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Sustainable city

Usefulness of Emile Durkheim's Social Solidarity Approach on Improving the Ritual Functions of Urban Spaces the Case Study of Zeynabieh and Hosseinie Azam Axis till Imamzadeh Seyed Ebrahim of Zanjan City

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Seyede Sara Mortazavi 1
Alireza andalib 1
Reza Ahmadian 2
Morteza Talachian 1
1 Department of Urban Planning, Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Urban Planning, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
10.22034/jsc.2024.406791.1724
Abstract
 A B S T R A C T
Emile Durkheim's approach is based on finding something that keeps people together in a society. We believe that ritual functions can be considered as a stimulus for collective formation. The research method is descriptive-analytical based on a field survey (questionnaire). The statistics of the present research are citizens and business people. Their number is unknown. According to Cochran's formula method, 350 people were questioned as a sample. In order to recognize the impact and significant relationship of social solidarity indicators with ritual codes of study, the sample t-tech statistical test and Pearson's correlation were used using SPSS software. The results showed that among the indicators of social solidarity, the variables of belonging to historical and traditional contexts, promoting identity, recalling collective memories, feeling happy and alive, accessibility, social communication and interactions, and sense of security, respectively, with an average of 4.09, 3.80, 3.73, 3.57, 3.46, 3.39, 3.35 had had the most significant impact in promoting ritual functions. The drivers of the ritual functions of space are more affected than we mentioned, while lack of furniture reinforcement, reducing the attractiveness of the entrance and proper flooring, none participating in the reconstruction and preservation of identity buildings, lack of cleanliness, lack of installation of guide signs as a problem must have considered. Findings showed that the more the quality of the visual and physical signs of the space improves in terms of symmetry and physical unity, the more significant the impact will be on the continuation of the formation and promotion of the study-oriented ritual functions and vice versa
Extended Abstract 
Introduction
Cohesion refers to the linking or integrating individual duality into a cohesive group or collective. This emergent feature facilitates social order and coordination in groups and is a prerequisite for all non-spontaneous collective activities. Emile Durkheim's approach is based on finding something that keeps people together in a society. Therefore, ritual functions can stimulate collective formation and maintenance in urban spaces. Hosseiniyeh and Zainabiyeh Azam Zanjan are among the religious places of Shia located in the center of Zanjan city. Ritual ceremonies start from Hosseinieh and Zainabieh Azam mosques and then end from the pedestrian axis to Seyyed Ibrahim (AS) Imamzadeh in Zanjan city. This axis is known as the place of gathering and forming local communities in religious ceremonies.
 
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical based on a field survey (questionnaire). The statistics of the present research are citizens and business people. Their number is unknown. According to Cochran's formula method, 350 people were questioned as a sample. In order to recognize the impact and significant relationship of social solidarity indicators with ritual codes of study, the sample t-test statistical test and Pearson's correlation were exerted using SPSS software.
 
Results and discussion
Out of 350 statistical samples, 45.3% were women and 54.7% were men. 66.4% of people are married and 33.6% are single. The largest age group was 30 to 45 years old, with 40.5%. Most people had a high school education, and the predominant occupation of the questioned people was freelance. People's motivations for attending the study axis are shopping, sitting, and visiting historical monuments. Also, 60 percent of people attended national events such as Nowruz and religious events such as the movement of Hosseinieh and Zainabieh Azam Zanjan mourners. This research has tried to adapt Emile
 
Durkheim's theory of social solidarity in promoting the ritual functions of urban spaces. The pedestrian axis of Sabzeh Maidan to Imamzadeh Seyyed Ibrahim (AS) has been chosen as the center of manifestation of the ritual functions of Zainabiyah and Hosseinieh Azam in Zanjan city as a case study. Emile Durkheim's theory of social solidarity was based on the division of labor and the participation of people in collective affairs mechanically and organically. In other words, he believed that keeping people in society requires common stimuli and norms. Therefore, based on the present research results, it can be said that ritual functions are considered as common stimuli and values that society members bring to urban spaces through national and religious ceremonies and rituals. On the other hand, according to their physical and functional content, ritual axes significantly strengthen and promote social solidarity. If the results of this research are consistent with studies such as Lotfi's studies (2013) regarding the continuity of the historical context with the combination of content and function in the space as an effective measure of ritual axes, Rastbin et al. (2014) regarding the correlation of environmental quality and the continuity of urban life, et al.(2013) the effect of social solidarity on increasing the sense of place, Shakur et al.(2017) about the role of physical structure on the formation of social solidarity in urban spaces, Afshar and Shirkhani (2014) about the influence of social components such as identity, Vitality, security and sociability in urban spaces, Lak and Hakimian (2019) continuity and reproduction of ritual axes depends on strengthening the characteristics of collective memory in urban spaces and Mishra (2020) based on the effect of social solidarity in creating collective consciousness. However, it is not in line with the results of Naderi et al.'s studies (2014) that people do not connect with space, and the findings show that the focus of the study is the promotion of ritual functions in the group, the continuation of collective interactions and the dynamics of space. The findings showed that the more the quality of the visual and physical signs of the space is improved in terms of symmetry and physical unity, the more it will significantly impact the continuation of the formation and promotion of the studied ritual functions and vice versa.
 
Conclusion
We conclude that Durkheim's theory of social solidarity should be discussed in all topics related to the relationship between the individual and the environment and others. Beyond Durkheim's perspective, we have shown the relevance of social solidarity in society and its effects on ritual functions. The idea of this classical sociologist can be reflected in urban planning issues to produce collective spaces and interactions of cultural-religious events. The findings showed that among the indicators of social solidarity, the variables of belonging to historical and traditional contexts, promoting identity, recalling collective memories, feeling happy and alive, accessibility, social communication, and interactions, and feeling safe, respectively. The averages of 4.09, 3.80, 3.73, 3.57, 3.46, 3.39, and 3.35 have significantly impacted the promotion of ritual functions. The drivers of the ritual functions of the space to increase social solidarity also include highly influential variables such as the lack of strengthening urban furniture, reducing the attractiveness of the entrance and proper flooring, lack of participation in the reconstruction and preservation of identity buildings, lack of cleanliness and cleanliness, lack of installation Direction signs etc. will have a negative effect on the ritual function.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.
Keywords
Social Solidarity
Emile Durkheim
Ritual Functions
Urban Spaces
Zanjan City
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Sustainable city
Volume 7, Issue 1
Spring 2024
Pages 117-133