تحلیل جایگاه معیارهای اجتماعی در طرح‌های جامع شهرهای تاریخی ایران

ABSTRACT
This study evaluates the social criteria within urban comprehensive plans for historical cities in Iran, focusing on Tabriz, Yazd, and Shiraz cities. It identifies social indicators for these plans, considering these cities' unique cultural and historical contexts. A content analysis approach was used to evaluate the selected comprehensive plans. Social criteria and indicators were extracted based on a theoretical framework, analyzed the plans, scoring each indicator from 0 (no attention) to 2 (complete attention). Krippendorff's alpha measured the reliability of these evaluations. The findings reveal significant shortcomings in integrating social criteria across the comprehensive plans, with Tabriz performing relatively better. The criterion of quality of life received the most attention, indicating a growing awareness of its importance. However, critical areas such as social cohesion, particularly in Yazd, and equality, especially in Shiraz, were inadequately addressed. The study highlights a general lack of focus on social participation. The study concludes that despite some improvements, urban comprehensive plans in historical cities of Iran still fail to address crucial social criteria appropriately. The gap between planning theories and practices remains evident, particularly in social cohesion and equality. Greater emphasis on these aspects is necessary to ensure effective and sustainable urban development.
 

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Social criteria have historically played a vital role in shaping the fabric of cities, particularly in historical contexts where cultural heritage must be preserved while meeting modern urban needs. These criteria, which include elements like local cultural values, social cohesion, and public participation, are essential for ensuring the sustainability and livability of cities. However, there is a noticeable gap in how urban comprehensive plans incorporate these social dimensions, especially in historical cities like Tabriz, Yazd, and Shiraz. This study focuses on identifying the key social indicators necessary for evaluating comprehensive urban plans in historical cities and assessing their integration into the urban plans of these three UNESCO-recognized cities.
 
Methodology
This study employed content analysis to evaluate the urban comprehensive plans of Tabriz, Yazd, and Shiraz in Iran. A thorough review of theoretical frameworks and literature led to the identification of four primary social criteria, including social cohesion, social participation, quality of life, and equality. These criteria were further divided into 21 general social indicators applicable to all urban plans and 14 specific indicators tailored to the historical context of the cities.
The comprehensive plans were analyzed by two urban planning experts who scored each plan on a scale from 0 to 2, with 0 indicating no attention, 1 indicating partial attention, and 2 indicating complete attention to the indicators. Krippendorff's alpha, a measure of coding reliability, was used to ensure reliability in the evaluation process. This methodology provided a robust framework for assessing the integration of social criteria in the urban plans of these historically significant cities.
 
Results and discussion
The analysis revealed significant variations in how the cities of Tabriz, Yazd, and Shiraz have integrated social criteria into their urban planning processes. Tabriz, with an average score of 1.157, showed a relatively better incorporation of social aspects compared to Yazd and Shiraz, which scored 0.743 and 0.757, respectively. Quality of life was the most consistently addressed criterion across all three cities, reflecting a growing recognition of its importance. This criterion includes indicators such as access to public services and availability of green spaces, which are crucial for enhancing the livability of urban areas.
However, the study also uncovered significant shortcomings, particularly in the areas of social participation and equality. In Yazd, the lack of attention to social cohesion was particularly concerning, given the city's rich historical fabric and the need for maintaining strong community ties. Similarly, the plan for Shiraz showed gaps in addressing equality, especially in terms of gender and intergenerational considerations. These findings indicate that while progress has been made in some areas, much work remains to ensure that comprehensive plans fully address the needs of all residents, particularly in cities with significant historical and cultural heritage.
The criterion of social participation, essential for fostering a sense of ownership and engagement among citizens, was largely neglected in the comprehensive plans. This lack of focus can lead to a disconnect between the planning process and the actual needs of the community, resulting in plans that fail to resonate with or meet the expectations of residents. The findings underscore the need for a more inclusive approach to urban planning, particularly in historical cities where community input is crucial for preserving cultural heritage.
 
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study has highlighted the significant gaps in the integration of social criteria within the comprehensive urban plans of historical cities in Iran. While there has been some progress in addressing quality of life, other critical areas such as social participation, social cohesion, and equality remain inadequately addressed. The findings suggest that urban planners need to place greater emphasis on these aspects to ensure that comprehensive plans are not only effective in promoting sustainable development but also in preserving the cultural heritage of historical cities.
The study's results underscore the importance of adopting a more holistic approach to urban planning, one that fully integrates social criteria into the planning process. This approach should prioritize the needs of all residents, particularly vulnerable groups, and ensure that urban development plans are inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the unique cultural and historical contexts of cities like Tabriz, Yazd, and Shiraz. Moving forward, urban planners and policymakers must address these gaps and work towards creating urban environments that are not only sustainable but also socially inclusive and culturally sensitive.
The insights gained from this study can serve as a valuable resource for future research and urban planning initiatives, providing a framework for evaluating and improving the social dimensions of comprehensive urban plans in historical cities. By addressing the identified shortcomings and building on the progress made in areas like quality of life, urban planners can contribute to the creation of more resilient, vibrant, and sustainable cities that honor their historical heritage while meeting the needs of contemporary society.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to sincerely thank Mr. Soroush Saffarzadeh for his valuable assistance with the evaluation and coding sections of this research.