Examining the Role of Urban Public Spaces in Promoting Mass Sport and Its Psychological Effects on Citizens of Tabriz: A Case Study of District Two of Tabriz
This study investigates the role of urban public spaces in fostering public sports participation and their psychological implications for residents, with a specific focus on District 2 of Tabriz. Employing a qualitative research design and thematic analysis, the study engaged 30 participants selected through purposive maximum-variation sampling from four stakeholder groups: public users, urban design and planning experts, municipal administrators, and sports professionals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase analytical framework.
The analysis resulted in the extraction of 95 basic themes, organized into 9 mid-level themes and ultimately consolidated into 4 overarching themes: (1) the discrepancy between spatial quality and social justice, (2) deficiencies in participatory governance in the development of public spaces, (3) the ambivalent psychological effects of public spaces on users, and (4) systemic instability in the planning, development, and maintenance of sports-oriented public facilities.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that the current conditions of public urban spaces in Tabriz hinder their capacity to effectively support public sports and promote citizens’ mental well-being. The study underscores the necessity for a fundamental reorientation in urban planning and management approaches, the institutionalization of genuine citizen participation, and the integration of spatial justice and sustainability
zarafshan, A. (2026). Examining the Role of Urban Public Spaces in Promoting Mass Sport and Its Psychological Effects on Citizens of Tabriz: A Case Study of District Two of Tabriz. Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, (), -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.76665.2965
MLA
zarafshan, A. . "Examining the Role of Urban Public Spaces in Promoting Mass Sport and Its Psychological Effects on Citizens of Tabriz: A Case Study of District Two of Tabriz", Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, , , 2026, -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.76665.2965
HARVARD
zarafshan, A. (2026). 'Examining the Role of Urban Public Spaces in Promoting Mass Sport and Its Psychological Effects on Citizens of Tabriz: A Case Study of District Two of Tabriz', Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, (), pp. -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.76665.2965
CHICAGO
A. zarafshan, "Examining the Role of Urban Public Spaces in Promoting Mass Sport and Its Psychological Effects on Citizens of Tabriz: A Case Study of District Two of Tabriz," Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, (2026): -, doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.76665.2965
VANCOUVER
zarafshan, A. Examining the Role of Urban Public Spaces in Promoting Mass Sport and Its Psychological Effects on Citizens of Tabriz: A Case Study of District Two of Tabriz. Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, 2026; (): -. doi: 10.30473/grup.2026.76665.2965
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