سنجش شاخص‌های کالبدی-کاربری و اجتماعی در حیات شبانه و سرزندگی فضاهای شهری با رویکرد توسعه پایدار (مطالعه موردی: محله تاریخی ناسار سمنان)

Today, cities worldwide face a complex array of economic, social, and environmental challenges, which profoundly impact urban vitality, diminishing the quality of life and vibrancy in many urban areas. Issues such as economic instability, social fragmentation, environmental degradation, and rising demands for sustainable infrastructure place mounting pressure on urban environments and residents alike. Within this challenging landscape, urban spaces play an essential role as hubs for social interaction and community life, providing a foundation for civic engagement, cultural exchange, and economic activity. For these spaces to truly thrive, they must cultivate a dynamic, accessible, and welcoming atmosphere that accommodates the diverse needs of residents and visitors.
A crucial strategy in achieving this urban vitality is through the support of vibrant nighttime activities, which add a distinct layer of appeal to urban spaces, transforming them into lively destinations and integral aspects of a city’s identity. Nighttime activities encourage people to engage with public spaces beyond standard business hours, boosting foot traffic, fostering social interaction, and invigorating the local economy. Activities such as dining, entertainment, cultural events, and public performances not only generate economic momentum but also strengthen the sense of belonging and security among residents and visitors.
In response to these needs, cities are increasingly shifting their focus to a range of consumer and recreational activities that contribute to the revitalization of urban centers, attracting dynamic visitors and investment while also retaining middle and upper social classes. Nightlife, in particular, enables access to an array of urban services and activities throughout the night, creating a continuity of urban life that extends well beyond the daytime. This continuity is instrumental in sustaining the energy and vibrancy of urban spaces, reinforcing their role as thriving community centers.
Theorists who emphasize the importance of nightlife identify three principal components—physical form, function, and meaning—as core elements of successful urban spaces. These components are essential in structuring nighttime urban life, shaping spaces that are not only appealing but also supportive of sustainable city growth. In fostering these three elements, cities can enhance their social, economic, and environmental development, advancing a holistic approach to urban sustainability.
Consequently, planning for nighttime life has become a fundamental aspect of urban policy, with a strong emphasis on creating safe, accessible, and enjoyable environments after dark. Effective nighttime planning considers the need for supportive infrastructure, safety measures, and lively programming, crafting an inclusive setting that promotes both social and economic engagement. As such, initiatives for nighttime urban life are increasingly integrated into broader urban policies, aiming not only to boost economic activity but also to establish a resilient, inclusive, and interconnected urban landscape that celebrates community identity and collective experiences. This approach to nighttime urban life marks a pivotal step toward revitalizing local economies and promoting sustainable, long-term development.
In this context, enhancing nighttime life and urban space vitality is crucial for improving quality of life across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Achieving this enhancement without sustainable development considerations would lead to undesirable outcomes. Therefore, this study identifies physical-land use and social dimensions as two foundational and direct factors shaping nighttime vitality in urban spaces. These dimensions were selected due to their immediate and measurable impacts on the quality and dynamism of urban environments.
The primary objective of this research is to provide a more precise and practical analysis of the role of physical and social factors in sustainable development and the improvement of urban nighttime life. These dimensions directly influence the quality and vibrancy of urban spaces, making them critical to the study’s purpose. The historical Nasar neighborhood in Semnan has been selected as the case study for this research.
Through a comprehensive review of literature and relevant studies, this research identified 14 key indicators in the physical-land use and social dimensions. For the physical-land use dimension, the indicators include retail spaces, recreational and rest facilities, nighttime employment, public parks, theaters and cinemas, cafes and restaurants, legibility, scale and quantity of public spaces, and safety (absence of obstacles, appropriate slopes, etc.). In the social dimension, indicators such as security, social interactions, street music, cultural events and festivals, and street vending were identified.
Data for this study were collected using a structured questionnaire targeting domain experts, with a purposive sample of 21 respondents. To analyze the data, structural-interpretive modeling (ISM) was applied using the MICMAC software. ISM was particularly chosen for its ability to assess and rank relationships among the indicators, as well as to demonstrate both the impact and susceptibility levels of each indicator. In this regard, this study employed ISM to rank and measure the influence and sensitivity of indicators related to urban vitality and nighttime activity.
The study results reveal six identifiable categories on the dispersion map: influential factors, risks, objectives, impacts, direct influences, and regulatory factors. Among these, amenities and recreational-use spaces, along with public parks, are recognized as risk indicators within the selected area. These indicators possess a high potential to become key factors in fostering nighttime vitality and spatial vibrancy within the Nasar neighborhood of Semnan. Given their considerable flexibility and potential impact, these elements require precise and strategic management. If not effectively guided, these factors could pose challenges that detract from the quality of urban life. Therefore, policymakers should focus carefully on these indicators to fully leverage their potential.
The target indicators, including nighttime employment, safety, restaurants and cafés, and social interactions, have been identified as key determinants of nighttime vibrancy within the study area. These indicators are far more receptive to external changes than they are influential themselves. This insight highlights that effective management of these variables can be instrumental in achieving sustainable development goals. Strengthening these indicators can contribute not only to enhancing nighttime vitality but also align with sustainability objectives. Additionally, the indicators for cinemas, along with the scale and quantity of public spaces, demonstrate the highest levels of influence with minimal receptivity to external changes. These indicators, given their systemic impact, have been classified as the primary influential factors in the urban landscape.
The indicators for retail, street music, and street vending show high receptivity to external influences but exert relatively low influence themselves. These activities are significantly affected by other urban factors, indicating that their improvement and vibrancy in the context of nighttime life are contingent on strengthening other key indicators. Consequently, prioritizing safety and enhancing public spaces could improve these variables and thereby enhance the quality of nighttime urban life. Finally, safety and legibility indicators have been identified as independent variables with low levels of influence and receptivity. While this finding contrasts with certain other studies that consider these indicators as primary factors, the current research suggests that in this specific area, they function as secondary elements and warrant further investigation.
In comparing the vitality and nighttime life indicators for the Nasar neighborhood based on influence and receptivity, it is evident that recreational land use, safety, the scale and quantity of public spaces, nighttime employment, public parks, social interactions, and cultural events have the highest levels of influence. Meanwhile, indicators such as safety, cafes and restaurants, recreational land use, nighttime employment, social interactions, and street vending are the most receptive to external factors.