Motaleate Shahri

Urban Design

Reorganizing Circulation System in Urban Neighborhoods Fabric with analyzing street connectivity based on New Urbanism movement with Space Syntax technique (Case Study: Kashmar)

s l; h b

Volume 3, Issue 9 , February 2014, , Pages 3-16

Abstract

The central historic area of the city has the highest social, economic, cultural and religious interactions. Over time, with the development of the city and the growing use of cars in urban areas, problems have emerged in pedestrian and driver circulation systems. In this regard, New Urbanism movement ... Read More The central historic area of the city has the highest social, economic, cultural and religious interactions. Over time, with the development of the city and the growing use of cars in urban areas, problems have emerged in pedestrian and driver circulation systems. In this regard, New Urbanism movement is the answer to suburban sprawl and inner – city decline. Based on new urbanism principles, street network connectivity is a key characteristic of a sustainable street network. The objective of this research is to develop a method for understanding and analyzing the structure of street networks with the connectivity principle of New Urbanism movement and the use of Space Syntax method. For the analysis, GIS software was used. In this research, central historic area of the city of Kashmar was selected as a case study. Over time, traffic problems in pedestrian and driver circulation systems in this area have emerged leading to congestion and disorder on city streets at peak hours. Spatial structure and street network of the city was identified and analyzed with space syntax technique. The results indicate that the inner neighborhoods of the central historic area of Kashmar, despite their proximity to the most integrated and accessible streets, has failed to connect with the new structure of the city. In other words, the connectivity of local streets with the entire street network in central neighborhoods is low and accessibility and permeability into central historic neighborhood of the city is not easy. Moreover, based on new urbanism approach and previous research, a wide range of measures of street network connectivity is defined and described. Evaluating street network connectivity of the study area of Kashmar indicates that connectivity is relatively good but driver connectivity is lower. A comparative analysis of connectivity results based on the results of space syntax technique on the one hand and local field observations on the other show that considering street network as the entire spatial structure of the city using the space syntax technique will produce results closer to reality. In other words, it is important to consider the old and historical areas with the entire urban system. Finally, in regards to the traffic problems in the central area of Kashmar, we can conclude that connectivity is only one factor affecting network performance and efficiency for pedestrians and drivers; other factors such as promoting walking are also effective and should be incorporated into the quantitative measures of connectivity.

Urban Design

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

a t; p p

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

Abstract

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

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Keywords = New urbanism

Reorganizing Circulation System in Urban Neighborhoods Fabric with analyzing street connectivity based on New Urbanism movement with Space Syntax technique (Case Study: Kashmar)

Abstract

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

Abstract