Introduction

The dynamics of urban life, especially in mid-sized cities like Izeh in southwestern Iran, have introduced complex challenges in recent decades. Rapid urbanization, unbalanced physical development, and population migration from rural to urban areas have led to various environmental and social problems such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and weakened community interaction. These issues often diminish the overall quality of life and make the urban experience emotionally and physically draining for residents. Hence, understanding the physical, social, and psychological dimensions of urban environments has become a priority in urban planning.

Urban neighborhoods, as the smallest spatial units of cities, play a vital role in shaping residents' identities and sense of belonging. They are no longer just physical territories but rather places infused with meaning, memory, and emotional ties. In this context, the concept of responsive environments—urban spaces that effectively respond to users’ needs and foster interaction, safety, and diversity—has received attention for its capacity to enhance place attachment. This emotional connection is crucial for urban sustainability, social participation, and quality of life.

In the case of Izeh, many neighborhoods suffer from poor urban design, lack of diversity in land use, and insufficient public amenities. These deficiencies have weakened residents’ engagement with their environment and reduced their attachment to place. This study, therefore, investigates how citizens perceive the responsiveness of their local environments and how these perceptions influence their sense of place attachment in 15 neighborhoods of Izeh city.

Methodology

This research is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in method, conducted through a field survey. The study population includes all residents of the 15 neighborhoods of Izeh, with a total population of 198,871. A sample of 400 individuals was selected using simple random sampling based on Cochran's formula. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire validated through expert judgment (face and content validity) and tested for reliability using Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.77). The questionnaire evaluated five main constructs based on Bentley et al.'s (1985) theory of responsive environments:

1. Physical and spatial quality

2. Perceived safety and life satisfaction

3. Social participation and responsibility

4. Aesthetic and cognitive urban design

5. Place attachment (dependent variable)

Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent t-tests, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via Smart PLS were used to analyze the data. Model fitness was assessed through KMO, Bartlett’s test, and composite reliability (CR).

Results and Discussion

The findings indicate that citizens generally rate the responsiveness of their neighborhoods as moderate. Among all components, “urban design and aesthetics” received the highest mean (3.33), followed by “safety and life satisfaction” (3.27), and “place attachment” (3.29). The lowest-rated dimension was “physical and spatial quality” (3.18), indicating existing weaknesses in public spaces and urban services.

Correlation analysis revealed significant and positive relationships between place attachment and other dimensions, notably:

• Safety and satisfaction with life (r = 0.517)

• Social participation (r = 0.411)

• Urban design and aesthetics (r = 0.610)

Path analysis confirmed that:

• Safety and life satisfaction had the most substantial effect on place attachment (β = 0.337, t = 6.918)

• Social participation also showed a strong effect (β = 0.285, t = 6.208)

• Physical and spatial quality had a moderate but significant effect (β = 0.202, t = 3.334)

• However, aesthetic design, despite its high descriptive score, did not show a statistically significant direct effect on place attachment (p = 0.055)

Gender-based analysis showed that women rated physical quality and aesthetics higher, while men reported higher scores for safety, participation, and place attachment. These differences are attributed to behavioral patterns and gender-specific experiences in urban environments.

Furthermore, model fit indices supported the structural validity of the research framework:

• R² for place attachment = 0.436, indicating that about 44% of its variance is explained by the independent variables.

• GoF = 0.278, demonstrating a good overall model fit.

• The AVE and CR values for all constructs were above acceptable thresholds, confirming convergent validity.

Conclusion

• The study underscores the critical role of responsive urban design in enhancing citizens’ place attachment in mid-sized cities. Among all dimensions, safety and life satisfaction emerged as the strongest predictors of place attachment, highlighting the need for peaceful and secure environments. Social participation was also essential, suggesting that inclusive planning can strengthen emotional bonds with place.

• Interestingly, although aesthetic qualities received high ratings, they did not translate into higher levels of attachment unless combined with functional and social dimensions. Therefore, relying solely on beautification without addressing social and psychological needs may not be sufficient for fostering place attachment.

• The study recommends that urban management and policy-makers adopt an integrated and participatory approach to urban planning, focusing not only on the visual and physical aspects but also on social interaction, security, and citizen engagement. Future research should employ qualitative methods, such as interviews and ethnographic observation, to deepen the understanding of place attachment and responsive environments, especially in contexts with distinct cultural and socio-economic characteristics like Izeh.