Motaleate Shahri

Urban Design

Walkability Conceptual Model and Analytical Framework with the Emphasis on New Urbanism Approach (case study: 4th phase of Mehrshahr)

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Volume 3, Issue 9 , February 2014, , Pages 81-96

Abstract

Finding a “research problem” is always considered the most difficult part in any scientific research process. What justifies a research’s significance and its necessity? Why is the invaluable factor in this research “walking” or “walkability”? The explanation ... Read More Finding a “research problem” is always considered the most difficult part in any scientific research process. What justifies a research’s significance and its necessity? Why is the invaluable factor in this research “walking” or “walkability”? The explanation is both straightforward and complicated. Walking is considered as the oldest form of human movement in space and the most interesting one while “lack of movement” is considered to pose a serious risk to public health and deteriorate contemporary human’s quality of life. Therefore, what has occurred is the misplacing of one of the fundamental values of life: the living experience of urban spaces! The present research aims to search for and assess efficient walking elements and criteria that were realized in the fourth Phase of Mehrshahr in two sections (phases). The first section reviewed related literature, theoretical principles, and global experiences where the combinations of deductive and inductive reasoning were employed. This means that walkability hypotheses and related accepted principles were firstly explored and then the conceptual model (the reference framework) as well as the operational models were designed and developed based on frequent and repetitive categories of diverse ideas and experiences. Description was the dominant strategy in this phase. After preliminary examination of the model, the limits of the study and its localization, the next stage was centered around the situation assessment on the basis of operational model criteria and sub-criteria. To do this, some questionnaires were designed using a likert scale with a 10% error margin in generalization of results and given to the inhabitants of the area; questionnaire items were developed based on the operational model sub-criteria and its statistical analysis provided the necessary background for making decisions on the strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats in realizing pedestrian-orientation in the region. Subsequently, the necessary background for SWOT matrices was developed with emphasis on innovative combination (triangulation), “place check” through visual perception in addition to investigation of resources and documents. The number of matrices depended on conceptual model categories and situation assessment was investigated on the basis of realization of criteria and sub-criteria in the area under study which is considered as the strength of the present research. The current study benefits from an applied nature as the consequent research results were presented in terms of executive objectives, strategies and policies. Research model validity and reliability were demonstrated and achieved through three phases of literature review, an opinion poll of instructors and specialists, the preliminary examination of the area under study and field research results. The results indicate that despite the importance of all the model categories in the 4th Phase of Mehrshahr, the role of factors like environmental qualities, security, and effective urban management were significantly important compared to other factors. Therefore, related strategies and executive policies based on these factors must be seriously considered.

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Walkability Conceptual Model and Analytical Framework with the Emphasis on New Urbanism Approach (case study: 4th phase of Mehrshahr)

Abstract