Strategic Studies of Culture

Strategic Studies of Culture

Participatory Policy-Making for the Redesign of Cultural Spaces from ‎the Users’ Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 .Department of Architecture, ST.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Architecture, ST.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This study aims to explore the key factors influencing the redesign of cultural spaces through ‎a participatory approach to inform effective policy-making. Cultural spaces, as reflections of ‎civilizational values and platforms for public cultural expression, have often suffered from a ‎lack of holistic attention to their quality. Predominantly shaped by top-down institutional and ‎governmental policies, these spaces require re-evaluation from the perspective of their primary ‎users. Considering users as the main stakeholders in the (re)design process offers a new ‎starting point for cultural policy development.‎‏ ‏This research adopts a pragmatist paradigm and ‎employs a mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were ‎conducted with experts in architecture and cultural policy to identify influential factors. In the ‎quantitative phase, a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the identified components ‎was used to collect data. The data were then analyzed to evaluate the model and assess the ‎impact of these components.‎‏ ‏The qualitative sample included 24 professionals—designers of ‎cultural spaces and policymakers—selected through purposive and snowball sampling. In the ‎quantitative phase, the user sample size was set at a minimum of 68; a total of 73 users ‎responded to the questionnaire.‎‏ ‏The findings indicate that cultural patterns, human needs, and ‎spatial configuration are the most influential components that should shape policy for the ‎redesign of cultural spaces. These elements serve as strategic principles to guide the ‎improvement and enhancement of spatial quality in cultural environments.‎
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