Investigating identity components from the perspective of indigenous thought?: A case study of Lahijan Ordu Bazar neighborhood

 
Extended Abs
A B S T R A C T
Today, with the expansion of urbanization and the advancement of industry and technology, many problems have arisen at the level of the city and neighborhood, and the cities have experienced excessive growth and development, and urban constructions, regardless of objective and subjective indicators, culture and climate have taken. While these dimensions and indicators are very vital pillars and foundations in order to strengthen the identity of the neighborhood. Ordubazar neighborhood of Lahijan city, as a case study of the present research, is an area where the sense of place belonging, place identity and attachment and social capital, which is the dynamic need of every neighborhood, is fading and disappearing, and on the other hand, valuable works are being destroyed. History and inconsistency in the construction of the neighborhood has caused an identity and cultural crisis. The purpose of this research is to investigate the components of identity in the historical neighborhood of Lahijan city. The research method is descriptive and analytical, through documentary and field studies, using SWAT technique and SPSS model. The statistical population of the research is 320 people with an alpha coefficient of 0.657, which was used from the sample of Cochran's formula. The results of this research show. The index of local park (1.17), green space (1.41), pedestrian safety (2.15) and facade decorations (2.55) has the lowest average number, respectively, and has many weaknesses and problems. And the index of building age (3.46) and historical buildings (3.88) respectively have the highest average and have less weaknesses.
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Introduction
Urban neighborhoods are fundamental spatial units through which the identity of cities is shaped and experienced. In historic cities, neighborhoods often embody collective memory, cultural continuity, and long‑standing social relations. However, rapid urbanization, population growth, and the spread of modern construction patterns have significantly transformed many traditional urban fabrics. These transformations frequently occur without sufficient attention to the cultural and spatial context of historic environments, leading to the gradual weakening of neighborhood identity and sense of place. Place identity refers to the distinctive character of a location that emerges from the interaction between physical form, historical continuity, cultural meanings, and residents’ everyday experiences. Scholars such as Lynch (1960) emphasize that recognizable urban elements and spatial legibility contribute to the formation of a strong mental image of the city, while Relph (1976) highlights the importance of maintaining authenticity in order to prevent the emergence of placeless environments. In traditional Iranian cities, neighborhood identity has historically been formed through a combination of spatial organization, architectural characteristics, and social interactions.Lahijan, located in northern Iran, contains several historic neighborhoods that reflect the cultural and spatial identity of the region. Among them, the Ardubazar neighborhood is one of the oldest parts of the city and has historically played an important role in local economic and social life. Despite its historical value, recent physical changes, incompatible new constructions, and a lack of adequate public spaces have gradually weakened the visual and spatial identity of the area.Given these challenges, identifying the factors that contribute to neighborhood identity is essential for guiding urban revitalization and sustainable development strategies. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the identity‑forming components of the Ardubazar neighborhood from the perspective of indigenous urban thought and to propose strategies that can strengthen the sense of place and spatial coherence within this historic urban fabric.
 
 
Methodology
This research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach to investigate the components that influence neighborhood identity in the Ardubazar district of Lahijan. The study combines documentary research with field surveys in order to obtain both theoretical and empirical insights.In the first stage, relevant literature on urban identity, sense of place, and historic urban fabrics was reviewed to establish a conceptual framework for the research. Based on this framework, key indicators related to neighborhood identity were identified, including physical characteristics, environmental quality, and social dimensions.In the empirical phase, field observations and questionnaire surveys were conducted among residents of the Ardubazar neighborhood. The statistical population consisted of local residents, and a sample size of 320 participants was selected. The questionnaire evaluated residents’ perceptions regarding various indicators such as historic buildings, architectural characteristics, pedestrian safety, availability of green spaces, and visual coherence of the built environment.The collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to evaluate the relative importance of each indicator, while the SWOT analytical framework was used to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to neighborhood identity. This analytical approach provided a basis for proposing planning and design strategies aimed at strengthening the identity and environmental quality of the neighborhood.
 
Results and discussion
The findings of the research indicate that the identity of the Ardubazar neighborhood is strongly influenced by its historical and architectural heritage. Among the evaluated indicators, the presence of historic buildings and the age of the urban fabric were identified as the strongest identity‑forming factors. These elements contribute to the continuity of collective memory and serve as visual landmarks that enhance the recognizability of the neighborhood. This finding corresponds with Lynch’s (1960) argument that identifiable physical elements play a significant role in shaping the mental image of urban environments. Despite these strengths, several weaknesses affecting the quality and identity of the neighborhood were also identified. One of the most significant problems is the lack of sufficient green spaces and local recreational areas. The absence of well‑designed public spaces reduces opportunities for social interaction and diminishes the overall vitality of the neighborhood environment. In addition, concerns regarding pedestrian safety and the quality of walkable spaces were highlighted by many residents, indicating that the current spatial structure does not adequately support pedestrian activity. Another issue affecting neighborhood identity is the visual inconsistency of newly constructed buildings. Many recent developments do not reflect the architectural character of the historic environment. The use of incompatible materials, façade designs, and building proportions disrupts the visual harmony of the neighborhood and gradually weakens its spatial identity. This condition is consistent with Relph’s (1976) concept of placelessness, which occurs when urban development fails to respond to the cultural and environmental context of a place. From a social perspective, the results suggest that residents still maintain a relatively strong sense of attachment to the neighborhood due to its historical background and long‑standing community relations. However, continued physical deterioration and uncontrolled development may threaten this attachment in the future. Therefore, improving environmental quality while preserving historic elements is essential for sustaining neighborhood identity.
 
Conclusion
The results of this study demonstrate that neighborhood identity in the Ardubazar district is shaped by the interaction of historical, physical, and social factors. The presence of historic buildings and the continuity of the traditional urban fabric represent the main strengths that contribute to the distinctive identity of the neighborhood. These elements play a crucial role in preserving collective memory and reinforcing the cultural character of the area.  At the same time, several challenges threaten the sustainability of this identity. The lack of green spaces, insufficient pedestrian safety, and the construction of architecturally incompatible buildings have reduced environmental quality and weakened the visual coherence of the neighborhood. Addressing these issues requires integrated planning strategies that consider both the preservation of historic values and the improvement of contemporary urban needs. In order to strengthen neighborhood identity, several actions are recommended, including the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, the development of design guidelines that encourage architectural harmony with the local context, the improvement of pedestrian infrastructure, and the creation of small‑scale green spaces that promote social interaction. Furthermore, involving local residents in planning processes can help ensure that revitalization efforts reflect community needs and cultural values. Overall, reinforcing neighborhood identity requires a balanced approach that integrates cultural heritage preservation with sustainable urban development. By drawing upon indigenous urban thought and the historical characteristics of Lahijan, planners and designers can develop context‑sensitive strategies that protect the unique character of the Ardubazar neighborhood while enhancing its environmental quality and social vitality.
 
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.