International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management
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The impact of physical environment on neighborhood vitality mediated by social relations

Articles in Press

Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Authors

K. Aghagolzadehhaji
S. Dadpour
A. Dehghanmongabadi

Department of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Shahrood University of Technology (SUT), Shahrood, P.O. Box: 3619995161, Iran

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban neighborhoods in developing countries have undergone substantial transformations due to rapid urbanization, which has resulted in a decline in their vitality. Although both physical and social environments play crucial roles in enhancing neighborhood vitality, few studies have simultaneously examined the impact of neighborhoods’ social and physical characteristics. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the physical environment on neighborhood vitality and to examine the mediating role of social relations in the impact of the physical environment on vitality.
METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Sabzeh-Meydan and Sad-Dastgah neighborhoods of Babol city, Iran. A sample size of 400 residents and users of the spaces of the two neighborhoods participated in the survey, with the sample size determined using GPower software. Data analysis involved confirmatory factor analysis and full structural equation modeling, which were performed using AMOS 24 software.
FINDINGS: The structural model explained 41% of the variance in vitality (R2=0.41). Social relations (β=0.457, p=0.000) and the form and physical structure of public spaces (β=0.252, p=0.000) were found to be the most significant factors directly affecting vitality. Access to amenities indirectly impacted vitality through the total mediation of social relations. Furthermore, the Sabzeh-Meydan neighborhood (city center) had a significantly lower level of vitality than the Sad-Dastgah neighborhood (β=0.317, p=0.000) despite promoting higher social relations.
CONCLUSION: ‌The study confirmed that social factors are the most critical determinants of neighborhood vitality, with social relations acting as a key conduit between the physical environment and vitality. The findings highlighted the necessity of implementing strategies that focus on regenerating the historical physical fabric and preserving community culture to enhance vitality, especially in central, older neighborhoods. Strategies for improving the physical and social environments to enhance vitality were proposed based on the research results.

Keywords

Vitality
Physical Environment
Local Social Relations
Neighborhood location
SEM.
Subjects

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International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 August 2026

  • Receive Date 21 November 2025
  • Revise Date 15 June 2026
  • Accept Date 28 August 2026

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