Investigating the Relationship between Physical Components and Social Organization of the Neighborhood with the Mental Life of Citizens in a Historical Urban Fabric (Case Study: Ali Qoli Agha Neighborhood, Isfahan)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student,,Department of Social, Urban and Regional Development Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22080/sod.2026.32060.1050

Abstract

The rapid expansion of urbanization and the predominance of metropolitan lifestyles have significantly influenced the quality of social relationships and the mental life of citizens. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the socio-physical organization of a historical neighborhood and the mental life of residents in the Ali Qoli Agha neighborhood of Isfahan. This research employed a descriptive-survey method and utilized a standardized questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha = 0.78) administered to 97 residents who were selected through stratified random sampling. Data analysis using Spearman's correlation coefficient revealed a positive and significant correlation of moderate intensity between neighborhood organization and mental life (r = 0.583, p < 0.01). The highest correlation was observed with the component of social interactions and communications (r = 0.718, p < 0.01), while the lowest correlation pertained to the physical-mental health component (r = 0.235, p < 0.05). The findings indicate that the neighborhood structure enhances residents' mental life by strengthening social interactions, sense of place attachment, and life satisfaction. However, high internal cohesion may increase the tendency to remain in the neighborhood and reduce the motivation to move out. Accordingly, establishing a balance between preserving neighborhood cohesion and strengthening extra-neighborhood connections appears essential for achieving sustainable mental life.

Keywords

Journal of Social Order and Developement
Volume 2, Issue 7
September 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 June 2026
  • Revise Date: 25 August 2026
  • Accept Date: 28 August 2026

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