An Assessment of Spatial Attributes and Their Influence on Social Engagement in a Contemporary Urban Setting: Chitgar's New Public Spaces

Contemporary urban developments, characterized by large-scale public spaces and high-quality infrastructure, frequently encounter a disconnect between superior physical design and the emergence of robust social life, often leading to a sense of "placelessness." This study addresses this tension by examining the socio-spatial performance of public spaces in Chitgar, a major modern, planned district in Tehran. The research aims to evaluate how specific spatial attributes_x۰۰۰۰_including accessibility, comfort, activity diversity, and design logic_x۰۰۰۰_shape patterns of social engagement among residents. A convergent mixed-method design was employed, integrating descriptive statistical analysis of a resident survey with systematic thematic analysis of open-ended responses and field observations. Findings indicate that Chitgar's public spaces successfully meet modern standards for functional quality, achieving high mean scores for variety of activities, visual appeal, and attraction generated by recreational amenities. However, this physical success is decoupled from deep social performance. The lowest scores were recorded for indicators of social cohesion and place attachment, particularly the Feeling of being a part of the community and the Lack of a sense of belonging and shared identity. The study concludes that while Chitgar ۲۷s design effectively draws users and supports activity-based contact, its primary failure lies in cultivating the non-programmed, meaningful social ties and collective identity necessary for genuine place-making. This confirms that for modern public spaces, the absence of an embedded cultural narrative remains the critical barrier to achieving social sustainability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Contemporary Public Spaces ، Social Engagement ، Placelessness ، Sense of Belonging ، Chitgar ، Tehran