breaking the circle of abandonment; A critical experience in revitalization a moribund neighborhood in Tehran

This article is based on a real-life urban intervention project in Tehran, in which the authors were involved. It aims to provide a critical perspective on existing urban policies and approaches in Iran, prioritizing local community engagement, small-scale projects, and inclusive development over exclusive development-based approaches. The article uses the concepts of moribund neighborhood, declining local societies, and revitalization to describe a neighborhood that has been neglected due to lack of local cohesion, decreasing attachment to place and weak local societies. This neighborhood has been labeled as infamous by interest groups in neighboring areas and ignored by public and private capital. The neighborhood was in a state of moribund before the intervention of a facilitation group. This moribund situation was the result of complex and interconnected processes, such as isolation, abandonment, and declining social engagement. This situation was tacitly accepted and supported by the residents of the neighborhood and surrounding areas, as well as private and public sector actors. The neighborhood facilitation group implemented a revitalization approach, which included policies to empower local institutions, create participation opportunities, improve spatial status, and address neglect. Small-scale projects were planned and implemented, resulting in restored vitality, increased community engagement, and improved public spaces, which could lead to further improvements in the future.