Explaining the effect of the physical environment quality on walking and social interactions in urban streets (Case study: Shariati Street, Babol)

Document Type : Research Article (Applied - Development)

Authors

1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Shahrood University of Technology

2 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism , Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

10.22103/jusg.2025.2154

Abstract

Walking is expanding as an effective factor in citizens' health and helps reduce traffic and pollution. Researches show that people's goals for walking are different and environmental characteristics can influence citizens' motivation in various ways. This research examines how the quality of the physical environment of streets affects the walking and social interactions among citizens. The research method is quantitative and qualitative, and the area of study is Shariati Street, Babol. The statistical population of this research includes residents and non-residents of this area. Qualitative data were also collected by searching different databases and quantitative data by field observations. The reliability of the questionnaires has been confirmed by the experts in this field using Cronbach's alpha correlation coefficient and content validity. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods, inferential statistical methods, and structural models of complete structural equations were performed using SPSS27, PLS3 software. The findings of the research show that the physical environment has a meaningful and positive relationship with walking and social interactions, and the mediating role of walking in the relationship between the quality of the physical environment and social interactions has a positive and significant relationship. As a result, the quality of the physical environment not only directly affects walking and social interactions but also indirectly increases the level of social interactions through increasing walking activities. Therefore, improving the quality of urban environments, especially urban streets, can help increase social interactions and walking activities.

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 August 2024
  • Revise Date: 22 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 February 2025

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