Problem Statement: In recent years, the central and historical areas of cities have faced challenges, including physical deterioration, declining environmental quality, reduced livability, and the gradual departure of residents. These conditions have highlighted the need to understand residents’ perceptions of neighborhood livability and examine their effects on residential satisfaction and neighborhood loyalty to support sustainable urban regeneration.
Research Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate residents’ perceptions of livability in Shahrood’s central neighborhoods, explain its effects on residential satisfaction and neighborhood loyalty, identify environmental improvement priorities, and examine the mediating role of residential satisfaction in strengthening residents’ loyalty.
Research Method: The study combined Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Data were collected through a researcher-made five-point Likert questionnaire from 384 residents of central neighborhoods surrounding the historic bazaar of Shahrood. IPA identified intervention priorities, while SEM tested the direct and indirect relationships among perceived importance, perceived performance, residential satisfaction, and neighborhood loyalty.
Conclusion: The results showed that, despite performance deficiencies in some livability dimensions, especially social aspects, spatial quality, and the built environment, residents’ loyalty exceeded residential satisfaction, indicating strong emotional and social ties. Perceived livability performance had a significant direct effect on residential satisfaction (β = 0.56), while residential satisfaction strengthened the relationship between perceived performance and neighborhood loyalty (β = 0.89). IPA identified security against crime, social cohesion and participation, street lighting, safety for women and children, and visual appeal of building facades as the highest intervention priorities. Overall, the findings emphasize human-centered environmental and social interventions to enhance satisfaction, strengthen loyalty, increase residential stability, and support sustainable regeneration of central neighborhoods.