Designing a Framework for an Optimal Urban Identity Case Study: Parand New City

Abstract

Purpose: Construction places are a part of people’s identity. The identity of the place affects the man-place relation. Influenced by modern urbanism system, today’s cities have lost their former identity function and consequently have an environment with no defined identity all caused by place. Accordingly, this study mainly intends to reach an optimal model of place identity in new cities. Methodology: It was a basic, descriptive-exploratory research and applied theme analysis method. Data were collected through investigation into theoretical literature, experts’ ideas and deep interviews with ten urban affairs managers. To identify the related themes, MAXQDA software was used. Findings: All in all, 46 preliminary codes and four main themes were identified and the relations among these themes are presented in the framework of a model. Based on the model, recommendations as to the solution of place identity problems of Parand New City are presented.

Keywords

• place
• identity
• spatial identification
• new cities
• content analysis.