Evaluation of the Impact of Public Space Design on Enhancing Psychological Resilience of Citizens after Urban Crises (Case Study: Oskou urban)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Faegheh Zirdabi Oskouei 1
MirSaead Moosavi 2
Nasim Najafgholipour Kalantari 3
Akbar Abdollahzadeh Taraf 2
1 PhD student in Urban Design, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
10.22034/el.2025.501038.1048
Abstract
Abstract

Urban crises are increasingly recognized as major challenges for contemporary societies, having significant negative effects on the mental well-being of citizens. In this context, the design of public spaces is considered a crucial tool for strengthening psychological resilience and helping communities cope with crises. This study aims to identify the key components in the design of public spaces and assess their impact on the psychological resilience of citizens in post-crisis conditions. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Initially, in the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 experts in the field. The data from these interviews were analyzed using MAXQDA software for coding and thematic analysis. The qualitative findings indicated that biophilic design, environmental psychology, security, and the usability of public spaces were the most influential factors on psychological resilience. Following this, a quantitative approach using multiple regression analysis was applied to data collected from 383 citizens of Oskou. The quantitative results revealed that biophilic design had the most substantial effect on psychological resilience, with a regression coefficient of 0.31 and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.42. Psychological resilience itself ranked second with a regression coefficient of 0.28 and R² of 0.35. Other factors such as environmental psychology, security, and social interaction also showed significant effects but with relatively lower regression coefficients. In conclusion, the findings suggest that designing public spaces with a focus on biophilic elements and environmental psychology can substantially enhance the psychological resilience of citizens, offering valuable insights for urban planning in smaller cities like Oskou.
Keywords
Public Space Design
Psychological Resilience
Urban Crises
Oskou Urban
Subjects
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Human Ecology
Volume 4, Issue 10
Spring 2025
Pages 797-814