journal of sustainable rural development

journal of sustainable rural development

Identifying Factors Affecting the Strengthening of Socio-Cultural Participation in Peri-Urban Villages with an Emphasis on Urban Spaces (Case Study: Bojnurd)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Javad Shojaei 1
Ramezan Ali Naderi Mayvan 2
Farzad Ghaderi Bafti 3
1 PhD Student, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Shir.C., Islamic Azad University, Shirvan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Kosar University of Bojnord, Bojnord, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Construction Management, Shir.C., Islamic Azad University, Shirvan, Iran.
10.22034/jsrd.2025.561299.1231
Abstract
Urban spaces can serve as powerful bridges for socio-cultural interaction between residents of peri-urban villages and cities. Accordingly, this research aims to identify the factors strengthening socio-cultural participation in peri-urban villages, focusing on urban spaces in Bojnurd. The present study is applied research and, by nature, is mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative). In terms of strategy, it is survey-based, and its execution is descriptive-analytical. Data were collected through both documentary/library research and field methods (interviews and questionnaires). The statistical population consisted of managers and specialists in Bojnurd city. Using purposive sampling, 25 participants were selected until theoretical saturation was reached. Data analysis was performed using the Grounded Theory method and hybrid models (F-ARAS + F-COPRAS). The findings revealed that human-centered and multi-functional infrastructure design, with a score of 72.65, plays the pivotal role as the most effective causal factor. Among the contextual factors, identifying and addressing barriers such as ethnic dispersion and the lack of quality public spaces, with a score of 72.50, were most significant. Among the intervening factors, governance transparency and trust-building, with a score of 72.69, and sustainable financing of participation, with a score of 72.54, held the highest importance for the success of strategies. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that strengthening participation requires a simultaneous combination of improving the physical quality of public spaces, reforming governance structures, and removing institutional barriers.
Keywords
Socio-Cultural Participation
Peri-Urban Villages
Urban Spaces
Bojnurd
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journal of sustainable rural development
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 16
Autumn and Winter
Autumn 2025
Pages 263-272