Volume 3, Issue 9 (2-2026)
JORS 2026, 3(9): 24-35 |
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Abarghouyi Fard H, Perseh M. Explaining the Role of Street Public Spaces in Enhancing and Upgrading the Urban Landscape of Qom A Comparative Study of Shah Hamzeh Neighborhood Passage, Eram Pedestrian Street, and Salarieh Square. JORS 2026; 3 (9) : 3
URL: http://jors-sj.com/article-1-100-en.html
URL: http://jors-sj.com/article-1-100-en.html
1- Nazar research center, hamide.abarghouyi@gmail.com
2- University of Tehran, Meymanat.perseh@gmail.com
2- University of Tehran, Meymanat.perseh@gmail.com
Abstract: (47 Views)
Problem Statement: Urban public spaces, as the foundation for the formation of social, cultural, and civic life, play a key role in improving the quality of the urban landscape. Among them, streets—as the lifelines of cities—go beyond their transportation and traffic functions to serve as arenas for social interaction, representations of cultural values, and manifestations of citizens’ lived experiences. In the city of Qom, due to rapid urban developments, the lack of high-quality public spaces, limited access to urban amenities, and cultural as well as demographic heterogeneity of neighborhoods have prevented streets and passages from playing a meaningful role in enhancing the quality of urban life. This issue is also evident in Qom’s strategic development plans, where the dominant reductionist view of streets merely as traffic routes has led to neglect of their social and symbolic functions.
Research Aim: This study focuses on the role of streets as public spaces and seeks to answer how streets can be transformed into transformative elements for improving the urban landscape of Qom.
Methodology: The research adopts a qualitative and comparative case study approach. First, through a review of theoretical literature, a conceptual model was developed to explain the relationship between public space, streets, and social life. Then, using field observations and documentary studies, three representative cases were examined: Eram Pedestrian Street as a modern, designed example; Shah Hamzeh neighborhood passage as a historical and community-centered example; and Salarieh Square as a socio-traffic urban node.
Findings and Conclusion: The findings reveal that streets in the urban landscape of Qom perform two fundamental roles: a primary role as traffic corridors and a secondary role as public spaces. The success of streets in fulfilling the latter role depends on the coherence among the three moments of social production of space: spatial practices, representations of space, and lived space. The analysis of the three case studies indicates that in examples such as Shah Hamzeh Passage, the synergy of these three dimensions has led to social vitality, whereas in cases like Eram Pedestrian Street, the dominance of physical and managerial approaches over citizens’ lived experiences has weakened the social performance of space. One of the key solutions for improving Qom’s urban landscape is to adopt a holistic approach toward streets as public spaces rather than merely as traffic infrastructure. Accordingly, the study proposes the development of a strategic development framework based on public space principles and a toolbox for the effective reorganization of streets and passages to enhance the urban landscape of Qom. This framework includes three phases:
(1) Monitoring, identification, and prioritization of streets;
(2) Short- and long-term goal setting based on community needs and public space success criteria; and
(3) Planning, design, and implementation for the improvement of existing streets.
Research Aim: This study focuses on the role of streets as public spaces and seeks to answer how streets can be transformed into transformative elements for improving the urban landscape of Qom.
Methodology: The research adopts a qualitative and comparative case study approach. First, through a review of theoretical literature, a conceptual model was developed to explain the relationship between public space, streets, and social life. Then, using field observations and documentary studies, three representative cases were examined: Eram Pedestrian Street as a modern, designed example; Shah Hamzeh neighborhood passage as a historical and community-centered example; and Salarieh Square as a socio-traffic urban node.
Findings and Conclusion: The findings reveal that streets in the urban landscape of Qom perform two fundamental roles: a primary role as traffic corridors and a secondary role as public spaces. The success of streets in fulfilling the latter role depends on the coherence among the three moments of social production of space: spatial practices, representations of space, and lived space. The analysis of the three case studies indicates that in examples such as Shah Hamzeh Passage, the synergy of these three dimensions has led to social vitality, whereas in cases like Eram Pedestrian Street, the dominance of physical and managerial approaches over citizens’ lived experiences has weakened the social performance of space. One of the key solutions for improving Qom’s urban landscape is to adopt a holistic approach toward streets as public spaces rather than merely as traffic infrastructure. Accordingly, the study proposes the development of a strategic development framework based on public space principles and a toolbox for the effective reorganization of streets and passages to enhance the urban landscape of Qom. This framework includes three phases:
(1) Monitoring, identification, and prioritization of streets;
(2) Short- and long-term goal setting based on community needs and public space success criteria; and
(3) Planning, design, and implementation for the improvement of existing streets.
Article number: 3
Editorial: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/11/27 | Accepted: 2026/02/4 | Published: 2026/02/20
Received: 2025/11/27 | Accepted: 2026/02/4 | Published: 2026/02/20
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