Motaleate Shahri

Urban Transport

Assessment and comparison of two policies: pedestrianization and walkability in CBDs (Case Study: Hamedan CBD)

m h; m i; e m

Volume 4, Issue 13 , February 2015, , Pages 17-32

Abstract

Nowadays physical expansion of cities has led to citizens` dependency on private and public vehicles for moving in cities to meet their needs, which is more obvious in larger cities. This issue of major urban areas being seen as specializing in providing goods and services has resulted in land use segregation ... Read More Nowadays physical expansion of cities has led to citizens` dependency on private and public vehicles for moving in cities to meet their needs, which is more obvious in larger cities. This issue of major urban areas being seen as specializing in providing goods and services has resulted in land use segregation (zoning) and inevitable of use of automobiles . In addition to causing ecological problems, increasing urban management expenditure and fossil fuel consumption, such a process has a negative effect on citizens` quality of life . With the dominance of vehicles over cities, pedestrian movements will gradually wane which in turn will trigger the physical and social deterioration in urban fabrics. In the last three decades, severe reactions have been shown toward use of automobiles and decline in walking as the result of increasing city problems like pollution, transportation difficulties, road insecurity , deterioration of historic centers, decreasing city space and service accessibility quality, disable people’s mobility problems, emotional pressures, and decrease in visual values . Increasing environmental quality and regenerating historic-cultural characteristics of CBDs are of major concern to urban centers managers and decreasing vehicle use and giving back urban spaces to pedestrians are also of considerable interest. However, different physical, economic, social and other factors lead to a high dependency on automobiles which makes it hard to change the situation. Hence, in pedestrianization it is important to consider each city’s circumstances individually and balance maintained between the shifting of pedestrians and drivers. Amongst modern movements in city transportation which emphasize value of pedestrians and the lowering of automobile supremacy is pedestrianization and pedestrian street construction. This survey has decided to select an appropriate policy for decreasing automobile movement in Hamedan CBD. Hamedan’s central fabric is still operating as a service pole for all citizens despite city growth and suffering from heavy traffic and and socio-economic trades especially because of its radiant and monocentric structure. This survey was carried out using analytic-descriptive method, common library studies and field observation. The main criteria for pedestrian oriented environmental designs and pedestrian street construction were derived from Persian and foreign literature review. After that, these indicators were evaluated in Hamedan CBD. To compare the two policies, (pedestrianization and walkability) AHP (analytical hierarchy process) was used and to weigh the criteria and sub criteria, Delphi method (30 experts opinions were considered upon the topic) was employed. Results show that the most effective criteria in evaluating pedestrianization capacity of an area are, in order, orderly as follows: transportation network structure, traffic and social conditions, land use and activity, physical structure, natural environment, economic considerations and landscape. Analyzing these criteria in Hamedan CBD proves supremacy of pedestrianization over pedestrian street construction. This survey shows that because of the negative effects on the natural environment, economic conditions and physical structure of the city, it is impossible to eliminate automobiles from Hamedan CBD completely. . Hence pedestrianization is feasible by means of lowering dependency on private automobiles as well as transferring traffic to bypasses in the city periphery which can maintain balance between pedestrians and drivers and public opinion gained. Therefore, it is recommended to keep vehicle accessibility to CBD and Imam Square (main historic square with various activities, buildings and major roads surrounding it) while converting the square itself into a walkable place which will disconnect radial streets in the central fabric of the city and shift traffic to peripheral roads.

Urban Planning

The Evaluation of Urban Development Plans Based on Interconnectedness and Connectivity Principle using AHP Model Case Study: Imam Ali Square Revitalization Plan in Isfahan

m e; e z

Volume 3, Issue 11 , August 2014, , Pages 19-36

Abstract

In this article, factors influencing the integrity of the historic fabric of urban development projects are studied. Integration is one of the main features of the historic fabric of cities with hot and dry climates which is influenced by urban development projects. Reviewing theoretical and empirical ... Read More In this article, factors influencing the integrity of the historic fabric of urban development projects are studied. Integration is one of the main features of the historic fabric of cities with hot and dry climates which is influenced by urban development projects. Reviewing theoretical and empirical literature revealed that integration criteria is classified under five categories that include unification, interconnectedness and connectivity, porosity, authenticity and vulnerability. To investigate the effects of urban development plans on these criteria, the Revitalization of Imam Ali Square project, as one of the most important projects concerning the regeneration of the integrity of the historic fabric, was selected. This project was implemented in the crowded area of central Isfahan. The square dates back to eight hundred years ago. The open space of the square has been occupied since almost two hundred years ago, and just recently authorities decided to revitalize it. After introducing and surveying the case study area, the effects of the revitalization project on Imam Ali Square were examined based on the twenty-one sub-criteria of connectivity and interconnectedness of which information existed. Linkage and connectivity of access network, linkage and connectivity of landuses and functions, linkage and connectivity through revitalization of ancient buildings and ruins, linkage and connectivity of mass and space, linkage and connectivity of urban spaces walls and linkage and connectivity through the density are the six main criteria of interconnedtedness and connectivity principle. An analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to evaluate the project. In this research, the way AHP was carried out differed from the general way it is carried out in urban planning. That is because in the general use of AHP, several alternative plans exist whereas in this survey only one plan or option existed. Evaluating one plan by AHP needs three hypothetical alternatives. The plan can be compared with an acceptable hypothetical alternative, a desirable hypothetical alternative and an ideal hypothetical alternative. The overall result of the evaluation shows that the regeneration of Imam Ali Square is at an acceptable level. After comparing the hypothetical state of the present plan with the various criteria, the results indicate that the main criteria of interconnectedness and connectivity is far from the ideal state. Thus, although the physical-spatial criteria of integration are reasonable, it must be revised with an emphasis on process and flexibility in order to achieve better integration. The conclusion also shows how AHP can be used as a quantitive tool for evaluating qualitative criteria by assuming other alternatives. Possible solutions for reintegration of historic fabrics through revitalization plans include active participation of local community, urban design and transportation solutions of main access paths and streets for decreasing car speed, determination of urban design guidelines regarding quantity and quality of building new paths and widening existing paths in the peripheral areas of urban spaces. In addition to these guidelines, other solutions for the reintegration of urban historic fabrics are gradual development of street networks, flexibility of revitalization plans, small scale development and avoiding large scale ruins and demolitions, and paying attention to the current community needs and desires.

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Keywords = Historic Fabric

Assessment and comparison of two policies: pedestrianization and walkability in CBDs (Case Study: Hamedan CBD)

Abstract

The Evaluation of Urban Development Plans Based on Interconnectedness and Connectivity Principle using AHP Model Case Study: Imam Ali Square Revitalization Plan in Isfahan

Abstract