فراتحلیل بازآفرینی شهری با رویکرد اجتماع‌محوری در ایران

ABSTRACT
Urban regeneration has emerged as a fundamental strategy to address physical deterioration, spatial inequality, informal settlements, and declining quality of life. Iran, amid rapid urbanization, faces similar issues: concentration in metropolitan areas, expansion of deteriorated fabrics, ineffective governance, and weak participatory institutions. The community-based approach emphasizes the role of citizens, local institutions, and civil organizations in decision-making and implementation. However, practical experience in Iran shows that weak governance, lack of sustainable models, limited participatory budgeting, and fragmented policies have hindered this approach. This study employs meta-analysis and meta-synthesis to identify trends, gaps, and the actual position of social participation in urban policies and projects. 53 works published between 2012 and 2023 were collected from scientific databases and analyzed according to study type, method, instruments, and themes. Meta-analysis revealed frequency patterns, spatial and temporal trends, and thematic concentration. Meta-synthesis was applied to identify qualitative themes and conceptual dimensions, organized into categories such as community-oriented governance, participatory budgeting, asset-based approaches, and the role of social enterprises. Successful community-based urban regeneration in Iran requires an integrated governance framework, stronger legal and institutional mechanisms, and effective citizen participation.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Urban regeneration has emerged as a fundamental strategy to address physical deterioration, spatial inequality, informal settlements, and declining quality of life. More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and a significant share resides in deteriorated areas with economic, social, and cultural consequences. Iran, amid rapid urbanization, faces similar issues: concentration in metropolitan areas, expansion of deteriorated fabrics, ineffective governance, and weak participatory institutions. The community-based approach emphasizes the role of citizens, local institutions, and civil organizations in decision-making and implementation. However, practical experience in Iran shows that weak governance, lack of sustainable models, limited participatory budgeting, and fragmented policies have hindered this approach. This study employs meta-analysis and meta-synthesis to identify trends, gaps, and the actual position of social participation in urban policies and projects.
 
Methodology
Domestic studies on community-based urban regeneration have provided insights but remain thematically dispersed and theoretically incoherent. Integrative methods such as meta-analysis and meta-synthesis address this gap. Meta-analysis aggregates findings statistically, improving comparability and precision, while meta-synthesis integrates conceptual insights.
For this study, 53 works published between 2012 and 2023 were collected from scientific databases and analyzed according to study type, method, instruments, and themes. Meta-analysis revealed frequency patterns, spatial and temporal trends, and thematic concentration. Meta-synthesis was then applied to identify qualitative themes and conceptual dimensions, organized into categories such as community-oriented governance, participatory budgeting, asset-based approaches, and the role of social enterprises.
 
 
Results and discussion
Governance and policy frameworks, persistent challenges include top-down decision-making, lack of transparency, and weak institutional coordination. Financial planning and budgeting, participatory budgeting remains underdeveloped, with systemic barriers limiting community involvement. Community participation, while emphasized in theory, is constrained in practice due to bureaucracy, limited institutional support, and the absence of effective participatory models. Socio-economic aspects, projects aim to improve cohesion, empower local economies, and enhance quality of life, but outcomes vary depending on governance, resources, and local conditions. Research shows a shift from physical redevelopment toward sustainable, smart regeneration that integrates digital technologies, green infrastructure, participatory governance, and social equity. However, translating these ideas into policy and practice remains limited. Since 2016, studies have increased, reflecting policy shifts and the spread of neighborhood development offices. Spatially, research is concentrated in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz, with smaller cities overlooked, revealing a spatial imbalance.
 
Conclusion
Successful community-based urban regeneration in Iran requires an integrated governance framework, stronger legal and institutional mechanisms, and effective citizen participation. Financial transparency and participatory budgeting are essential to build trust and inclusiveness. Although literature increasingly addresses sustainable and smart regeneration, practical applications remain limited. Policies should integrate smart technologies, green infrastructure, and community-driven models. Expanding interdisciplinary research across urban studies, governance, and socio-economic analysis is vital to creating a comprehensive framework for understanding opportunities and challenges. Finally, the study underscores the importance of expanding academic research on community-based urban regeneration. Future studies should adopt interdisciplinary approaches that integrate urban planning, governance studies, and socio-economic analyses to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this field.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
A.M. contributed to the data collection, analysis, and manuscript writing. J.T., M.K.
and A.Kh supervised the article and provided the necessary guidance for analyzing and using the model. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.