Analyzing the Role of Key Actors in the Realization of a Healthy Housing Pattern: A Case Study of District 3, Sanandaj, Iran

ABSTRACT
In the face of recent public health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of designing healthy and resilient housing capable of responding to emergency health situations has become increasingly evident. This study aims to analyze the role and influence of key actors in the process of realizing a healthy housing pattern in District 3 of Sanandaj. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical, employing a mixed-methods approach (both quantitative and qualitative). Data were initially gathered through document analysis and subsequently supplemented by utilizing the Delphi technique and collecting insights from 13 local experts. Following the identification of 18 key actors, categorized into five primary groups, a cross-impact analysis matrix was developed to evaluate the interactions and influences among these actors. This matrix was then analyzed using Ucinet software to precisely assess the structure and dynamics of the actor-network. The findings of the study indicate that three primary groups of actors, including developers, the Islamic City Council of Sanandaj, and consumers, play crucial roles in the realization of the healthy housing pattern, owing to their central and significant influence. In contrast, certain entities, such as the municipality and the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, were identified as secondary actors, whose roles, despite being complementary and supervisory, are characterized by limited decision-making power. These findings suggest that strengthening interactions among key and secondary actors and drawing on successful international experiences could lead to improved housing planning and design processes, thereby enhancing the structure and effectiveness of the actor-network in addressing future health challenges.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
In recent decades, health crises and pandemics, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have profoundly impacted the design and utilization of residential spaces. These circumstances have highlighted the need for residential environments to be designed to respond to health emergencies effectively. Previous research underscores that housing design must account for resilience against health crises, with the roles of stakeholders and developers being critically significant. Specifically, architects, urban planners, and other professionals can play key roles through their technical and creative expertise in designing and implementing resilient housing Patterns. The primary objective of this research is to analyze the roles and impacts of stakeholders and developers in realizing a healthy housing pattern in the context of future epidemics. While numerous studies have addressed various dimensions of housing design, this research focuses on the interactions and influence of different stakeholders on the design and implementation of these patterns. The study's main innovation lies in analyzing the mechanisms among stakeholders in achieving a healthy and resilient housing Pattern, which can contribute to the development of effective strategies and crisis management in housing project design.
 
Methodology
This study, aimed at identifying and analyzing the roles of stakeholders in achieving a healthy housing Pattern in District Three of Sanandaj, is categorized as applied research. The study employs a descriptive-analytical approach and utilizes a mixed-methods methodology (both quantitative and qualitative) for data collection and analysis. Initially, key stakeholders were identified through document analysis, followed by using the Delphi technique and collecting insights from 13 local experts to complete and validate these identifications. Ultimately, 18 stakeholders, divided into five main groups, were recognized as influential in realizing a healthy housing Pattern.
Following stakeholder identification, a cross-impact analysis matrix was developed to assess their interactions and influences. Experts used a numerical scale to evaluate the impact of each stakeholder on others, and the results were analyzed using Ucinet software to examine the structural dynamics of the stakeholder network. This analysis focused on the interactions and relationships among stakeholders. It contributed to a better understanding their roles in achieving a healthy housing pattern in District 3 of Sanandaj.
District 3 of Sanandaj, the city's most recently developed urban area, with an area of approximately 1126 hectares and a population of around 183,808, was selected due to its distinctive characteristics. This area has a relatively integrated urban texture and diverse residential, sports, recreational, cultural, commercial, and service uses. Choosing this District to study healthy housing patterns is justified by its potential to provide more precise results in addressing future health crises.
 
Results and discussion
The stakeholder network analysis in achieving the healthy housing Pattern in District 3 of Sanandaj was conducted using Ucinet software, examining network density, betweenness centrality, degree centrality, and closeness centrality. The findings indicated that the stakeholder network has low density (28%), reflecting weak connections and a slow decision-making and execution process in housing planning. In terms of betweenness centrality, the “National Land and Housing Organization” and “Sanandaj Municipality” were identified as key actors with significant mediation and control abilities within the network. These organizations, with their central roles in planning and investment, substantially impact realizing the healthy housing pattern. Other stakeholders, such as developers and consumers, also play important roles in the network. Degree centrality revealed that "developers" and “Islamic City Council of Sanandaj” have the most direct connections with other stakeholders, making them informal leaders and key influencers within the network. Due to their numerous connections, developers play a crucial role in implementing healthy housing patterns, while the City Council's supervisory and managerial role aids in realizing these patterns. Closeness centrality showed that “Sanandaj Municipality” and “District 3 Municipality”, along with developers and consumers, hold central positions that enable them to exert more significant influence over decision-making and implementation processes for the healthy housing pattern. Through their close and ongoing interactions, these stakeholders significantly impact the improvement of housing conditions. Ultimately, three key groups of stakeholders – “developers”, “Islamic City Council of Sanandaj” and “consumers” – were identified as having central and significant roles in achieving the healthy housing pattern. Other entities, such as the municipality and the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, were recognized as secondary actors with complementary roles yet possessing limited decision-making power. These findings suggest that enhancing interactions among key and secondary stakeholders, as well as leveraging successful international experiences, could improve housing planning and design processes. Such measures could enhance the structure and efficiency of the stakeholder network and serve as strategies for addressing future challenges in this field.
 
Conclusion
This research examined the interactions among various stakeholders in the housing planning and design process in District 3 of Sanandaj. The findings reveal that three main groups predominantly carry out key decision-making as developers, the Islamic City Council of Sanandaj, and consumers. Due to their significant influence, these groups play essential roles in housing planning and design processes. Conversely, some organizations, such as the municipality and the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, are identified as secondary actors and often overlooked, with less decision-making power despite their complementary roles. The research findings indicate that enhancing housing planning and design processes requires increased interactions among key and secondary stakeholders, strengthening the roles of overlooked actors, and integrating international best practices. These actions could improve the structure and efficiency of the stakeholder network and optimize decision-making and design processes in housing, providing strategic approaches to address future challenges in this domain.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
The contribution of the authors to this research is as follows: the first author contributed 50%, the second and third authors each contributed 20%, and the fourth author contributed 10% to the writing and execution of this research.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to all scientific advisors and contributors who participated in the research process.