A Comparative Study of the Impact of Urban Space Design on Citizens' Social Interactions in Tabriz

Introduction: In recent decades, rapid urbanization and physical changes in urban environments have had a significant impact on how citizens interact in public spaces and the quality of social interactions. Urban space is not merely a setting for everyday activities, but also plays a key role in the formation of collective identity, a sense of belonging, and social cohesion. Inappropriate design of public spaces can lead to reduced social interactions, increased individual isolation, and weakening of social capital in cities. Therefore, examining the impact of urban design elements on social interactions is an essential step towards achieving sustainable urban planning. Numerous national and international studies have examined the physical, social, and perceptual dimensions of urban spaces. Research studies have shown that dense and legible spatial structures are the basis for dynamic social interactions. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of spatial design features on the amount and type of social interactions in the city of Tabriz. Using a three-pronged approach including field studies, satellite imagery analysis, and spatial data modeling using a Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this study seeks to answer the question of which physical and spatial features facilitate or constrain social interactions in different types of urban spaces. This study uses spectral indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NDBI (Normalized Building Index) to examine the role of vegetation and building density in promoting social activities.
Materials and Methods: The study adopts a mixed-methods approach and includes field data collection (questionnaire), analysis of satellite images (Sentinel and Landsat), and spatial assessment using a geographic information system. The statistical population includes all citizens using four representative urban spaces (El-Goli Park, Valiasr Square, Tabriz Bazaar, and Shariati Street), which was estimated to be about 40,000 people based on the estimated active population in these spaces. Using the Cochran formula and considering a confidence level of 95% and an error level of 0.04 (more accurate) and accounting for invalid or incomplete responses, the sample size was determined to be 750 people, and the results were analyzed using SPSS.
Results and Discussion: The results of structural equation modeling in SmartPLS software show that the three components of accessibility (b=0.41), green cover (b=0.37), and spatial legibility (β=0.22) have a significant effect on the growth of social facilities (R²=0.48). Satellite images show that El Goli Park with 65% green cover and a connectivity index of 0.75 has the highest levels, while Shariati Street with 15% green cover and connectivity of 0.45 has a weaker performance. Also, 35% of social characteristics are allocated to walking, followed by socializing with the highest and cultural activities with the lowest.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the spatial and physical design of urban spaces plays an important role in enhancing or limiting social interactions between citizens. Urban environments with high levels of accessibility, green cover, and spatial integrity—such as El Goli Park—showed the highest levels of social interaction. Conversely, sparse and poorly equipped areas, such as Shariati Street, were associated with limited interaction. The integration of field data with satellite-derived indices NDVI and NDBI indices confirmed the effectiveness of remote sensing tools in assessing the socio-spatial quality of urban environments. In addition, demographic factors such as age, gender, and perceived safety significantly influence interaction patterns and should be considered in the design of public spaces. The results of this study can serve as a basis for informed decision-making in urban planning. This study demonstrates the importance of using scientific evidence in the decision-making process and can lead to the creation of a sustainable and efficient urban environment. As a result, applying these findings can support infrastructure planning and improve urban livability and improve the quality of life of citizens.