Journal of Urban Studies on Space and Place

Abstract Introduction
The contextual basis of this research is the conceptual gap within architectural and urban planning studies regarding the understanding of the reciprocal relationships among key components of the collective mindset in place. In the contemporary fast-paced world, the formation of this mindset, which directly impacts place memorability and place attachment, has become a primary concern. The present problem arises from the frequent neglect of a coherent theoretical framework capable of comprehensively explaining the dynamics among these three key constructs. This mindset is not merely a product of physical interactions but rather a complex outcome of social, historical, and psychological processes. The research problem focuses on this deficit in understanding these interrelations, as well as the urgent need to deeply investigate the socio-cultural impacts of places on these constructs, particularly in societies like Iran, which, despite a rich history, face rapid identity transformations. Accordingly, the primary objective of this research is to elucidate the interactive mechanisms between memorability and place attachment and to analyze the mediating role of the collective mindset in this relationship. More precisely, the goal is to analyze and explain the mental models of theorists concerning this tripartite interaction, thereby identifying factors that contribute to enhancing these connections and exploring their impact on social and cultural identity.
The rationale for this research is rooted in addressing existing theoretical weaknesses and the progressive decline in the quality of spatial experience within human settlements. In both theoretical and practical realms of architecture, we often encounter a disjuncture or a reductionist view of these concepts; contemporary urban environments are designed as alienating spaces, lacking the power to generate deep memories or attachment. This not only leads to the weakening of the sense of belonging and reduced social participation but can also result in the erosion of cultural and collective identity. Therefore, this research theoretically aids in bridging the existing conceptual gap and, on a practical level, presents more applied solutions for designers and policymakers to create spaces that reinforce human bonds and collective identity. This is particularly crucial in the revitalization of historic fabrics and the design of vibrant public spaces, potentially assisting in the recovery of indigenous place values.

Methodology
To achieve objectives, a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) research design centered on Q-methodology was employed. Q-methodology is a potent tool for the systematic study of subjectivity and the exploration of perceptual structures regarding complex concepts like place experience. In a unique approach, instead of using human participants, the study utilized the works and perspectives of prominent theorists—such as Kevin Lynch, Christian Norberg-Schulz, Edward Relph, Yi-Fu Tuan, Maurice Halbwachs, Pierre Nora, Jane Jacobs, Altman & Low, Scannell & Gifford, and Dolores Hayden—as representatives of the theoretical population (P-set). This approach facilitated a structured analysis of the existing theoretical discourse. The selection of these theorists was based on theoretical purposive sampling to ensure coverage of a diverse spectrum of viewpoints across architecture, urban planning, environmental psychology, and urban sociology.
The research process was executed in several distinct stages. In the first step, identifying the concourse (discourse domain) was conducted through a preliminary literature review and documentary analysis to precisely define the thematic territory and the theoretical population. The second stage was the P-set selection, where purposive sampling of theorists based on specific criteria was performed, and the final list was compiled. The third step, research design, involved revising and refining the research questions and objectives to achieve the final research framework. In the fourth stage, context identification was undertaken through a deeper analysis of the selected works to ensure the coverage and diversity of perspectives. The fifth step, library sampling (concourse extraction), utilized indexing (Fiche-bardari) and qualitative content analysis to extract an initial set of potential Q-statements. The sixth stage, serving as an alternative to pre-interviews, involved a critical re-reading of theoretical texts to extract preliminary statements. In the seventh step, data familiarization was achieved through repeated, in-depth study of the texts and initial coding to reach theoretical saturation regarding the spectrum of viewpoints. The eighth stage was the Q-set development; here, through content analysis and statement refinement, the final set comprising 75 statements (deemed sufficient for theoretical saturation) was compiled.

Discussion and Result
The results from the factor analysis led to the identification of three distinct mental models. Statistical analysis of the data (KMO value = 0.748 and Bartlett's Test significance, p < .001) confirmed the suitability of the data for factor analysis. Based on the Total Variance Explained table and the Scree Plot, two principal factors with Initial Eigenvalues greater than 1 were identified (Factor 1 = 3.949 and Factor 2 = 2.079), which collectively explained 75.350% of the total variance before rotation and 65.607% after rotation. Factor 1 was named "Lived-Experience and Affective Bond with Place"; this factor showed the highest factor loadings for the concepts of "Phenomenology of Place" (P3) with a loading of 0.886 and "Place Identity" (P4) with a loading of 0.782. This pattern emphasizes the importance of the internal, sensory, psychological, and affective dimensions of the human-place relationship and the formation of attachment as an existential and identity-based bond. Factor 2 was named "Collective Memory and Image of the Place." This factor exhibited very high factor loadings for the concepts of "Collective Memory" (P1) with a loading of 0.959, "Places of Memory" (P5) with a loading of 0.963, and "Image of the City" (P2) with a loading of 0.924. This mental model clearly focuses on the collective, symbolic, and visual dimensions of place, indicating that a place's capacity for representing collective memory (aligning with Halbwachs and Nora) and its physical legibility (aligning with Lynch) are foundational to forming a shared perception. In addition to these two principal factors, two auxiliary factors were also extracted: "Reconstruction of Memory and Return to Place Experience" (primarily defined by the "Power of Place" (P7) concept with a loading of 0.973, emphasizing the role of conflict and inequality in memory representation) and "Environmental Holism" (defined by "Integrated Models" (P8) with a loading of 0.898, stressing the need for interdisciplinary and technological approaches).

Abstract Introduction
Smart cities have become a central paradigm in contemporary urban research, transforming how cities are measured, compared, and governed. Yet despite the global diffusion of the concept, the internal structure of “smartness” remains uneven, multidimensional, and strongly dependent on local capacities for data production, governance, and innovation. Europe, unlike many other regions of the world, benefits from a rich statistical ecosystem that enables cities to be evaluated across multiple dimensions using reliable, comparable, and annually updated indicators. This study builds upon these datasets to develop a six-dimensional analytical geometry of smartness across European cities. It aims to move beyond simple rankings and construct a deeper structural understanding of how cities behave across economic, people, governance, mobility, environmental, and living dimensions. The broader motivation of the research is twofold. First, it seeks to reveal the spatial and conceptual diversity of European smart cities, showing that “smartness” is not a uniform path but a set of distinct patterns and typologies. Second, it aims to establish a theoretical–analytical device adaptable to other regions, including data-scarce contexts, where smart-city strategies remain fragmented due to the absence of structured statistical systems.
Theoretical Framework
The study is grounded in the six-dimensional model widely adopted in the European smart-city literature (Six Dimensions), originally articulated by Giffinger and subsequently refined by contemporary scholarship. This framework conceptualizes smartness as a balance between technological infrastructure (hard assets) and human–institutional capacity (soft assets). European Parliament reports, Urban Audit methodology, and recent studies emphasize that the most successful smart cities cultivate harmony among these dimensions rather than privileging any single component. Building on this foundation, the research introduces the concept of Smartness Geometry, which treats each city as a six-coordinate point in a multidimensional space. The geometric shape derived from these coordinates, interpreted through radar profiles, reveals whether a city is balanced, skewed, hard-infrastructure-dominated, soft-capacity-dominated, or structurally weak across multiple fronts. This theoretical lens allows smartness to be operationalized not merely as ranking but as form, pattern, and structural identity.
Methodology
The analysis uses 91 indicators extracted from two major European data repositories: Eurostat’s 2025 smart-city datasets and the 2024 Urban Audit. Each indicator corresponds to one of the six smart-city dimensions, forming an extensive database of urban performance covering economy (12 indicators), people (16), governance (12), mobility (10), environment (13), and living (28). To ensure comparability, all data older than 2015 were excluded. After cleaning and standardization, the Shannon entropy method was applied to compute dimension-specific weights, ensuring that indicators with greater variation across cities exert proportionally stronger influence. Using these weighted scores, six composite values were generated for each city, yielding the coordinates of their smartness geometry. To evaluate relative performance, four multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods were applied independently: AHP, SAW, TOPSIS, and VIKOR. These methods were intentionally selected because they differ in compensability, normalization sensitivity, and aggregation logic. AHP reflects hierarchical expert-based reasoning; SAW is fully compensatory and linear; TOPSIS emphasizes distance from ideal and anti-ideal solutions; VIKOR balances individual and group utility through a compromise model. The Friedman test was employed to assess the statistical agreement among the four methods. Finally, consensus clustering and radar-geometry analysis were used to classify the cities into geometric types of smartness.
Results and Discussion
The integrated ranking produced a clear hierarchy among European cities. The geometry of smartness across European cities can be interpreted through four distinct typological forms, each representing a structural pattern of urban performance. Type T1, the Balanced Smartness Core, reflects cities scoring between 0.70 and 0.96, primarily found in Northern and Western Europe. These cities show strong performance in living standards, mobility, governance, and environmental sustainability, resulting in a symmetrical hexagonal radar chart that signifies equilibrium across all dimensions. Type T2, the Industrial–Economic Hardware Smartness, includes cities in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, typically scoring 0.55-0.70. Their radar charts appear as elongated pentagons pulled toward economic, innovation, employment, and infrastructure dimensions, indicating strong hard capacities but less balanced soft dimensions. Type T3, the Latent Software-Based Smartness, is characteristic of Eastern European cities, with scores ranging from 0.45 to 0.55. These cities perform better on people-oriented indicators such as education, governance, and civic participation, while lagging in the economy and mobility, resulting in an asymmetric quadrilateral with elevated human/governance axes and depressed economic ones. Finally, Type T4, the Negative Consensus Core, includes structurally weak cities of Southern Europe, positioned between 0.00 and 0.40. Their profiles show severe imbalance across all dimensions, forming collapsed or fragmented polygons with sharp recessions that reflect pervasive deficits and the need for significant policy interventions. This typology demonstrates that Europe does not move toward a uniform smart-city model but toward differentiated regional patterns—each shaped by historical, economic, cultural, and governance trajectories.
Conclusion
The study offers a comprehensive analytical device for understanding smart-city performance through a multi-dimensional, geometric, and consensus-based approach. The Smartness Geometry model reveals that smartness is not simply about technological adoption but about structural harmony across economic, human, institutional, environmental, and infrastructural systems. Europe showcases both excellence and disparity: while northern cities achieve equilibrium, southern and eastern cities face multidimensional fragility. The framework developed here is transferable to other regions, provided that a reliable statistical infrastructure is established. Without consistent, transparent urban data, neither profiling, geometry, nor benchmarking is possible. Strengthening national urban statistics, creating open datasets, and adopting standardized indicators similar to those of the Urban Audit would allow governments to construct their own smartness geometry. Future research should extend this model to comparative regional studies, integrate time-series dynamics, and examine the causal mechanisms behind geometric patterns. The Smartness Geometry framework thus offers a robust, expandable system for measuring, understanding, and improving urban smartness across diverse global contexts.
 

Abstract  
Introduction
Background and Problem Statement: The concepts of sense of place and attachment to place are two main pillars of research on the emotional connection of humans to the physical and social environment and are of fundamental importance in fields such as environmental psychology and urban planning. However, in the research literature, a conceptual ambiguity and extensive semantic overlap between these two key terms are observed, such that many empirical studies use these concepts synonymously and provide no precise explanation of the theoretical and methodological boundaries. This scientific confusion has not only prevented the development of accurate theoretical models but also challenged the methodological accuracy in the selection of measurement tools and the accumulation of knowledge.
Research Objective: The main objective of this research is to develop a clear analytical framework through a systematic review to identify the differences, similarities, and trends in these two key concepts and, by removing existing ambiguity, enhance the strength and accuracy of the theoretical foundations of future research.
Theoretical Framework
This research is situated within the theoretical frameworks of environmental psychology and humanistic geography, which emphasize the interaction and triadic nexus among the individual, mental processes (emotions and meaning), and the physical environment. Ontologically, “sense of place” is rooted in phenomenological and subjective perspectives that focus on individual and collective meaning-making of the environment. In contrast, “place attachment” is often shaped by affective-identity theories and emphasizes the behavioral, emotional, and more observable dimensions of this nexus. The theoretical framework of this study focuses on a comparative analysis of four key dimensions to explore in depth the distinctions: 1. nature and definition (subjective versus objective), 2. constitutive components (such as identity and affiliation), 3. measurability (direct and global measurement), and 4. temporal dimension of formation (short-term versus long-term).
Methodology
Research approach: This study adopted a domain review approach to comprehensively and structurally map existing knowledge and highlight key distinctions. This method ensures the validity and transparency of the review process by following the PRISMA standards.
Collection and analysis process: An initial search using Web Viewer and Publish or Parish software in Google Scholar led to the identification of approximately 500 relevant articles. After a screening phase based on title and abstract, and an assessment of article quality, 36 articles that directly compared and conceptually distinguished these two constructs were selected for in-depth qualitative content analysis. This process enabled an objective synthesis of knowledge and the mapping of research trends.
Discussion and Findings
A content analysis of the 36 selected articles revealed significant substantive differences in the four dimensions of the theoretical framework:
Differences in nature and definition:
Sense of place is an abstract, phenomenological, multidimensional, and subjective construct that, due to its qualitative nature, lacks a universal definition and a direct, unified measurement tool. Sense of place is often presented as a prerequisite or context for attachment.
Place attachment is more objective, tangible, and positive. This construct has relatively more consistent definitions and has specific, measurable dimensions (such as place identity and place attachment).
Measurability and research trends:
Due to its more precise definition and higher measurability through standardized instruments (such as attachment scales), place attachment has become more popular in empirical research. Research trends indicate that since 2016, scientific attention to place attachment has increasingly surpassed that of person attachment.
Temporal dimension:
“Sense of place” can be formed more quickly and immediately upon exposure, but “place attachment” is an emotional bond that often develops in a deeper and longer process and requires a history of interaction with the place.
Conclusion
Structured review and implications: The results of this systematic review emphasize the need for careful and distinct use of the terms “sense of place” and “place attachment” in future research. Their fundamental distinctions in terms of nature (subjective versus objective), measurability, and temporal dimension suggest that their interchangeability can undermine the validity of findings and the power of theorizing. By clarifying this conceptual gap and providing a coherent analytical framework, this study serves as a valuable methodological guide for researchers. This framework can help to avoid contradictory results and strengthen the theoretical foundations in all future studies related to the human-place connection.

Abstract  
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The trend of apartment living, as one of the consequences of contemporary urban development, while responding to the quantitative demand for housing, has led to challenges in the spatial, social, environmental, and spiritual dimensions of residential life in Iranian cities. Trends are patterns of change in things important to the observer that occur over time. In today's macro society, trends such as urbanization, cyberspace and the Internet, economic vulnerability, war, generational gaps, changing beliefs and convictions, environmental issues, etc., have affected the development of contemporary cities and are pushing the city towards an uncertain future. A trend is a phenomenon that repeats itself over a short period of time with a tendency and logic; in other words, it is a change or development towards something new and different. In other words, a trend shows that a social issue or a specific concept tends toward a position, and this tendency has persisted at a given point in time. This issue has become so worrying that it requires examination, foresight, and preparation to address.
Methodology
This article examines the dimensions and consequences of apartment living in contemporary Iranian cities through the lens of "Islamic Realism." The research's conceptual framework is based on four dimensions of rights—divine rights, rights of the self, rights of other human beings, and rights of environmental creation—derived from Islamic teachings on humanity, dignity, and habitation. The research methodology is founded on a descriptive, analytical, and comparative approach. Data were collected through document analysis, a review of Islamic texts and academic sources, and a comparative evaluation between traditional houses and contemporary apartment units.
Research Findings
In this study, alongside a review of theoretical literature and clarification of the features of the Islamic-Iranian housing model, the apartment-living trend in Iran has been analyzed. Using assessment tables, the differences and deficiencies of apartment buildings compared to traditional houses and Islamic values have been examined. The findings indicate that contemporary apartment living in Iran generally lacks compatibility with Islamic principles of living and suffers from significant weaknesses in privacy, neighborhood interactions, spatial justice, and the physical–spiritual integrity of the dwelling.
The trend of apartment living in Iran, especially in recent decades, although it has been a response to population needs and land limitations in cities, from the perspective of Islamic realism, it faces serious challenges in the field of observing the four rights (divine right, right of self, right of other human beings, and right to create the environment). An examination of the physical, functional, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions of this phenomenon shows that many of the values ​​and principles inherent in the Islamic-Iranian residential model have been ignored during the construction and development of apartments. From the perspective of divine rights, the elimination of worship spaces, the deprivation of presence in spiritual spaces, and the inability to observe some religious rituals in many apartment complexes are evidence of the distance of today's residential model from Islamic values. On the other hand, examining the rights of the self and other human beings indicates that the closed, inefficient, and inflexible structure of apartment spaces is a serious obstacle to the protection of privacy, psychological security, comfort, and healthy human interactions.
Conclusion
Furthermore, from an environmental perspective, the trend of apartment living in Iran has challenged many aspects of the rights of creation by creating disproportionate densities, reducing green space per capita, excessive energy consumption, and threatening natural resources. A comparison between the characteristics of traditional houses and current apartments shows that traditional houses have been more successful in providing these rights, despite technological limitations. Finally, a review of urban policy and planning approaches focusing on the principles of Islamic realism seems necessary. Reviving indigenous patterns of residence, attending to the diversity of human needs, strengthening social bonds, and redesigning residential spaces grounded in spatial justice and human dignity can pave the way for sustainable urban development rooted in Islamic-Iranian values. In conclusion, recommendations are presented to reform the path of residential development in Iranian cities, based on revisions to design regulations, strengthening local institutions, and promoting the Islamic-Iranian culture of habitation. This approach can lay the groundwork for a human-centered, justice-oriented, and environmentally balanced urban model within the framework of Islamic Realism.

Abstract Introduction
 Informal settlements represent some of the most vulnerable urban areas, often characterized by weak infrastructure, limited access to public services, and heightened exposure to social insecurity. Women, as a particularly sensitive group, experience these vulnerabilities more intensely, making their perception of safety and sense of belonging especially critical. This study examines the sociological role of place attachment in enhancing social security among residents of the informal settlement of Khizr neighborhood in Hamedan, Iran, with a specific emphasis on women. The research aims to highlight how psychological and social ties to place can serve as effective tools in addressing security challenges in marginalized communities.
Theoretical Framework
 Place attachment is conceptualized as the emotional and cognitive bond individuals form with their living environment (Giuliani, 2003). Prior studies demonstrate its multidimensional role in shaping social cohesion, neighborhood stability, and collective efficacy (Sampson et al., 1997; Vidal et al., 2010). Hidalgo and Hernandez (2001) stress that attachment is not merely psychological but deeply embedded in social and cultural interactions, which can mitigate perceptions of insecurity. Within informal urban contexts, where structural deficiencies often amplify insecurity, place attachment may operate as a social mechanism to enhance collective trust and resilience.
For this study, place attachment was measured through four dimensions: emotional dependence, social participation, responsibility toward the neighborhood, and place identity. Social security was defined through perceptions of personal safety, family well-being, social order, and environmental safety. These constructs provide the theoretical basis for exploring how emotional and social investment in place can influence perceptions of security.
 Methodology
 This research employed an applied, survey-based design. The statistical population consisted of all residents of the Khizr informal settlement in Hamedan. Based on Cochran’s formula and proportional stratified random sampling, 392 valid questionnaires were collected.
The instrument was a researcher-designed questionnaire composed of three sections:

Demographics (age, marital status, education, length of residence).
Eight items on place attachment, covering emotional, participatory, responsible, and identity-related aspects.
Ten items on social security, addressing personal, familial, social, and environmental safety.

Content validity was confirmed by five experts, and reliability was supported by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.84 for place attachment and 0.88 for social security. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA, and multivariate regression in SPSS (v.26).
 Results and Discussion
 Descriptive findings indicated that the average levels of place attachment (M = 3.64) and social security (M = 3.42) were both above the midpoint of the scale, suggesting relatively positive attitudes among residents.
The correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive relationship between place attachment and social security (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). Among the sub-dimensions of place attachment, emotional dependence exhibited the strongest correlation (r = 0.68), underscoring the pivotal role of emotional ties in fostering security perceptions. Responsibility (r = 0.62), place identity (r = 0.59), and participation (r = 0.57) also showed significant but relatively weaker associations.
The ANOVA results indicated statistically significant differences in perceived security across groups with varying levels of place attachment (F = 14.67, p < 0.001). Residents with higher attachment consistently reported stronger feelings of security.
The regression model demonstrated that place attachment explained 45% of the variance in social security (R² = 0.45), with a beta coefficient of 0.673 (p < 0.001). This highlights place attachment as a powerful predictor of perceived security in informal settlements.
These findings align with prior studies (Hidalgo & Hernandez, 2001; Sampson et al., 1997) that emphasize the role of neighborhood cohesion in reducing insecurity and social disorder. Locally, the results resonate with Iranian studies (Bazargan et al., 2011; Farahani & Jalali, 2020) that identify women’s participation and community responsibility as key factors in urban safety.
From a practical standpoint, the study shows that security in informal settlements is not solely dependent on policing or physical interventions but can be significantly enhanced through social and emotional integration. Investments in public spaces, community participation programs, and opportunities for neighborhood dialogue can strengthen attachment, leading to more resilient and secure urban communities.
 Conclusion
This study demonstrates that place attachment is a crucial sociological factor influencing perceptions of social security in informal urban contexts, particularly for women. Emotional bonds, social responsibility, and neighborhood identity emerged as central drivers of security perception. With 45% of variance explained, place attachment functions as a strategic predictor of security outcomes.
Theoretically, the study extends urban sociology by framing attachment as a socio-cultural mechanism rather than merely a psychological construct. Practically, it suggests that urban planners and policymakers should prioritize soft, community-based strategies—such as enhancing public spaces, encouraging participation, and fostering collective responsibility—over purely physical or policing measures.
However, limitations include the focus on a single settlement and the use of cross-sectional data, which restrict generalizability and causal inference. Future research should employ longitudinal and mixed-method approaches, incorporating comparative studies across formal and informal neighborhoods.
Ultimately, the findings highlight that strengthening place attachment can serve as a low-cost and sustainable strategy for promoting social security and resilience in marginalized urban settings, particularly empowering women who are most vulnerable to insecurity.

Abstract Abstract
This research examines the relationship between the spatial configuration of architecture and the socio-religious rituals of the Elamites at the Chogha Zanbil site. By studying historical and archaeological evidence, particularly the Chogha Zanbil ziggurat and its surrounding spaces, this study seeks to reveal how the beliefs and convictions of the Elamites influenced the design and construction of this vast religious complex. The main research questions include:
 1- What rituals did the Elamite people participate in upon entering the precinct of the Chogha Zanbil ziggurat?
2- What similarities and differences existed between the architectural spaces designed for the performance of religious rituals by courtiers and common people?
 3- How are the Elamites' beliefs about the afterlife reflected in the design of the tomb spaces at Chogha Zanbil, based on their architecture?
The research method is descriptive-analytical, and the data were collected through documentary-library studies and field studies of the remaining of the ziggurat. The findings of the research show that the spatial configuration of Chogha Zanbil, including the courtyards, gates, access routes, and temples, was directly related to the rituals and religious ceremonies of the Elamites. Furthermore, differences can be observed in the spaces allocated to courtiers and ordinary people, which indicates social and class distinctions in the performance of religious rituals. In addition, the architecture of the underground tombs of Chogha Zanbil depicts the Elamites' belief in life after death and the needs of the dead in the afterlife.
1. Introduction
The ancient site of Chogha Zanbil is a magnificent legacy of the Elamite civilization, built around 1250 BC by order of Untash-Gal, the Elamite king. This complex includes a ziggurat, temples, palaces, and underground tombs, all of which were designed and built with special care and elegance. The purpose of constructing this complex was to create a space for performing religious rituals and honoring the Elamite gods.
2. Background of the Research
Numerous studies have been conducted in the field of architecture and archeology of Chogha Zanbil, but fewer studies have examined the relationship between spatial configuration and religious rituals of the Elamites. In this research, an attempt has been made to achieve a better understanding of how the beliefs and convictions of the Elamites influenced the architecture of this complex by carefully examining the various spaces of Chogha Zanbil and analyzing texts and archaeological evidence.
3. Research Methodology
This research was conducted in a descriptive-analytical method. The required information was collected through library studies and field studies of the Chogha Zanbil site. In the library studies section, historical and archaeological sources related to the Elamite civilization and the Chogha Zanbil site were studied. In the field study section, the آثار remaining from the ziggurat, temples, palaces, and underground tombs were examined and analyzed.
4. Findings and Discussion
The research findings show that the spatial configuration of Chogha Zanbil, including the courtyards, gates, access routes, and temples, was directly related to the rituals and religious ceremonies of the Elamites. For example, the vast courtyards around the ziggurat were designed to hold processions and gatherings of pilgrims. The large and magnificent gates were a symbol of the power and greatness of the Elamite kingdom, as well as a way to enter the sacred space of the ziggurat.
The specific access routes guided the pilgrims towards the temples and special spaces.
Also, in the architecture of Chogha Zanbil, differences can be observed in the spaces allocated to the courtiers and ordinary people. For example, the royal gate and some special temples were probably intended for the use of courtiers and high-ranking officials, while ordinary people used other gates and more public spaces to perform religious rituals.
In addition, the architecture of the underground tombs of Chogha Zanbil depicts the Elamites' belief in life after death and the needs of the dead in the afterlife. The existence of water channels next to the tombs indicates the importance of water in the Elamites' beliefs, and probably for the purification of the dead or the performance of special ceremonies. Placing objects such as clay pots, water, and food in the tombs shows that the Elamites believed that the dead would need these items in the afterlife.
5. Conclusion
In general, the present research shows that the spatial configuration of the architecture of Chogha Zanbil was a reflection of the beliefs, convictions, and socio-religious rituals of the Elamites. The careful and intelligent design of this vast religious complex was such that it facilitated the performance of religious rituals and enhanced the spiritual experience of the pilgrims. Also, the differences in the spaces allocated to different strata of society indicate the existence of social and class distinctions in the performance of religious rituals in the Elamite civilization.

Abstract Introduction
 The focus is on defining resilient communities as local institutional and adaptive capacities, skills, energy and resources that empower local individuals and groups to take control of their communities to determine how to build strong, healthy and vibrant communities in which people are proud to live. Local communities, as the cells of urban life, are part of the spatial organization of the city that have the ability to be identified socio-culturally. Values such as social trust, social solidarity and social integration are seen as internal capacities and hidden wealth in urban local communities. Despite the efforts made, the lack of deep clarity in the conceptualization of local community resilience is one of the main reasons for the confusion about related concepts, so that it can be said that to date, a comprehensive model of local community resilience that includes the functioning of all physical and socio-economic components from the immediate impact to the recovery phase in the face of a crisis has not been available, or clarifying the concept and operationalizing the mechanisms that lead to increasing the capacity of the local community for resilience has been ignored, and until there is a correct and accurate understanding of the concept, it is not possible to move towards operationalizing it in the real city context. This research gap emphasizes the innovative aspect of the upcoming study. Therefore, the need to address this issue in order to make human settlements as sustainable as possible is felt more than ever. The aim of this article is to apply resilience thinking in the social space of urban neighborhoods and to present a resilient neighborhood model from a social perspective through a descriptive-analytical review of theoretical literature. In this regard, the main questions are posed as follows: What dimensions does a rigorous definition of a resilient local community cover? And what are the themes, categories, and levels of the resilient urban neighborhood model in its social space?
Theoretical framework
This research, which aims to apply resilience thinking in the social space of urban neighborhoods and present a resilient neighborhood model from a social perspective through a descriptive-analytical review of theoretical literature, seeks to answer the first question, namely, what dimensions does a rigorous definition of a resilient local community cover? After reviewing studies in this field, and considering that it seems that three general categories of definitions can be identified; Definitions regarding the process of resilience, definitions regarding the neutralization of adverse effects and the ability to maintain sustainable performance, and definitions that address the range of characteristics of resilient communities provide the following definition: "By understanding resilience as a process, local community resilience can be introduced as an integrated framework including interactions between enabling factors (citizens, institutions, public attention and government support) and capacities (such as coping, adaptation and providing solutions) that are current at different levels. In fact, local community resilience is defined as the ability of a community to resist crises or disruptions, which emphasizes variables related to leadership, collective efficacy, attachment to place, preparedness, learning and social trust. The local community as a whole must effectively cope with adversity and learn from it."
Methodology
In order to achieve the main objective of the research, the methodology is followed in two main steps; A systematic review of the studies conducted as the first step, for a descriptive analysis of the general characteristics of these studies, including the process of publication and temporal and geographical distribution and extraction of the main sources to conduct a qualitative content analysis as the second step. The PRISMA method was used for a systematic review of the studies conducted due to the clarity of the steps and a more detailed examination. In response to the main research question and within the framework of the interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative content analysis method guided by an inductive approach was used. This analysis was carried out in 4 stages including summarization, coding, classification and discovery of themes.
Result and Discussion
A descriptive analysis of all studies conducted in the field of local community resilience shows that after a steady trend from the beginning, resilience theories have been raised more seriously in 2015. This increasing trend continues at a very high speed until it reaches its peak between 2020 and 2022. This period coincides with the onset of the global pandemic, and the resurgence of ideas related to local soft governance and micro-planning in self-sufficient and autonomous neighborhoods and resilient communities. Also, in the two-phase search that was conducted (1993-2015 and 2016-2024), the graphs show that in addition to the multiplicity of links in the second period, in the latter period, the multiplicity of keywords used has grown significantly and has generally shifted from general and general areas such as individuals, adults, parents, infrastructure, green space and the like, towards more specialized micro-areas such as environmental psychology, spatial poverty, vulnerable groups, racial and minority issues and gender, local governance, environmental perception, mental disorders, well-being, coping behavior, environmental violence, etc.
Conclusion
In the presented model, 3 layers or levels can be identified, the first level includes the management-institutional system and includes the factors that empower local communities, and decision-making and regulation tasks occur in this layer. This level interacts closely with its lower level, the central layer, which oversees the capacities and potentials of communities and is responsible for providing public services with the aim of supporting and protecting against crises. The lower level also creates the physical-spatial context of the above levels and includes environmental elements and components and spatial patterns or the objective manifestation of the local community. The three themes of mobilization capacity, experience capacity, and role-taking capacity are established in all the aforementioned levels and are expressed through the 12 categories stated, in a round-trip cycle.