The Establishment of Schools of Art and Architecture in Historical Districts as an Opportunity for Facilitating Integrated Urban Governance: A case study of School of Art and Architecture of Yazd in Godal-Mosalla Neighborhood

Document Type : Articles extracted from Thesis

Authors

Department of Urban Planning, School of Art and Architecture, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

A B S T R A C T
The present study aims to analyze the role of schools of art and architecture in facilitating integrated urban governance, with a focus on the case study of the Faculty of Art and Architecture in Yazd. Lack of attention to this role may hinder the effective use of educational and cultural capacities in the governance process and reduce the efficiency of urban policies and programs. The research follows a descriptive and analytical approach, based on qualitative content analysis of related documents and literature. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed through statistical methods such as Cronbach’s alpha and one-sample t-test using SPSS software. The results show that schools of art and architecture, particularly in historic urban contexts, can facilitate integrated urban governance by creating cultural and educational environments, organizing conferences and academic events, training graduates, and contributing to restoration projects. These schools can play a strategic role in improving decision-making and contributing to more effective urban policies aimed at sustainable development.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
In today’s complex urban environment, the concept of Integrated Urban Governance (IUG) has emerged as a critical model for managing cities through improved coordination, accountability, citizen participation, and inter-institutional collaboration. However, cities with historic urban fabrics, such as Yazd in Iran, often face additional challenges due to fragmented governance structures, preservation pressures, and the rapid pace of urban change. Despite the involvement of municipal bodies and cultural institutions, gaps persist in creating cohesive and responsive governance systems.
This study highlights the untapped role of schools of art and architecture as active stakeholders in enhancing IUG, especially within heritage-sensitive settings. These institutions can foster community engagement, cultural revitalization, and interdisciplinary collaboration, yet their potential remains underexplored in academic and policy circles. Focusing on the Faculty of Art and Architecture in Yazd, this research investigates how such institutions, when embedded in historic urban areas, can contribute to more participatory and integrated planning processes. The study is guided by two main questions:
How do local stakeholders perceive the faculty's influence on facilitating integrated urban governance in Yazd’s historic fabric?
How can the establishment of the Faculty of Art and Architecture in the historical district of Yazd strengthen the various components of integrated urban governance and facilitate effective interaction between the university, residents, and municipal authorities?
By addressing these questions, the study aims to generate empirical insights into the role of academic institutions in advancing sustainable, inclusive, and adaptive governance frameworks in historic urban environments.
 
Methodology
This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques. In the first stage, primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered to a purposive sample of residents and local business owners in the historic district of Yazd. The primary objective of the questionnaire was to assess the perceptions of the respondents regarding governance quality, institutional coordination, citizen participation, and the socio-spatial impacts of the Faculty of Art and Architecture's presence.
To ensure reliability, the internal consistency of the questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Subsequently, descriptive statistics were used to identify general trends in the data. To test the research hypotheses, one-sample t-tests was employed. These analyses were conducted using SPSS to examine the perceived impacts of the faculty on facilitating integrated urban governance in the historic urban environment.
 
Results and discussion
The results of the one-sample t-test indicate that the establishment of the Faculty of Art and Architecture in Yazd has had a mixed yet notable impact on integrated urban governance within the historic district. On the positive side, the faculty has strengthened social participation by fostering meaningful interactions among students, faculty members, and local residents, which has enhanced civic engagement and reinforced social cohesion. It has also supported the rule of law by promoting adherence to preservation regulations and architectural standards, and it has contributed to equity through the creation of job opportunities and the distribution of resources within the neighborhood. Moreover, the faculty has played a significant role in cultivating a culture of social responsibility among both residents and students, thereby reinforcing the community’s collective awareness and involvement in urban matters.
Conversely, the faculty has been less effective in improving accountability and transparency in urban management. Urban service provision and information dissemination were perceived as weak, and its presence has placed additional pressure on existing services. Additionally, it has not provided a structured platform for collective decision-making processes. Nonetheless, commercial, tourism, and cultural activities associated with the faculty have had a measurable positive effect on the neighborhood’s economic vitality.
Overall, from the residents’ perspective, the faculty’s presence has contributed positively to integrated urban governance, particularly in participation, rule of law, equity, and social responsibility, although challenges remain in accountability, transparency, and service provision.
 
Conclusion
The findings of this study indicate that the establishment of the Faculty of Art and Architecture within the historic context of Yazd has had both positive impacts on integrated urban governance and created certain challenges in improving it. This educational institution has been particularly effective in enhancing social interactions, creating employment opportunities, improving the neighborhood’s economic conditions, enforcing laws related to historic preservation, promoting architectural and design standards, increasing urban management’s commitment to sustainable development, and fostering a culture of social responsibility.
Conversely, its performance in improving urban management accountability, enhancing institutional transparency, developing urban services, and facilitating collective decision-making has been less successful and, in some cases, even assessed negatively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the establishment of the faculty has had the greatest positive impact on the components of participation, accountability, and rule of law, while other dimensions of integrated urban governance also need to be further strengthened.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
 
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Highlights

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  42. Taleshi Anbohi, M., Aghaeizadeh, E., & Jafari Mehabadi, M. (2019). Assessment on livability of urban deteriorated fabrics: A case study of Qazvin. Journal  of ustainable City, 2(3), 59–78. [In Persian].
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Keywords

References

  1. Adineh Vand, A. A., & Alian, M. (2016). Good urban governance: The prioritization of components and indicators. A Quarterly Journal of Strategy, 25(4), 305–338. [In Persian].
  2. Aghapoor, F. (2023). Regeneration of the historical urban fabric with emphasis on the innovation and technology zone (Case study: Goudal Mosalla) [Master’s thesis, Yazd University]. [In Persian].
  3. Akbari, Gh. (2007). Social capital and urban governance. Geographical Research Quarterly, 21(83), 135–153. [In Persian].
  4. Akbari, R., Alizadeh, A., & Rezaeian, F. (2023). Priorities of campus in the transition from first- and second-generation universities to third and fourth based on the Noel-Levitz satisfaction evaluation model. Journal of Fine Arts: Architecture and Urban Planning, 28(3), 41–60. [In Persian].
  5. Azizi, M. M., & Bahra, B. (2021). A post-implementation assessment of flagship projects in the urban neighborhoods: Case study, of Godal-Mosalla neighborhood in Yazd, Iran. Motaleate Shahri, 10(37), 57–70. [In Persian].
  6. Babaei, M., & Ebrahimi, S. (2017). Studying the components of integrated urban management in Isfahan. Journal of Urban Economics, 1(1), 17–36. [In Persian].
  7. Baryshnikova, M., Vashurina, E., Chinnova, I., Sharykina, & Sergeev, Y. (2019). The role of flagship universities in a region: Transformation models. Voprosy Obrazovaniya, 8–43.
  8. Bastin, A., Ziari, K., Pour Ahmad, A., & Hatami Nezhad, H. (2018). Assessment of the good urban governance impact on urban livability (Case study: Bushehr City). Research and Urban Planning, 9(34), 1–18. [In Persian].
  9. Fadavi nia, S., Zivyar, P., & Sarvar, R. (2023). Analysis the urban good governance indicators and measuring its effect on the efficiency and effectiveness of the local management using future studies approach (Case study: Region 20 of Tehran City). Quarterly of Geography & Regional Planning, 12(49), 870–900. [In Persian].
  10. Fernandez-Esquinas, M., & Pinto, H. (2014). The role of universities in urban regeneration: Reframing the analytical approach. European Planning Studies, 22(7), 1462–1483.
  11. Ghasemi, A., Alavian, M., Lotfi, S., & Rahmani, M. (2021). Thematic analysis of good urban governance in the development programs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Strategic Research on Social Problems in Iran, 10(34), 117–141. [In Persian].
  12. Haghighat Naeeni, G. (2020). Surveying the effect of campuses as a stimulant projects in urban areas Case Study: The impact of the Tehran Art University (National Garden campus) to the surrounding urban area. Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design, 7(2), 149–168. [In Persian].
  13. Harris, M., & Holley, K. (2016). Universities as anchor institutions: Economic and social potential for urban development. In M. B. Paulsen (Ed.), Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (pp. 393–439). Springer International Publishing.
  14. Hosseini, S. (2021). Measuring the level of citizen participation in urban management based on urban governance model (Case study; District 5 of Tehran Municipality). Urban Management Studies, 35–49. [In Persian].
  15. Joodaki, H., & Ghasempour, A. (2021). Challenges of integrated urban management and providing operational solutions. Journal of New Research Approaches in Management and Accounting, 5(16), 1–16. [In Persian].
  16. Karami, T. A. (2020). Explaining the position of integrated metropolitan governance from the perspective of human security. Pazhuhesh haye Daneshe Entezāmi, 1–34. [In Persian].
  17. Neave, G. (2000). The universities' responsibilities to society: International perspectives. Pergamon Press.
  18. Noghsan Mohammadi, M. R., & Mirvakili, M. (2012). The role of the school of art and architecture in revitalization of Sahl-ibn-Ali Quarters, Yazd. Soffeh, 22(3), 45–64. [In Persian].
  19. Pak Seresht, A. S., & Ayat Allahi, S. M. H. (2018). The development plan of the faculty of art and architecture at the University of Yazd with an emphasis on economic sustainability. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference & 4th National Conference on Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design (pp. 1–10). [In Persian].
  20. Pourghorban, A., Arghan, A., & Karkehabadi, Z. (2022). The future studies of the management of urban valuable historical contexts, Case study: District 8 of Tabriz Metropolitan Municipality. Journal of Future Cities Vision, 3(4), 43–64. [In Persian].
  21. Rabani, R., Arancholam, D., Abbasi Zadeh, M., & Vahid Ghasemi. (2007). Investigating the impact of economic and social welfare on the level of citizens' participation in urban affairs (Case study: Isfahan City). Social Sciences Journal of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 4(2), 73–100. [In Persian].
  22. Taleshi Anbohi, M., Aghaeizadeh, E., & Jafari Mehabadi, M. (2019). Assessment on livability of urban deteriorated fabrics: A case study of Qazvin. Journal  of ustainable City, 2(3), 59–78. [In Persian].
  23. Taylor, Jr, H. L., & Luter, G. (2013). Anchor institutions: An interpretive review essay. University at Buffalo Center for Urban Studies.
  24. Zareian, M., Esmaeilpoor, N., & Akbari, R. (2020). Assessing the quality of life in the historic district neighborhoods and factors affecting it Case Study: Historic District of Yazd City. Geography and Environmental Planning, 31(1), 121–142. [In Persian].
  25. Zeng, X., Ortner, F. P., & Tuncer, B. (2025). Systematic review of the role of arts places in fostering urban sustainability and resilience. Sustainability, 17(2076), 1–21.
  26. Ziari, K., Nikpay, V., & Hosseini, A. (2013). Measuring the level of public participation in urban management based on the urban good governing pattern: A case study of Yasouj. Housing and Rural Environment, 32(141), 69–87. [In Persian].
Future City, Indigenous Thought
Volume 1, Issue 1
August 2025
Pages 145-158

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