University of Isfahan Journal of Applied Sociology 2008-5745 37 3 2026 09 23 The Sense of Place Belonging in Multicultural and Plural Cities (Case Study: Rezvanshahr in Gilan Province) The Sense of Place Belonging in Multicultural and Plural Cities (Case Study: Rezvanshahr in Gilan Province) 61 82 30305 10.22108/jas.2026.146163.2685 FA Reza Alizadeh Assistant professor, Gilan Research Institute, University of Gilan, Rasht, Iran Mehdi Mazloom Khodashahri MA., Sociology, University of Gilan, Rasht, Iran Journal Article 2025 07 30 Introduction The concept of place belonging defined as the emotional and cognitive bond between individuals and their environment is a crucial element of urban sustainability and social cohesion. This significance is amplified in multicultural cities, where diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious groups coexist, making the negotiation of identity and attachment a complex process. This study investigated the sense of place belonging among the residents of Rezvanshahr, a city in northern Iran recognized as one of the nation's most ethnically diverse urban centers, primarily inhabited by Gilak, Talesh, and Turk communities. The research addressed a critical gap in the literature by moving beyond physical determinants of attachment to explore how socio-cultural dynamics influenced place belonging in a pluralistic context. Drawing primarily on Marco Antonsich's comprehensive theoretical framework, which conceptualizes belonging not merely as a personal feeling of being 'at home' but as a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by autobiographical, relational, cultural, economic, and legal factors, this study had two main objectives. First, it aimed to empirically measure the overall level of place belonging among the citizens. Second, and more importantly, it sought to analyze the relationship between this sense of belonging and several key social variables: social vitality (as an indicator of positive social interaction), the spirit of participation in urban management, trust in urban management institutions, and perceptions of urban violence. By focusing on Rezvanshahr, this study offers valuable insights into the interplay between social capital, governance, and place attachment in a context characterized by significant cultural diversity. Materials & Methods This quantitative research utilized a survey method with a structured questionnaire. The statistical population comprised all citizens of Rezvanshahr. A sample of 400 respondents was selected through random cluster sampling across 11 neighborhoods of the city. The validity of the instrument was established through face validity, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. The coefficients for all main variables—including sense of belonging, social vitality, participation, perceptions of violence, and trust—ranged from 0.72 to 0.93, indicating good internal consistency. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression analysis. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The findings indicated that the overall sense of place belonging in Rezvanshahr was relatively high, suggesting a robust emotional connection between citizens and their city, despite its diversity. The results revealed significant positive correlations between a sense of belonging and social vitality, participation in urban management, and trust in municipal institutions. This suggested that citizens’ emotional investment in the city deepened when they found joy in their daily interactions, felt that their contributions to city affairs were valued, and perceived local authorities as competent and honest. Conversely, a significant negative correlation was observed between urban violence and sense of belonging, highlighting how insecurity and social disorder could diminish feelings of safety and belonging. Significant differences in sense of belonging were found across demographic variables, particularly among age groups, where older citizens reported a higher sense of belonging. Additionally, differences were noted in education levels and, notably, ethnicity. Gilak respondents exhibited the highest sense of belonging followed by Talesh, while Turk respondents reported the lowest. These variations suggested differing levels of social integration and recognition that warranted further investigation. No significant differences were detected based on gender or religion. The regression analysis demonstrated that the independent variables collectively explained a substantial portion (45%) of the variance in sense of place belonging, confirming the model's strong explanatory power. These findings align closely with Antonsich's theoretical dimensions. Social vitality and participation reflect the relational and cultural factors that enhance an individual's connection to place. The significance of ethnicity highlights the cultural dimension, wherein language and shared identity serve as key anchors for belonging. Trust in urban management relates to the legal and social aspects of feeling secure and is recognized by systems of authority. Moreover, urban violence directly undermines feelings of safety and stability, which are essential for the autobiographical and economic continuity of place attachment. The study concludes that a sense of belonging is not inherent but a social construct actively shaped at the intersection of power, identity, and space. Therefore, fostering social vitality, encouraging genuine citizen participation, building trust in municipal institutions, and implementing effective policies to mitigate urban violence are not merely administrative tasks; they are essential strategies for enhancing place belonging and managing social cohesion in multicultural urban settings like Rezvanshahr. Introduction The concept of place belonging defined as the emotional and cognitive bond between individuals and their environment is a crucial element of urban sustainability and social cohesion. This significance is amplified in multicultural cities, where diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious groups coexist, making the negotiation of identity and attachment a complex process. This study investigated the sense of place belonging among the residents of Rezvanshahr, a city in northern Iran recognized as one of the nation's most ethnically diverse urban centers, primarily inhabited by Gilak, Talesh, and Turk communities. The research addressed a critical gap in the literature by moving beyond physical determinants of attachment to explore how socio-cultural dynamics influenced place belonging in a pluralistic context. Drawing primarily on Marco Antonsich's comprehensive theoretical framework, which conceptualizes belonging not merely as a personal feeling of being 'at home' but as a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by autobiographical, relational, cultural, economic, and legal factors, this study had two main objectives. First, it aimed to empirically measure the overall level of place belonging among the citizens. Second, and more importantly, it sought to analyze the relationship between this sense of belonging and several key social variables: social vitality (as an indicator of positive social interaction), the spirit of participation in urban management, trust in urban management institutions, and perceptions of urban violence. By focusing on Rezvanshahr, this study offers valuable insights into the interplay between social capital, governance, and place attachment in a context characterized by significant cultural diversity. Materials & Methods This quantitative research utilized a survey method with a structured questionnaire. The statistical population comprised all citizens of Rezvanshahr. A sample of 400 respondents was selected through random cluster sampling across 11 neighborhoods of the city. The validity of the instrument was established through face validity, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. The coefficients for all main variables—including sense of belonging, social vitality, participation, perceptions of violence, and trust—ranged from 0.72 to 0.93, indicating good internal consistency. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression analysis. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The findings indicated that the overall sense of place belonging in Rezvanshahr was relatively high, suggesting a robust emotional connection between citizens and their city, despite its diversity. The results revealed significant positive correlations between a sense of belonging and social vitality, participation in urban management, and trust in municipal institutions. This suggested that citizens’ emotional investment in the city deepened when they found joy in their daily interactions, felt that their contributions to city affairs were valued, and perceived local authorities as competent and honest. Conversely, a significant negative correlation was observed between urban violence and sense of belonging, highlighting how insecurity and social disorder could diminish feelings of safety and belonging. Significant differences in sense of belonging were found across demographic variables, particularly among age groups, where older citizens reported a higher sense of belonging. Additionally, differences were noted in education levels and, notably, ethnicity. Gilak respondents exhibited the highest sense of belonging followed by Talesh, while Turk respondents reported the lowest. These variations suggested differing levels of social integration and recognition that warranted further investigation. No significant differences were detected based on gender or religion. The regression analysis demonstrated that the independent variables collectively explained a substantial portion (45%) of the variance in sense of place belonging, confirming the model's strong explanatory power. These findings align closely with Antonsich's theoretical dimensions. Social vitality and participation reflect the relational and cultural factors that enhance an individual's connection to place. The significance of ethnicity highlights the cultural dimension, wherein language and shared identity serve as key anchors for belonging. Trust in urban management relates to the legal and social aspects of feeling secure and is recognized by systems of authority. Moreover, urban violence directly undermines feelings of safety and stability, which are essential for the autobiographical and economic continuity of place attachment. The study concludes that a sense of belonging is not inherent but a social construct actively shaped at the intersection of power, identity, and space. Therefore, fostering social vitality, encouraging genuine citizen participation, building trust in municipal institutions, and implementing effective policies to mitigate urban violence are not merely administrative tasks; they are essential strategies for enhancing place belonging and managing social cohesion in multicultural urban settings like Rezvanshahr.

https://jas.ui.ac.ir/article_30305_ad19b87f5e912c84287c1e1d88bbfd34.pdf