Motaleate Shahri

Urban Design

Effective criteria on the formation of women’s image from favorable urban space (Case study: Tehran City)

Azin Hajiahmadi Hamedani; h m; l j

Volume 7, Issue 28 , November 2018, , Pages 3-16

https://doi.org/10.34785/J011.2018.012

Abstract

Evaluation of every environment’s image is not just the result of impressions made by its external attributes on the mind of the observer. It is, however, created by the imagination of the observer. A city is lodged by a wide variety of people whose evaluation of the images they form in their mind ... Read More Evaluation of every environment’s image is not just the result of impressions made by its external attributes on the mind of the observer. It is, however, created by the imagination of the observer. A city is lodged by a wide variety of people whose evaluation of the images they form in their mind is critical. The desirability of urban environments for various social strata, especially for women, depends on the relationship between human beings and the environment as well as their priorities and preferences. The distinctive characteristics of women in terms of feelings, sensation and evaluation of the environment should not be preferred over one anonther. To achieve a realistic and true viewpoint, it is impossible to ignore the interests and preferences of the citizens in relation to their living place. Since the relationship between an individual and their surrounding environment is formed in various levels such as the individual (e.g. feeling, perception, values, mental experiences, etc.) and social level (e.g. various social groups or the ones which are similar in terms of age and sex), it is better to examine the characteristics of various groups and social strata on the same level. The interpretations and mental images and meanings formed by women are unique depending on their values, priorities and experiences. There are some factors affecting the recognition of pleasantness attributes in urban space in women’s view, inducing what attracts women’s attention in the environments, how they are memorized, their mental image and their evaluation of the percieved space and the environmental preferences in selecting a desirable location. This article examines the factors affecting women mental image in order to allow the creation of a favorable environment from the perspective of this social group. It evaluates the preferences of their space. What is important is to identify and assess the main criteria for women in determining the optimum location with respect to the meaning derived from evaluated images. The aim of this research was to improve desirability of the environment from the perspective of women as well as their right to choose and evaluate the image of public spaces of Tehran. The research method is based on the techniques developed by Jack L. Nasar. In Nasar’s study, a phenomenological hermeneutic approach is used to describe the connotations and emotions image representation of women in the experience of urban spaces desirable / undesirable and nature of development of the city of Tehran. For this purpose, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted through purposive sampling. Interviews were recorded and the obtained data was written in the form of tables. Repeatability analysis was performed on the data. The results indicate that the optimal site selected through women’s mental image of highly desirable locations is associated with the concepts of freedom, justice, place dignity, socio-cultural prestige, historical identity, beauty, being stylish and full of details, quiet and cozy, vast but with privacy, green, happy mood and health.

Urban Transport

Analyzing the role of gender in the pattern of urban commuting (the case study of Zanjan)

shahrzad moghadam; zohre fani; mohamad taghi razaviyan

Volume 7, Issue 28 , November 2018, , Pages 91-100

https://doi.org/10.34785/J011.2018.019

Abstract

Nowadays, the cities are rapidly transforming due to such reasons as the spatial structure, economic and social relations. Therefore, they need new approaches in urban management. Urban spaces are physical manifestation of citizens’ social needs and provide the necessary groundwork for access and ... Read More Nowadays, the cities are rapidly transforming due to such reasons as the spatial structure, economic and social relations. Therefore, they need new approaches in urban management. Urban spaces are physical manifestation of citizens’ social needs and provide the necessary groundwork for access and provision of services required by users. They make the conditions for all users (men and women) to fairly use and enjoy the urban space. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the factors influencing women’s travel behavior in Zanjan. The study is an applied research and the methodology is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population includes 15-50 year old women in Zanjan. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s C test (384 questionnaires) and the samples were selected through random sampling method. In the present study, we first aimed at investigating and identifying urban traffic patterns based on theoretical foundations and 9 components. Questions are quantified on the Likert scale and Gutmann spectrum. Then, the patterns of women’s traffic in the city and its significant difference from the various forms of urban transport system are analyzed using these indicators. Data was analyzed in SPSS, using Kruskal-Wallis test, analysis of variance and correlation tests. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to test the reliability of questions. Information obtained from the questionnaires indicated a relationship between car ownership, occupation, family structure and travel behavior. Results show that owning a personal car leads to more mobility among employed women. In addition, women who have children are more dependent on personal cars than men, because they are not satisfied with the performance of urban public transportation. The results of this research indicate that women’s needs are not considered in urban transport planning. With the differentiation of functions in cities, transportation has affected the social and economic dimensions of women’s lives in the city.In addition, couples with children mostly use personal cars for transportation. This is apparent from the great difference in the average personal car usage in the group of women with children owning personal cars (54.56) and women without children with personal car ownership (20.6). Employed women drive more than housewives; they tend to use personal cars. Higher comfort, speed and safety are the reasons for driving personal cars rather than using other urban transportation forms. Women’s dissatisfaction with the public transport system (0.033) can be one of the several factors in increased traffic congestion and dependence on personal cars in the urban transport system of Zanjan. Housewives who own personal cars do not advise the use of public transport system. They will use alternative methods if the condition of public transportation improves.

Urban Design

Recognition of Environmental attributes contributing to women’s’ Security in Urban Spaces (Case Study: Makhsus and Salamat Neighborhoods, Tehran’s 11th Region)

Volume 6, Issue 21 , February 2016, , Pages 77-91

Abstract

Security is a basic and fundamental human need rights. In other words, security is the essence of survival and the basis of the collective life and the establishment of small communities and cities. It is so significant that Islam clearly stressed its importance. In addition, security has two important ... Read More Security is a basic and fundamental human need rights. In other words, security is the essence of survival and the basis of the collective life and the establishment of small communities and cities. It is so significant that Islam clearly stressed its importance. In addition, security has two important aspects which are the objective and subjective (the feeling and perception of security) aspects. One of the factors affecting the feeling and perception of safety and security is the personal and individual characteristics. Based on this issue, women (who are among the most vulnerable groups) were chosen as the target group of this research. As urban areas are the bed and place of the city interactions, they should be able to provide the safety and security of the users. If one area is unsafe or unsecure, people do not spend much of their time in that area and this causes the loss of liveliness and turns that area into a dead and inactive one. Women inability in using the urban areas only because such areas are insecure is somewhat against the principles of social justice due to which being able to use the urban areas with safety and security is one of the basic rights of the citizens. Obviously, the first step for making urban spaces secure and safe is recognizing the contributing factors on fear of crime. A noticeable proportion of these factors is related to the environmental attributes on the grounds that some physical characteristics may make the space ready and suitable for criminal acts and encourage the offenders for offences. In regards the effect of the environment specifications on people’s behavior, feeling and perception, in this study, finding the environmental effective specifications on women’s feeling and perception of safety and security is investigated. In fact, this research aims to obtain the answer to the question of what qualified urban space specifications lead to a sense of security and safety by women. First, existing literature of the research topic and the related hypotheses was studied and then the conceptual framework of the research (environmental effective specifications on women’s feeling and perception of security) was developed. Thereafter, the mentioned framework in the area of Makhsus and Salamat neighborhoods (as the case study area of this research) was experimented on. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were applied through such techniques as field surveys, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and questionnaires. In addition, different statistical methods were applied in order to analyze the data The findings of the research illustrate an obvious relationship between the form, activity and meaning of environment with women’s feeling and perception of security in urban areas. In other words, the confusion and chaos in each one of these 3 parameters can cause a level of anxiety, stress or fear in women.

Urban Design

Evaluation criteria affecting the activity of women in urban areas, Case study: 20th Golestan Dist, poonak, Tehran

. .

Volume 4, Issue 14 , May 2015, , Pages 47-60

Abstract

The main objectives of urban designers is the creation of responsible urban space for all social groups by understanding the qualities and spatial needs in the city to operate in such a way as to promote environmental quality and create a suitable base for urban life. The basic function of the city lies ... Read More The main objectives of urban designers is the creation of responsible urban space for all social groups by understanding the qualities and spatial needs in the city to operate in such a way as to promote environmental quality and create a suitable base for urban life. The basic function of the city lies in the abundance of community activities and public areas of the city, a place to display the different social lives of individuals and social groups, including women. Urban space does not only have a physical dimension but also social and symbolic aspects that are particularly relevant to the social construction of gender relations. Public space is where gender roles are carved, codified and fractured. Inevitably, gender causes differences. These differences appear in the needs, activities and subsequent behavior. Furthermore, any behavior needs its physical setting. Thus, creating the appropriate urban spaces that could be responsive to the needs of women and the relationship between the environment and their activities will affect conditions and rate of use of available urban spaces. This article describes how to design urban spaces with the aim of promoting women's needs in daily life and adresses their interests and experiences in the public domain. Since women’s major place of presence and activity has traditionally been in or near the home, neighborhood open space is chosen as a relevant case study. First, a literature review was conducted concerning gender and urban space, women’s activities and behavioral patterns approach, and on the basis of this theoretical framework, the research hypotheses are developed. The research emphasizes on socio-cultural and behavioral factors. The specific goal of this research was to identify criteria that affect the factors affecting women’s activities in urban spaces. For this purpose, the criteria that were extracted from the studies including physical conditions, safety and security, activity time and location, accessability, sociability and population absorption were tested. Finally, behaviors and activities in urban place were analyzed by examining women's experience of public spaces. Both descriptive and analytical research methods were used in this research along with index technique for studying the criteria. The research methodology included a review of the principles and experiences, conceptualization, extraction of the criteria that were applied in the form of a questionnaire (Likert scale) to determine the sample size and statistically analyze a neighborhood called Poonak District (20 m Golestan Street), Tehran, Iran in 2009. The sample population consisted of 90 middle-class women over 18 years of age. Finally, the recommended strategies in urban design are outlined. Thr results indicate that an increase in safety and security, time of activity, and sociability in urban areas lead to an increase in women’s activities. Furthermore, recommendations were provided for addressing changes to research and practice in order to better reflect and accommodate diverse experiences of public space.

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Keywords = women

Effective criteria on the formation of women’s image from favorable urban space (Case study: Tehran City)

Abstract

Analyzing the role of gender in the pattern of urban commuting (the case study of Zanjan)

Abstract

Recognition of Environmental attributes contributing to women’s’ Security in Urban Spaces (Case Study: Makhsus and Salamat Neighborhoods, Tehran’s 11th Region)

Abstract

Evaluation criteria affecting the activity of women in urban areas, Case study: 20th Golestan Dist, poonak, Tehran

Abstract