Extended Abstract
Introduction
Urban regeneration has emerged as a comprehensive approach to addressing the physical, social, economic, and environmental challenges of urban areas. Unlike traditional urban renewal strategies, contemporary regeneration emphasizes participatory governance, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable development. The success of urban regeneration initiatives largely depends on the interactions among various actors, including governmental organizations, municipalities, local communities, private sectors, non-governmental organizations, and other institutional stakeholders. These interactions shape decision-making processes, resource allocation, implementation effectiveness, and ultimately the sustainability of regeneration outcomes.
Actor-Network Theory (ANT) provides a valuable framework for understanding these complex relationships by conceptualizing urban development as a network of interconnected human and non-human actors. According to ANT, urban regeneration outcomes are not merely products of governmental interventions but are generated through dynamic interactions among diverse actors and institutions. Therefore, understanding the structure and quality of actor networks is essential for improving regeneration policies and practices.
The city of Neka, located in Mazandaran Province, Iran, presents a significant case for investigating the role of actor networks in urban regeneration. Neka possesses considerable cultural, historical, and social assets that can contribute to strengthening cultural capital and promoting sustainable urban development. However, the city also faces challenges related to deteriorated urban fabrics, fragmented institutional arrangements, insufficient stakeholder participation, and limited coordination among responsible organizations. Despite the growing importance of urban regeneration in Iranian cities, limited attention has been paid to the relationship between actor networks, cultural capital, and sustainable development in Neka. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the role of actor network interactions in shaping urban regeneration outcomes with particular emphasis on cultural capital and sustainable development.

Material and Methods
This study adopts a mixed-methods research design that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate the interactions among urban regeneration actors in Neka. The theoretical foundation of the research is based on Actor-Network Theory, which facilitates the identification of key actors and the examination of their relationships within the urban regeneration process.
Data collection was conducted through documentary analysis, expert interviews, questionnaires, and stakeholder assessments. Relevant urban development plans, regeneration policies, municipal documents, and institutional reports were reviewed to identify the major actors involved in regeneration initiatives. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with urban managers, municipal officials, planning experts, representatives of governmental organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
To examine the structure of actor relationships, Social Network Analysis (SNA) was employed. This method enables the assessment of communication patterns, collaboration intensity, information exchange, and power distribution among actors. Network indicators such as density, centrality, connectivity, and cohesion were used to evaluate the effectiveness of actor interactions.
In addition, indicators related to cultural capital and sustainable development were incorporated into the analytical framework. Cultural capital indicators included cultural participation, preservation of local identity, community engagement, heritage conservation, and social cohesion. Sustainable development indicators encompassed environmental quality, economic opportunities, institutional effectiveness, and social inclusiveness. The integration of these indicators with network analysis provided a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between actor interactions and regeneration outcomes.

Results and Discussion
The findings indicate that urban regeneration in Neka involves a diverse range of actors, including municipal authorities, governmental agencies, urban management institutions, local communities, private investors, cultural organizations, and civil society groups. However, the network structure demonstrates an uneven distribution of influence among actors. Governmental and municipal institutions occupy central positions within the network and play dominant roles in decision-making processes, while community-based organizations and local residents exhibit relatively limited participation.
Social Network Analysis revealed moderate levels of connectivity and collaboration among stakeholders. Although several institutional actors maintain strong communication links, the overall network density remains insufficient to support effective collaborative governance. Information exchange and joint decision-


making mechanisms are often concentrated among a limited number of actors, resulting in reduced opportunities for broader participation and collective action.
The results further suggest that the quality of actor interactions significantly influences urban regeneration outcomes. Areas characterized by stronger collaboration and communication tend to demonstrate higher levels of community engagement, cultural participation, and social cohesion. Conversely, fragmented relationships and weak stakeholder integration hinder the implementation of regeneration projects and reduce their long-term sustainability.
A key finding of the study is the central role of cultural capital in urban regeneration. Neka's cultural heritage, local identity, historical assets, and community traditions constitute important resources for regeneration initiatives. The research indicates that actor networks capable of mobilizing these cultural resources through participatory approaches are more successful in generating sustainable development outcomes. Effective collaboration among cultural institutions, local communities, and municipal authorities contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage while simultaneously enhancing social inclusion and economic vitality.

Conclusion
This study examined the role of actor network interactions in shaping urban regeneration outcomes in Neka City with a focus on cultural capital and sustainable development. The findings demonstrate that the success of urban regeneration depends not only on financial resources and physical interventions but also on the quality of relationships among stakeholders. Strong actor networks facilitate communication, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and participatory decision-making, thereby contributing to more sustainable regeneration outcomes.
The research also confirms that cultural capital represents a critical component of successful urban regeneration. The preservation of local identity, cultural heritage, and community values can strengthen social cohesion and increase public participation in regeneration initiatives. Consequently, integrating cultural capital into urban regeneration strategies can enhance both social sustainability and development effectiveness.
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