An Analysis on the Urban Identity Element of Sabzevar with Emphasis on the Views of Citizens

Introduction and Background: The issue of identity in general and urban identity in particular has a great importance because of the role that play in recognizing individuals, objects, communities and places. In spite of the importance of this issue, urban identity crisis is alarming in recent times. Natural elements, physical and socio-cultural components are three main elements identifying that conditions and characteristics of each of them determining their role in the identity of the city.
Aims: The main purpose of this study is investigate and identify the urban identity component of Sabzevar with emphasis on identifying the mentioned factors by citizens. This research method was of descriptive-analytic type. The data were collected through a document (library) method and a survey (questionnaire) method. The statistical population has been people over 15 years old of Sabzevar, who had been residence in this city for at least 5 years. The research units is Individual and samples are obtained using by Cochran formula a sample of 384 people. The results show that on the basis relative frequency of recognized elements by the respondents, according to the group of synthetic and physical components with 44.21 percent, natural components with 30.29 percent and the human factor (25.49 percent) to be accounted as the most significant components of identity of Sabzevar city. Also citizens place attachment as one of elements of identity which is more than average level. Another result of this study is that among the 30 physical element of streets, squares and parks named by respondents, with the exception of 2 cases that are located in the city new part, the rest have taken place in old and central mid regions. In addition, these results indicate that there is no significant difference between the knowledge of residences regarding identity elements of physical and built environment of the city