Revisiting the concept of lost spaces in contemporary cities : systematic review of concepts, approaches and Regeneration Strategies

Lost spaces, as one of the prominent phenomena in contemporary city, are areas that are separated from the functional and semantic structure of the city. despite the increasing importance of this issue, existing literature suffers from conceptual dispersion and lack of integrated framework. the aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive definition, systematic typology, and integrated conceptual model for regeneration of lost spaces with systematic review approach, following PRISMA 2020 protocol and systematic search in scientific databases. out of 178 initial studies, 23 key studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. data analysis was performed by thematic analysis method, which resulted in the extraction of 85 initial codes and 16 themes in three layers corresponding to the objectives of the study.

the results showed that lost spaces are multi-dimensional phenomenon formed at the intersection of five main dimensions: loss of city structure and lack of spatial definition, loss of function and economic stagnation, social exclusion, and loss of meaning and identity, loss of planning and abandonment of management and hidden opportunities for regeneration. five main frameworks for classification were identified: based on the formation, location in city structure, scale and type of problem, physical status, and analytical categories and finally six categories of regeneration strategy were extracted from theoretical foundations to operational performance.

As a result of this study, by presenting an integrated definition, comprehensive typology and three-layer concept model, provides a scientific framework for understanding and confronting the lost spaces. findings emphasize that successful regeneration of these spaces requires a diagnostic approach, integrated intervention, and simultaneous attention to physical, social, economic, environmental and managerial dimensions. this framework can be used as a guide for urban policy makers in transforming urban spaces from passive elements to active stimuli to promote urban quality.