Urban Design Discourse

Comparative Analysis of Perception of Quality of Life in Tajrish Square, Tehran : Comparing the Perspectives of Urban Officials and Citizens

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Mona Sadraee 1
Hamidreza Saremi 2
Arash Baghdadi 3

1 PhD Student, Department of Urban Planning, ShQ.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, University of Arts and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, ShQ.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods, Iran

https://doi.org/10.48311/udd.2025.117655.82809
Abstract
Quality of life (QoL) in urban spaces has long been a central concern in urban studies, yet few investigations—particularly in Iran—have simultaneously compared the perceptions of municipal officials and citizens in public spaces. This study aims to identify and analyze perceptual gaps in QoL within Tajrish Square, Tehran. An exploratory mixed-methods design was employed: in the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 municipal officials and thematically analyzed using MAXQDA; in the quantitative phase, a survey of 130 residents and shopkeepers was carried out through a 70-item Likert-scale questionnaire. The Friedman non-parametric test was used to analyze the quantitative data. Findings revealed statistically significant differences across QoL dimensions (χ²=460.76, df=69, p<0.001). Transportation and the social dimension achieved the highest mean ranks, whereas the environmental dimension was ranked lowest. Results also highlighted clear perceptual gaps: citizens prioritized social–psychological aspects and walkability, while officials focused more on physical infrastructure and traffic management. The novelty of this research lies in its triangulation of field data, officials’ perceptions, and higher-level planning documents, providing a nuanced picture of perceptual gaps in QoL at the scale of a major urban square. The outcomes offer practical implications for local urban governance and policy aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life.

Keywords

Urban Quality of Life
Tajrish Square
Perceptual Gap
Friedman Test
Urban Policy

Subjects

Urban Design Discourse

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 December 2025

  • Receive Date 15 November 2025
  • Accept Date 23 December 2025
  • First Publish Date 23 December 2025
  • Publish Date 23 December 2025

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