برنامه ریزی فضایی (May 2023)
Evaluation of the Mutual Effects of the Environmental Heritage Values of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan and the Quality of Life (QOL) of Surrounding Residents
Abstract
AbstractPreserving the Natural Environmental Cultural Heritage (NECH) and improving the urban Quality of Life (QOL) are among crucial urban planning issues with critical roles in the sustainability of cities. There are several sources on the QOL in cultural heritage documents, i.e., scientific and operational reports, but the relationship between the QOL and cultural heritage has not been appropriately explicated yet. Zayandehrud River in Isfahan City is a natural environmental cultural heritage. It suffers from ignoring its heritage values and human hazards (drought) while depriving citizens of potential and actual capabilities. So, through urban planning, heritage values help to enhance the urban QOL and affect surrounding areas. The present study described the NECH values of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan and the components of the QOL of the surrounding residents and emphasized the importance and extent of the relationship between the two basic concepts. This is an applied study based on quantitative and qualitative (Mixed methods) approaches. Data collection is based on documentaries, field studies, surveys, observation tools, and structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done using document analysis, along with quantitative analyses such as Friedman's test and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The results showed that the NECH values of the Zayandehrud River have a significant impact on the dimensions of the QOL of the surrounding residents, and applying principles adapted to the natural environment heritage of the cities is coextensive with upgrading the resident’s quality of life.Keywords: Natural Environmental Cultural Heritage (NECH), Quality of Life (QOL), Zayandehrud River, Isfahan City, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). IntroductionThe issue of natural environmental cultural heritage (NECH) and enhancing the urban quality of life (UQOL) are interesting topics in urban planning. Although lots of sources exist in the format of scientific and operational reports, the relationship between the quality of life and heritage environments has not been clearly stated yet. Urban rivers are a part of the natural environmental-cultural heritage, and are a tool for connecting people, cities, and nature. However, they are neglected in most studies. Depriving citizens of potential as well as fueled natural and human hazards (drought) are results of ignoring heritage values of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan City. While the values of the river affect its surrounding areas through urban planning, they help to reduce potential risks and maximize using the river in order to enhance the urban quality of life. This study investigates the heritage values of the natural environment of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan and the components of the quality of life of the surrounding residents. The study emphasizes the importance and extent of the relationship between the values of the natural environment of the Zayandehrud River and the dimensions of the quality of life of the residents (as key stakeholders) around it. Materials and MethodsThis study is based on a descriptive-analytical method (quantitative and qualitative approaches) conducted in four stages: 1) reviewing and rewriting texts and documents related to the theoretical aspect of the NECH and QOL concepts and classification of the values of NECH and dimensions of the QOL of the residents around Zayandehrud River; 2) identifying the key stakeholders involved in NECH and QOL of the Zayandehrud River; 3) valuation of the objects of heritage values and dimensions of the QOL of the Zayandehrud River from the point of view of the experts of the stakeholder organizations; and 4) analysis of the relationship between dimensions of the QOL from the point of view of the residents (as key stakeholders) around it. Research FindingsThe results of the study showed that the natural environment heritage values of the Zayandehrud River have a significant impact on the dimensions of the quality of life of the surrounding residents. Its heritage values include three categories: 1) environmental, emotional, and perceptual values, 2) historical, cultural, and social values, and 3) practical values. The quality of life of the residents includes six dimensions which are 1) political and managerial, 2) economic, 3) historical, 4) social, 5) physical, and 6) environmental dimensions. However, each of them includes several components and indicators. Discussion of Results and Conclusions Considering the results of the study, the achievement of a conceptual model is to fill the gap between the quality of life and the natural environment (cultural heritage concepts) and to apply principles adapted to local conditions in such a way that the capacities of the natural environment heritage of the cities are coextensive with upgrading the resident’s quality of life. This issue indicates that improving the quality of life without taking into account the preservation of the heritage values of the natural environment of the Zayandehrud River in the planning agenda of the city of Isfahan cannot achieve the desired result. The quality of life measures that are placed at a lower level than the quality of life dimensions have been revised and adjusted under the influence of the heritage values of the natural environment of the Zayandehrud River.
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