Urban and Regional Development Planning
Mohadeseh Yousefpour; Mahmoud Jomehpour; Ali Khaksari Rafsanjani
Abstract
Abstract
The policy of developing new cities has been adopted in response to the ever-increasing rise in population and its excessive concentration in metropolises. However, a lack of consideration for immigrants' culture and identity has given rise to issues in social sustainability. Moreover, the ...
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Abstract
The policy of developing new cities has been adopted in response to the ever-increasing rise in population and its excessive concentration in metropolises. However, a lack of consideration for immigrants' culture and identity has given rise to issues in social sustainability. Moreover, the failure to address population forecasting and incorporate economic planning has disrupted the self-reliance of immigrants in the new city of Pardis. This research aims to investigate the phenomenon of identity dispersion in Pardis and explore approaches to cultivating an independent identity. The qualitative strategy employed in this applied descriptive-analytical study involves content analysis. The target community comprises two groups: the citizens and the urban management staff. Theoretical saturation was reached after conducting interviews with 38 individuals from these groups. Data were collected through targeted, semi-structured interviews, observations, and analysis of urban documents. MAX QDA software was utilized for data analysis. Following coding, ten minor categories and two major categories were identified. The major categories include immigration and the distinctive image of the city, which were found to be distinct entities. The findings of the study reveal that the urban management staffs perceive the enhancement of the city's independent identity to be influenced by the dynamic interaction between the northern and southern parts of Pardis, as well as the establishment of a technopark. On the other hand, residents primarily viewed the employment opportunities provided by the technopark as the most effective means of fostering an independent identity. They also emphasized the importance of leveraging shared ethnic characteristics in defining attractive activities for the community. Overall, this research sheds light on the complexities of identity formation in new cities and proposes potential strategies for cultivating a distinctive identity in Pardis.
Keywords: Identity Dispersion, Independent Identity, New City, New City of Pardis.
Introduction
New cities have emerged as a notable phenomenon within Iran's urban landscape, leading researchers to dedicate significant attention to this subject. These planned communities are situated at a short distance from the main city, possessing a specific area and population. They are constructed within a short timeframe, lacking a primary core, with the intention of organizing work conditions, fostering healthy living environments, and promoting self-sufficiency as a key principle. The focus of this research is the new city of Pardis, located approximately 17 kilometers east of Tehran metropolis. The city's establishment was approved in March 1989. As of the 2015 census, Pardis had a population of 73,363 individuals and covered an area of approximately 3,600 hectares. The research seeks to address the growing social anomalies in Pardis and understand the factors—beyond physical and economic considerations—that contribute to these anomalies and hinder the formation of an independent identity. Additionally, it aims to analyze the weak population retention in Pardis and assess the extent to which management institutions contribute to this issue. Ultimately, the study intends to propose solutions for identity-related challenges in order to foster social sustainability.
Literature review
Waresi et al. (2019) conducted a research study entitled "Analysis and Evaluation of Residents' Sense of Identity in New Cities: A Case Study of the New City of Fouladshahr." The objective of their study was to assess the identity perception among residents of the new city of Fouladshahr using a descriptive-analytical approach and administering questionnaires through a probability-based sampling method. The findings of their study revealed that a longer duration of residency in new cities is positively associated with a stronger sense of belonging. Furthermore, the study indicated an inverse relationship between the level of education and the degree of identity derived from the new city.
In a separate investigation titled "Identity Crisis and Social Isolation in New Cities and Its Relationship with Residential Satisfaction: A Case Study of the New City of Pardis," Shaterian et al. (2015) employed a descriptive-correlational method using cluster and simple random sampling techniques. Their research established that a lack of identity within new cities leads to increased social isolation and diminished satisfaction with the place of residence. Another study conducted by Azani et al. (2005) titled "Investigating the Role of Urban Spaces in Creating the Identity of New Cities" adopted a descriptive-analytical approach. Their research revealed that the availability of public spaces fosters the formation of collective memories, thereby contributing to the development of a stronger sense of identity among residents in new cities.
Methodology
The present study adopts a descriptive-analytical research design, with an applied purpose and a qualitative content analysis method. The target population for this research comprises residents and professionals in the field of urban management, including employees of the municipality, Construction Company, and other relevant organizations that have interacted with the residents of Pardis. A purposive sampling technique is utilized in this research, aiming to interview individuals until theoretical saturation is achieved. A total of 38 participants, including 23 residents and 15 individuals from the urban management department, were selected for interviews. After each interview, voice recordings were transcribed, and the first round of coding was performed using the MAX QDA software platform. The extracted information and codes from the interviews guided the determination of characteristics for subsequent interviewees and the creation of semi-structured questions by the author. This iterative process continued until the 38th interview was completed. To ensure comprehensive data collection that addresses the research questions pertaining to the primary challenges faced by the new city of Pardis, the authors employed the record-keeping method. This method involved gathering reliable reference documents as a supplementary data source.
Results
Based on the descriptive findings, the new city of Pardis exhibits a dispersion and confusion of identity among ethnic groups and religions. The city is inhabited by diverse groups such as Turks, Kurds, Lors, Mazanis, Gilaks, Sistanis, Baluches, Azeris, Arabs, Tats, and Afghans. These groups speak various languages, including Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Armenian, and different dialects such as Tat, Gilak, Mazani (Tabari), Lori, Kormanj, Sorani, Sistani, Baloch, Dari, and Pashto. The religious affiliations of the residents were identified as Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism, Ali Allahi, and Islamic mysticism, with the predominance of Shia and Sunni beliefs. Through the analysis of 284 codes after coding in three steps, two main categories were identified, namely "immigration" and "role of urban management in immigration," each comprising several subcategories. Under the "immigration" category, the subcategories included "immigrant state," "micro-cultures and the right to culture," "coexistence and assimilation." Factors contributing to the diversity in identity were attributed to favorable climate, Mehr housing, increased land and housing prices in Tehran, financial constraints of some Tehran residents, favorable proximity of Pardis to Tehran, and a more comfortable living environment compared to the crowded capital. The subcategory of "coexistence and assimilation" revealed ethnic conflicts and a lack of peaceful coexistence among residents, as evidenced by the dialogue with both citizens and city management.
The main category, "distinct image of the city," consisted of subcategories such as "physical dimension," "functional dimension," "economic dimension," "ecological dimension," "sensory dimension," and "the role of urban management in independent urban identity." The urban management body deemed "two-way interactions between the northern and southern parts of the city" and the "expansion of the technology park" as effective in shaping the city's independent identity. However, citizens believed that "employing natives in the technology park" and "utilizing shared cultural aspects in defining activities" would contribute to strengthening the city's unique identity.
In the physical dimension subcategory, the Science and Technology Park emerged as a significant tourist attraction that could attract capital. It was suggested that enhancing access to knowledge-based companies by reducing space restrictions would facilitate easier visits by tourists. Additionally, in the functional dimension subcategory, the completion of the Pardis Bam project and the development of a distinctive activity at the city's entrance were discussed as means to establish an identity marker. Regarding the role of urban management in the city's independent identity, improved registration policies for the Mehr housing units by the Construction Company of the new city of Pardis were suggested. Such measures would help control immigration, optimize population growth, expedite apartment delivery, enhance infrastructure response, increase satisfaction, foster social trust, and ultimately contribute to the city's independent identity.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge that this research was conducted independently without any specific organizational support. They extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals who generously contributed to the interview process and provided valuable assistance throughout the research endeavor.
