Urban Design
m. r.; m. p.; A. T.; A. S.
Volume 2, Issue 6 , June 2013, , Pages 59-74
Urban Planning
Volume 2, Issue 5 , March 2013, , Pages 35-46
Abstract
The relationship between public health and urban planning is an innovative and important issue which enjoys a prominent position in the future urban planning. In this regard, ad -verse air quality condition and air pollutant concentrations higher than the permitted limit set by the World Health Organization ...
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The relationship between public health and urban planning is an innovative and important issue which enjoys a prominent position in the future urban planning. In this regard, ad -verse air quality condition and air pollutant concentrations higher than the permitted limit set by the World Health Organization are considered as a threat to the health of citizens in big cities. According to result of air pollution monitoring (conducted in the Tehran Air Quality Control Company), Tehran air quality has deteriorated in recent years. Likewise, according to the World Bank estimates, the annual economic value of losses of life and damage caused by air pollution in Iran is totaled $ 1.8 billion and Tehran residents’ life-time has on average become shorter by 5 years. Owing to the special geographical condi -tion (topography and meteorology), social (population distribution and traffic), culture (level of culture and related education) and urban development, Tehran metropolitan is faced with the dilemma of air pollution. It is necessary to mention that motor-vehicle emissions are the primary source of most fine and ultra- fine particles in Tehran (More than 70 percent of Tehran’s air pollution is related to motor-vehicle emissions). Both urban air quality as an influential factor in public health and neighborhoods walkability as another important feature of urban built environment are considered in this paper. It should be noted that a large part of the current metropolitan air pollution is caused by emissions from the urban transport sector; thus representing the importance of public and sustainable urban transport. Having this in mind, this study focuses on capability of neighborhoods walkability as a long-term and effective strategy to promote walking trips and improve ur-ban air quality. In this research, the average annual concentrations (in years 2010-2011) of Ozone (O3), Nitric oxide (NO), Carbon monoxide (CO), Particulate matter (PM10), and capability of neighborhoods walkability in fourteen areas around air quality monitoring stations are studied. To estimate the capability of walkability, the 2009 model proposed by Marshal and his colleagues is utilized with slight modification. Measures that are used in the equation include net residential density, intersection density, land-use mix, retail units density and average distance from public transport stations. In the next step, cor-relations between them are calculated using correlation and regression models along with spatial analysis in relation to distance from city centers. These data were analyzed and calculated in ArcMap software. In addition, city centers were determined based on Tehran master plan approved in 2007. Research pinpoint the concentration of primary pollutants, capabilities of neighborhoods walkability increase in adjacent areas of city center and the concentration of secondary pollutant O3 increase with distance from city center. Capabil -ity of neighborhoods walkability and concentration of Ozone (O3) and PM10 were also correlated with each other. In addition, the highest walkability area was observed in sur -rounding area of Golbarg, region 4 and 7 stations and surrounding areas of Pasdaran and Ostandari stations were the most polluted among the others areas.
Urban Planning
Volume 2, Issue 5 , March 2013, , Pages 47-60
Abstract
In comparison with the past, the public awareness and public sensitivity have notably increased through sustainability. In this regard, different departments have discussed their problems via the approach of sustainability. Sustainable development considers economic, social and environmental dimensions ...
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In comparison with the past, the public awareness and public sensitivity have notably increased through sustainability. In this regard, different departments have discussed their problems via the approach of sustainability. Sustainable development considers economic, social and environmental dimensions simultaneously. The same is true with sustainable transportation whose sustainable development policies in transportation area seek ways to provide all groups of society with appropriate access, to adjust economic costs and ,more importantly, to reduce the negative environmental impacts. However, almost all indicators show that the current experience of the transportation in our country and the consistent trend in the world are not only in the wrong direction but are also unstable in the longer term. One of the most efficient approaches to achieve sustainability is the strategy of integrating transportation system. "Integrated transportation strategy" is suggested to provide a more sustainable model of transportation to achieve sustainability and address major concerns. This research will study the case study of metropolitan Shiraz which is located in the southwest of Iran, with a population of almost 1.5 million. Facing numerous problems in the domain of urban transportation, Metropolitan Shiraz's current trend is not stable due to the city's struggling with some specific problems such as low share of public transport usage and dependency on car, high level of car ownership, growing population and density in central districts, high level of fuel usage, and increasing pollution. Several actions and plans including some action plans , special and technical programs and software have been carried out to address the aforementioned urban problems in the hope of reducing these problems , but they had not achieved enough efficiency. This study investigates the current situation of the transportation system in Shiraz using information collected via an expert opinion survey, questionnaires and interviewing some managers and experts in public or private organizations, companies, and consulting offices using special method called Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to evaluate the system and define the priorities for future considerations. The results confirm that current set of policies undertaken by urban management and urban governance system in Shiraz almost fails to conform to the desirable criteria of Integrated Transport Approach. Although certain models have been recommended to achieve integration of transportation system, this article opted for a more comprehensive model by Potter and Skinner ( 2000 ). The finding of this research shows that, according to experts’ viewpoints, integration policies should be oriented to improving the public transport system. These policies include basic policies which will be presented as follows: the increase of the accessibility and efficiency of public bus system for potential demand areas; allocation of part of Municipality incomes to public transport sector; and establishment of separated bus lanes especially throughout the central district of the city.
Urban Planning
Kyoumars Habibi; Jahede Tekyehkhah; Mohammad Azad Ahmadi
Volume 1, Issue 3 , August 2012, , Pages 13-23
Abstract
Natural tourism planning is the first step in tourism approach natural resource management in which prone areas for recreational planning is zoned. Aimed to identify the different forms of tourism zoning in Abidar natural forest park in Sanandaj City, a systematic analysis method was used. We produced ...
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Natural tourism planning is the first step in tourism approach natural resource management in which prone areas for recreational planning is zoned. Aimed to identify the different forms of tourism zoning in Abidar natural forest park in Sanandaj City, a systematic analysis method was used. We produced a recreational potential map using systematic analysis model in GIS. The results of this evaluation indicated that the study area lacks first class concentrated recreation potentiality and the maximum surface area of the study area has been consisted of the second class potentiality. To evaluate the impact of factors affecting tourists, 450 questionnaires were distributed among the tourists. The survey results indicated that most tourists have selected the area because of the access to water resources. The buffer map of water resource was prepared to promote the systematic analysis model and to assess the effect of water resources on different recreation classes of the model and it was integrated into a recreational potentiality map of system model and the final map of the recreational potentiality was prepared. The evaluation results showed that 6% of the area has first class concentrated recreational potentiality, 28 percent of the area has second class concentrated recreational potentiality, 35 percent of the area has first class discrete recreational potentiality, and the rest 31% of the area has second class discrete recreational potentiality. Comparing two recreation potentiality maps showed hat in systematic analysis model, the region does not have first class concentrated recreation place. However, scoring the water resources factor made 6% of the region earn first class concentrated recreation potentiality. The results of this survey indicated that water resources, herbal coverage, accessibility ways, and physical factors (gradient and direction) have the most effect on the evaluation process of recreation potentiality in the region as they are mentioned in order of effectiveness. While the effective parameters in recreation potentiality evaluation in systematic analysis model are gradient, soil, direction, water, plant, and climate. Based on our findings, it was found that recreational activities expected in broad zones include things like walking, trekking, visiting landscapes and snow skating, etc., which do not need to deploy and service of recreational trails, except in designing walking routes in certain circumstances. But, in areas having concentrated recreation zone, activities such as camping, family picnics, etc., require suitable facilities for establishment of tourism.
Urban Planning
Volume 1, Issue 2 , June 2012, , Pages 41-56
Abstract
Dealing with major challenges that many of the regions in Iran are faced with that, it is necessary to analyze the capacity of regional institutions and enforce their abilities. This article, therefore, tries to assess institutional capacity in the studied regions to demonstrate their institutional capacity. ...
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Dealing with major challenges that many of the regions in Iran are faced with that, it is necessary to analyze the capacity of regional institutions and enforce their abilities. This article, therefore, tries to assess institutional capacity in the studied regions to demonstrate their institutional capacity. The article, also, aims to respond to this fundamental question: what are the appropriate strategies to enforce institutional capacity in Boukan and Orumiyeh counties? In order to reach the above aim and also answer the posed question, the surveying method is used. The paper also applies the strategic planning framework to determine appropriate strategies to enforce institutional capacity in the studied regions. The results demonstrate low institutional capacity in Boukan (by the average 2.46 out of 5). The results also demonstrate medium institutional capacity in Orumiyeh (by the average 3.04 out of 5). The appropriate strategies also include creating legal mechanisms to improve the relationship between institutions, improving the circumstance and necessary and appropriate legal arrangements to improve the performance of institutions, providing the necessary circumstance to enhance the accordance of the national and provincial regulations with their regional counterparts, enhancing the role of technical committees, devolution of the local affairs to local institutions, creating a legal context for cooperation of existing institutions in regional governing process, improving institutions’ access to knowledge and learning resources, paying attention to viewpoints and wills of local people, and enhancing the institutional abilities.
Slum Settlements
Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, , Pages 3-12
Abstract
This paper is a practical attempt to choose social changing methods instead of environmental regenerations in order to manage and upgrade informal settlements areas. The approach of this research is in this way that inhabitants of informal settlements are accepted as residents with an urban right and ...
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This paper is a practical attempt to choose social changing methods instead of environmental regenerations in order to manage and upgrade informal settlements areas. The approach of this research is in this way that inhabitants of informal settlements are accepted as residents with an urban right and they are the best resources for changing and upgrading of these areas. The objectives of this research work were to introduce social capacity and its relationship with local sustainable development in two different groups. Inhabitants and economical activists were selected as the study groups. Verifying the results based on the groups is the method to find out the way for achieving local sustainability. It was a descriptive surveying. Structure of social capacity and sustainable development were generated by expert ideas for informal settlement. The study approved that the social capacity is a mental structure influenced by the main motivations of the neighborhood’s activists to reside in the neighborhood. However, each group had different qualifications in this relationship and it is clear that each group uses its social capacities to achieve its own goals. Therefore, each group would have its special effects on sustainability and future of neighborhood life. The results revealed the existence of a positive and meaningful relationship between social capacities and the neighborhood sustainable development and if the clever exploration occurs, the chance of achieving local sustainability is not unexpected. The confidence of resident’s group in official institutions, and the importance placed to the neighborhood by the economical activists are the prime components, which had meaningful correlation with the majority of social capacity components. In addition, each program capable to persuade inhabitants to live longer and motivate people for remaining in that local area will be effective for developing social capacity. Moreover, it was found that there was not any sustainability in social dimension; social capacity will be useful for achieving this goal.
Urban Planning
Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, , Pages 23-40
Abstract
The idea of "Urban Village" as a strategy to achieve sustainability, in settlements with various conditions and with different social and economic incentives, used as a solution for urban and rural sustainable development and its success in many instances has demonstrated its universality. This ...
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The idea of "Urban Village" as a strategy to achieve sustainability, in settlements with various conditions and with different social and economic incentives, used as a solution for urban and rural sustainable development and its success in many instances has demonstrated its universality. This idea was introduced as a strategy to achieve sustainable development in England. It aims to create an environment with a various functions, self-sufficient, with priority to public transport, walking and, with public spaces and attractive for encouraging local community development and public participation. In this article, we investigated and evaluated the design principles in urban villages through library research. In the experiments with this idea, after the introduction of the overall project and its history, key directions and strategies used in each, particularly of the aspects of architecture and urban design, access and paths, suggested functions, the type of buildings and, and strategies used to promote sustainability and reduce energy consumption were suggested. The sample criteria were based on being comprehensive principles and guidelines presented in each case, was in relation to urban design and architecture and the principles of sustainability. Creating sustainable development of rural settlements with the use of urban village approach, will be a solution to the existing problems and controlling the context of rural development. This research attempted to use the theoretical, explaining the concept of the urban village and urban areas of successful experiences related to the topic of the local conditions in a village case (Agh Evlar Village from Talesh County), to provide suggestions for the development of control strategies and access to the uncoordinated construction of rural settlements. Applying the principles of this approach, to suit the needs of each region and the implementation of local residents were generalized. It can be said that as a fundamental subject, any rural housing policy and planning in the country can be successful if efforts and planning with architectural features of the rural and ethnic traditions, cultural and geographical diversity in different regions of the country is coincident. Moreover, in the housing, neglecting other aspects of the quality of it such as: environmental aspects, health facilities, light, construction technique, visual qualities, local and regional identities, is a main weakness of the rural housing program. Contemplate the local architectural patterns and reliance on local knowledge and facilities can be a good base for design and implementation.
Urban Planning
Naser Barakpur; Farnaz Mosannenzadeh
Volume 1, Issue 1 , March 2012, , Pages 41-60
Abstract
Nowadays, one of the governmental challenges throughout the world is energy efficiency in creating cities. In this context, land use planning and its tool (density, uses distribution, etc.) plays a vital role in reducing energy consumption in cities. Serving as one of the key players in the field of ...
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Nowadays, one of the governmental challenges throughout the world is energy efficiency in creating cities. In this context, land use planning and its tool (density, uses distribution, etc.) plays a vital role in reducing energy consumption in cities. Serving as one of the key players in the field of energy in the world, Iran has to apply this tool in order to establish energy efficiency in its cities. The main objective of this paper is to study and to compare the method of integrating energy consideration in land use planning regulations and urban development plans in Iran and U.K. It is a comparative study in which, first, the land use planning alternatives for energy consumption reduction in cities were explored through literature review. Thereafter, an analytical comparing between Iran and U.K. with reference to the legal framework of land use planning for reducing energy consumption in cities and the way of implementing these regulations in the development plans was carried out. Our results revealed that the land use planning role in reducing energy consumption in cities has been ignored, whereas, integrating energy consideration in land use planning can enhance the sustainability development of the Iran cities. Since there is no data on considering energy in land use planning in Iran cities, our findings can be used by the national planning public and governmental authorities in order to integrate the energy consideration in land use planning and urban development plans.
Urban Economy
Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, , Pages 41-54
Abstract
The functionality and efficiency of urban development plans in Iran is not satisfying for urban authorities, experts, and people. Confronting the issue of property rights is one of the major reasons for the inefficiency of these plans in a society, where the right is recognized officially by regulations. ...
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The functionality and efficiency of urban development plans in Iran is not satisfying for urban authorities, experts, and people. Confronting the issue of property rights is one of the major reasons for the inefficiency of these plans in a society, where the right is recognized officially by regulations. These plans are restrictive and passive and are not capable of interaction with their production values, and they seem like a tool for violating the people’s rights in action. Market-Oriented Planning (MOP) is one of the latest approaches dealing with urban issues, which relies on the entrepreneurial values of urban spaces and achieving the development objectives by establishing a link among production values of plan and the two old enemies; Market and Planning. The concept of introducing “Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)” in urban development plans' frameworks is a new method, which can contribute to more successful implementation of these plans in Iran. This happens through establishing an internal connection between tools and development objectives, as origins and purposes of transfer of development rights. It is crucial to have an exact accuracy in designing and improvement in urban management and in ongoing monitoring of the results. If the concept of TDR be integrated in urban development plans framework, such as comprehensive and detailed plans, the implementation of urban development plans' objectives could be more reachable and that is because this technique establishes a connection between property rights and land use plan, and creates an interaction between development and value preservation. Considering the results of the proposed transfer of development rights plan in Kashan city, development rights are transferred from sending areas, where conservation objectives and developments origins are required, to receiving areas as our development purposes. The sending areas in Kashan city are divided into two major categories; the first category includes special valuable lands, which are agricultural, historical and architectural values, precious natural resources, or having a perfect landscape respectively. The second category is related to propose lands for public services in land use plan. Receiving areas in this city are lands, where there is a good demand of developing from the market, and additionally considering the high potential of development, existence of essential infrastructure and enough interests for investment of developers, which are proposed for the future development of Kashan City from the urban planners. Based on the mentioned criteria these areas are located in three regions of Naji-Abad, Fin, and Shahed. Accordingly, in addition to considering the social justice and preserving the valuable lands and buildings of the city, the future development of the city will also be planned and directed. The ratio between development right and overall ownership right is 35 to 65 percent and the baseline development right density is 120 percent in Kashan City.
Urban Planning
Hamed Ghadermazy
Volume 1, Issue 1 , March 2012, , Pages 61-76
Abstract
One of the most important results of accelerative urbanization is the spatial expansion of the city and gobble of their surrounding areas, swelling villages, and agricultural lands, which is noticeable in regional metropolitan. Sanandaj City as a regional metropolitan has experienced a rapid growth in ...
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One of the most important results of accelerative urbanization is the spatial expansion of the city and gobble of their surrounding areas, swelling villages, and agricultural lands, which is noticeable in regional metropolitan. Sanandaj City as a regional metropolitan has experienced a rapid growth in both population and plan during the recent three decades. Continuous sprawl in this city has merged eight villages including their agricultural lands, gardens, and pastures in the city. Moreover, discontinuous sprawl in this city has caused to protuberance population and extending of surrounding villages. The outcome of this process was extensive changes in Land use in those villages. The period of this study is 1976-2008, the statistical population includes 11 Surrounding villages of the Sanandaj City and Sample size is 315 households. The methodology of our research is based on extensive documentary and field study including household questionnaires, and identifying past and present land use. Our findings show extensive changes in land use of the villages studied. During 1976-2008, on annually averaging basis 104 ha and totally 3319 ha of the arable, garden and pastures of the villages studied have been converted to the other land uses. The abovementioned changes were made by different factors and agents of the Sanandaj city including discontinuous spatial expansion.
Urban Transport
Pooya Alaedini; Elham Fayezi
Volume 1, Issue 1 , March 2012, , Pages 77-90
Abstract
With respect to the urban sustainable development ideal, during the last decades, implementation of the bike-sharing projects has attracted the attention of the planners of different cities including Tehran. Since the first bike-sharing projects were not successful, evaluating/assessing new tentative ...
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With respect to the urban sustainable development ideal, during the last decades, implementation of the bike-sharing projects has attracted the attention of the planners of different cities including Tehran. Since the first bike-sharing projects were not successful, evaluating/assessing new tentative preparation at different stages is required. This article examines the short-term achievements and challenges of the bike-sharing pilot project implemented during the last two years in Tehran Municipality’s Region VIII. A set of indicators including access, awareness, safety, commuting effects, beneficiary satisfaction, sustainability, and cultural advocacy were probed through field observations, information obtained from key stakeholders, and a quantitative survey of direct beneficiaries (a sample of 250 among ~8000 registered beneficiaries). Our findings indicated that the project has been successful in attracting and satisfying (male) users. Meanwhile, a number of shortcomings with regard to information dissemination, traffic signals, and maintaining the quality of bicycles and bike paths as well as cultural advocacy (particularly to include women) still need to be addressed. Furthermore, project sustainability hinges upon availability of funds for the maintenance and geographic expansion of facilities as well as periodic renewal of the fleet through secure budget allocations and sales of advertisement rights.
Urban Sociology
Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, , Pages 81-94
Abstract
Nowadays, more attentions have been paid on sustainability and following its goals in cities development and planning. Mentioning sustainable development principles as fundamental concepts that their main attentions are on preserving capitals for intergenerational justice, have become an ongoing and ...
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Nowadays, more attentions have been paid on sustainability and following its goals in cities development and planning. Mentioning sustainable development principles as fundamental concepts that their main attentions are on preserving capitals for intergenerational justice, have become an ongoing and general purpose in city development plans. Since taking this route without being aware of the cities’ conditions might be impossible, evaluation of achievement of sustainable development goals has become government’s agenda. Extensive research and literature reviews have been done on assessment of sustainable development with various approaches and methods. Measuring achievements of sustainable development can be discussed from two main substantive and procedural perspectives. Substantive dimension includes the variables affecting the outcome of policies and consists of social, economic, and environmental sustainability evaluation. In fact, these variables represent the development of city. Whereas, procedural perspective refers to methods and processes of achieving sustainable development and urban planners’ role in this case is to arrange procedures and processes for sustainable decision- making. Moreover, this dimension consists of basic factors that can act as a backup and stimulus for sustainability. Considering focusing of majority of research works conducted in Iran is on substantial dimension of sustainable development, this study intended to discuss the relationship between sustainable development and social capital, institutional capital, and capacity building. In addition, we evaluated and compared procedural indicators of sustainable development in both cities of Karaj and Qazvin. Research variables were institutional capital, social capital, and capacity building. In this study, the main techniques used for data collection were interviews with experts and managers and administering questionnaire in the field. Interviews were used to collect data in capacity building indicators and questionnaires were used for social capital and institutional capital data collecting. We used Simple Random Sampling for indicators of social capital. Whereas, non-probability purposive sampling was used for institutional capital and capacity building indicators. For data analysis, the inferential statistics, descriptive and qualitative significance test means and methods were used. Our results revealed a significant difference between the variables of social capital, institutional capital, and capacity building in these cities. However, the indicators in Qazvin were in a better situation compared with Karaj. Thus, it seems that Qazvin has a better orientation in moving towards sustainable development in comparison with Karaj. Moreover, it seems that Qazvin is moving in the right path towards sustainability and has accelerated move towards sustainable development compared to Karaj.
