Analysis of Co‑creation in the Digitalization of Peripheral settlement in Mashhad

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master’s of Urban Design, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran

2 Assistant Professor Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

3 PhD in Urban Planning Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4 Master of Science in Geography and Urban Planning, Hesar Azad University, Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Enhancing digital co‑creation in marginalized neighborhoods represents a vital step toward reducing the digital divide and alleviating socio‑economic deprivation. Through facilitating access to information, strengthening civic participation, and improving interaction with service institutions, this process can contribute significantly to residents’ empowerment and the improvement of their quality of life. The purpose of this study is to analyze and evaluate digital co‑creation in the marginalized neighborhoods of Mashhad. The research is applied in nature, and data collection was carried out using both library (documentary) and field methods (observation and questionnaire). Data analysis employed descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and variance) and inferential statistics (one‑sample t‑test and Pearson correlation). The findings of the sample study indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship among all six key indicators—digital participation, diversity of digital stakeholders, transparency and access to digital information, digital two‑way interaction and communication, outputs and achievements of digitalization, and participant satisfaction with digital participation—showing the positive effects of digitalization on the marginal urban areas under study. However, except for the indicator of digital two‑way interaction and communication with a mean value of 3.00, all other indicators scored below the numerical desirability threshold (3). Therefore, a significant difference at the 0.01 alpha level is observed, and most of the factors have been evaluated positively. The results of the Pearson correlation test reveal that at a significance level of sig = 0.000, the indicators of digital co‑creation in the studied urban neighborhoods are interrelated. The indicator of participant satisfaction with digital participation, with a correlation coefficient of 0.762, shows the strongest relationship with the main research variable, whereas the indicator of transparency and access to digital information, with a coefficient of 0.382, shows the weakest relationship.

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Geography and Territorial Spatial Arrangement
Volume 16, Issue 59
June 2026
Pages 113-138

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History

  • Receive Date: 01 January 2026
  • Revise Date: 14 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 20 May 2026

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