Designing a Cultural-Social Paradigmatic Model for Sustainable Urban Development in Deteriorated Fabrics (Case Study: Districts 17 and 18 of Tehran)

Ghasemzadeh, Sajjad; Navabakhsh, Mehrdad

doi:10.22059/jnrg.2025.404446.1061

Designing a Cultural-Social Paradigmatic Model for Sustainable Urban Development in Deteriorated Fabrics (Case Study: Districts 17 and 18 of Tehran)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ azad University

² Azad

10.22059/jnrg.2025.404446.1061

Abstract

Sustainable urban development in contemporary societies is a multidimensional concept that, beyond improving physical infrastructure, emphasizes the revitalization of cultural identities and the strengthening of social bonds. In megacities such as Tehran, deteriorated urban fabrics—characterized by physical decay, weakened social capital, and eroded local identity—pose significant challenges to achieving this goal. Traditional regeneration approaches, which primarily focus on physical interventions, have often proven ineffective and have exacerbated social inequalities. Rooted in cultural sociology, this study aims to design a cultural-social paradigmatic model for sustainable urban regeneration in Tehran’s Districts 17 and 18. The central research question explores how cultural structures (values, beliefs, norms) and social structures (patterns of relationships and interactions) can form the basis of a systematic framework for regeneration. The methodology is mixed (quantitative-qualitative), applied, and descriptive-analytical. Data were collected through 145 structured questionnaires with acceptable reliability (α = 0.82) and 20 semi-structured interviews, analyzed using CFA, SEM, multiple regression, and thematic analysis. Findings indicate that cultural (β = 0.38) and social (β = 0.45) structures have a significant positive impact on sustainable development. The proposed model, with an explanatory power of 72% and a validation rate of 87%, highlights the interplay between cultural norms, social networks, and institutional policies. The study’s innovation lies in localizing key theories (Bourdieu, 1986; Putnam, 2000) and conducting comparative analysis with global cases such as the Alfa neighborhood in Lisbon. The results underscore the need for participatory policymaking, cultural identity reinforcement, and social investment to enhance quality of life.

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