolled migration of people from rural to urban areas and, by its nature, increasing urban population and inefficient urban management, they are facing a phenomenon called informal settlements. They suffer from poor living conditions, so that the people of these neighborhoods are employed as laborers to make a living and have no choice but to spend their free time. Therefore, promoting social vitality can be considered as one of the main tools to reduce social harms in settlements. The main purpose of this study is policy-making to promote social vitality in the Koshtargah neighborhood located in the city of Urmia, which is one of the informal settlements. In this regard, the main question of the research entitled is "What policies to promote social vitality in the Koshtargah neighborhood can be effective?"MethodologyThe study area in this study is the Koshtargah neighborhood located in the city of Urmia. The research method is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of descriptive-analytical. In this research, two documentary and field methods have been used. Data collection tools are in several forms: observation, questionnaire, interview and receipt. The statistical population of the study is the residents of the Koshtargah neighborhood. In this research, the sampling method is non-probabilistic and available sampling and Cochran's formula has been used for sampling, which has a sample size of 372 people. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and the reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha test with a value of 0.724. Data analysis was performed quantitatively using statistical method of one-sample t-test and policy-making using SWOT model and QSPM matrix.  The research process includes several stages such as: assessing the situation, compiling a statement of neighborhood goals, and policy making.Results and DiscsussionThe results of this study indicate that in the discussion of urban per capita, this neighborhood does not have any cultural and sports per capita and other per capita is also in short supply so that this issue directly affects the level of social vitality. Also, based on the results of the one-sample t-test, in the social dimension indicators evaluated, the status of three indicators of recreation and leisure, feeling of deprivation, and social welfare is lower than the average level and the three indicators of participation and sociability, local ceremonies and health are better than average. is. In the economic dimension indicators, the job satisfaction index is better than the average situation; The housing quality index is lower than the average, and the income satisfaction index is also moderate. Finally, in relation to physical indicators, the local level of security and landscape index is lower than the average level, the environmental pollution index is better than the average level, the public transportation access index is close to the average level, and finally the diversity and vitality indicators. And the sense of place, the fair distribution of uses, and the barren green space are mediocre. Based on the general results of the test, the social, economic, and physical dimensions are also moderate, so that this indicates the average level of vitality in the Koshtargah neighborhood. By combining the results of the per capita situation of this neighborhood and the results of the tests, it can be concluded that the situation of vitality is at a low level, which requires the development of special planning in order to policy the promotion of vitality in this neighborhood. In this regard, using the current situation of the neighborhood and using the SWOT model and QSPM matrix, policies to promote vitality in this neighborhood have been presented. according to the results of the internal and external matrix, social vitality in the Koshtargah neighborhood is strategically conservative in terms of strategic location in the area (WO), which requires taking advantage of opportunities to compensate for weaknesses. In this regard, according to the results of the QSPM matrix, two strategies: "Cooperation of government agencies with influential people to recreate the physical environment of the neighborhood and eliminate the sense of deprivation" and "Creating a business corridor by eliminating and relocating annoying uses in the neighborhood." They have gained the most points, which are necessary to promote social vitality in this neighborhood.ConclusionsToday, social vitality is considered as one of the important elements in the index of development of urban communities and has favorable effects on individual and social characteristics such as mental, psychological, and physical states on residents. On the other hand, with the expansion of urban communities in developing countries, the phenomenon of marginalization has become more prevalent among city managers, which for various reasons has mushroom-like growth in different parts of the city and the number of these communities is increasing day by day. These settlements suffer from a high sense of deprivation due to lack of access to essential services in a neighborhood. Therefore, adopting correct policy-making and principled planning in order to promote vitality in these settlements is of great importance, which requires special attention of urban management to these urban areas. According to the presented strategies, in the policy section, based on three types of policies, subjectivist, objectivist, and purposeful, policies for promoting social vitality have been presented, which include promoting social capital and dynamism in the neighborhood. Local participatory regeneration, local scale investment, promotion of trade dynamism at the local level, physical-environmental development with dynamic approach and cultural engineering, and transformation of withered urbanism into urbanization are dynamic.

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