Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)

Abstract Background and Purpose: Shifting from the car-centric paradigm to a human-centric approach in designing public spaces is a critical prerequisite for enhancing citizens' quality of life. This study aims to assess the impact of human-centric urban design on the quality of life of users at Mosallas Square in Dezful. In this model, the mediating role of "satisfaction" and the direct effects of "perceived quality" and "sense of belonging" were analyzed within the structural equation modeling framework to examine how the physical characteristics of the space are perceived by users and translated into quality of life.
Methodology: Applied in purpose and descriptive-survey in nature, this study adopts a correlational approach. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire from a sample of 384 users selected through random sampling. This instrument measured components of human-centric design and quality of life across physical and perceptual dimensions. To analyze the structural relationships between variables, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was employed in SmartPLS software.
Results and Findings: Descriptive findings indicate that while the square possesses a high capacity for fostering a sense of belonging (mean = 3.54), the environmental comfort index is at the lowest level (mean = 2.62), reflecting weaknesses in infrastructural and climatic facilities The results demonstrate that human-centric urban design has a positive and significant effect on user satisfaction, and this variable plays a mediating role in enhancing quality of life. Additionally, 'sense of belonging' and 'perceived quality' exert a direct and significant impact on quality of life. The findings suggest that in identity-based public spaces, such as Mosallas Square, the impact of physical weaknesses on quality of life and user satisfaction can be neutralized by the power of 'sense of belonging' and collective memories. Therefore, it is proposed that urban interventions in this square, alongside physical modifications, should focus on improving the lived experience and psychological satisfaction of the users.

Abstract Background and Aim: The indicators of desirable public spaces are also related to individual perceptions and social and cultural values, that these needs influence people's behavior in the environments in front of them and are one of the important factors of environmental quality criteria. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of urban design on the behavior of citizens (case example: Modares Street, Kermanshah).
Methods: The current research, in terms of the applied-developmental purpose and according to the nature of the study and the proposed hypotheses, the research method is descriptive-analytical (survey) and correlational. According to Cochran's formula, the sample size of citizens in Modares Street is considered to be 246 people. Also, the sampling method is a simple random method. In order to collect information and know the region, two library and field methods (questionnaire) have been used. In data analysis, statistical methods and Tukey's tests, one-sample T and Pearson's correlation were used.
Findings and Conclusion: The results showed that there is a correlation coefficient of 0.052 with a significance level of 0.008 between the variable of behavioral patterns and urban design in the direction of users' behavior in relation to space. This means that the two mentioned variables have a direct correlation with a confidence level of 0.99. Between physical and economic variables, there is a correlation coefficient of 0.135 with a significance level of 0.009. This means that the two mentioned variables have a direct correlation with a confidence level of 0.99. Also, the results showed that there is a correlation coefficient of -0.052 with a significance level of 0.008 between visual-aesthetic and environmental variables. This means that the two mentioned variables are not correlated.The highest degree of influence can be seen in social components and then in economic components with a close score, and the physical criterion has the lowest degree of influence in the influencing factors of urban spaces on behavioral patterns in the mental image of citizens