Urban Planning
Sajjad Fallah Zadeh; Farzin Mahmoudi Pati
Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, Pages 5-16
Abstract
An urban regeneration project is defined as a series of actions determined to accomplish urban regeneration aims that lead to a reduction of the problems of an area through the improvement of socio-economic, physical and environmental conditions (Roberts & Sykes, 2000; Yu & Lee, 2012). "Today, ...
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An urban regeneration project is defined as a series of actions determined to accomplish urban regeneration aims that lead to a reduction of the problems of an area through the improvement of socio-economic, physical and environmental conditions (Roberts & Sykes, 2000; Yu & Lee, 2012). "Today, urban regeneration is one of key principles in act of planning and it is beyond the urban renewal, urban redevelopment or urban rehabilitation processes because of its longer-term and strategic approaches and its socioeconomic goals beside physical ones" (Tarkay, 2010; 22). In the context of participating actors and stakeholders, the transition of urban regeneration policies has shown that from the 1950s to the beginning of the 21st century, in each decade, the policies had a tendency toward cross-sector partnerships amongst private sector, public sector and community. From 1990s until the present participatory approach has dominated, local authorities have been empowered and coalition amongst the main actors and stakeholders has been enhanced (Roberts & Sykes, 2000; Tsenkova, 2002; McDonald et al, 2009). In fact, participation, strategic planning and sustainability form a triangle and provide a basis for actions in urban regeneration. In other words, participation (public, inter-organizational and participation among organizations, people and other stakeholders), strategic planning (combating urban decline, problem solving and involvement of all stakeholders) and taking into consideration sustainability goals (socio-economic, environmental and sustainability of acts in planning) are the main elements in urban regeneration (Nourian and Ariana, 2013). The essence of urban regeneration projects is very different from other urban development projects due to their complexity, in particular from the perspective of uncertainties because there are various actors and stakeholders such as local government, private developers, public organization and local communities who are involved in planning of these projects. For example, it is possible when one policy needing actors' participation is running, then several conflicts can occur amongst stakeholders due to the complexity of relationships. The results of these conflicts will increase costs, lowering efficiency and delaying implementation schedule (Carley, 2000; Yu & Lee, 2012). One of the complexities of participatory urban regeneration projects is to bring the key actors and stakeholders together to participate. This will need cooperation between local government, public organizations, private developers and local residents (Carley, 2000; Ball and Maginn, 2005). Therefore, one of the main reasons for the failure of urban regeneration projects is the occurrence of conflicts of interest amongst various key stakeholders in order to implement its participatory-oriented policies of the project. To this end, the present research seeks to assess participatory policies of an urban regeneration project and then prioritizing them based on the rate of possible conflicts-risk among stakeholders via offering a method of risk assessment. This method is a combination of FMEA and VIKOR methods in fuzzy environment with a proposed process. Applying this synthesis method to assess five participatory policies has shown that, based on the Q index, the low conflict-risk policies are desirable and they can be prioritized for implementation. Additionally, based on the Q index, the high conflict-risk policies are undesirable and they need to be corrected. Consequently, the combined method has been shown that the projects or the policies facing less risk can be prioritized for implementation.
Urban Design
salman vahdat
Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, Pages 17-36
Abstract
Cities landscapes are exposed to observer judgments. However, the important thing point the public perception and reading of urban landscapes by urban space users. Since there is a variety of comments and opinions regarding city issues and the urban landscape and its priorities, and decision making ...
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Cities landscapes are exposed to observer judgments. However, the important thing point the public perception and reading of urban landscapes by urban space users. Since there is a variety of comments and opinions regarding city issues and the urban landscape and its priorities, and decision making should converge in order to cover all aspects of priorities, in this study an attempt has been made to explain the effective dimensions and factors of reading street landscapes. Furthermore, priorities of each of the sites were studied from the perspective of citizens in order to improve the quality of urban spaces in Hamadan. A qualitative research methodology was used; in terms of the study objectives applied research was used and in terms of the techniques employed, field observations and library study was usedto develop a conceptual model associated with reading the elements and aspects in terms of urban spaces. Finally, to examine and analyze the conceptual framework, expert questionnaires using the software Super Decision and the Network Analysis Process Model was analysed to give suitable answers to the following questions of the study: 1- What are the dimensions and components of reading street landscapes? 2- How do priority indicators and criteria affect the landscape of urban streets components according to experts? 3- According to what order are priorities and central streets of Hamedan organized based on parameters mentioned by? Based on the research, reading components of street landscapes can be both objective and subjective and three dimensions are presented: aesthetic (objective - subjective), semantic (perception, functional) and activity. In addition, 59 indicators were classified. Prioritizing landscape reading components in of Hamedan city streets based on citizens' viewpoints are shown below Bu-Ali Sina Street is first and has a weighting of (0.246) for quality readings of street landscape view and Shohada Street is last with a weight of (0.099). In this regard and in order to improve the urban landscape loci recommendations, such as improving street visual order, organization of walls and ancient buildings, paving the way for the presence of street art and graphics, defining and developing signs physically and semantically which isdesirable for promoting citizens’ reading of the spaces provided, can be studied. Based on the analysis and findings of the research, design and urban landscape management officials need to act in such a way as to maintain the initial values of urban design issues when making changes and new developments. Changes and new developments in urban spaces should be based on the social values and culture of the society and the target audience’s perspectives (citizens) to promote the values of leadership and guide the quality and quantity of space.
Urban Planning
Keramattolah ziari; mahsa haji; asad moradi
Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, Pages 37-52
Abstract
Although the rate of urbanization in developed countries remains in a suitable position and is under control, the continued rapid growth of urbanization in developing countries (such as Iran) is quite evident. This issue of providing shelter and adequate housing in the country has turned into a ...
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Although the rate of urbanization in developed countries remains in a suitable position and is under control, the continued rapid growth of urbanization in developing countries (such as Iran) is quite evident. This issue of providing shelter and adequate housing in the country has turned into a serious crisis and has global-scale problems. Housing has an important role in satisfaction of the the physical, emotional and social needs of people. In addition, housing can serve to promote social justice and reduce the relative gap between different social classes. Moreover, it has an important role in economic solidity and social constancy of community and national development. The qualitative and quantitative indicators of housing are one of the key measurement tools for development in of countries. Although worldwide the analysis of housing indicators and the their role are very important, they are not used in codification of housing policy in Iran. Therefor policy and decision-makers have no knowledge of housing indicators`in decision making and their impact on residents. The goal of this research is a comprehensive recognition of housing conditions in the urban areas of Iran and the transition process of quantitative and qualitative indicators of housing in Kurdistan Province and the city of Marivan will be assessed comparatively in the period 1966 – 2011. . The research method used was analytic – descriptive and based on analysis of secondary data. The results of this research show that quantitative indicators of housing desirably proceeded from 1966 to 2011. Although the scope of the study in terms of housing and household density of residential units have had relatively favorable conditions, there is a distance in reaching the desirable conditions in other quantitative indicators (household members per room and residential unit). Furthermore, qualitative indicators of housing have come a long way from 45 years ago, but some housing units in urban areas are made from semi-durable and non-durable materials. Most housing units in urban areas of the country have exhausted their habitability and are in need of modernization and improvement. In terms of occupation, the property in urban areas of the country had an upward trend until 1986(68/98 per cent). The main reason for this being law enforcement of urban land and land transfer. However, from then to 2011 a downward trend occurred in the country which reached 56/57 percent in urban areas. The rate for Marivan was 53/94 percent and 56/34 percent in urban areas of Kurdistan Province. In addition, renting from 1986 to 2011 followed an upward trend (33/18 percent).Although the rate of ownership of property is different in different societies and high property ownership rates is not an indicator of favorable housing conditions, according to our cultural norms a decline in household ownership must be a sign of increased gap between social classes and low-income groups (particularly the first and fourth deciles) This is a manifestation of the effects of inefficient policies of the past, especially for low-income housing groups. Thus, index and housing standards should be flexible enough to meet the needs of users in different parts of the country to link with their cultural preferences and be based on preferences of residents.
Urban Architecture
Amir Hossein Farshchian; Azita Balali Oskuei
Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, Pages 53-68
Abstract
The present study is based on the analysis of perceiving geometry aiming at explaining, analyzing and displaying the geometry system of urban development according to different periods and the factors affecting it. Cities are formed from the crowds gathered along rivers and ...
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The present study is based on the analysis of perceiving geometry aiming at explaining, analyzing and displaying the geometry system of urban development according to different periods and the factors affecting it. Cities are formed from the crowds gathered along rivers and caves based on perceived relationships, including the requirements of human survival, and are developed according to the needs of people living in them. The most important issue in this system is the type of organization that bonds these parts to urbanism issues and controls them. The main background and hidden relationship in urbanism system is perceiving geometry. It is a factor that systematizes the principles associated with subjectivities in relation to itself beyond visual perception and identifiable mathematical relations. The main research hypothesis and question presented is how cities are developed based on its perceiving geometry and if this type of geometry is effective in other general and specific subjects such as area and area centers. This paper is based on survey-based research, phases of which include 1. defining this system and its performance; 2. studying perceiving geometry and its effects on the formation of Hamadan as a case study; 3. research literature and analysis of information and documents; 4. detailed description of the main periods and parts of the city; 5. analyzing and displaying graphics, images, and factors affecting the formation and geometry of the city and green areas (centers of districts in Hamadan); 6. identifying how the physical structure of the city is achieved, consolidated and continued based on perceived geometry 7. research results 8. strategies to maintain and renovate the geometry according to time and place; and 9. summary and description of the formation and development of the original geometry. Hamadan has ten main periods of the city development based on the most significant changes in the urbanism system: 1. geometry and basic needs; 2. geometry and security vacuum; 3. geometry and government rule; 4. geometry and Islam; 5. geometry and wars 6. geometry and the notable presence of Shiites 7. geometry and machine 8. geometry and urbanism without geometry; 9. geometry and the increase of urban territory, 10. geometry and machinist. Since the early period, six main factors overshadowed this geometry from the smallest urban cell (house) to green spaces and the whole of the city: accessing water, food, green spaces, being with others, security and livelihood. At present, the remaining green spaces of this perceiving geometry system is that it apparently has no causality and order, but internally it has the most precise causal relationship so that the semantic adaptability of these issues will be manifested by analyzing this issue in the different periods of the city’s development. The basic strategies that result from this research include: 1. detection of the type of process of change according to the geometry of growth and factors affecting it and how to respond in any successful period; 2. examination of the stoppage time and sidelining its correct and appropriate procedure along with the reasons regulating this issue; 3. identification of the type of geometry which, after stoppage period, has taken the procedure and managed the changes; 4. Finally, the adaptation of the type of the main perceiving geometry with the present geometry and entering the modern components in achieving a geometry in accordance with all aspects of present life. This geometry can be the most desirable turning point in this regard with a reforming view to the future of desirable architecture and urban development that can be turned to optimizing and renovating green space according to this type of recognized perceiving geometry.
Urban Design
neda khaziri afravi
Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, Pages 69-82
Abstract
Security is one of the factors improving the quality of urban spaces. Desirable and functional design of constructed space leads to reduction of crime and increase of urban space quality. A secure urban space encourages appropriate activities and limits inappropriate activities; hence, these urban spaces ...
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Security is one of the factors improving the quality of urban spaces. Desirable and functional design of constructed space leads to reduction of crime and increase of urban space quality. A secure urban space encourages appropriate activities and limits inappropriate activities; hence, these urban spaces as well as their type will affect the rate of occurrence of crime and violence in the city. By increasing the presence and supervision of citizens, the level of social interaction in urban spaces increases and security would therefore be added to the environment as well. One of the main aims of creating security is promotion of quality in the field of urban spaces. Desirable and functional design of constructed spaces leads to an increase in the number of citizens present which results in a fall in crime rates and a rise in sidewalk quality. An urban physical structure aimed at creating interaction between humans and the environment is the latest approach for dealing with reduction of urban crimes in the form of physical and social dimensions. The impact of this approach is more evident in the formation of the framework and thus social functions and trends. The purpose of this study is the improvement of urban sidewalk quality in order to increase environmental security. Investigation of pedestrian security with a physical approach to the environment as well as the use of sidewalks by citizens is essential and necessary. In this regard, Golestan Boulevard in the city of Ahvaz, despite regional and trans-regional performance levels, suffers from lack of interaction and consequently lack of quality and security. Therefore, it is important to increase the presence of people in the urban flow of the city .The research method employed in this study is descriptive- correlation which has been extracted using a theoretical framework. Thus, after the division of space into three sequences and in accordance with the space criteria of each sequence described, the data matrix was drawn. After physical and functional analysis based on existing urban flows, the presence of people in this area was measured. For quantifying the amount of presence in the spaces, LOS or level of service was used. Accordingly, after collecting information regarding the presence of car users and pedestrians in the area by encoding the information, the amount of time spent in the urban space based on function and subsequent supervision by car users and pedestrians within the framework and micro and macro functions, was analyzed. Data collection was undertaken via interviews and field observations. The results of the compiled information based on the effects of one component of space (flow) on the other components (physical and functional), was reviewed which showed that the greater presence of people would improve urban space quality. Finally, factors increasing space security are presented.
Urban Transport
Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, Pages 83-92
Abstract
Increasing populations in third-world cities of and consequently increasing use of fossil fuels and intense traffic have caused these cities to encounter various problems. Nowadays, transport is one of the most important factors determining the existence and development of cities. Almost all cities are ...
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Increasing populations in third-world cities of and consequently increasing use of fossil fuels and intense traffic have caused these cities to encounter various problems. Nowadays, transport is one of the most important factors determining the existence and development of cities. Almost all cities are under the pressure of traffic congestion. Traffic congestion results in numerous social conflicts, is not in harmony with the natural environment, and is the main source of most transportation problems. Car-based transport has a wide range of negative impacts upon society and the environment, such as air pollution, congestion, noise pollution, road accidents, and extensive land use for roads and parking facilities. Pursuing sustainable mobility, particularly in urban areas, has become a priority objective of national and global policies in the transport and environmental fields. In addition to communication and the development of reliable, comfortable and secure public modes of transport, the optimization of pedestrian and urban paths is one of the main useful tools for achieving sustainable urban mobility. Bicycles with such unique advantages as low cost, absence of fossil fuel consumption, less traffic, and lack of negative impacts on environment, is more and more considered as a complement to other vehicles than the past. One of the most typical alternatives which is provided by experts for permanent development of cities, is the increased usage of bicycles. The purpose of this study is the consideration of the elements which affect citizen's unwillingness for using bicycles for travelling throughout Ardabil. The present study has used library and field methods for data collection. In order to analyze the obtained data, colmogrove – smirnove, Variance, Scheffe, Independent T, and Kruskal–Wallis test were used with SPSS software. Survey findings showed that, insufficient advertisement in the media, lack of a cycling culture, female cycling disproportionate with cultural conditions of the community are the most significant factors, in the order mentioned, which affect citizens lack of interest in using bicyles within the city of Ardabil. Cool climatic conditions and lack of proper infrastructure for cycling in Ardabil are also considered as other barriers to using bicycles. In addition, the survey illustrated that the less educated, low-income and men cycled more compared to the highly educated, high income and women in urban areas. There was not a significant difference in the use of bicycles in urban travels between regions in Ardabil; however, there was a higher usage of bicyles in regions one and two than in regions three and four. Obtained results indicate that according to respondents’ viewpoints, cultural factors had a more prominent role in the unwillingness of citizens to use bicycles in urban trips compared with other factors. This issue indicates that if the relevant authorities encourage citizens to use bicycle in urban travels through advertisements, despite the lack of infrastructure and cold weather, bicycle usage will increase. Therefore, the survey showed importance of the promotion of the cycling culture in all society. Finally, some recommendations are presented for encouraging citizens’ use of bicycles for travelling throughout the city.
Urban Planning
Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, Pages 93-105
Abstract
Redeveloping a brownfield land as an urban project, needs some qualitative considerations due to their complex and multidimensional identity. Hitherto, experts of brownfield redevelopment sector have introduced many quantitative and qualitative considerations in their research and actions. The ...
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Redeveloping a brownfield land as an urban project, needs some qualitative considerations due to their complex and multidimensional identity. Hitherto, experts of brownfield redevelopment sector have introduced many quantitative and qualitative considerations in their research and actions. The subject of this study considers the qualitative aspects that have been introduced by different experts. Some important considerations that have been appointed include integrated planning, innovation, selection and composition of appropriate final land use, survey of socio-economic and service conditions of adjacent regions, attention to historical and environmental conditions of land, maintenance and expansion of existing infrastructure and buildings, establishment of conditional, temporary and short-time land uses. The problem that this study investigated was how to organize and prioritize these considerations for assessing the quality of brownfield redevelopment projects in Iran. Based on this question, providing a framework for introducing a series of qualitative considerations in brownfield redevelopment projects for internal experts was determined as a study goal. This framework can facilitate the assessment of Iran brownfield redevelopment projects. This research was an applicable research and used descriptive-analytical method and AHP technique. The required data for the first part of constructing a “quality assessment framework” was gathered through library survey of identified research related to brownfield redevelopment (52 cases were considered). In addition, the data for the second part of the research (namely the application of the proposed framework on Dooshan Tappeh airbase as a case study) was extracted from the Tehran Master Plan and detailed map of region 13. Organization and prioritization of identified considerations was identified in three sectors (substantive, procedural and executive) and on three scales (land, surrounding area and city) and ultimately a framework was created. This framework includes 25 types of qualitative considerations that can be used in assessment of Iran brownfield redevelopment projects. These considerations were introduced from 14 different sources. It is understood from this qualitative assessment framework that the quality of a redevelopment plan requires at least three separate actions. First, preparing a redevelopment plan that leads to sustainable development of brownfield land and its surrounding regions. This consideration should be based on the preparation and implementation of redevelopment project processes. This consideration can prevent the failure of a project and decrease the risk of reproducing of brownfield land or accelerate the deterioration cycle. Second, the integration of the redevelopment plan with other related plans of brownfield land and its peripheral boundary. This consideration can reduce the risk of future conflicts and waste of human, financial or time capital. Thirdly, the preparation of a redevelopment plan according to the condition and development priority of brownfield land amongst other brownfield lands in on a regional and urban scale. This consideration should be taken into consideration by urban authorities or project designers in particular. Advantages of this consideration are the prevention of capabilities waste and debarment of excessive pressure on a site. Applying the proposed framework in redevelopment programs in Dooshan Tapped airbase revealed that although there has been sufficient attention paid tosubstantive considerations in enacted programs, qualitative considerations regarding procedural and executive sectors have been weak because of ignorance or lack of relevance.
