Regional Planning
fardis salarian; mahin nastaran; Hashem Dadashpoor
Abstract
Highlights- Sprawling has turned into a very important issue in Mazandaran Province, because it has affected the natural, socio-cultural, and economic subsystems besides changing the spatial structure and its physical effects.- The important issue in regard to sprawling is to study the causes of its ...
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Highlights- Sprawling has turned into a very important issue in Mazandaran Province, because it has affected the natural, socio-cultural, and economic subsystems besides changing the spatial structure and its physical effects.- The important issue in regard to sprawling is to study the causes of its occurrence and its consequences on urban and regional subsystems to enable optimal planning and management based on a deep understanding of the issues.- Research pertaining to the issue of sprawling should be influenced by diverse perspectives and adoption of a multidimensional approach.- Sprawling is a dynamic phenomenon with a complex nature, which must be investigated with a layered approach for a comprehensive understanding. IntroductionThe central city-region of Mazandaran Province, including the cities of Sari, Qaemshahr, Babol, and Amol, contains more than 53% of the population in only 30% of its area. Based on the set of issues that the spatial patterns of sprawling have brought about in the central city-region of Mazandaran Province, a research gap seems to be there in the presentation of a conceptual model of the relations governing the causes of sprawling and the consequences in this city-region. This research attempts to take an effective step in that regard.Theoretical FrameworkThere are two perspectives on the issue of sprawling: spatial and non-spatial. From the spatial point of view, issues such as land use changes, housing and land demands, transportation and infrastructure development, and inefficient land development have been raised, which directly or indirectly affect the causes and consequences of sprawling. From the non-spatial point of view, on the other hand, socio-demographic, economic, environmental, and management and supervisory system issues are discussed, the impacts of which on the causes and consequences of sprawling cannot be ignored. In line with the diversity in the spatial patterns of this type of growth in the urban and regional space, the causes of occurrence and the consequences arising from the spatial patterns of sprawling are different, an issue that is controversial due to the dynamic nature of the phenomenon. If sprawling is accompanied by poor control and supervision, there will be many negative consequences such as development inefficiency, extensive change in land use, destruction and waste of natural lands, excessive growth, increase in land and housing prices, formation and prosperity of temporary residence and second housing patterns, unplanned formation of residential centers, spatial imbalance, change in peri-urban and rural landscape, and combination of urban and rural boundaries. This causes many more issues in the physical and spatial subsystem of the planning environment and also has negative effects on spatial development processes. MethodologyThe purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of sprawling by planning subsystems and to analyze the consequences of sprawling and achieve the underlying, causal, and continuity conditions in the city-region under study. This applied descriptive-analytical survey adopts a library-documentary method of data collection.Result and DiscussionIn the first part, the experts were provided with a questionnaire on the variables affecting sprawling extracted from studies around the world using purposive sampling, and the results were then analyzed using the fuzzy Delphi method. In the second part, structured interviews were made with the experts in the grounded theory system using the MAXQDA software, and they were then reviewed, analyzed, and coded. To investigate the causes of sprawling, 38 variables on 6 factors were provided to 25 experts who were selected based on purposive sampling. We used semi-structured interviews with 34 participants in the study area in order to analyze the consequences of sprawling, studied the spatial consequences of sprawling in the city-region, and specified 249 initial codes and 28 focal codes. Then, we formulated with the technique of continuous comparison the underlying conditions of development and economic structure change, the causal conditions of the inefficiency of the management and supervision system, the conditions to continue the transformation of the local community and destroy the natural structure, the consequences of change in the physical and spatial structure of the extraction area, and the grounded theory of the consequences of sprawling.ConclusionThe most common causes of sprawling in the study area include per capita household income, land and housing trade, and land prices. In the analysis of the consequences of sprawling, we explained the background conditions for economic development and restructuring, the causal conditions of the inefficiency of the management and supervision system, the conditions of continuity including the transformation of the indigenous community and the destruction of the natural structure, and the consequences of physical and spatial restructuring of the region. To interrupt the process of formation and reduce the negative effects of sprawling, proposals were made on attempts to regulate and reform the decision-making structure, apply economic policies and adjust the market, slow down the accelerated process of destruction of the natural environment, improve the structure of regional planning (draft a codified, updated land use plan, apply detailed policies and ones to avoid promotion of land speculation, avoid provision of construction and building permits for peri-urban lands in the study area, partition natural lands and prioritize future developments in low-value lands, adopt approaches to endogenous development, development in brown lands, and intermediate development, and achieve a sustainable local society.
Regional Planning
Farshad Noorian; Hamidreza Bahmanpour Khalesi
Abstract
An investigation of the documents on regional development in Fars Province, Iran shows that there is such a wide gap between the ideals mentioned in the plans and their potentials for realization that it has turned into a big challenge how to realize the spatial prospects of the development plans in ...
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An investigation of the documents on regional development in Fars Province, Iran shows that there is such a wide gap between the ideals mentioned in the plans and their potentials for realization that it has turned into a big challenge how to realize the spatial prospects of the development plans in the province. By reviewing the development documents from 1997 to 2013, the authors found that the province suffered from a range of uncertainties in all the regional scenarios. Therefore, the prospects and objectives of the plan have not been realized throughout the period. In this research, futurology was adopted as a method for foresight and specification of the uncertainties based on the available information. Employment of this method along with scenario-based strategic planning enables the local administrators to imagine the various images of future development and prepare themselves for different conditions to take place. On that basis, the driving forces and uncertainties were first defined using the Delphi method and structural analysis. The results of the models demonstrated that the key uncertainties for the province included freeway and highway network access, information technology speed, air freight terminals, access to the sea, and railway technology and network. Although not included on the list, water resources and regional administration were both added as suggested by the expert experience. Furthermore, the prospects of the province were divided into nine driving forces, including high-tech industries (electronics, aerospace, information technology, and pharmacy), agricultural industries (agriculture, animal husbandry, and the food industry), other industries (oil, gas, the petrochemical industry, mining, energy-intensives industries, and the automotive industry), healthcare service (medicine, ophthalmology, and organ transplantation), tourism (tourism and handicrafts), transportation (airport services, railways, and road transport), other services (higher education, financial services, technical and engineering services, and trade), knowledge economy (knowledge-based activities, bio- and nanotechnology), and defense. 21 strong scenarios were then found using the cross-impact balance method, classified into three major scenarios: Scenario 1, strong local performance and weak national performance, Scenario 2, strong national performance and weak international performance, and Scenario 3, strong international performance and a single national performance. In the first scenario, the spatial framework of the province moves toward the monocentric pattern, with the national functions administered by the government, due to the severe shortage of water resources, fragmented management, and undeveloped infrastructure. In the second scenario, the province can play a substantial role at the national level and a weak role at the international level, with cluster networks functioning as the spatial pattern, due to the integrated management, particularly with respect to the water resources, . In the last scenario, the province exhibits great international performance in all its prospects, functioning at the national level only in the defense sector, thanks to the regional governance, developed infrastructure, and influence on international processes. Furthermore, weighted strategies along with control indicators were presented for all the above scenarios.
Regional Planning
Motahhareh Moghiseh; Esfandyar Zebardast
Abstract
In regional planning, it is very important to adopt a spatial approach that takes into account all the settlements in the area. In Iran, there is often a one-dimensional look to urban and rural settlements so that the mutual influence between urban and rural settlements is disregarded while, in reality, ...
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In regional planning, it is very important to adopt a spatial approach that takes into account all the settlements in the area. In Iran, there is often a one-dimensional look to urban and rural settlements so that the mutual influence between urban and rural settlements is disregarded while, in reality, both of them have a direct and tangible effect on each other and generally on the regional development. Taking this point into account, the following outcomes could be expected: More realistic planning, reduction of the problems of large urban centers, strengthening peripheral settlements and paying more attention to villages as food production centers and as future cities. Mashhad metropolitan area is a place of pilgrimage in Iran. As a result, this region has accepted a considerable number of immigrants from other urban and rural settlements. It thus well demonstrates the rural-urban linkage and the effect of rural and urban regions on each other. This paper employs two types of theories: size-based and network-based hierarchical theories. Regional indexes are first defined using the first type of theories. Then, using the factor and cluster analysis method, the villages and cities will be ranked using more indexes. The second theory provides us with a different type of information that plays a role in rural-urban relationship. These indexes involve: 1- Financial flows (essential and non-essential goods, income, labor and manufacturing relations) 2- Services (educational, health care, technology and banking relations, infrastructure, transport and communication network) 3- Physical flow (distance from the city( 4- Organizational and population indexes. The data was collected by interviewing the residents of rural regions. Members of the village council generally had more complete information. Afterwards, the different layers of the flows were put together and analyzed by the GIS software. The final score of each flow was calculated. Three results were obtained in this research by analyzing the collected data: 1- The development type in Mashhad metropolitan area was determined. Consequently, the relationship between this kind of development and rural-urban linkage, present in this region, was explained. The result shows that there is often a unilateral relationship between Mashhad and other settlements, which represents the polar and central spatial structure of the area. 2- Moreover, the features of different villages were determined according to their position towards Mashhad metropolis. These positions involve: A- Located near the city of Mashhad B- Located on the main road leading to the metropolis or a small town. C- None of the above conditions This division shows that the first type of villages have the highest people, goods, services, capital, and information flows. These flows are less in the second type of villages. Immigration becomes permanent in the third type of villages. 3- Finally, this research determines the cause of efficient urban-rural relationships. These contain: A- Capacity and accepted capital B- How capacity and capital is distributed C- The amount of effort and ability settlements centers to benefit from others These factors can be useful in formulating the principles to achieve balanced regional development strategies.
Regional Planning
Fardis Salarian; Hashem Dadashpoor
Abstract
Residential constructions with or even without plan have led to the expansion of cities and their peripheral areas into the agricultural lands of central city-region of Mazandaran province. The economic capacity of this region is based on the capacity of agricultural development. To preserve ...
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Residential constructions with or even without plan have led to the expansion of cities and their peripheral areas into the agricultural lands of central city-region of Mazandaran province. The economic capacity of this region is based on the capacity of agricultural development. To preserve the national capital, a specific plan should be adopted to prevent the increasing destruction of the lands and the development of the buildings constructed on these lands. The current capacity has already been completely forgotten and undergone changes or even widespread degradation due to the development of the land and housing market. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the typology of spatial patterns of sprawl in central city-region of Mazandaran province. The research method is quantitative and the main data is summarized in terms of demographic and physical-spatial components to achieve the research objectives.The annual data on the population of rural and urban areas in the Statistical Yearbooks of Mazandaran Province from 1986 to 2016 was consulted to obtain demographic data. Physical-spatial data includes the data related to built-up lands during 1986-2016 (based on Landsat images and 1:25000 map of Mazandaran province development) and construction density in the study period. Other data was obtained from statistical and mathematical processing of demographic and physical-spatial data using GIS, ESRI, and the urban growth model. Then, the Kriging Estimator was used for the typology of macro-scale spatial models. Also, the urban growth form (UGF) was used for micro-scale spatial patterns. This model can identify 3 main types of sprawl, including linear, infill and leap-frog patterns, based on the development process perspective.The results of the research indicate that urban sprawl has increased on the macro scale during the studied period. In this sense, the spatial pattern in 1986 was focused on only three main urban centers with a sprawl in their peripheral lands, especially in the city of Sari. However, in 1996, due to the transformation of some rural centers into urban areas and the trend of development in the lands around urban centers, concentration in Babol increased, but only some parts of the lands of Babol and Qaemshahr underwent the sprawl phenomenon. This was the case up to 2006, but in 2016, along with the concentration of development in urban, peri-urban and rural lands, the sprawl phenomenon intensified with increasing values of the related variables.On the other hand, spatial patterns of sprawl from 1986 to 1996 (including intervals of 1986-1996 and 1996-2006) were linear on a micro scale, a line with an upward trend due to the development around the boundaries of urban settlements (peri-urban lands). However, in the period from 1986 to 1996, sprawled development tended to have an infill pattern, indicating the emergence of a combination of linear and infill patterns. In the period from 2006 to 2016, the spatial pattern of growth was also an infilled one. It should be noted that, in a separate study of urban and rural settlements of the studied city-region, different results were observed in urban lands. Thus, it can be concluded that the sprawl pattern in urban lands often follows a dispersed and linear pattern, while rural settlements have a linear and infill pattern. The sprawl pattern in the central city-region of Mazandaran has evolved as a result of the development of rural lands.Residential constructions with or even without plan have led to the expansion of cities and their peripheral areas into the agricultural lands of central city-region of Mazandaran province. The economic capacity of this region is based on the capacity of agricultural development. To preserve the national capital, a specific plan should be adopted to prevent the increasing destruction of the lands and the development of the buildings constructed on these lands. The current capacity has already been completely forgotten and undergone changes or even widespread degradation due to the development of the land and housing market. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the typology of spatial patterns of sprawl in central city-region of Mazandaran province. The research method is quantitative and the main data is summarized in terms of demographic and physical-spatial components to achieve the research objectives.
Regional Planning
nemat shakarami
Abstract
Globalization has basically transformed the world into a competitive market in which most companies seek to choose the appropriate economic policies and identify effective strategies to meet the emerging competitive environment, and the new challenges posed in this global competitive environment. In ...
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Globalization has basically transformed the world into a competitive market in which most companies seek to choose the appropriate economic policies and identify effective strategies to meet the emerging competitive environment, and the new challenges posed in this global competitive environment. In fact, today, tourism has become one of the most important competitive bases and competitive areas in the world in a way that each country and city is seeking a better position in this profitable and competitive area. Currently, most planners are seeking to use appropriate methods and strategies for long-term successful planning in this field, so that they can increase their success rate in tourist attraction due to the relative importance of human affairs. In the meantime, strategic planning is one of the most appropriate scientific methods for determining the weaknesses and strengths of the environment, identifying the most important sources of each region, as well as determining the most important macro-factors affecting the region. Indeed, in this type of planning, we can determine a specific program in the scientific framework for tourism in Kurdistan by identifying the set of factors mentioned above. Therefore, in the present study, we seek to achieve the following goals using the Meta-SWOT technique: identifying the most important tourism opportunities in Kurdistan, the major factors affecting tourism in Kurdistan, and the competition situation of the province with neighboring provinces until 2025. In order to achieve these goals, the required data was collected by experts from the Kurdistan Tourism Development Document. The sample includes 25 experts and researchers related to the research topic. In addition to Kurdistan province, the selected sample includes the neighboring and rival provinces. Research findings were analyzed in two steps. In the first step, tourism competition map of Kurdistan with neighboring provinces was drawn. In the second step, the tourism proportion strategic map of Kurdistan was presented considering the resources and capabilities of the province as well as the major factors affecting tourism in Kurdistan. The results of this research, drawn from the competitive map, indicate that the status of tourism in Kurdistan will be in a competitive position compared to its rivals, namely Kermanshah, Hamedan, and Azerbaijan provinces in terms of attracting foreign tourists in the target year. In order to achieve this goal in the vision document, resources and capabilities that were identified by experts to have the highest scores should be strengthened and considered as strong and forward-looking strategies. In the strategic proportion map, the results show that ecotourism and border markets have the highest level of strategic alignment with environmental factors, and, in the regional competitiveness debate, they are the most important potential of Kurdistan for taking up tourism market in the region. Also, the historical record of the province and the existence of suitable infrastructure for tourism have the highest level of strategic alignment with the goals set out in the Tourism Document of Kurdistan. Also, the most important factors affecting the development of Kurdistan tourism are the country’s macro-management, international sanctions and foreign policy of the state. Therefore, political stability in the country will improve the situation of Kurdistan in attracting foreign tourists.
Regional Planning
amirhosein abdollahzadeh; esfandiar zebardast
Abstract
There are two main approaches to housing planning on national or regional scales: first, comprehensive housing plans and, second, subject-specific housing plans. Comprehensive housing plans bear a significant flaw: their lack of economic evaluation, which only comes at the end of the planning process. ...
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There are two main approaches to housing planning on national or regional scales: first, comprehensive housing plans and, second, subject-specific housing plans. Comprehensive housing plans bear a significant flaw: their lack of economic evaluation, which only comes at the end of the planning process. This makes them quite distant from economic realities of the province or region. However, in subject-specific housing plans, the emphasis is on the most consequential and primal issues and therefore the economic and financial factors are very well reflected. Therefore, these two approaches to planning take opposite directions as the first step in one is the final step in another. One is planning-oriented and the other is implementation-oriented.In the analysis of housing in national or regional planning sectors, the main method is to calculate an appropriate coefficient in different economic sectors for input-output charts. The calculated coefficient for housing sector can be used in housing planning for estimating investment, economic efficiency, job creation, export and import demand and supply.After data collection, 30 provinces were selected using input-output charts of 2001 fiscal year to be observed in a period of 10 years. The coefficients for different economic sectors show that water supply, electricity and natural gas are the frontline sectors followed by leisure services (e.g. hotels and restaurants), public services and the construction sector with a coefficient of 1.25. The annual inflation rate was applied in each sector and then the input-output chart of 2011 was produced in which the water, electricity and gas supply were again identified as the leading sectors. Finally, the housing sector with a coefficient of 1.167 was identified as the third on the national level.The charts were recalculated for each province using the RAS method by applying the sector estimates for each province and calculating the medium consumption, production and added value of each province. The results show that housing and construction sector remains the leading sector in most provinces. The coefficient is in the range of 1.56 to 2.24. In most provinces, this sector has the second to fourth rank. In Kohkilouyeh & Boyer Ahmad and Sistan & Balouchestan though, housing ranks first. Also, in Semnan, Qazvin, Zanjan, and Markazi its rank varies from 6 to 9. In analyzing the role of housing in economy using input-output tables and quanti-connectivity method, construction and housing sectors ranked first in the economy sector within the 10-year period. Construction sector was identified as the leading one in provinces. In this sector, three basic indexes in the input-output analysis include intermediate consumption, output and added value. Output rate is 6-8%, intermediate consumption is 4-6% and added value is 3-5% in provinces. These values are very low as compared with their consumption levels. Moreover, in the provinces, housing sector has the highest output to other sectors and the lowest input from other sectors.
Regional Planning
Alireza Mohammadi; Ata Ghafari Gilandeh
Volume 6, Issue 23 , August 2017, , Pages 69-86
Abstract
Objectives: Urban and regional development in developing countries depends largely on the desirable use of the industrial sector. Meanwhile, small and medium-sized industries play a very important role. These industries often form industry clusters because of the economy of scale. In a developing country ...
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Objectives: Urban and regional development in developing countries depends largely on the desirable use of the industrial sector. Meanwhile, small and medium-sized industries play a very important role. These industries often form industry clusters because of the economy of scale. In a developing country like Iran, most industry clusters are scattered in regional spaces in an unplanned manner because of the spatial-regional planning weaknesses. This issue results in the formation and aggravation of regional development instability. A proper use of the advantages of industry clusters requires their accurate locating in regional levels. It is necessary to use appropriate methods to locate proper industry clusters. This study seeks to find an answer to the question of which area of Ardabil province is suitable to locate industry clusters. The main goal of this study is to identify appropriate areas for the settlement of industry clusters in Ardabil province. In this context, based on the potential of wood industry clusters, these clusters are selected as sample. There are 20 indexes in the form of VIKTOR decision making criteria in GIS environment. Arc GIS10.3 and IDRISI SELVA software are used for data analysis and output capture. The findings of this study indicate that immediate areas to urban settlements of the province are the most appropriate areas to launch wood industry clusters because of the geographical advantages. Finally, based on the results, some suggestions are presented for space planning in the development of industry clusters in the studied area.
Findings: From the last output of the VIKTOR locating model we found that: A) Urban population centers, especially the cities, access to fundamental sources, direction of the wind and distance from faults, soil slope (topography), land use and basic infrastructures will play an important role in the establishment of new industry clusters. B) Cities play a very important role in locating industry clusters because they contribute to economic and environmental conditions, including labor force, infrastructure and consumer markets. C) The central parts of Ardabil province have the most suitable areas to locate industry clusters.
Results: The results of this study showed that the suburbs of urban settlements are appropriate to locate and develop wood industry clusters. The economy of scale, accessibility of infrastructures of transportation, natural conditions and environmental requirements, centralization of population and human forces are the most important indicators in locating these industries. The following suggestions are made based on the findings of the study:
1) Provincial development plans should not be only regional. Spatial planning is needed for the development of industry.
2) These plans are not only specific to the industrial sector, it is also necessary to consider regional potential (vegetation, population, infrastructures) in the development of new industry clusters.
3) Regarding the environmental components (water, soil, trees, etc.), it is necessary to pay serious attention to the permanent regional development and the requirements of the future generations in locating industry clusters.
4) Considering the proportion of selected areas to locate industry clusters, it is needed to concentrate on these areas – resulted from the combination of different criteria – in the industrial sector development.
5) It is suggested that industry managers and policy makers of the province and region avoid intolerances and turn to interdisciplinary collaboration to conduct more comprehensive studies through spatial planning.
It is necessary to follow the basics of spatial planning, especially in the industrial sector of the studied province, to achieve proper regional development.
Regional Planning
Hamid Mohammadi; Vahid Moshfeghi
Abstract
It is necessary to consider external interactions of cities, their importance and the role of each type of communication to analyze urban systems. Thus, an accurate understanding of the nature of space and the forces shaping it as well as identification of the form of space organization in the regional ...
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It is necessary to consider external interactions of cities, their importance and the role of each type of communication to analyze urban systems. Thus, an accurate understanding of the nature of space and the forces shaping it as well as identification of the form of space organization in the regional level requires identification of several types of interactions among cities. Besides, the importance of nodes at the regional level, such as an urban network, presents forms of space organization in correspondence with the levels of the urban hierarchy.On the one hand, cities are categorized in proportion to their connectivity and power based on different flows of people, goods, capital and information. On the other hand, practical projects focus mostly on ranking settlements based on population, capacity and level of services.The authors believe there are two main reasons why researchers have paid less attention to the urban network analysis in Iran. First, lack of inter-city and intra-city flow data and, second, absence of a comprehensive model to consider different types of linkages among cities.This article aims to present an optimum pattern of urban network analysis according to available data in Iran including economic, political and physical data, as well as the data related to services including tourism and recreation, transportation, health, education, etc.This paper examined the hierarchy of functional communications among cities in Fars province located in south of Iran. It aims to answer the following questions:1. How is the hierarchical pattern of functional communications in Fars province?2. Which centers and what types of communications are more important to achieve a balanced regional development model?In terms of methodology, this study is a positivist research. The research method is applied and developmental and the quantitative methods are used to assess the hierarchy of urban communications in Fars province. The data is collected through documentary and library studies.Assessment of the urban communication pattern of Fars province shows a partially mono-central clustered structure in the province. Shiraz is the dominant central place of the examined network. This is due to the concentration of population, economic, social and cultural potentials and powerful physical relationships with other cities. Marvdasht, Firoozabad, Fasa, Jahrom and Lar are the most powerful and multi-functional cities to modify the spatial structure of the province. These cities were ranked as secondary centers in the system of the city to play their roles. It should be noted that Marvdasht is the second most populated city in Fras province. In the light of its vacinity to Shiraz, Marvdasht has less superior services. Thus, Marvdasht is described as a low potential city to become a secondary center. Jahrom and Lar are located in the southern half of the province. These cities are considered to be at the second level of the hierarchy of cities in Fars. On the other hand, results show that lack of important functional centers is the most important problem in Fars spatial organization, especially in western and eastern areas of the province. Finally, in an overall view, the results show that distribution of services plays an important role in the hierarchy of urban system and that the demographic dependence is mainly affected by communication and service structures.
Regional Planning
Hashem Dadashpoor; Nariman Jahanzad; Homa Jalili
Volume 5, Issue 18 , May 2016, , Pages 51-62
Abstract
In the last few decades, city-regions have faced considerable changes. Mashhad metropolitan region as one of the most important development centres in the eastern region of Iran, has experienced great spatial changes which have brought about many spatial problems. This city alone has more than 75 percent ...
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In the last few decades, city-regions have faced considerable changes. Mashhad metropolitan region as one of the most important development centres in the eastern region of Iran, has experienced great spatial changes which have brought about many spatial problems. This city alone has more than 75 percent of the population of the wider Mashhad region as well as accounts for approximately 90 percent of the added value of that region. The explanatory indices used in this area indicate an intense imbalance and centralization of capital and power in the area. The logical consequence of this imbalance have led to urban sprawl and increasing accumulation of capital. This sprawl have had several consequences such as the destruction of green and agriculture lands, land speculation, increase in environmental pollutions, ecological destruction and mismatch of the developed land with the natural potentials of those lands. On this basis, it is necessary to identify the future spatial changes in this region. Accordingly, this study has two parts. The first part is based on the morphological dimension of spatial structure and simulates future land use changes for the years 2026 and 2041. In doing so, the CA model was associated with ANN algorithm. The simulation process was run in QGis 2.4 environment. In the second stage, by using distribution, clustering and concentration indicators and based on the predicted data of population and employment in the aforementioned years, the spatial configuration of the region was drawn. The results of distribution indices show that from 1996 to 2041 the value of entropy coefficient will decreased which indicates polarization of the population and employment in the region. The findings of the spatial changes analysis by K-Ripley function indicate that at short distances, population and employment distribution will change in a dispersing manner, and at long distances, concentration in population and employment will be intensified. Finally, concentration indices show that the Mashhad metropolitan area does not have any spatial concentration patterns, and population and employment will distribute randomly. The results show that the growth process in the region is proceeding in a devastating manner as vast amounts of agricultural lands and pastures will continue to be ruined. In the year 2026, 247 Km2 of these lands will be built on and green spaces will tranform into urban lands. This amount will be equal to 1004 Km2 in the year 2041.
In conclusion, the continuation of the existing growth will lead to irreparable consequences in the area.Future spatial changes will lead to consuming agricultural lands and grasslands and will deteriorate rural settlements. The continuation of the present development of urban settlements and land-use changes might cause environmental disasters such as a water crisis, increased air pollution and pressure on infrastructure which. in turn will lead to irreparable socio-economic damage and human crises like riots, crimes and vandalism. Thus, it is necessary that planning systems pay attention to reasonable management of growth.
Urban Planning
Mohammad Sheikhi; sasan rooshenas
Volume 4, Issue 16 , November 2015, , Pages 15-26
Urban Economy
E S; M P; M R
Volume 3, Issue 12 , November 2014, , Pages 87-101
Abstract
The Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (the eighth Shia Imam), located in the historical and foremost central part of Mashhad, has been the main factor in Mashhad’s developments, physical spread, economic and population growth. The large public investments and the greater tendency for investors in the peripheral ...
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The Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (the eighth Shia Imam), located in the historical and foremost central part of Mashhad, has been the main factor in Mashhad’s developments, physical spread, economic and population growth. The large public investments and the greater tendency for investors in the peripheral region surrounding Imam Reza’s holy shrine, called Samen region, lead the shrine complex to be one of the most superb and glorious tomb complexes in the world. In fact, the specific characteristics of the region cause it to attract many tourists and pilgrims and as a result attract many investors, generating high income. The consequences of large private and public developments and many investment opportunities can be seen in the shape and form of the region and even the whole of the city. To study the form and shape of a city or a city region, various factors including social, physical, environmental, economic factors should be considered. Because of the religious and spiritual nature of Samen region, the religious forces have had important roles in its directions of development. In addition, having high value investment opportunities for public and private investors, economic forces have also greatly interfered in the urban development of the area. Thus, amongst the factors describing urban shape and form, the two factors of religion (spirituality) and economy (materialism) have had the largest impact on the Samen region of Mashhad. This paper aims to find the role of spiritual and materialistic values in the shape and form of Samen region since 1920 (the first Pahlavi era). In fact, it is supposed that the convergence of spiritual and materialistic forces in Samen region have considerably influenced Samen’s physical structure. These forces which appear to be naturally in conflict have made the final shape of Samen region a contrast to the identity and needs of local and former residents. Therefore, it tries to find the religious and economic values in Samen region and assess how the values interact with each other. First, the effect of spiritual and sacred values as well as economic and materialistic values on the form and shapes of cities, in particular holy cities, were investigated. Second, urban changes (changes in city shape and form) in Samen region were analysed according to spiritual and materialistic factors. The research methodology used was qualitative descriptive analysis in order to obtain answers to the research questions. In addition, to prove the claims, it used existing documents concerning Astan Ghods and various trustees of Imam Reza holy shrine in the current century. Moreover, the new urban development plan, related publications, historical maps and pictures were used to describe the changes in urban form and shape. The results show that these two factors as conflicting forces have had enormous influence on the urban physical and land use changes in Samen region. Thus, the final urban shape and form of Samen region is the result of these two continual opposing forces. Finally, the competition square used for shows, exponential growth of magnificent courtyards and glorious buildings of the holy shrine complex, splendid commercial and high-rise residential buildings surrounding the complex have led to the retreat and exclusion of former tradespeople, residents and entrepreneurs of the region, in particular low-income and medium-income groups of citizens.
Regional Planning
s y; v m; h m
Volume 3, Issue 11 , August 2014, , Pages 63-74
Abstract
Nowadays, the region – oriented urbanization as a growing and epidemic phenomenon in regional planning and analysis of urban systems has attracted much attention. At present, the spatial order of regions is beyond the traditional categorizing of “core – periphery” and could not ...
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Nowadays, the region – oriented urbanization as a growing and epidemic phenomenon in regional planning and analysis of urban systems has attracted much attention. At present, the spatial order of regions is beyond the traditional categorizing of “core – periphery” and could not be interpreted by the processes of “Walter Kristaler central places theory” and patterns based on traditional “core – periphery” model. This is because these models are basically unable to justify space flows including information and economic flows. Thus, it is necessary to redefine the available realistic and operational processes. Realistic in the sense that explains the current processes and past procedures for the establishment of region and operational in the sense that it has the ability to identify, limit and stabilize neighborhoods and leads to an approach that determines the character of any area and can plan for it. Currently, region-oriented urbanization is a process that leads to concentration of activities, population, functions and flows which occurs side by side with social polarization and spatial dispersal. This study aims to present an analytical model to determine the foundation of the city and attempt to provide a realistic dialogue and explain the native method of identifying foundation areas of cities. Explaining the need for this model for finding city foundations shows a need for planning and management in these areas in order to maximize the functionality. Thus, the paper answers the following questions:
1- How can city – based regions be defined?
2- Which vernacular criteria and indicators affect the definitions of city – based regions?; and
3- What city – based regions exist in Fars province?
From the point of view of research philosophy, this applied research can be categorized as a positivist one and the method of secondary data analysis was used. The necessary data was collected through document-based studies. Finally, using criteria and indicators such as city population, regional population density, density of urban settlements in regions, time interval between cities, goods and passenger flows between cities, and service dependence of cities, the city – based regions of Fars province was defined.
In conclusion, the results reveal that in Fars Province only one “conurbation” exists and that centers in Shiraz city and five “Urban Agglomerations” exist in Abadeh-Eqlid, Fasa-Jahrom, Kazeroon-noorabad, Grash-Lar and Neiriz-Estahban. The pattern of spatial structure, the structure of road network and ratio (severity) of urbanization index in these city-based regions show that “Shiraz conurbation” and “Lar-Grash urban agglomeration” have Greater potential for the formation of a complete urban area compared to other city- based regions in the area. However, at the present time, what is important is taking into account the operational mechanism for planning and integrated management of these areas and to avoid administrative dispersion because of the number of cities and this requires complementary research.
Regional Planning
m sh; a o; m g
Volume 3, Issue 11 , August 2014, , Pages 85-98
Abstract
The trafficking of goods in our country, in addition to having adverse economic effects is also important as an economic-social challenge. In addition, at present,this phenomenon is a serious threat to free tradeand imposes significant costs on the economic structure of countries.On the other hand, with ...
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The trafficking of goods in our country, in addition to having adverse economic effects is also important as an economic-social challenge. In addition, at present,this phenomenon is a serious threat to free tradeand imposes significant costs on the economic structure of countries.On the other hand, with globalization of industry, trade, finance and changes in the international system, geo-strategic thoughts have turned towardbeliefs in geo-economic borders.Thus, changes in the functionofborders and seeing it as an economic opportunity by political system in place has caused an increase in population rates in border areas and has led to the creation of new conditions. This new situation has forced the center to reconsider its relations with its surroundings. Border regions of countries are considered sensitive and strategic areas.The isolated environment of non-fertile border regions, especially in mountainous and desert areas, linked to the absence of welfare systems and a lack of incentive for living is considered the basis of political, economic and security problems of present day governments. Inability to produce goods, lack of employment, low income and lack of access to basic needs are the most important socio-economic characteristics of the region that could lead to problems and disorders such as immigration, goods smuggling, insurgency and insecurity in the region.On the one hand, cities in these regions are very limited and are under-developed and there is a great need for comprehensive planning for these areas. So far, however, various problems related to these border areas have only been sporadically studied. Not only are border areas not been laid out and explained in the national development plans, but also their dimensions and characteristics are less likely considered.Goods smuggling as a sinister social phenomenon hasa very negative impact on the economy. Goodssmuggling is one of the important components of economic corruption.The present study analyzes the economic and social factors effective in reducing goods smuggling in the border areas of Kurdistan Province.
In the present research, survey method was used. After collecting data using questionnaires and processingit with SPSS software, based on the measured variables descriptive statistics (frequency distribution tables) and inferential statistics (factor analysis) was used. Research statistical population consisted of officials and experts at 11organizations associated with smuggling in border areas (including security agencies and departments, the Governor’s Office, customs, the justice department, anti-smuggling campaigners, law enforcement, Economy and Finance Department, government inspection bodies, oil companies and the mining industry and trade) .The determined sample size consisted of 55 cases. Thus, in each organization or agency 5 experts were questioned. The research was carried out in 2012. A multiple-choice questionnaire was used and based on the Likert Scale, from very low to very high.
The findings show that in the social component, the top priority was human resources followed by training, participation and quality of life. In the economic component, the top priority was financial investment followed by financial capital and commerce. Thus, it is recommended that in the utilization of natural mineral and agricultural resources in border towns, local labor force be used for export development. In addition, it is recommended that for the development of agricultural activities, local natural agricultural resources and native labor force be made use of in border towns in order to develop processing industries dependent on agricultural products and pave the way for creativity and innovation of young people in entrepreneurship and enterprise.
