Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)
Quarterly

"Sustainable Revitalization in Historic Urban Context: A Culture-Centric Plan for Identity Revival and Institutional Development"

Articles in Press

Document Type : Article extracted from thesis

Authors

Seyedeh Zohreh Shahrokhi 1
Ali Reza Sheykhol Eslami 2
Mohammad Jalili 3

1 PhD student in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Boroujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boroujerd, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Boroujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boroujerd, Iran.

Abstract
The transition to a post-industrial economy, the expansion of the creative economy, and the evolution of urban planning approaches have elevated culture from a merely symbolic element to one of the primary drivers of sustainable urban regeneration. Nevertheless, interventions in many historic and deteriorated urban areas in Iran continue to focus predominantly on physical renewal, while cultural, social, and institutional dimensions receive comparatively limited attention. This study aims to explain the theoretical foundations of culture-led regeneration and to develop its theoretical framework and conceptual model within the context of sustainable urban regeneration. In terms of purpose, the research is applied, and in terms of methodology, it adopts a descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected and analyzed through a systematic literature review, qualitative content analysis of scholarly sources, and a comparative examination of selected international and domestic case studies. The findings indicate that culture-led regeneration is founded on four principal components: place identity and culture, the cultural economy and creative industries, participatory governance and social empowerment, and institutional capacity building. The interaction among these components provides the basis for achieving the various dimensions of sustainability, including social, economic, and physical–environmental sustainability. The results further demonstrate that the successful implementation of this approach requires a balanced integration of cultural heritage conservation, the development of the creative economy, effective stakeholder participation, and strengthened institutional capacity. Otherwise, challenges such as the commodification of culture, gentrification, and the erosion of local identity may undermine regeneration objectives. Ultimately, by proposing a theoretical framework and a conceptual model, this study provides a foundation for policymaking and planning of culture-led regeneration in historic and deteriorated urban areas.

Keywords

Sustainable Urban Regeneration
Culture-led Regeneration
Cultural Sustainability
Historical Urban Fabric
Creative Economy
Participatory Governance
Institutional Capacity Building
Subjects
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Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 July 2026

  • Receive Date 06 May 2026
  • Revise Date 28 June 2026
  • Accept Date 29 July 2026
  • First Publish Date 31 July 2026
  • Publish Date 31 July 2026

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