Analyzing the Impact of Empowerment on Enhancing the Environmental Quality of Peripheral Urban Areas Based on Social Self-Efficacy (Case Study: Imam Hadi Neighborhood, Mashhad)

Naseri, Neda; Sarvari, Hadi; Toktam, Hanaee; Sarvari, Ali Akbar

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2025.2036180.1236

Analyzing the Impact of Empowerment on Enhancing the Environmental Quality of Peripheral Urban Areas Based on Social Self-Efficacy (Case Study: Imam Hadi Neighborhood, Mashhad)

Document Type : Case Study

Authors

Neda Naseri ¹

Hadi Sarvari ¹

Hanaee Toktam ¹

Ali Akbar Sarvari ²

¹ Department of Urbanism, Ma.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

² Department of Economics, Ma.C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

10.22034/ijumes.2025.2036180.1236

Abstract

Urban marginalization represents a fundamental challenge for city managers and planners in addressing economic social and infrastructural vulnerabilities and in many developing countries it is considered a demographic and residential crisis. The empowerment approach can be effective in enhancing environmental quality mitigating spatial heterogeneity reducing widespread urban inequalities and fostering social self efficacy. The present study aims to analyze the impact of empowerment on improving the environmental quality of peripheral neighborhoods in the Imam Hadi district of Mashhad focusing on the role of empowerment in enhancing residents quality of life. This research is analytical in nature and applied in purpose. Data were collected through documentary review and field surveys. Initially the theoretical foundations were examined followed by the development of a conceptual model and research framework. Indicators of the three components were assessed using questionnaires among a statistical population of 978 residents. The collected data were analyzed using factor analysis in LISREL software. The findings indicate that self-acceptance, competencies and skill acquisition are the most influential individual level indicators with factor loadings of 61 60 and 70 respectively while social level indicators also showed significant effects. The results suggest that in the studied context residents inward focused perspectives and the neglect of inherited employment opportunities are among the primary considerations for urban managers.

Graphical Abstract

Analyzing the Impact of Empowerment on Enhancing the Environmental Quality of Peripheral Urban Areas Based on Social Self-Efficacy (Case Study: Imam Hadi Neighborhood, Mashhad)

Highlights

· Urban marginalization in developing countries creates economic, social, and infrastructural vulnerabilities, representing a demographic and residential crisis.

· Empowerment approaches can improve environmental quality, reduce urban inequalities, and enhance residents’ social self-efficacy.

· Factor analysis of 978 residents in the Imam Hadi district of Mashhad shows that self-acceptance, competencies, and skill acquisition are the most influential individual-level indicators.

· Residents’ inward-focused perspectives and neglect of inherited employment opportunities are key considerations for urban managers in improving quality of life.

Keywords

Empowerment

environmental quality

Imam Hadi neighborhood

Mashhad

social self-efficacy

urban marginalization

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