A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Physical and Social Characteristics of Pedestrian Routes on Enhancing Social Participation through Fostering a Sense of Neighborhood Attachment (Case Study: Amir Kabir and Shariati Streets, Babol)

Abstract

The present study aimed to qualitatively investigate the impact of the physical and social characteristics of pedestrian routes on enhancing social participation through fostering a sense of neighborhood attachment in Shariati and Amir Kabir Streets in Babol. This study employed a qualitative approach at the neighborhood–street scale. Data were collected through systematic field observation and semi-structured interviews. A 24-item observational checklist was developed to assess indicators related to pedestrian quality, safety, urban furniture, lighting, vegetation, spatial legibility, and opportunities for staying and social interaction. In addition, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents, shopkeepers, pedestrians, and daily users of the studied streets. The interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the Braun and Clarke approach. The inferential findings indicated that Shariati Street, particularly in sections with active commercial functions, demonstrated higher levels of vitality, perceived safety, opportunities for staying, spatial legibility, and social interaction, thereby providing a stronger context for neighborhood attachment and social participation. In contrast, Amir Kabir Street, due to poor pavement quality, insufficient urban furniture, lack of staying spaces, inadequate lighting, and visual disorder, was mainly perceived as a transit route with limited capacity for social presence and citizen participation. Thematic analysis further revealed that perceived safety, collective presence, place memory, everyday interactions, and environmental service quality were among the most influential factors shaping place attachment and willingness to participate socially. Participants also emphasized the importance of basic environmental facilities such as benches, lighting, shade, safe accessibility, and diverse land uses in improving urban experience quality. The findings demonstrated that the physical and social quality of pedestrian routes plays a decisive role in fostering place attachment, social presence, and civic participation. Streets that provide opportunities for interaction, staying, safety, and positive spatial experiences beyond mere movement functions are more capable of strengthening social ties and neighborhood attachment. Therefore, human-centered urban design, improvement of pedestrian environments, and enhancement of environmental facilities can contribute significantly to increasing social participation and improving urban quality of life.