An Analysis on the Factors Affecting the Creation of Event-Oriented Urban Public Spaces Case Study: Central Part of Tehran (District 12)

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Urban Design and Planning, Faculty of Art, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran , Iran.

2 Department of Urban Design and Planning, Faculty of Art, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran , Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Urban Design, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Visiting Researcher, School of Art, Design and Architecture, Aalto University, Finland.

Abstract

Problem statement: In recent experiences, from the perspective of culture-led urban design, events play a paramount important role in improving the quality of urban public spaces. However, less exists on the nature of urban public spaces and their constructive roles in the development of events. Even previous studies have failed to provide clear answers to key questions such as what factors affect the event-oriented public space? What is the effect of different types of public space on amount of events?
Research objectives: This study aims to explain and develop event-oriented criteria for urban public spaces and then to measure and compare the extent to which different urban spaces in District 12 are event-oriented.
Research method: The article’s methodological approach contains both qualitative and quantitative. In the first step, different methods were used to select case studies as an event place in District 12, such as content analysis of documents during two years, field visits, and in-depth interviews with experts. Then, the factors affecting the eventuality of public spaces were recognized based on the current literature. Finally, the event-oriented quality of several urban spaces in Tehran’s historical heart was measured and compared by using checklists and analyzing the data in SOCNETV software. 
Conclusion: The research results show five criteria, including accessibility, connectivity, space facilities, inclusiveness, and security, have the most significant impact on events’ formation and durability. Also, among the different types of public spaces, the pedestrian streets and parks in Tehran’s 12th district have a higher amount of events compared to other types.

Keywords


Afshar Sari Aslani, A. (2017). Site Selection and Design Guidelines for Event-based Urban Public Spaces (Case Study: 11th Area of Tehran). Unpunished Master Thesis. Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Busa, F., Min, Z., Jianzhong, W., Loscetales, V. G., Jian, C. & Bertone, T. (2011). Mega-events as catalysts for urban transformation. edited by United Nations, Bureau International des Expositions and Shanghai2010 World Exposition Executive Committee, pp. 1-36.
Colombo, A. (2017). Music festivals and eventfulness: Examining eventful cities by event genres and policy agendas. Event Management, 21(5), 563-573.
Cudny, W.  (2016). Festivallisation of Urban spaces. Factors, processes and effects. cheltenham, UK: Springer International Publishing AG.
Ebrahimi Ghorbani, F., Ranjbar, E. & Andalib, A. (2021). Identifying Culture-led Regeneration Strategies in Historical Districts of Iranian Cities: The Case of Feizabad Neighborhood of Kermanshah. Bagh-e Nazar, 18(96), 105-120.
Fallah Menshadi, A. (2013). Regenration of urban spaces trough eventfulness approach to enhance viability and improve the quality of life (case study: north-south axis of Shiraz). Unpublished Master Thesis. Shiraz university, Shiraz, Iran.
Florek, M., Breitbarth, T. & Conejo, F. (2008). Mega Event= Mega Impact? Travelling fans’ experience and perceptions of the 2006 FIFA World Cup host nation. Journal of sport & tourism, 13(3), 199-219.
Gehl, J. (1987). Life between buidlings. Using public space.
Gelders, D. & Van Zuilen, B. (2013). City events: short and serial reproduction effects on the city’s image?. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 18(1), 110-118.
Getz, D. (2008). Event tourism: Definition, evolution, and research. Tourism Management, 6(3), 403–428.
Getz, D. (2017). Developing a framework for Sustainable Event Cities. Event Management, 21(5), 275-591.
Gordon, W. (2003). Social impacts of the Sydney Olympics.
Annals of Tourism Research, 30(1), 194-215
Grix, J., Brannagan, P. M. & Lee, D. (2019). Qatar’s global sports strategy: Soft power and the 2022 World Cup. In Entering the Global Arena (pp. 97-110). Singapore: Palgrave Pivot.
Holmes, K., Hughes, M., Mair, J., & Carlsen, J. (2015). Events and sustainability (pp. 1-206). Abingdon: Routledge.
Hosseini, S. M. J., Pourjafar, M. R., & Ranjbar, E. (2014). Learning from European Capitals of Culture Program in Developing Urban Tourism, Journal of Civil Engineering and Urbanism, 4(2), 184-194.
Philo, C. & G. Kearns. (1993). Culture, history, capital: A critical introduction to the selling of places. InSelling places: The city as cultural capital, past and present, eds. G. Kearns and C. Philo, 1–32.Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Madanipour, A. (2008). Design of urban space: an inquiry into a socio - spatial process. Tehran: Urban Planning and Processing Company.
Maguire, K. (2019). Examining the power role of Local Authorities in planning for socio-economic event impacts. Local Economy, 34(7), 657-679.
Marin-Aguilar, J. T., & Vila-López, N. (2014). How can mega events and ecological orientation improve city brand attitudes?. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 26(4), 629-652.
Moeeni, M. (2011). Safe Pedestrian Behavior; Pedestrian Access to Public Transport Stations. Manzar, 7(15), 65-62.
 Page, S. & Connell, J. (2012). The Routledge Handbook of Events. New York: Routledge.
Piran, P. (2005). The identity of cities, a great commotion for a complex concept.  Abadi, (13), 25-27.
Raj, R., & Musgrave, J. (Eds.). (2009). Event management and sustainability. london, UK: Cabi.
Richards, G. (2015). Developing Creativity in Tourist Experiences: A Solution to The Serial Reproduction of Culture?. Tourism Management, 27(6), 1209-1223.
Richards, G. & Palmer, R. (2012). Eventful cities. Routledge.
Richards, G. & Wilson, J. (2007). Tourism, creativity and development. Oxon: Routledge
Ritchie, J. B. & Smith, B. H. (1991). The impact of a mega-event on host region awareness: A longitudinal study. Journal of travel research, 30(1), 3-10.
Salehi Mava, F. (2019). Event-Based Urban Design Guideline For Improvement Pedestrian Zones Quality (Case Study: Tehran Historical Area-District12). Unpublished Master Thesis. Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Shabani, A. & Izadi, M. S. (2014). Exploring the position of creative city theory in culture-led urban regeneration. Naqsh-e-Jahan, 4 (2), 54-63.
Smith, A. (2015). Events in the city: Using public spaces as event venues. ABINGDON, UK:  Routledge.
Van Aalst, I. & Van Melik, R. (2012). City festivals and urban development: does place matter?. European Urban and Regional Studies, 19(2), 195-206.
Wise, N. (2020). Urban and rural event tourism and sustainability: Exploring economic, social and environmental impacts. Sustainability, 12(14), 5712.
Yahan, Z. & Wise, N. (2019). events and sense of community. community psychology, 14(1), 6-23.
Zakaria, J. & Ujang, N. (2015). Comfort of walking in the city center of Kuala Lumpur. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 170, 642-652.