Urban Planning
a m; a p
Volume 3, Issue 11 , August 2014, , Pages 49-62
Abstract
Introduction
Today environmental, social, and economic problems and issues concentrated in cities have necessitated attempts for undertaking research on sustainable development. Considering the role of neighborhoods as the mosaics of development, neighborhoodism and neighborhood-based planning is a ...
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Introduction
Today environmental, social, and economic problems and issues concentrated in cities have necessitated attempts for undertaking research on sustainable development. Considering the role of neighborhoods as the mosaics of development, neighborhoodism and neighborhood-based planning is a key approach that has receiveda great deal of attention in contemporary world literature. Neighborhoods, as the smallest space units in urban divisions, are the building organs of a city, in which the notion of citizenship grows. In this regard, Ardebil city has been facing many problems related to sustainability because of rapid urbanization, urban sprawl, mismanagement, unplanned skeletal structures, and weak economic structures and lack of attention to development projects in the field of urban planning. In this article, attempts have been made to measure the sustainability level of neighborhood development in the framework of skeletal, social, economic, environmental, and managerial (institutional, political) criteria using a field method. The studied neighborhoods include Niar, Kolkhuran, Golmaghan, Molabashi, and Mollayusef. The mentioned neighborhoods were originally villages that merged with the city.
Data and Methodology
The present research is practical in terms of its aim and is descriptive-analytical in terms of research methodology. To do this research, first exploratory studies were carried using library-documents method and the major part of this investigation was survey based using questionnaires and interviews. To measure the sustainability of neighborhoods, the five dimensions of skeletal, socio-cultural, economic, environmental, and institutional-political were used along with 20 criteria. The sample population consisted of the citizens of Niar, Golmaghan, Kolkhuran, Mopllabashi, and Mollayusef neighborhoods, among which 378 citizens, based on the Cochran formula, were chosen as thesample. The samplingmethod was random classified sampling where questionnaires were distributed and completedin proportion to each neighborhood population.To analyze the data obtained from the field operations of the two descriptive and inferential statistics, SPSS 22 Software with its one-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA/F (and the Scheffe test) as well as Kruskal-Wallis ranking were used. Furthermore, in order to specify the neighborhoods under study, Arc GIS Software was used. It should be noted that for measuring neighborhood sustainability, 20 criteria were used in five relevant dimensions with a 9-choice Likert scale, because the larger the number of scales, the closer the results to reality.
Findings and Discussion
The findings of the study reveal that among the 20 criteria investigated here,only the two criteria of neighborhood legibility and spatial devotion of the neighborhood were reasonably sustainable regarding averages larger than the theoretical averages of the research, while other criteria did not have a suitable condition. In comparing neighborhood sustainability using the significant difference test, it was observed that apart from the four criteria of access to services, social capital, participation, and good governance, the rest of criteria in this research significantly affected the sustainability of the studied neighborhoods. In other words, in the target neighborhoods there was a significant difference between the mentioned criteria.Overall, the neighborhood sustainability ranking in these five neighborhoods revealed that Niar was first while Kolkhuran was last.
Comparing the findings of this study to previous research theories reveals that neighborhood sustainability largely depends on management and planning at this level. In a similar vein, poor civil participation and lack of proper developmental plans influence the increases or decrease in the sustainability of neighborhoods. Yet, the role of urban and meta-urban economic and social factors should not be ignored.
Conclusion and Suggestion
This research illustrates that the studied neighborhoods are at an unsustainable and underdeveloped level. The largest inequality is related to socio-economic criteria and the lowest one to environmental and managerial criteria. The level of unsustainability is different in the neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods such as Kolkhuran are facing severe unsustainability, while others such as Niar are afflicted with less sustainability. The solution to the problem of underdevelopment requires comprehensive and integrative measures in all the sectors related to development within the framework of management and neighborhood developmental planning. Accordingly, citizen participation, planning at the neighborhood level and empowerment of neighborhood residents socially and economically is essential in that it is effective in the development of neighborhoods. In this regard, attention to space planning at the neighborhood level is essential.
Urban Planning
h b; m i; m m
Volume 3, Issue 9 , February 2014, , Pages 17-30
Abstract
This paper investigates the evolution of development approaches from “Urban Reconstruction” to “Sustainable Urban Regeneration” emphasizing “social sustainability” (the most recent approach).The decline of environmental quality, social status and ...
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This paper investigates the evolution of development approaches from “Urban Reconstruction” to “Sustainable Urban Regeneration” emphasizing “social sustainability” (the most recent approach).The decline of environmental quality, social status and economic vitality have been amongst the most fundamental problems in the concept of urban development. In recent decades, various policies have been implemented in cities, especially in inner cities, to address this critical situation. Developed countries have examined different approaches for solving in theory and practice such issues as the post-industrial shift from manufacturing to service industries, Fordism to post-Fordism, natural or non-natural disasters (earthquakes, war…), globalization and social change. Developing countries have also been confronted by such problems as a result of rapid growth and its consequences. By looking at these policies from an analytical and historical perspective, distinct stages from “Urban Reconstruction” to “Urban Regeneration” can be defined based on prominent attributes, political approaches and institutional frameworks. “Sustainable Urban Regeneration” has been propounded in recent years, introducing sustainability and sustainable development in the field of urban development. The question and the objective of this research are forged explicating this approach, its aspects and components; exploring “what the components and aspects of “Sustainable Urban Regeneration” are and how they could be defined under the recent approach of “Social Sustainability”. The research method is a "documentary" one based on "Content Analysis" and "Logical Argumentation". This paper seeks to summarize the approaches that have affected change since the mid- twentieth century and to define the components and dimensions of sustainable urban regeneration taking into account the most recent approach of social sustainability.
Urban Ecology
h d; m r; a z
Volume 3, Issue 9 , February 2014, , Pages 31-44
Abstract
Land use planning and determination of developmental priorities based on regional conditions and characteristics are considered as one of the major aspects of planning on a regional scale. One approach in this field is the determination of land use types. The common point in all applied methods of ecological ...
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Land use planning and determination of developmental priorities based on regional conditions and characteristics are considered as one of the major aspects of planning on a regional scale. One approach in this field is the determination of land use types. The common point in all applied methods of ecological potential assessment is to consider development as the assessment goal in the research process. This occurs when in the allocation of types of uses under equal condition, different types of development can be studied and the most appropriate one selected according to conditions. Therefore, this study tries to apply a model which enables the assessment of land use with different types of development. Since taking into account all types of development simultaneously causes prioritization conflicts (one or more types of development might have the same priority level at one point when different developmental priorities overlap), the major challenge would be to resolve the inter-developmental conflicts. Therefore, the proposed model must be able to resolve such spatial conflict. This study, based on conducted research on assessment of ecological potential and using multi-objective assessment methods, evaluates the ecological potential of Noushahr County in four types of urban, agricultural, industrial, and natural development using a new concept known as “verbal logic”. It tends to offer an integral model for simultaneous analysis of different types of development. On this basis, the method employed in this study has two main sections: the first section deals with ecological assessment based on multi- objective assessment model. In this section, a model of appropriate locations for all the four developments is distinctively identified which results in the recommendation of location priorities for each type of land use development. In the second section, the verbal logic is used to present the integral prioritization areas which cover all the priorities simultaneously. The logic combines the priorities of all types of development employing quantitative approaches and ultimately resolves the conflicts arising from overlapping of priorities of different development types using the conditional rules obtained from the major goal of assessment. On this basis, this model offers priority zoning of integral land capacity in regards to developmental priorities; the major goal of assessment is" zoning the land for optimum allocation of agricultural, urban, and industrial development while protecting environmental values". The model results demonstrate that in integral assessment of a variety of development, only 1% of the region is not suffering inter-developmental conflict while a large part of the region is suffering conflict between assessment priorities of two or more types of development. Only 1 % of all conflict types in the region is dedicated to top priority conflicts in all development types. Nearly 73% of conflicts are devoted to the conflict amongst the three lower priorities. Taking into consideration that the decision-making process of the model is based on the major goal of assessment, the model allocates the desired land to natural development and prevents the expansion of other developments in these areas to resolve the conflict among all priorities. Meanwhile, the study of spatial distribution of various developments in the city and its comparison with land use show that much of the central and southern parts are dedicated to natural development as a first priority while the industrial, urban and agricultural developments are largely linked to each other and are located in the central and northern parts of the city mostly near lowlands at low altitudes.
Urban Planning
m r; j m; a m; a r; k i
Volume 3, Issue 9 , February 2014, , Pages 45-58
Abstract
There is a lot of evidence that political boundaries have lost a large part of its function as a barrier, and cross-border interactions and cooperation will increasingly become more important over time. In this case, the border operates as a contact area which is a functional space for exchange and socio-economic ...
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There is a lot of evidence that political boundaries have lost a large part of its function as a barrier, and cross-border interactions and cooperation will increasingly become more important over time. In this case, the border operates as a contact area which is a functional space for exchange and socio-economic interactions; the border spreads its positive effects in its vicinity. The impact of borders is the key agent in the development of cities on or near them. Borders can either block or bridge the development and integration of different border areas. Understanding this barrier or opportunity affects how we conceptualize borders and their functions. This research studies the correlation between transforming border function and improving peripheral status of the border cities of Baneh and Saghez. Quantitative-survey methods were used to achieve the above aim. Using questionnaires data was collected from cross-border traders and prominent local figures and experts. To test the hypothesis, the result of 131 questionnaires of the cross-border traders and 49 questionnaires of the prominent local figures and experts were analyzed through Comparison of averages, One sample T-Test, Regression analysis, and Nonparametric Friedman's Test. In addition, the sample size of the research was selected using snowball sampling and targeted methods. The results show that border function has changed from the perspective of the cross-border traders and prominent local figures and experts. According to the descriptive results, score for the changing role of border variability is higher than the theoretical median and the scores for constituent indicator of transforming border function that include reinforcement of legal-institutional capacity, development of transport infrastructures, facilitating the flow of cross-border exchange and decreasing socio-cultural distance are 3.06, 3.30, 2.56, and 3.07 respectively. The results also indicated that the peripheral status of the border cities has improved. According to the results, employment and income status, economic well-being, social security, political and social collaboration amongst people have improved. Furthermore, there is a significant correlation between transforming border function and peripheral status based on the Regression’s Test. This correlation is at medium level (0.50 and o.51 for cross-border trader and local elites and experts respectively). In addition, the results indicate that the constituent indicator of transforming border function have a different proportion in transforming border function. The results of the Nonparametric Friedman's Test show that the development of transport infrastructures and the lessening socio-cultural distance has had a greater effect on transforming border function. Thus, as noted in the theoretical principles, improvement of the peripheral status of border cities and development of the border city area need border function (or border role) to be redefined and governments to alter their viewpoints – people in border regions adapt to local conditions. Elimination of long bureaucratic process in cross-border trade and traffic, stability and transparency of business rules, development of information and communication infrastructure will have positive ramifications in adjacent regions. Finally, based on the results, lower inhibitory effects at borders is a key factor in the development of border cities and regions.
Urban Planning
j m; m h
Volume 3, Issue 9 , February 2014, , Pages 69-80
Abstract
Land is the most crucial factor for physical growth and development of cities.Currently, land management has become one of the most important concerns and subjectsunder discussion for local governments.Moreover, growth and scattered development of cities has led to the destruction of the environment ...
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Land is the most crucial factor for physical growth and development of cities.Currently, land management has become one of the most important concerns and subjectsunder discussion for local governments.Moreover, growth and scattered development of cities has led to the destruction of the environment and natural resources of the suburbs. It is well known that urban sprawl is manifestwhen the growth of population is less than the growth in physical development.In fact, the main factor in urban sprawl development is population growth in addition to the demand for land for the purpose of housing, buildings, public land-use and their facilities. Meanwhile, as a result ofinappropriate andhastydecisions, land capacity in and on the outskirts of cities for developmentorre-development, have been ignoredby city managers. Today, interior and infill development is an important issue in new urbanism. Infill development emphasizes the development of brown and gray lands, reformation, renovation and reconstruction of existing textures.Accordingly, in the past four decades, Gorgan city has rapidly expanded within the city and on its outskirts from 997 hectares in 1974 to 3560 hectares in 2004; this has caused the destruction of natural environment of the area. Therefore, the purpose of this studyis the discernment and identification of suitable landinGorgan city for infill and re-development. Thisis an applied research and the method used is descriptive-analytical. For this purpose, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model was used for ranking, weighting and determination of the consistency ratio of the criteria. In addition, geographic information system (GIS), as a powerful instrumentation in environmentalplanning and management, was used for processing and overlaying of layers. Duration this process, 14 effective criteria and indexes including topography, slope, aspect of slope, landslide,fault vicinity, river limits, urbanland-use, size of parcels, floors of buildings, density of residential unit, zoning, density of population, price of lands and old texturewas identified, prepared and used in the form of environmental, physical and social indexes. Initially,criteriaandsub criteria(layers) was prepared by the formation ofa matrixusing hierarchical analysis, weighting andranking. Then, criteria and sub criteria (layers) was presented, geo-referenced, digitized, updated, standardized, edited, overlaid, processed, converted to raster and vector using geographic information system.Hence, the prepared layers (criteria and sub-criteria) with the extension of spatial analysis and raster calculator operator were overlapped ArcGIS software. Eventually, a final map of weightedcriteria and sub criteria (layers)was provided usingmathematical operation and weighted overlapping in ArcGIS software to identify suitable and compatible lands for interior and infill development of Gorgan city in response to the demandsof its citizens for buildings and housing. The final map suggests that the most suitable and compatible lands for infill and redevelopment are located in the north and north-eastern parts of the city; and the least suitable and compatible lands are situated south and south-western areas of the city and along river limits. Furthermore, it was determined that 51 percent ofinterior lands are completely compatible, 14.5 percent are compatible and 16.2 percent are relatively compatible, 12.2 percent are incompatible and 6 percent are totally incompatible for infill and redevelopmentin Gorgan city.
Urban Ecology
ش ش; ش ش; ش ش
Volume 2, Issue 8 , December 2013, , Pages 13-30
Urban Planning
غ خ; ظ ظ; ش ی
Volume 2, Issue 8 , December 2013, , Pages 31-46
Urban Planning
ظ ظ; ش ش
Volume 2, Issue 8 , December 2013, , Pages 47-58
Urban Planning
ش ش; ش ش
Volume 2, Issue 8 , December 2013, , Pages 59-69
Urban Planning
ق ش; ش م
Volume 2, Issue 8 , December 2013, , Pages 71-81
Urban Planning
ف ن; س ح
Volume 2, Issue 8 , December 2013, , Pages 83-91
Urban Planning
j h
Volume 2, Issue 7 , July 2013, , Pages 47-60
Abstract
Studying the role of state in the emergence and physical-spatial development of Boushehr There are two dominant theories about mechanisms of urban development. Theory of Rent capitalism was initiated in 1960 by Hans Bobek and the other one is state and urbanism theory which was introduced by the Mohammad ...
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Studying the role of state in the emergence and physical-spatial development of Boushehr There are two dominant theories about mechanisms of urban development. Theory of Rent capitalism was initiated in 1960 by Hans Bobek and the other one is state and urbanism theory which was introduced by the Mohammad Taghi Rahnamaiee. Bobek believed that city life in Iran is dependent on the capital accumulation which gains from commercialization of agricultural surplus production (Rahnamaiee, 1388,p.143.). but According to state and urbanism theory, state helps developing the city and urbanity through its widespread banking system. The massive and unprecedented intrusion of state mostly comes from the common way to achieve its revenue sources, namely crude oil whose national surplus has an important share in accumulation and reproduction of capital in economic process. In the course of these studies, some cities in the country have not been studied so far, including Bushehr. The city's emergence as a nascent city dates back to the time of Nadir Shah and his command. Under certain geographical conditions, this rural and agricultural of urban area did not have an impact on urban growth and development. The most important factor in the development of the city can be its coastal location and thriving business sector. Findings show that foundation of Boushehr originally resulted from governmental decisions and Nader Shah Afshar founded it due to its marine position as the base for marine operation and domination over Persian Gulf. At the time of Karim Khan Zand, this city received a lot of attention. Karim Khan was interested in foreign commercial development and Boushehr changed into the main place of commercial activities in Persian Gulf. At the time of Ghajarie, Boushehr enjoys economic revivification and a lot of civil developments takes place in this city. This city changed into a big commercial center and main businessmen worked there. At the end of Ghajarie, Boushehr was the first commercial port of the country. One of the main effects of Constitution Movement in this city was foundation of municipality which considered general constructions. However its effect was not significant. Policies of the first Pahlavi caused the other ports overtake this city. Consequently, this city lost its role as the main port of the country. At the time of second Pahlavi, investment on urbanization received a lot of attention and this city enjoyed economic and financial improvements which increased immigration, instead. At this time, government inherited most of the urban lands and became one of the main landlords of the time. By beginning of Islamic Revolution, the role of government became more serious and urban areas were transferred by the government. Most part of the empty areas was changed into infrastructures. Consequently, city faced sprawl development. Another main policy of the government has been development of Alishahr new city for overpopulation of Boushehr. Generally it can be said that Boushehr has been under the influence of government since emergence and development. So it is among the cities which can be studied based on state and urbanism theory.
Urban Planning
z m; h sh; a r
Volume 2, Issue 7 , July 2013, , Pages 73-88
Abstract
Abstract: The history of the old city centers , due to the geographical center , easy access , and feature historic center of economic gravity - the cultural potentials are high , despite the positive features of downtown , the texture of physical problems ( exhaustion ),environmental problems , in the ...
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Abstract: The history of the old city centers , due to the geographical center , easy access , and feature historic center of economic gravity - the cultural potentials are high , despite the positive features of downtown , the texture of physical problems ( exhaustion ),environmental problems , in the context of complexity and poor infrastructure suffer. With such a central feature of the city center is the city of Khorramabad The core fabric of the city is mostly worn and in need of restructuring andRehabilitation. The main objective of this research is to broaden the scope of the problem in this context the following objectives of sustainable development is the development of these tissues . In this regard, research on how to achieve physical and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in the context of Rehabilitation core has Khorramabad. The purpose of this study applied descriptive - survey is to introduce the basic concepts and methods of data collection in the library and in the documentation gathered through field studies (questionnaires, interviews and observation's). Methods This study was a descriptive - survey and data collection documents two studies and field) Interview questionnaires and observation's (Population of residents part of the fabric core with a population of over 2797 people in Khorramabad are. According to consider the characteristics of the economical, social , physical and environmental scope of the case study and data analysis of the combined AHP-SWOT methods, the results of the final evaluation of SWOT within the AHP model shows that in the group of strengths , the existence of valuable historical element ( final weight ,./ 272) , existence of activity axis along the Imam Khomeini and Shohada streets ( final weight , ./176 ) and easy access to other parts of the city ( final weight , ./134) are the most important strengths and low quality buildings ( final weight ,./206 ) , microlithic parts ( final weight , ./161) and the narrow and impermeable streets ( final weight , ./135) are the most important weaknesses . However, the high potential of uncultivated area ( final weight ,./ 239) , the potential of constructing tourism spaces ( final weight , ./183 ) and the historical area and promoting an inclusive culture ( final weight , ./139 ) in series are the most important opportunities of the case study, also neglecting adapt to changing demands (final weight ,./266 ) , insecurity and impermeability passages ( final weight , ./194 ) and not defining public open space in quarters ( the final weight ,./143) are the most important threas to the desired range .The overall results indicate that most physical problems and After that, the environmental problems ,economic problems , management problems, social problems , most of it is devoted to . Well as the physical aspects of, poor quality buildings , including the most difficult passages microlithic parts and impermeable tissue study.are . According to final analysis,in this study pivotal offers in order to exploit these strengths, opportunities, reducing weaknesses and threats in the form of SWOT model key strategies for improving the old texture of the city of Khorramabad in the text has been stated in detail which the components of sustainable urban development have been applied.To achieve the goal of sustainable urban development in the sustainable urban development will be stable with a high quality of life for all residents. Thus, in order to improve the quality of life offered as a guide decisions on development strategies, planning and creating new instruments of communication between decision-making factors, decision making and enforcement of the emphasis is.
Urban Planning
n a; r a; m z
Volume 2, Issue 7 , July 2013, , Pages 89-100
Abstract
Abstracts Objectives As an important subject in urban studies, city form corresponds to the spatial distribution of human activities in cities and is deeply influenced by urban management and physical and socio-economic characteristics. The main goal of this study is to provide a general perspective ...
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Abstracts Objectives As an important subject in urban studies, city form corresponds to the spatial distribution of human activities in cities and is deeply influenced by urban management and physical and socio-economic characteristics. The main goal of this study is to provide a general perspective on the characteristics of city form in Iran through the evaluation and classification of their physical patterns. Attempts have also been made to analyze the potential associations between city forms and a number of selected physical and human variables. The main method utilized in this study is descriptive and the employed data comes from a variety of sources. Google Earth Pro images, results of Iran’s national censuses and Climatic Atlas of Iran are among the main data sources of this research. Q-square tests (x2) have been used to analyze the relationship among city form and selected variables. Only cities with over five thousands inhabitants, which include 689 cities, are examined in this research. Findings During the past 50 years (1956-2006), Iran’s urban population has increased from 6 million to over 48 million and the number of cities has soared from 200 to over 1000. Definitely, such an increase in the number of cities and their population has impacted the arrangement of human activities in urban areas which are reflected in different city forms. Main city forms in this study were classified into five categories. Our findings depict that 40.2% of the cities have mixed, 29.2% linear, 24.3% iron grid, 4.35% organic and finally 1.9% radial patterns. Findings also indicated that 60% of the cities have predominantly continuous and 40% discontinuous physical growth pattern. Our data revealed a higher population growth rate for iron grid and linear city forms than that of organic, radial and mixed city forms. In terms of area size, while organic and linear cities, mostly tends to have smaller areas (less than 500 hectares), iron grid radial and mixed cities mostly have larger areas. Like the size, organic and linear cities tend to have lower population density (Results Findings asserted a significant association between the city form and selected human and physical variables, like population size, growth rate, physical growth pattern, area size, density, elevation and climate type. The results were put in a suggested model that tries to describe urban forms in Iran. The major characteristics of this model can be summarized as follow: cities with organic pattern are related with small population and area size, continues physical growth, low growth rate and density and semi-arid and Mediterranean climate. Cities with liner pattern mainly correspond with small population and area size, but with discontinuous physical pattern, above average population growth rate, medium density, low altitude and Khazari climate. Urban areas with iron grid pattern, on the other hand, are mainly linked with medium population and area size, continuous physical growth, the highest population growth rate, medium and high density, altitude of over 1000 meter and predominantly arid and semi-arid climate. The radial pattern cities are mostly connected with large population and area size, continuous physical growth, average growth rate, high density, above 1000 meter altitude and mainly Mediterranean climate. Finally, mixed pattern cities are mainly correlated with combination of medium, large and very large population and area size, continuous physical growth, relatively lower population growth rate, average and high density, over 1000 meter altitude and a combination of Mediterranean, arid and semi-arid climate.
Urban Planning
h. dadashpour; S. R.
Volume 2, Issue 6 , June 2013, , Pages 3-16
Urban Planning
zohreh Fanni; jamshid moludi; kh. faraji rad
Volume 2, Issue 6 , June 2013, , Pages 17-30
Urban Management
A. M.; S. M. P.; S. M.
Volume 2, Issue 6 , June 2013, , Pages 31-42
Slum Settlements
H. Gh.; A. J.; M. J.; D. J.
Volume 2, Issue 6 , June 2013, , Pages 43-58
Urban Planning
M. GH.; S. L.; K. KH.
Volume 2, Issue 6 , June 2013, , Pages 89-104
Urban Planning
K. I.; M. B.; R. T.
Volume 2, Issue 6 , June 2013, , Pages 105-118
Urban Planning
Volume 2, Issue 5 , March 2013, , Pages 13-26
Abstract
The post-industrial revolution era is characterized by increasingly global urbanization with the resulting problem of the shortage of housing. In fact, housing has become not only one of the desperate needs but also an ever-growing concern of human being who has always been preoccupied with finding ...
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The post-industrial revolution era is characterized by increasingly global urbanization with the resulting problem of the shortage of housing. In fact, housing has become not only one of the desperate needs but also an ever-growing concern of human being who has always been preoccupied with finding a solution to this issue. Maskan-e-Mehr is deemed to be the greatest national project in housing. Due to the wide scope and newness of the project, an evaluation of the results is necessary. Generally, housing satisfaction as one of the widely studied issues along with housing environments proves to be a part of the life satisfaction. As a matter of fact, satisfaction means the amount of individuals’ accessibil -ity to the intended objectives. The identification of the effective factors responsible for the satisfaction and dissatisfaction rate of the residents can be helpful both in the analysis of the existing living conditions and in the future decisions to improve the quality of the housing environments and to avoid the same defects in the future locations. This study can assist the policy-makers and planners in designing an effective architecture for Maskane-Mehr projects to meet the needs of the residents. The present article undertakes to evalu-ate the satisfaction level of the residents in Fatemieh site of Maskan-e-Mehr in Yazd city. Although the adopted methodology in this study is largely descriptive, the data collection includes documentary and survey carried out via distributing questionnaires and inter -viewing the residents. A formula-based sampling of 367 subjects residing in kokran was taken as the statistical sample which was, for the sake of more accuracy, raised to 400 sub -jects. To assess the extent of satisfaction of the Maskan-e-Mehr project, the questionnaire was divided into two parts. The first part dealt with the independent variables such as age, sex, marital status, education, income, occupation and a medium designed to investigate the variables on the level of perception of the satisfaction of residents. The second part was devoted to the dependent variable pertinent to the satisfaction of the Maskan-e-Mehr project. These variables include integrated facilities management and maintenance, light-ing, ventilation, landscape and views, arrangement, neighborhood relations, economic, environmental dimensions, transportation, accessibility and security. The analysis of the data has been done via the SPSS20 software. According to the descriptive results obtained from applying the Chi-Square test, there is a meaningful relation between independent variants such as gender, occupation, marital status on the one hand and the satisfaction level on the other hand. Based on Pearson Correlation Coefficient, the results show that there is a meaningful and direct relation between the age variable and that of satisfaction, whereas the education and the average income variables have a meaningful but indirect relation. The evaluative results of this research indicate that the overall satisfaction level of the residents of Fatemieh Condo is average. The residents of Fatemieh Condo are dis-satisfied with the economic condition of the condo while the neighboring residents are satisfied with criteria such as security, lighting, ventilation and the physical status of the complex. They, however, expressed an average satisfaction about the other study criteria. Taking into account the complex of Maskan-e-Mehr Fatemieh city of Yazd, it is possible to raise the level of satisfaction of the residents through provision of a range of facilities and reduction of the problems in their residential location. Finally, some solutions have been proposed for the improvement of the project, the facilities and the services for our case study.
Urban Planning
Volume 2, Issue 5 , March 2013, , Pages 27-34
Abstract
Nowadays, a special attention is given to the role of urban planning and the built environment and their impacts on neighborhood walkability and residents’ walking behavior. A large number of studies have been conducted about this issue in developed countries, but little has been done in this ...
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Nowadays, a special attention is given to the role of urban planning and the built environment and their impacts on neighborhood walkability and residents’ walking behavior. A large number of studies have been conducted about this issue in developed countries, but little has been done in this regard in the context of a developing country such as Iran. These researches emphasized the strong relation between accessibility to parks, recreational and sport services. They applied two main approaches of objective and subjective. The objective criterion has some advantages like lesser measurement error, standardization and easy quantification and transferability into policy making. Some researchers believe that subjective approaches have more affinities with real perceptions especially in behavioral sciences. Thus, a considerable number of researchers recommend the use of both objective and subjective approaches. Evidence showed that the dimension of physical problems is more sophisticated in larger urban centers. Tehran mega-polis as capital center of Iran experiences a wide range of socio-economic problems due to the rising level of air pollution. According to the official records of heath organizations, obesity and heart diseases are on the increase among the population of large urban centers. Therefore, it seems that physical activity can partly help reduce the pressure of different physical and mental disorders. Obviously, urban planners play a significant role in carrying out the arrangement of urban land use on different scales from city to neighborhood. The present study examined the relationship between neighborhood walkability and adults’ walking behavior in Metropolitan Tehran. Three built environment measures of net residential density, land-use mix, street connectivity, and socio-economic status (SES) were calculated using geographic information systems (GIS) on a census block scale across Metropolitan Tehran. As participants, 657 subjects were recruited from neighboring areas in terms of both neighborhood walkability and SES scores. The amount of weekly walking was obtained using a self-reported method and, then, it was compared with the neighborhood walkability. The data were processed and classified using SPSS and anylsed via different statistical models. The results of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between the neighborhood walkability and residents’ walking behavior. People who lived in high walkable neighborhoods reported more weekly walking than those who lived in low walkable neighborhoods. These results highlighted the role of urban planning and the built environment in enhancing residents’ physical activity which, in turn, leads to the improvement of residents’ physical and mental health. The main conclusion of this research was that the method and measurement of physical activities in urban areas has definite connection with the socio-economic conditions of people. Thus, urban researchers need to employ social and economic indexes to identify the real requirements of urban neighborhoods and facilities to help members of society, especially the older people, to take part in physical activities. This research, however, recommended further studies in this regard to deepen our understanding about the relation between the features of built environment and the tendency of residents towards more physical activity.
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 Ecology
Volume 2, Issue 5 , March 2013, , Pages 61-72
Abstract
Over the past two decades, several models have been used to calculate environmental vul-nerability with Approach collective decisions to mitigate the effects of the natural hazards. Location of cities and villages, and site selection of residential units, services, and indus-tries and recreation should ...
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Over the past two decades, several models have been used to calculate environmental vul-nerability with Approach collective decisions to mitigate the effects of the natural hazards. Location of cities and villages, and site selection of residential units, services, and indus-tries and recreation should be harmonized with expansion of geology, geomorphology, soil and climatology sciences. Therefore, without understanding their natural features, the construction of urban and rural areas and related activities associated with their spatial substrate is not reasonable. Yasuj urban area is located in narrow plains in the western foothills of the Zagros Mountains. The area of this place is about 12776 hectares and its average topographic height is about 1850 mASL. The area consists of 42 villages whose population is over 150 thousand and its city center is Yasouj. The main purpose of this study is to put stress on the theory of sustainable development in Yasuj urban areas. The study of natural vulnerability of Yasuj urban areas was performed with an emphasis on the natural and environmental structure. Methods used to analyze the vulnerability include Fuzzy logic, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and environmental indicators that were used by Geographic Information System (GIS). Based on the criteria and sub criteria of the study, the study area affected by natural features and special characteristics are threatened with some environmental restrictions and natural hazards. Due to young and active faults, the urban area shows great potential for earthquake. The probability of flood in the area increases as a result of the features of the mountain, sharp slopes, existence of several torrent rivers, relatively high amounts of rainfall, especially during the cold season. Structure and texture of alluvial plains and foothills are almost weak. In addition, the steep foothills can increase probability of hillside movements and phenomena such as the downfall of soil and rock, landslides and avalanche at snowy periods. According to the results obtained from combining various layers of environmental data layers car -ried out on the basis of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model, it became clear that ,in Yasuj urban area, central parts of the plain have the lowest environmental vulnerability with the rise of the risk level towards the mountainous area. The study not only reveals that proximity to faults has the highest fuzzy membership degree, but also suggests that collaboration with other environmental hazards such flood risk (distance from the river), slope and land use, shows the highest vulnerability. The surrounding mountainous areas (Zagros) in Yasuj urban area which are tectonically active parts of the area have higher risk in comparison with those in the plain. Considering the results, growth and develop -ment of the city toward the mountains will encounter high vulnerability. These results corresponded with the capability of the forest parts of the mountainous areas. Therefore, the development of the city construction toward the mountain would cause sever damage to mountain ecosystems, plant and animal life. Thus, areas characterized by high vulner -ability should be protected since they have not only high potential for being risky but also are vulnerable to the development of human activities (regions of oak forests and rivers protection area). The results of this research lead the policy of regional development to decrease the possibility of environmental vulnerability. The assessment and combination of the results of the information layers studies signal the high environmental vulnerabilityin peripheral parts of urban area due to the overlapping of different natural hazards that tend toward the center of the plain. Finally, the salient point of studying the area shows that in the absence of any planning and measurement of the ecological capability of the land, development inflicts serious environmental damage, which , in turn, may harm hu -man societies in the future.
