Qualitative Analysis of the Socio-Economic Impacts of Construction of Shahid Bagheri Square Multi-storey Parking*

This study was aimed to analyze the social and economic impacts of the construction of multi-storey parking in Shahid Bagheri Square, South Yaftabad District, Tehran. The methodology of this study was qualitative and the data were collected through observation and interview techniques with a focus on the interpretations of the participants.The data collection process continued until it reached a theoretical saturation. In this process, 47 technical experts, officials, key informants and local residents were interviewed both in person and within a discussions group. The Findings revealed that not only the effectiveness of this construction project but also the manageability of its impacts depend on consideration of socio-economic status of Yaftabad neighborhood residents. Therefore, suggestions derived from present study are as follow: Renting parking lots based on the common price in the South Yaftabad neighborhood with a fair pricing mechanism; Strengthening intra- and inter-organizational coordination by emphasizing on social participation; Incorporating construction of a neighborhood hall -Saraye Mahalle- into this project for addressing the social and cultural needs of the residents; Utilizing the parking building as a local cultural heritage bulletin; Preventing spaces from getting unprotected and indefensible by including green spaces or playgrounds in building plan; reinforcing social interactions and local identity by turning some parts of the parking to a local hangout as a hub of local and social communication.