Residents’ Perceptions of Social Livability in Velenjak Neighborhood, Tehran: Focusing on the Quality of Public Spaces

This study explores residents’ perceptions of social livability in the Velenjak neighborhood of Tehran, with a particular focus on the role of public space quality in shaping everyday social experiences. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach that integrates thematic analysis of residents’ narratives with systematic field observations, the research examines how spatial design, environmental amenities, and socio-cultural characteristics interact to influence feelings of belonging, safety, and satisfaction. Findings reveal a paradoxical condition: despite Velenjak’s high environmental quality, visual identity, and perceived security, levels of spontaneous social interaction and collective engagement remain low. Livability in this context appears to be sustained through cultural refinement, civility, and social order rather than through vibrant communal life. The study argues that this pattern represents a “privatized livability,” where material comfort and exclusivity coexist with limited relational depth. The discussion highlights that enhancing livability in affluent urban areas requires moving beyond physical infrastructure toward socially inclusive design strategies that reanimate public spaces as platforms for interaction and shared identity. Ultimately, the case of Velenjak illustrates that true livability extends beyond comfort and safety to encompass the relational and participatory dimensions of urban life.

کلیدواژه ها:

Social livability ، Public space quality ، Sense of belonging ، Urban interaction ، Tehran