University of Isfahan Journal of Applied Sociology 2008-5745 36 3 2025 09 23 A Participatory Governance Model for Comprehensive Conservation of Historical Buildings and Urban Fabric: A Grounded Theory Approach A Participatory Governance Model for Comprehensive Conservation of Historical Buildings and Urban Fabric: A Grounded Theory Approach 127 166 29471 10.22108/jas.2025.143719.2590 FA Somayyeh Ghadimzadeh Assistant professor, Department of Restoration of Historical Monuments, Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning, and Art, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran Elnaz Abizadeh Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran Mahdiyeh Rahnemay Toori Master of Architecture, Cultural and Public Relations Specialist, Tabriz Municipality, Region 6, Tabriz, Iran 0009-0001-8806-8362 Journal Article 2024 12 20 Introduction The comprehensive and sustainable conservation of historical buildings and urban environments requires active community engagement, recognizing the intrinsic connection between cultural heritage and its socio-cultural contexts. However, participatory approaches have yet to find a definitive role in shaping conservation policies in Iran. The inefficacy of many conservation plans can be attributed to centralized, top-down methods that overlook the importance of involving people as key stakeholders. Furthermore, the comprehensive conservation approach, which takes into account both physical and semantic dimensions, has been largely neglected in existing policies. The aim of this research was to develop a participatory governance model for the comprehensive conservation of historical buildings and sites, emphasizing stakeholder participation. This study employed the grounded theory method and conducted in-depth interviews with cultural heritage experts and managers to identify the dimensions, components, and effective mechanisms for establishing a participatory governance system in the conservation of historical buildings and urban fabric. Materials & Methods Data for this study were collected using a semi-structured in-depth interview tool. Analysis, based on a grounded theory approach, led to presentation of the model as having 26 main categories. Participants included experts, urban managers, and faculty members with prior collaboration experience with heritage organizations and municipalities selected through purposive sampling. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Saturation occurred after 24 interviews with two additional interviews conducted to ensure data adequacy. The collected qualitative data were analyzed using the grounded theory method following Strauss and Corbin's (1990) approach, which involved 3 coding stages: open, axial, and selective coding. In the open coding phase, interviews were transcribed and thoroughly reviewed, resulting in 790 initial codes. During the axial coding phase, similar and related codes were compared, merged, and organized into 124 subcategories. In the selective coding phase, these subcategories were integrated to form 26 main categories, which were then structured into 5 sections within the paradigm model: causal conditions (4 categories), contextual conditions (5 categories), intervening conditions (5 categories), strategies (7 categories), and consequences (5 categories). Discussion of Results & Conclusion The findings revealed a multifaceted governance framework that effectively addressed the complex challenges of cultural heritage conservation. The causal conditions emphasized the diverse nature of cultural heritage and its intrinsic identity values, underscoring the necessity for active participation from social actors. Contextual conditions could be categorized into 5 areas: institutional and managerial frameworks, social dynamics, socio-economic and developmental challenges, cultural and identity contexts, and capacities for sustainable economic and tourism development of cultural heritage. Intervening conditions encompassed conflicts between tradition and modernity, facilitators and inhibitors within legal frameworks, social participation and public awareness, stakeholder conflicts of interest, and barriers to trust-building. The proposed participatory governance model for the comprehensive conservation of cultural heritage was structured around 7 strategic axes: knowledge-driven management and comprehensive studies; empowerment of local communities and enhancement of participatory engagement; education and awareness-raising; integrated specialized-participatory management; sustainable conservation, revitalization, and utilization; institutional synergy; and promotion of transparency and institutional-social trust. The social consequences of this model included strengthening of social capital, increased civic participation, enhancement of local identity and sense of place, and improved interactions between governance and communities. Overall, the findings indicated that a participatory approach to cultural heritage conservation not only achieved conservation goals, but also fostered positive socio-economic outcomes that reinforced one another in a synergistic cycle. The final model of participatory governance in the conservation of historic buildings and contexts employed a systemic and integrated approach, emphasizing simultaneous attention to technical, social, economic, and managerial dimensions. Implementing this model can facilitate processes related to the conservation, restoration, and revitalization of historical-cultural assets, while developing cooperative patterns to address issues related to cultural heritage in the country. By enhancing the effectiveness of conservation measures, this model promotes comprehensive cultural heritage conservation, sustainable tourism development, local economic prosperity, and a balance between preserving cultural heritage and meeting contemporary needs. Introduction The comprehensive and sustainable conservation of historical buildings and urban environments requires active community engagement, recognizing the intrinsic connection between cultural heritage and its socio-cultural contexts. However, participatory approaches have yet to find a definitive role in shaping conservation policies in Iran. The inefficacy of many conservation plans can be attributed to centralized, top-down methods that overlook the importance of involving people as key stakeholders. Furthermore, the comprehensive conservation approach, which takes into account both physical and semantic dimensions, has been largely neglected in existing policies. The aim of this research was to develop a participatory governance model for the comprehensive conservation of historical buildings and sites, emphasizing stakeholder participation. This study employed the grounded theory method and conducted in-depth interviews with cultural heritage experts and managers to identify the dimensions, components, and effective mechanisms for establishing a participatory governance system in the conservation of historical buildings and urban fabric. Materials & Methods Data for this study were collected using a semi-structured in-depth interview tool. Analysis, based on a grounded theory approach, led to presentation of the model as having 26 main categories. Participants included experts, urban managers, and faculty members with prior collaboration experience with heritage organizations and municipalities selected through purposive sampling. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Saturation occurred after 24 interviews with two additional interviews conducted to ensure data adequacy. The collected qualitative data were analyzed using the grounded theory method following Strauss and Corbin's (1990) approach, which involved 3 coding stages: open, axial, and selective coding. In the open coding phase, interviews were transcribed and thoroughly reviewed, resulting in 790 initial codes. During the axial coding phase, similar and related codes were compared, merged, and organized into 124 subcategories. In the selective coding phase, these subcategories were integrated to form 26 main categories, which were then structured into 5 sections within the paradigm model: causal conditions (4 categories), contextual conditions (5 categories), intervening conditions (5 categories), strategies (7 categories), and consequences (5 categories). Discussion of Results & Conclusion The findings revealed a multifaceted governance framework that effectively addressed the complex challenges of cultural heritage conservation. The causal conditions emphasized the diverse nature of cultural heritage and its intrinsic identity values, underscoring the necessity for active participation from social actors. Contextual conditions could be categorized into 5 areas: institutional and managerial frameworks, social dynamics, socio-economic and developmental challenges, cultural and identity contexts, and capacities for sustainable economic and tourism development of cultural heritage. Intervening conditions encompassed conflicts between tradition and modernity, facilitators and inhibitors within legal frameworks, social participation and public awareness, stakeholder conflicts of interest, and barriers to trust-building. The proposed participatory governance model for the comprehensive conservation of cultural heritage was structured around 7 strategic axes: knowledge-driven management and comprehensive studies; empowerment of local communities and enhancement of participatory engagement; education and awareness-raising; integrated specialized-participatory management; sustainable conservation, revitalization, and utilization; institutional synergy; and promotion of transparency and institutional-social trust. The social consequences of this model included strengthening of social capital, increased civic participation, enhancement of local identity and sense of place, and improved interactions between governance and communities. Overall, the findings indicated that a participatory approach to cultural heritage conservation not only achieved conservation goals, but also fostered positive socio-economic outcomes that reinforced one another in a synergistic cycle. The final model of participatory governance in the conservation of historic buildings and contexts employed a systemic and integrated approach, emphasizing simultaneous attention to technical, social, economic, and managerial dimensions. Implementing this model can facilitate processes related to the conservation, restoration, and revitalization of historical-cultural assets, while developing cooperative patterns to address issues related to cultural heritage in the country. By enhancing the effectiveness of conservation measures, this model promotes comprehensive cultural heritage conservation, sustainable tourism development, local economic prosperity, and a balance between preserving cultural heritage and meeting contemporary needs.

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