https://rau.soore.ac.ir/ Rahpooye Memari-o Shahrsazi en daily 1 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_733985.html Emotions, as a fundamental dimension of human experience in urban environments, play a pivotal role in shaping environmental preferences, place presence, memorability, and ultimately the enhancement of socio-spatial and behavioral interactions. Among the myriad factors influencing emotional responses, urban building façades, as one of the most significant visual stimuli within these environments, are particularly crucial in this process. Visual disharmony, excessive complexity, or a lack of coherence in façade design can readily lead to negative psychological consequences such as stress, confusion, or social alienation. Conversely, balanced and harmonious design fosters positive emotions, including tranquility, visual pleasure, and a stronger sense of belonging. Previous research has also established the façade as a key unit for emotional-visual analysis in cities, emphasizing that the formation of environmental feelings is often a gradual process achieved through the sequential scanning of layers of salient visual indicators, such as the façade. However, a clear research gap exists in the precise and detailed classification of the specific visual components that influence these emotions. This study aims to address this gap. To this end, it first examines the general concept of emotion and its theoretical underpinnings, then elucidates the role of façades as a primary visual stimulus and proceeds to identify, classify, and analyze the specific visual components of façades that influence individuals' emotional experience through their interaction with attentional and visual search mechanisms. The research methodology is analytical, based on a systematic review of relevant theoretical literature. A search was conducted in reputable scientific databases (Web of Science and Google Scholar) from 1960 to 2024 to encompass a broad range of historical and contemporary sources. Keywords such as "façade sensory perception," "façade feeling," "visual perception of façade and emotions," and "emotional arousal by façade" and other similar cases were used. This search yielded an initial pool of 235 articles, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria—focusing on direct relevance to the impact of visual façade components on emotions, scientific rigor, and diversity in theoretical and empirical approaches—20 articles specifically related to urban façade emotions were selected for in-depth review and analysis. For analysis, visual components associated with emotional arousal were first extracted from the selected articles. Synonyms were normalized to ensure terminological consistency. A quantitative content analysis of presence/absence was then performed, leading to the construction of a binary study-by-component matrix. The frequency of each component was calculated from the column sums, with results summarized in a consolidated table. Finally, based on conceptual similarities and alignment with patterns of visual perception—particularly saccadic eye movements and environmental psychology theories—the components were classified into two main categories: "overall façade form" and "façade details". The findings reveal that at the first level (overall façade form), which pertains to immediate, holistic perception, four key components were identified: -        Lines: Continuous and curved lines are preferred as they create smooth, deflective paths for saccadic eye movements and reduce cognitive load, unlike discontinuous and sharp-angled lines that induce perceptual conflict. -        Basic Shapes: Shapes with gentle or right angles are favored due to their congruence with mental schemata, in contrast to shapes with acute angles and unconventional geometric complexity, which impose an unwarranted processing burden. -        Volume and Massing: Coherent volumes with clear articulation promote legibility and a sense of assurance, whereas irregular projections and recessions disrupt visual unity. -        Height: Proportionality to the human scale and harmony with the surrounding context induce feelings of balance and cohesion, while stark incongruities can evoke sensations of dominance or vulnerability.   At the second level (façade details), which is processed more meticulously after the overall structure is grasped, three impactful component categories were specified: -        Element Density: An optimal density (approximately 5-9 distinct elements per façade) is crucial. It provides necessary visual richness while avoiding the boredom of sparse designs or the stress and chaos caused by overcrowding and attentional competition. -        Visual Variety: Controlled, meaningful variety in elements (type, form, size), color (harmonious palettes with strategic contrast), texture/materials (creating sensory depth), and architectural style (cohesive or thoughtfully integrated) is essential. It maintains visual interest and prevents monotony or extreme disharmony, which leads to confusion. -        Visual Relationships: This encompasses considered proportions and scale (respecting a hierarchy), arrangement and rhythm (employing regular, symmetrical, or predictable patterns for efficient processing), and the strategic use of contrast and similarity. These relationships primarily affect emotion by modulating the efficiency of attentional deployment and visual search, thereby increasing or decreasing perceptual conflict. The results clearly demonstrate that, within this framework, the façade and its visual components are not merely physical elements but active mediators between humans and their environment. They evoke various emotions in users by activating attentional and search patterns alongside cognitive predispositions. However, the literature review also indicated that the visual mechanism alone cannot fully account for emotional response. Components such as architectural style, vernacular materials, or cultural symbols—even if formally optimal—may be rejected if they feel alien to collective memory or individuals' mental schemata. Conversely, a façade with minor formal imperfections but that is familiar and meaningful can evoke a deep sense of belonging and security. Moreover, variety in color or materials is enriching only when situated within a coherent narrative or a shared visual language (such as a culturally resonant color palette or a clear structural logic). Therefore, achieving a desirable emotional response to a façade also necessitates careful attention to context, individual and cultural characteristics, personal memories, and collective memory. Accordingly, a pleasant façade can be defined as one that is both compatible with the physiology of visual perception and aligned with collective memory and individual traits. Adopting this framework elevates the urban designer's role from a mere creator of form to a coordinator and regulator of the user's emotional experience. Their task becomes the intelligent management of a network of variables so that their interaction yields a cohesive and pleasant whole. Undoubtedly, this perspective also requires an interdisciplinary outlook integrating insights from neuroscience, environmental psychology, and aesthetics. Simultaneously, the two-tier classification proposed in this study provides a more structured basis for systematically analyzing the role of façades in citizens' emotional experience and can serve as a foundation for more precise future research. For instance, in early design stages, designers can evaluate overall and then detailed façade characteristics against visual processing mechanisms. By considering factors that affect emotional load—such as increasing or decreasing cognitive processing demands—they can significantly maintain a balance between macro and micro levels. By further incorporating contextual and individual factors, they can enhance the likelihood of evoking a pleasant and positive emotional response to the façade. Despite these insights, significant challenges remain. First, there is a lack of precise, measurable definitions for concepts like the "optimal level of visual motivation" or the "optimal range of pleasantness" in complex real contexts. Determining context-dependent quantitative thresholds remains a significant theoretical and practical challenge. Second, human emotions in spatial interaction are not confined to the two primary dimensions of arousal and valence. In real urban situations, a much broader spectrum of emotions—including stress, serenity, boredom, excitement, and more—can continuously emerge and manifest. The prevalent lack of explicit engagement with this diversity in existing studies highlights a critical necessity for future research to progress toward representing the full spectrum of human emotions in urban spaces effectively.   https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_734017.html In recent decades, the architectural design of healthcare environments has experienced a fundamental shift toward human-centered and experience-oriented paradigms. Hospitals are no longer perceived merely as technical infrastructures for delivering medical services; rather, they are increasingly recognized as complex socio-spatial systems that profoundly influence the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of their users. While patient-centered design has been widely emphasized in healthcare architecture, growing evidence demonstrates that the quality of hospital environments also plays a critical role in shaping the job satisfaction, performance, and mental health of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. As the largest professional group within healthcare systems, nurses are continuously exposed to high workloads, emotional demands, time pressure, and physically challenging working conditions. Consequently, the interaction between nurses and the built environment becomes a decisive factor in their professional experience, well-being, and long-term retention.From an architectural perspective, hospital environments influence nurses through multiple interrelated dimensions, including spatial organization, environmental comfort, accessibility to equipment and resources, circulation patterns, visual connections, social interaction, and organizational structures embedded within space. Poorly designed environments may exacerbate physical fatigue, psychological stress, dissatisfaction, and occupational burnout, whereas well-designed environments can enhance efficiency, safety, emotional well-being, and pleasure at work. Therefore, improving the quality of hospital environments for nurses represents a critical challenge in contemporary healthcare architecture and design research.In this context, the concepts of ergonomics and hedonomics provide complementary theoretical frameworks for improving human–environment interaction in healthcare settings. Ergonomics aims to optimize the compatibility between humans and their working environments by addressing physical, cognitive, and organizational dimensions, thereby improving safety, efficiency, comfort, and performance while reducing occupational risks. Hedonomics extends beyond functional optimization and focuses on pleasure, enjoyment, and emotional satisfaction derived from interaction with environments, systems, and products. Hedonomic design seeks to transform work environments from merely tolerable or neutral spaces into pleasant, meaningful, and emotionally supportive places. Despite the conceptual synergy between ergonomics and hedonomics, existing research on hospital design has often addressed these approaches in isolation, leaving architectural and environmental dimensions underexplored.A critical review of the literature reveals a lack of comprehensive and integrative frameworks that simultaneously consider ergonomic and hedonomic principles in hospital design with a specific focus on nurses’ satisfaction and pleasure. Although previous studies have examined isolated aspects such as workload, teamwork, organizational support, or environmental comfort, the absence of a unified structural model limits the applicability of these findings to architectural design and healthcare planning. This gap highlights the need for a systematic synthesis of existing knowledge to identify, categorize, and conceptualize the key components influencing ergonomic- and hedonomic-based hospital design.The present study addresses this gap by conducting a systematic review and developing a unified structural model of effective components in ergonomic- and hedonomic-based hospital design aimed at enhancing nurses’ satisfaction. The objectives of this research are threefold: first, to identify the key components influencing nurses’ satisfaction and pleasure in hospital environments; second, to categorize these components into coherent dimensions relevant to architectural and environmental design; and third, to propose an integrated conceptual framework capable of informing evidence-based hospital design strategies.To achieve these objectives, a systematic review was conducted using a seven-step meta-synthesis methodology. This approach enables the integration of qualitative findings from diverse studies and facilitates the development of higher-order concepts and theoretical models. International academic databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Reaxys, were searched for studies published between 1999 and 2024. The search strategy employed keywords such as hospital, ergonomics, hedonomics, pleasure, and their related terms. The initial search yielded 1,924 articles. Following the PRISMA screening protocol, duplicate records were removed and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Studies were excluded if they lacked sufficient relevance to the research question or if full texts were not accessible. Ultimately, 22 articles were selected for in-depth qualitative analysis.To ensure methodological rigor and reliability, the processes of screening, coding, and data extraction were conducted independently by two researchers. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.75, indicating substantial agreement. The selected studies were then analyzed through qualitative synthesis, during which extracted components were compared, refined, and merged to eliminate conceptual overlap and enhance analytical clarity.The results of the meta-synthesis revealed four major categories of components influencing ergonomic- and hedonomic-based hospital design: organizational, social, individual, and environmental components. Organizational components emerged as the most prominent category, accounting for approximately 45% of the extracted factors. These components include teamwork, workload management, staffing levels, organizational support, recognition, work–life balance, and job rotation patterns. Many of these factors are closely associated with macro-ergonomics and underscore the central role of hospital management and organizational culture in shaping nurses’ work experiences, motivation, and satisfaction.Social components constituted approximately 24% of the identified factors and primarily relate to interpersonal relationships and social interactions within hospital environments. These components include nurse–colleague relationships, nurse–patient interactions, patient appreciation, collaboration, trust, and social identity. Given the collaborative and emotionally demanding nature of nursing practice, supportive social environments and positive interpersonal interactions significantly contribute to nurses’ emotional well-being, sense of professional value, and pleasure at work.Individual components accounted for approximately 19% of the extracted factors and were mainly associated with internal psychological and professional attributes rather than demographic characteristics. These components include motivation, professional identity, autonomy, self-confidence, stress management, and the perceived meaning of work. The findings indicate that nurses’ satisfaction is strongly influenced by the extent to which their personal values, professional goals, and sense of competence are supported by the working environment. However, individual components interact dynamically with organizational and social contexts and cannot independently ensure satisfaction.Environmental components represented approximately 12% of the extracted factors and were the least frequently addressed category in the literature. Nevertheless, their limited representation does not reflect their actual importance. Environmental components encompass physical, perceptual, and cognitive aspects of hospital design, including micro-ergonomics (design of workstations, equipment, and spatial dimensions), environmental ergonomics (lighting quality, acoustics, thermal comfort, and noise control), cognitive ergonomics (wayfinding systems, signage, and spatial legibility), and cultural ergonomics (alignment of design with social, cultural, and contextual values). Access to resources, appropriate spatial organization, and restorative elements such as green spaces and quiet rooms emerged as recurrent environmental factors influencing nurses’ satisfaction and emotional responses.Based on these findings, a unified structural model was developed to illustrate the dynamic interrelationships among the four categories of components. The model demonstrates that nurses’ satisfaction and pleasure are not the result of isolated factors but emerge from the interaction of organizational, social, individual, and environmental dimensions. Although organizational and social components appear more frequently in existing studies, environmental and architectural factors play a critical yet underexplored role in shaping nurses’ experiences and emotional well-being in hospital settings.In conclusion, this study proposes an integrated ergonomic–hedonomic framework for hospital design that contributes to advancing knowledge at the intersection of architecture, ergonomics, and healthcare studies. The findings emphasize the necessity of adopting a holistic and multidisciplinary approach that simultaneously considers organizational structures, social interactions, individual experiences, and environmental design. By highlighting the architectural implications of ergonomic and hedonomic principles, this research provides a theoretical foundation for designing hospital environments that are not only efficient and safe but also pleasant, meaningful, and supportive for nurses. Future research should further investigate environmental and architectural dimensions, particularly from engineering and design perspectives, to develop evidence-based guidelines for creating healthcare environments that enhance nurses’ satisfaction, improve workplace quality, and ultimately support better healthcare outcomes.Keywords: Ergonomics; Hedonomics; Hospital Design; Nurses’ Satisfaction ; Pleasure https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_733984.html To train motivated and successful students in the field of architectural engineering, the education of this field should be such that these students will be successful and capable in their real field of work after graduation. It can be said that this is the most important issue in creating academic motivation in architectural students, and their academic motivation can be improved by empowering and preparing them to face the challenges of the professional environment outside the university. Blended education is essentially a type of educational approach that combines various traditional and new educational methods to achieve better results in this regard and to cover the disadvantages and weaknesses of each. Therefore, blended education, as a new approach based on the diversity and variety of teaching and learning methods using electronic technologies and various tools, tries to improve motivation and fill the gaps in current education, and this is the difference between the present research and other research in this field, which has not been done in this way so far. It even seems that the use of blended learning in this study is necessary in implementing educational programs, because otherwise, there is no integration between classroom learning and the professional environment, and learning situations will be focused only on the classroom. In the field of architectural engineering education, graduates of this field have not had much success in practice and in the professional environment. The main cause of this problem can be attributed to the weakness of students in technical and engineering abilities, which is related to the field of building technology courses. On the other hand, among the various factors affecting the level of student learning and having better performance, academic motivation can play an important role in this field. One of the main problems of architecture students in building technology courses is the weakness in the ability to visualize, convert ideas into architectural designs, draw executive plans, and see designs in three dimensions. Therefore, teaching the principles of topics through a blended method can pave the way for constructivist learning and eliminate the shortcomings of architecture students. The purpose of this study is to examine and test the teaching method of building technology courses and its application in promoting personal enthusiasm and academic motivation of students in the field of architectural engineering. In this regard, according to the objectives of this study, the most important course in the field of building technology, namely the technical design course, was selected for a case study in this study. The technical design course deals with how a building is constructed, and also, according to the prerequisites of this course, the student practices the relationship between architecture, structure, and facilities in this course. To solve the problems in the technical design course in this study, an educational model has been designed that includes a combined model of four methods of creating a constructivist environment, the scientific rotation method, the project and problem-solving method, and finally the Building Information Modeling (BIM) method, and according to it, the technical design course of the building was presented to one of two classes. The statistical population of this study includes undergraduate students of architectural engineering in Iranian universities who have taken the technical design course of the building in the final year of the course. Accordingly, the subjects were selected from all final-year undergraduate students of architectural engineering at Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch. The reason for choosing this case study was the years of teaching of the first, third and fourth authors of the study in this university unit and their familiarity with the educational environment and students in order to collect data as accurately as possible and conduct research tests. The number of students in the technical design course was 36, of which 21 were boys and 15 were girls, who were equally divided into two experimental and control groups. The Macquarie and Munson Standard Questionnaire (RPII) was used to conduct the personal enthusiasm test, and the Harter Educational Motivation Questionnaire (HEMS) was used to conduct the academic motivation test. In this study, a quasi-experimental research design was carried out with a control group (control) and an experimental group, using pre-test and post-test. Since two technical design classrooms were used for the experimental and control groups in this study and the samples were not random, it was necessary to ensure that the groups were similar in terms of the variables under study before conducting the experiment. Therefore, at the beginning of the academic semester, pre-tests were conducted with t-tests with two independent samples to compare the level of personal enthusiasm and academic motivation of students in the two groups in the building technical design course. For the control group, the teaching method was implemented according to the architectural engineering syllabus approved by the Ministry of Science. However, for the experimental group, the teaching method was based on the educational model proposed in this study. To find out the effectiveness of the proposed educational method in this study, t-tests with two paired samples were used in both groups at the beginning and end of the academic semester. The theoretical foundations section of the research was conducted in a library manner, and for the tests, SPSS software and descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used. In the pre-test stage, a two-sample t-test with two independent samples was used, and in the post-test stage, a two-sample t-test with two paired or correlated samples was used. The theoretical foundations section of the research was conducted using a library method, and for the tests section, SPSS software, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics were used. In the pre-test stage, a two-sample t-test with two independent samples was used, and in the post-test stage, a two-sample t-test with two paired or correlated samples was used. By conducting pre-tests at the beginning of the academic semester, the findings showed that the two groups did not have any significant differences in terms of personal enthusiasm and academic motivation. Next, a t-test with two paired samples was conducted for the experimental group. By applying the proposed educational model for the experimental group, the academic motivation at the end of the semester was significantly different from the beginning of the semester in the technical design course (Sig.= .043, t= -2.247). Therefore, the proposed educational model for the technical design course was able to have positive effects in increasing students' academic motivation in this course. However, by conducting a post-test at the end of the academic semester, the research findings showed that the application of the proposed educational model was effective in improving the academic motivation of the students in the experimental group and had a significant advantage over the other group. But regarding personal enthusiasm, the significance level was about 0.1, which is a significant number, and the average ratings of the students in the experimental group were noticeably better than the control group, which means that the educational model proposed for the experimental group also had an impact on personal enthusiasm. The results of the study showed that the use of the educational method proposed in this study was effective in improving the academic motivation of the students in the experimental group and had a significant advantage over the control group. The use of technology and methods such as building information modeling and the use of architectural design software, scientific tours, etc. that support teaching and classes improve the level of motivation and learning in students. The use of virtual software environments helps students to significantly increase their motivation by using attractive and graphic visual spaces and by involving the five senses in it. Given the three-dimensional nature of the design and drawing in the software, solving problems and assignments raised in class was much more attractive for the students, and learning a very important software also created more motivation in them. Therefore, the proposed educational model had a direct impact on the level of students' academic motivation and indicated the improvement of students' ability to perform technical design assignments. Finally, it can be said that the success of the proposed educational method in the technical design course has led to the improvement of students' academic motivation and building information modeling in the context of a constructivist educational environment will be effective in improving their ability in professional and practical areas. https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_734922.html 1. Introduction In the realm of contemporary architectural theory, the necessity for interdisciplinary approaches to comprehend the depth of cultural and artistic phenomena has become increasingly undeniable. Architecture, as the most tangible manifestation of a society’s culture, is not merely a collection of physical materials and geometric forms; rather, it is a profound reflection of the ontological, epistemological, and ethical values of its creators and inhabitants. Within the context of Iranian-Islamic culture, the concept of “Home” transcends the notion of a simple shelter, embodying a complex “lifeworld” (Lebenswelt) that integrates the human spirit with the built environment.This research posits that language, as the primary vehicle of culture and thought, acts as a cognitive filter through which humans perceive and organize space. Therefore, to truly understand the spatial logic of traditional architecture, one must investigate the linguistic structures of the people who inhabited those spaces. This study focuses specifically on the Traditional Architecture of Tabriz during the Qajar Era, analyzing the interplay between the Tabriz Turkic dialect and the spatial configuration of residential houses. The central inquiry of this research is: How have the speakers of the Tabriz Turkic dialect conceptualized the abstract notion of “Home” within their linguistic system, and how have these conceptualizations been translated into the physical reality of traditional architecture? By bridging the gap between intangible heritage (language) and tangible heritage (architecture), this study aims to elucidate the fundamental links between human cognition, linguistic mechanisms, and environmental formation.2. Theoretical Framework The theoretical foundation of this research is rooted in Cultural Linguistics and Cognitive Semantics, particularly drawing upon the theory of “Conceptual Metaphors” (Lakoff & Johnson). This approach distinguishes the present study from prior research, which has predominantly utilized semiotic, phenomenological, or purely historical methods (Table 1). While previous studies have analyzed the “Home” through Islamic wisdom (emphasizing privacy and spiritual peace), phenomenology (focusing on dwelling and being), or psychology (viewing the home as a symbol of the self), this research argues that these meanings are encoded primarily through language.The study posits that metaphors are not merely poetic devices but are cognitive mechanisms that structure how we think and act. Therefore, the specific metaphors used in the Tabriz Turkic dialect to describe “home,” “building,” and “living” provide the blueprint for the architectural patterns observed in Qajar-era houses.3. MethodologyThis research adopts a Qualitative approach with a Case Study strategy. The methodological process was conducted in three distinct phases:Linguistic-Cultural Data Collection: Extraction and analysis of conceptual metaphors related to “Home” Ev in the Azerbaijani Turkic language, utilizing dictionaries, folklore, proverbs (Bayatis), and oral history to identify the cognitive roots of the terms.Architectural Analysis: A combination of interpretive-historical methods and physical-geometric analysis. Four prominent historical houses from the Qajar era in Tabriz were selected via purposive sampling. These cases were analyzed using diagrams inspired by Hillier & Hanson (Space Syntax) and Groat & Wang to reveal underlying spatial logics such as hierarchy, symmetry, and depth.Comparative Synthesis: The final phase involved cross-referencing the linguistic findings with the architectural evidence to establish a direct correlation between cultural concepts and spatial forms.4. Findings and AnalysisThe findings reveal that for the Tabriz citizen of the Qajar era, the “Home” is a dynamic, gendered, and social entity. This conceptualization is manifested through several key metaphors:4.1. The Metaphor of “Home as Woman/Sanctuary” Ev↔WomanThe linguistic analysis indicates a deep synonymy between the word for home and the concept of a spouse or woman. Associated terms such as Dishi Qush (the female bird/maker of the home) and (nest) reinforce the idea of the home as a feminine, nurturing, and protected domain.Architectural Manifestation: This metaphor translates physically into the principle of Introversion. Just as the woman in traditional culture is protected and veiled, the architecture turns inward, turning its back to the street. The house becomes a “protective shell,” characterized by high walls, indirect entries, and a focus on the central courtyard. The “femininity” of the space is further expressed through delicate ornamentation, curved arches, and the creation of intimate, enclosed spaces that prioritize the safety and privacy of the family (Andaruni).4.2. The Metaphor of “Home as Center/Identity” OjaqThe term Ojaq (Hearth/Fireplace) is a polysemous metaphor representing not only the physical source of heat but also the family lineage, identity, and wealth. To “keep the hearth burning” is to maintain the family’s honor and existence.Architectural Manifestation: This cognitive centrality is realized through Spatial Centrality. In the Qajar houses of Tabriz, the Tanabi (the main hall) is positioned at the geometric center of gravity or the axis of the house. The presence of the fireplace is not merely functional but symbolic, anchoring the domestic life. The spatial organization revolves around this center, establishing a clear hierarchy where the most important spaces (representing the family’s identity) occupy the most privileged positions.4.3. The Metaphor of “Transition” (Ev−Eshih)The linguistic dichotomy of (Home/Inside) and Eshih (Outside) is not a binary opposition but a gradual transition.Architectural Manifestation: This is reflected in the complex Entrance Systems. The transition from the public “outside” to the private “inside” is never abrupt. It is mediated through a sequence of spaces: the Sardar (portal), Hashti (vestibule), and Dalan (corridor). These spaces act as physical pauses, allowing the visitor to psychologically adjust to the shift in atmosphere, mirroring the linguistic distinction between the safety of the inside and the exposure of the outside.4.4. The Verbs of “Building”: A Cognitive Grammar of SpaceA significant contribution of this research is the analysis of the verbs used for “building” (Table 12), each dictating a specific spatial logic:Ev Duzəltmakh (Building as Arranging): Implies putting things in order. Architecturally, this leads to Spatial Hierarchy, carefully separating private, semi-private, and public zones.Ev Qayırmaq (Building as Organizing/Restoring): Implies discipline and structure. This manifests in Symmetry and Rhythm, visible in the facade organization and the balanced placement of rooms around the courtyard.Ev Tikmək (Building as Sewing): Implies connecting separate parts into a whole. This is seen in the Spatial Cohesion achieved by transitional spaces like Ivans (porches) that “stitch” the interior to the exterior courtyard.Ev Qurmaq (Building as Founding/Creating Life): Implies distinct creation. This relates to Vitality, manifesting in the integration of water features (pools) and gardens within the courtyard, making the house a living entity.Ev Oymaq (Building as Carving/Hollowing): Implies digging into the earth. This explains the utilization of Subterranean Spaces like the Hozhane (summer pool house) and cellars, utilizing the earth’s thermal capacity.5.DiscussionThe distinctiveness of this research lies in its specific focus on Linguistic-Cognitive Mechanisms (Table 17). While Islamic approaches attribute spatial configurations to religious dogma, and phenomenological approaches attribute them to universal human experiences, this study demonstrates that these values are mediated and encoded through specific linguistic structures. The metaphorical system of the Tabriz Turkic dialect acts as the operational software that translates abstract cultural values into concrete brick-and-mortar realities. The findings confirm that the architectural form is not arbitrary but is a rigorous physical expression of the language’s semantic structure.6. Conclusion and Future HorizonsThis interdisciplinary study concludes by validating the conceptual model: Mental World ↔ Linguistic System↔ Architectural Pattern. It establishes an objective link between intangible heritage (language) and tangible heritage (architecture). The research demonstrates that metaphors such as “Home as Woman” or “Home as Hearth” are not mere figures of speech but are the foundational schemas of spatial perception in Tabriz culture.Implications:The analytical framework developed here offers a powerful tool for architects, urban designers, and cultural historians to decode the layers of identity in historical spaces. For contemporary design, understanding these deep cognitive structures offers a pathway to creating “Identity-Oriented Architecture.” Instead of superficially copying historical forms, architects can reinterpret these linguistic-spatial metaphors to design spaces that resonate with the deep psychological and cultural needs of contemporary users.Limitations and Future Research:The study acknowledges limitations regarding the sample size of case studies and the need for more extensive ethnographic fieldwork to capture the full nuance of oral traditions. These limitations open new horizons for future research, including:Comparative Analysis: Examining similar linguistic-architectural relationships in other Iranian cultures (Kurdish, Gilaki, Persian) to identify shared vs. unique patterns.Evolutionary Studies: Investigating how these metaphors have shifted or persisted in the transition to modern apartment living in Tabriz. https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_734920.html In recent years, particularly within the context of accelerating global urbanization challenges, sustainable housing has evolved rapidly and comprehensively into a crucial and fundamental aspect of sustainable development and urban planning. Initially viewed merely as a basic need for shelter, housing now encompasses criteria essential for creating resilient and efficient living systems. These include social, economic, environmental, and technical dimensions balanced to ensure environmental responsibility and social equity. Achieving this balance requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing development and a clear prioritization of these factors. Identifying and effectively prioritizing these elements is essential for achieving long-term sustainability goals.This study assumes more than half of the land in Iranian cities is devoted to residential use, yet there is a notable lack of attention to sustainable development principles in housing design. The concept of sustainable housing in Iran is particularly pertinent due to diverse and geographically challenging climatic zones and rich historical architectural traditions. Vernacular Iranian housing, carefully adapted to local conditions, demonstrates sustainability principles that are deeply relevant to modern designs. For instance, in hot and dry regions, traditional wind catchers and underground spaces provide natural cooling, significantly reducing reliance on energy-intensive mechanical systems. A critical source of environmental pollution in Iran is the use of fossil energy for heating and hot water, which is significantly mitigated through solar energy and efficient insulation.Furthermore, rapid and widespread urbanization, coupled with significant internal migration, have intensified the urgent need for sustainable housing solutions. According to recent UN-Habitat reports, key focus areas in Iran include human settlements development, resilient cities, environmental protection, and basic urban infrastructure and services. However, significant structural obstacles to sustainable planning remain, particularly regarding affordable housing for low and middle-income households. This specific research aims to systematically identify, analyze, and prioritize key indicators influencing sustainable housing development in Iran. The study focuses on sustainable development approaches and utilizes the Analytic Network Process (ANP) model. The objective is to provide a scientific framework to guide housing policy, ensuring the implementation of sustainable practices. The ANP model incorporates both qualitative and quantitative factors simultaneously and effectively, allowing a comprehensive understanding of the complex landscape. It is suitable for complex systems with interdependent elements.The primary research question is: Which indicators and criteria have the most critical and significant impact on sustainable housing development in Iran, and how can they be rigorously analyzed and prioritized using the ANP model? This question reflects the need for an evidence-based approach considering technical, social, economic, and environmental aspects. Prioritizing the right indicators is crucial to aligning strategies with sustainability goals.The adopted methodology follows a rigorous analytical-comparative approach. Four primary criteria were identified as significant: Social, Physical-Spatial, Environmental, and Economic. These were carefully selected based on their direct relevance to Iran’s housing sector challenges. The criteria include: Social (quality of social life, access to services, social participation, security); Physical-Spatial (design architecture, infrastructure, green space, quality of construction); Environmental (optimization of energy consumption, renewable resources, reduction of pollution); and Economic (costs of construction and maintenance, profitability, access to financial resources).Data were systematically and rigorously collected, compiled, and analyzed through structured and detailed surveys of experts, including urban planners, architects, and economists. The survey aimed to gather expert opinions on the relative importance of various criteria. To determine weights, pairwise comparison techniques were used. Fuzzy scales were applied to handle uncertainty in judgments, allowing for nuanced assessments. This approach helped create a more accurate model for evaluating the impact of different criteria. Data analysis was conducted using the Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (Fuzzy ANP) model. This model suits decision-making scenarios where interdependencies exist between criteria. The fuzzy extension helps deal with vagueness in human opinions, improving result robustness.The analysis was conducted in four steps: Step 1: Identification of criteria and formulation of network structure. Based on an extensive, systematic, and thorough literature review and expert panel, 4 main criteria and 11 sub-criteria were identified. Unlike hierarchical models, mutual dependencies among criteria were considered. The matrix of interdependencies shows all main criteria influence one another. Step 2: Analysis of fuzzy pairwise comparison matrices. Comparisons were performed using a 9-degree fuzzy spectrum. The inconsistency rates for all matrices were consistently less than 0.1. Step 3: Supermatrix analysis and extraction of weighted weights. The unweighted supermatrix was formed and normalized to weighted. It was raised to obtain the limit supermatrix, ensuring convergence of weights. The resulting limit supermatrix weights were calculated and found to be: Social (0.260), Physical-Spatial (0.240), Environmental (0.220), and Economic (0.280). Step 4: Calculation of final weights and prioritization. The final weights for sub-criteria are: Economic profitability of business activities (0.1484), Access to basic facilities and services (0.1274), Housing resistance and quality (0.1128), Energy efficiency of buildings (0.1012), Security (0.1144), Green space quality (0.1032), Access to public transportation (0.1092), Environmental pollution (0.0902), Vitality (0.1040), Appropriate density (0.0912), and Identity (0.0962).Research findings revealed that economic and social criteria had the most significant and measurable impact on the final integrated model. Among the sub-criteria, economic profitability (0.1484) and access to basic facilities (0.1274) consistently secured the highest level of relative priority. These significant results emphasize the urgent need for financially viable projects and accessible essential services. Housing resistance (0.1128) and energy efficiency (0.1012) were also important, underscoring the vital role of durable and efficient buildings. Building resistance ensures safety against natural disasters common in Iran, while energy efficiency reduces costs and environmental impact. Other factors like green space quality (0.1032), appropriate density (0.0912), and environmental pollution (0.0902) were lower in priority but remain essential contributors. Results were validated through inconsistency rates, sensitivity analysis, and expert review.Discussion findings clearly indicate that economic profitability and access to basic services are the most prominent factors. This aligns closely with previous studies but is now rigorously confirmed quantitatively. The clear superiority of economic factors over others underscores the absolute necessity of sustainable financial foundations for housing sustainability. The innovation is largely in using fuzzy ANP for mutual relations, providing a more nuanced analysis than traditional methods. This research localizes approaches for Iran by focusing on cultural dimensions, filling gaps in international models. Limitations include the limited number of experts and the need for future regional adjustments and contextual calibration.In conclusion, in order to achieve sustainable housing in Iran, more emphasis should be placed on the economic and social dimensions. Specifically, specific factors such as economic profitability, immediate and equitable access to essential services, housing resilience, and energy efficiency should be prioritized. The Fuzzy ANP model has proven to be a valuable tool for understanding the complex relationships between sustainability criteria, offering accurate results. The insights gained can guide policymakers, urban planners, and designers in developing sustainable housing projects that meet current needs and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability. Furthermore, by drawing from the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, Iran can adopt strategies for the prevention and control of climate impacts in housing. Incorporating vernacular architecture principles and addressing obstacles can enhance sustainable housing. Retrofitting existing buildings with passive techniques reduces pollution. Iran's strategic vision for climate change and sustainable development focuses on prevention. Prioritizing these indicators aligns Iran's housing sector with ambitious, transformative, and necessary global goals for resilient urban development. https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_733986.html In recent years, the quality of interior lighting—particularly in complex environments such as commercial complexes, shopping malls, airports, and large public buildings—has become an increasingly critical factor influencing spatial perception, user behavior, and overall satisfaction. Lighting is not merely a functional requirement; it also plays a fundamental role in shaping how individuals perceive and interact with the built environment. Among the various components that define the quality of lighting, the correlated color temperature (CCT) of light is especially significant because it directly affects visual comfort, attention, and cognitive processing. CCT refers to the perceived hue of a light source, measured in Kelvin (K), and is typically classified along a spectrum ranging from warm (reddish-yellow) to cool (bluish-white) tones. Studies have indicated that variations in CCT can significantly influence mood, alertness, and performance, making it a crucial consideration in spaces that demand efficient navigation and decision-making, such as commercial complexes. Despite the recognized importance of lighting quality, relatively few studies have directly investigated how CCT specifically impacts wayfinding performance in commercial spaces, where users must quickly and accurately navigate through complex layouts. Wayfinding—the process by which individuals orient themselves and move through an environment to reach a specific destination—is highly sensitive to environmental cues, including signage, architectural layout, and lighting conditions. The present study seeks to fill this research gap by systematically exploring the relationship between multiple levels of CCT and user wayfinding efficiency, attention allocation, and spatial decision-making. To achieve this goal, six distinct CCT levels were selected for experimental testing: 2000K, 3000K, 4000K, 5000K, 6500K, and 8500K. This range was chosen to encompass the full spectrum of lighting from very warm to very cool tones, enabling a comprehensive analysis of how incremental changes in CCT influence cognitive and behavioral responses during navigation tasks. The experimental procedure employed a virtual reality (VR) simulation, which provided a controlled yet realistic environment for evaluating user interactions under varied lighting scenarios. Participants were immersed in a three-dimensional model of a commercial complex, designed to replicate typical features such as corridors, escalators, atriums, and signage systems. Each participant experienced all six lighting conditions sequentially while wearing a VR headset integrated with eye-tracking technology, allowing precise measurement of visual attention, gaze patterns, and fixation points. Key behavioral metrics, including movement paths, travel times, decision accuracy at intersections, and number of navigational errors, were recorded for quantitative analysis. The use of VR facilitated rigorous experimental control while preserving ecological validity, as participants were able to move freely within the simulated environment and respond naturally to environmental cues. Comparative statistical analyses, including repeated measures ANOVA, were employed to assess the effects of CCT on wayfinding performance. The findings revealed a clear pattern: medium CCT levels, particularly around 4000K, consistently yielded the highest performance outcomes. Under this lighting condition, participants demonstrated faster navigation, fewer errors, and more focused gaze behavior, suggesting that visual comfort and cognitive load were optimized. In contrast, very warm lighting conditions (e.g., 2000K–3000K) and very cool lighting conditions (e.g., 6500K–8500K) led to decreased performance. Specifically, participants exhibited longer travel times, increased cognitive load, more frequent hesitation at decision points, and a higher number of navigational errors. These results indicate that extreme CCTs, whether warm or cool, may impose additional mental processing demands on users, reducing the efficiency and accuracy of spatial decisions. The implications of these findings are significant for architects, interior designers, and lighting professionals seeking to create user-centered environments in commercial settings. By selecting lighting systems with optimal CCT levels, designers can enhance wayfinding efficiency, minimize navigational errors, and improve overall user satisfaction. Additionally, the study demonstrates the value of VR-based simulation tools for evaluating environmental design interventions before implementation in real-world settings. VR enables controlled manipulation of lighting parameters and the collection of high-resolution behavioral data, providing insights that are often difficult or impossible to obtain through traditional field studies. Such an approach supports evidence-based design practices, allowing professionals to test multiple scenarios and refine lighting strategies based on empirical performance outcomes. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of considering individual differences and contextual factors in lighting design. Factors such as age, visual acuity, familiarity with the environment, and the complexity of the spatial layout can modulate the impact of CCT on wayfinding behavior. Future research could explore interactions between these variables and lighting conditions to develop more personalized lighting strategies that accommodate diverse user populations. Additionally, combining CCT optimization with other lighting parameters, such as illuminance, glare control, and dynamic lighting adjustments, may further enhance spatial performance and user comfort. In conclusion, this research provides robust evidence that correlated color temperature is a critical determinant of user wayfinding performance in commercial complexes. By employing six different CCT levels, the study identified medium-range CCT (around 4000K) as the most effective for promoting efficient navigation, focused attention, and accurate decision-making. Very warm or very cool lighting conditions were associated with increased cognitive load and reduced spatial performance. These insights emphasize the necessity of careful lighting design that integrates empirical data on human perception and behavior. The application of VR-based simulations offers a practical methodology for testing and refining lighting strategies, ultimately supporting the creation of commercial environments that are both visually comfortable and cognitively supportive for users. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of environmental psychology, architectural lighting design, and human-centered spatial planning, providing a foundation for future studies that aim to optimize complex built environments through scientifically informed lighting interventions. This study, through the application of empirical methods and VR-based simulations, has contributed significantly to our understanding of how correlated color temperature (CCT) impacts wayfinding performance within commercial complexes. The findings indicate that selecting appropriate CCT levels can substantially enhance user comfort, visual clarity, and navigational efficiency in complex spatial layouts. This underscores the vital role of lighting design in creating environments that support effective spatial orientation and reduce cognitive strain on users. Importantly, the research emphasizes the necessity to consider individual differences and contextual factors such as visual acuity, environmental familiarity, and spatial complexity. Tailoring personalized lighting strategies that accommodate diverse user needs and behaviors could optimize wayfinding outcomes, particularly in heterogeneous populations. Moreover, the interplay between lighting parameters such as illuminance, glare control, and dynamic lighting-further refines spatial perception and attentional focus, delivering holistic improvements in user experience and spatial cognition. The practical implications of these findings are significant for architects, lighting designers, and facility managers aiming to design commercial environments that foster intuitive navigation and user wellbeing. Medium-range CCT (around 4000K) emerged as the most effective for promoting focused attention and accurate decision-making, thus informing design frameworks oriented toward optimizing artificial lighting conditions. Beyond functional benefits, improved lighting conditions can bolster commercial success through enhanced shopper satisfactions and prolonged engagement within the space. Despite the robust outcomes, this study has some limitations. The experimental settings, primarily focused on commercial complexes, may limit the generalizability of results across other architectural typologies and cultural contexts. Future research should expand the scope to include diverse building typologies and demographic groups to validate and extend these findings. Additionally, integrating cultural variations and long-term effects of lighting on human behavior remains an open avenue for further exploration. Future investigations could also benefit from integrating biometric data and advanced behavioral tracking alongside VR simulations to deepen insights into how lighting dynamically influences human spatial behavior. Such multidisciplinary approaches would enable the development of adaptive, user-responsive lighting systems that dynamically respond to real-time user states and environmental changes. Ultimately, this work lays a foundational framework for advancing human-centered lighting design principles aimed at optimizing built environments. By scientifically informing lighting interventions, the study advances environmental psychology and architectural design toward more supportive, cognitively attuned spaces that enhance spatial navigation, comfort, and overall user experience. https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_734921.html The issue of language and its relationship with thought and existence has long been one of the most fundamental concerns of human thought. This concept also plays a fundamental role in the processes of conceptualization and ideation in the field of architecture. The analogy between architecture and language is one of the prominent theories in this field that has been used in the theoretical and practical dimensions of architecture, especially in the history of Western thought, simultaneously with the developments in the philosophy of language. The aim of this article is to present a comparative study between Western and Islamic approaches to the relationship between architecture and language, focusing on the duality of "word/form" and "meaning". This research aims to reveal the fundamental distinctions of Islamic thought in this field and to demonstrate the importance of recognizing the capacities of Islamic wisdom, especially the "science of rhetoric", for formulating the foundations of a dynamic and meaningful Islamic architecture.The Evolution of the Analogy of Language and Architecture in Western Thought:The analogy of architecture and language in the West has historical roots. Vitruvius considered architecture to be related to language and interpreted it as an attempt to restore natural harmony after the fall of man. In the pre-modern era, this analogy was formed under the concept of "rhetoric"; architecture, like oratory, was obliged to "express" and was evaluated based on the principles of eloquence. The Renaissance, with the concept of "decorum" (the appropriateness of form and meaning), took this idea to its peak and laid the foundations of classicism. However, this view remained limited to the more dramatic and structural aspects and reduced architecture to a tool for displaying social status.Modernism transformed this approach. Architects such as Gropius and Sullivan, with the slogan "form follows function," sought a universal and rational language based on technology and functionalism. Decoration was considered superfluous, and simplicity of form became an absolute value. This view was in line with the philosophy of modern language, especially Wittgenstein's pictorial theory, which considered language a reflection of the logical structure of the world. The result was international architecture with the standardization of spaces and the dominance of engineering over art.Postmodernism was a reaction to this uniformity. Inverting the slogan of the modernists, it considered form as the content of architecture and turned to pluralism, complexity, and contradiction. Theories of structuralism and semiotics were used to analyze meaning in architecture. Philosophers such as Heidegger and the later Wittgenstein also redefined the relationship between language and architecture: language is not a human tool, but the "house of being," and meaning is formed in the context of life. These ideas freed architecture from the shackles of uniformity and led it towards polysemy.The Place of Language, Form, and Meaning in Islamic WisdomIn contrast to this evolution, Islamic thought is based on a different worldview. In Islamic philosophy, the world has levels of existence (lahut, malakut, and nasut). The material world (nasut) is the manifestation and sign (ayah) of truths that exist in higher worlds (malakut). Accordingly, meaning is something that already exists and must be “discovered,” not “produced.” The “spirit of meaning” theory, advanced by thinkers such as al-Ghazali, Mulla Sadra, and Allameh Tabatabaei, states that words are meant to represent the spirit and truth, and their application to tangible matters is figurative. This view justifies the use of simile, interpretation, and metaphor to move from the tangible to the intelligible. This worldview is also reflected in Islamic architecture. In this view, form (zahir) is a container for the manifestation of meaning (batin), and meaning transcends form, but it is form that makes meaning communicable. Islamic art is often defined in terms of a “descending course” of existence (from unity to plurality), in which the artist, like a mirror, reflects the eternal beauty and truth. This approach leads to the repetition of traditional forms and patterns, with the belief that these forms have an inherent sanctity and authenticity to reflect Islamic principles.However, this approach faces challenges in responding to the needs of contemporary architecture. In contrast, an “ascending course” of existence (from plurality to unity) can also be emphasized, in which the role of the artist’s will and creativity in transforming the environment to return to the original is highlighted. This perspective, rooted in the mysticism and wisdom of Ibn Arabi and Mulla Sadra, allows the architect to use existing materials and forms to manifest transcendent meanings in a context appropriate to his time and place, and to achieve a dynamic and authentic Islamic architecture.Discussion and Conclusion: The Need to Revive Islamic Rhetoric in ArchitectureThis essay has sought to employ the concept of “language” in its broad philosophical sense as a unifying framework for studying and analyzing the intellectual foundations of Islamic architecture in comparison with the Western modes of thought that have shaped Western and Westernized architectural traditions. By reviewing each intellectual tradition independently, the study has demonstrated a close theoretical and practical correspondence between Western approaches to language and their architectural manifestations.In the Western tradition, the analogy between architecture and language emerged initially through the application of rhetoric as a means of establishing an aesthetic basis for the formulation and evaluation of architectural design. Within this framework, the treatment of meaning followed the rhetorical concept of decorum—understood as the appropriateness or fitness of form to purpose and meaning—and its subsequent adoption by architectural theorists. However, rather than developing as a symbolic or meaning-centered enterprise, this linguistic analogy gradually reduced architecture to a form of eloquence aimed primarily at expressing status, propriety, and social order. In this respect, architecture came to mirror the Western rhetorical tradition itself, which was likewise narrowed to a primarily persuasive function.A parallel theoretical discussion can also be identified within Islamic thought, particularly in relation to concepts of language, meaning, and their relevance to Islamic architecture, as referenced in this article. Nevertheless, this correspondence is far less evident in the practical output of contemporary architecture in the Islamic world. While the architecture–language analogy has been extensively articulated and historically reflected in Western architectural discourse and practice, a comparable conceptual framework is difficult to identify in discussions of traditional Islamic architecture. Even more problematic is the attempt to trace such a relationship in what is commonly labeled “contemporary Islamic architecture” across the Islamic world, which is largely shaped by modern or postmodern architectural paradigms.The primary reason for this disjunction lies in the fact that many contemporary architectural works merely appropriate so-called Islamic forms, elements, and patterns while employing Western approaches to form, meaning, and representation. As a result, such architectures cannot genuinely be described as Islamic if “Islamic” is defined in terms of the essential intellectual and spiritual principles of Islam rather than surface-level formal references. If architecture is to convey Islamic meanings in a substantive sense, it must be grounded in rhetorical and conceptual foundations derived from Islamic culture itself. Such grounding is essential for architecture to be both authentically “Islamic” and responsive to its historical moment, as well as to the social, cultural, and technical conditions and opportunities of its time.This article therefore argues that much of contemporary architecture in the Islamic world has distanced itself from its philosophical and intellectual roots by imitating Western architectural styles without a critical engagement with their underlying theoretical premises. To create architecture that is simultaneously “Islamic” and responsive to contemporary realities, it is necessary to return to the foundational principles of Islamic wisdom. The proposed approach is the revival of the analogy between architecture and rhetoric, grounded in the rhetorical theories articulated by Muslim thinkers—most notably ʿAbd al-Qāhir al-Jurjānī. Jurjānī’s theory emphasizes the centrality of artistic intention, cultural context, and the intelligent and meaningful composition of elements in the production of meaning. Drawing inspiration from this perspective can contribute to the formation of a renewed architectural language—one capable of preserving identity and spiritual depth while engaging dynamically with changing conditions—thereby achieving a meaningful unity between authenticity, identity, and dynamism. https://rau.soore.ac.ir/article_734004.html Urban deteriorated fabrics, often referred to as distressed or decayed neighborhoods, represent one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary urban management, particularly in developing countries such as Iran. These areas typically exhibit a combination of weak infrastructure, deteriorating housing, insufficient public services, limited access to educational, healthcare, and recreational facilities, and declining economic activity. Collectively, these deficits contribute to social marginalization, reduced quality of life, and environmental degradation. The persistence of such conditions not only undermines urban sustainability but also poses significant obstacles to the equitable development of cities. The complexities inherent in managing deteriorated urban fabrics require integrated approaches that combine physical, social, and economic interventions with participatory governance.Globally, urban regeneration has evolved significantly over recent decades. Early interventions were largely physical and design-oriented, focusing on the rehabilitation of buildings, streets, and public spaces. While these strategies improved the physical environment, they often overlooked residents’ needs, local culture, and social dynamics. Consequently, many top-down initiatives failed to achieve long-term revitalization or, in some cases, exacerbated social inequities through displacement or gentrification. Experience from both developed and developing countries highlights the importance of integrating community participation, public-private collaboration, and context-sensitive planning into urban regeneration frameworks. In the Iranian context, cities such as Tehran have historically relied on government-led programs that emphasize physical upgrading, often without sufficient engagement of local stakeholders. This has limited the effectiveness and sustainability of regeneration initiatives, particularly in historically significant neighborhoods with dense social networks and cultural heritage.The present study aims to address this gap by investigating the process of urban regeneration in the Ferdowsi neighborhood of Tehran, emphasizing the role of multi-stakeholder participation—including the public sector, private investors, and local residents—in facilitating effective revitalization. The research objectives are threefold: (1) to identify key factors that influence successful participation in regeneration initiatives; (2) to evaluate the relative impact of public and private sector involvement on project outcomes; and (3) to propose practical strategies and policy recommendations for enhancing participatory urban regeneration in deteriorated neighborhoods. By focusing on Ferdowsi—a neighborhood characterized by aging infrastructure, fragmented urban fabrics, and diverse socio-economic groups—the study provides both theoretical insights and practical guidance for urban planners, policymakers, and community actors.Research Framework and MethodologyThe study employs a mixed-method research design combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to ensure both depth and generalizability. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was conducted using documentary and library-based research methods. This review encompassed theoretical frameworks on urban regeneration, participatory planning, public-private partnerships, and social capital, as well as empirical studies on neighborhood revitalization in Iran and other countries. Core variables influencing participation were identified, including economic incentives, social cohesion, institutional capacity, governance transparency, and physical infrastructure quality.Following the theoretical analysis, the research incorporated a field survey to collect primary data from stakeholders within Ferdowsi neighborhood. Two distinct groups were targeted:1. Public sector participants, including 100 residents, local council representatives, and municipal officials; and2. Private sector participants, including 12 investors, developers, and construction professionals involved in local urban projects.The survey instrument, a structured questionnaire, was developed to capture multiple dimensions of participation, such as residents’ willingness to engage, perceived barriers to involvement, expectations of government and private actors, and priorities for neighborhood improvement. Validity and reliability were established through expert review, pilot testing, and Cronbach’s alpha analysis, ensuring robust measurement of latent constructs.Data analysis was performed using SMART PLS software through the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique. SEM allows for the examination of complex causal relationships between latent variables and provides a rigorous framework for evaluating the relative contributions of economic, social, and physical factors to participation outcomes. The model was tested for goodness-of-fit, discriminant validity, and path significance to ensure that the derived conclusions were statistically reliable and practically meaningful.FindingsThe empirical analysis revealed several critical insights into the dynamics of participation in urban regeneration:1. Private Sector Participation: Private stakeholders, particularly investors and developers, exhibited stronger influence over project implementation than public sector actors. Economic considerations—such as potential returns on investment, cost-sharing mechanisms, and incentives—were the primary drivers of private engagement. When combined with social and physical factors, private sector participation significantly accelerated regeneration activities, including building renovations, infrastructural upgrades, and commercial revitalization.2. Public Sector Participation: While essential for legitimacy, public sector involvement was often constrained by bureaucratic procedures, limited financial resources, and insufficient coordination among municipal agencies. These limitations reduced the capacity of public authorities to foster meaningful engagement with residents and other stakeholders.3. Community Participation: Residents expressed high levels of interest in participating in regeneration projects but were often hindered by a lack of transparent decision-making mechanisms, limited access to information, and weak institutional support. Social cohesion, trust, and the perception of equitable benefits emerged as key determinants of effective community involvement.4. Economic, Social, and Physical Dimensions: Analysis indicated that the economic dimension was the most influential factor for private sector participation, whereas the social dimension—encompassing trust-building, communication, and participatory decision-making—was critical for sustaining resident engagement. The physical dimension, including infrastructure quality, accessibility, and preservation of cultural identity, was essential for both residents’ satisfaction and long-term project sustainability.5. Integrated Participation Model: The study demonstrates that multi-stakeholder participation, facilitated by clear governance structures, standardized contractual arrangements, and collaborative platforms, significantly enhances both the feasibility and effectiveness of regeneration projects. Coordination among public authorities, private actors, and local communities enables the pooling of resources, risk-sharing, and alignment of objectives, creating conditions for sustainable neighborhood revitalization.Policy Implications and Strategic RecommendationsBased on these findings, the study proposes a set of strategic policy recommendations aimed at improving urban regeneration outcomes in Ferdowsi and similar neighborhoods:• Institutional Integration: Establish inter-sectoral platforms that coordinate activities among municipal agencies, private developers, and community organizations, ensuring coherent planning and implementation.• Economic Incentives: Implement tax benefits, low-interest loans, and land-use incentives to encourage private investment while safeguarding equitable outcomes for local residents.• Community Empowerment: Conduct participatory workshops, neighborhood forums, and capacity-building programs to enhance residents’ knowledge and skills, enabling informed decision-making and active engagement.• Transparent Governance: Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including open-data platforms and participatory oversight committees, to build trust and ensure accountability.• Cultural and Spatial Sensitivity: Preserve local heritage and neighborhood identity while improving accessibility, public spaces, and environmental quality.• Collaborative Contracting: Introduce standardized partnership contracts that clearly define stakeholder roles, responsibilities, risk-sharing arrangements, and dispute-resolution mechanisms.ConclusionThe study concludes that integrated participation involving the public sector, private investors, and community members is essential for the sustainable regeneration of deteriorated urban fabrics. Private sector engagement, when complemented by strong public oversight and active community involvement, can drive both economic revitalization and social cohesion. Nonetheless, achieving such synergy requires continuous institutional learning, adaptive policy mechanisms, and robust governance structures to respond to evolving urban challenges.Urban regeneration is therefore not merely a technical or architectural endeavor but a socially negotiated transformation that depends on the active collaboration of all stakeholders. The findings from Ferdowsi neighborhood provide a model for participatory urban regeneration that balances economic, social, and cultural objectives, offering valuable guidance for planners and policymakers aiming to revitalize deteriorated neighborhoods across Tehran and other Iranian cities.Keywords: Urban regeneration; Public-private-people partnership; Community participation; Ferdowsi neighborhood; Structural Equation Modeling (SEM); Sustainable urban development