Motaleate Shahri

Urban Sociology

Achieving to neighborhood sustainable development within social capacity of informal settlement’s inhabitants and economical activists’: (Case study:Shemiran Nou)

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 3-12

Abstract

This paper is a practical attempt to choose social changing methods instead of environmental regenerations in order to manage and upgrade informal settlements areas. The approach of this research is in this way that inhabitants of informal settlements are accepted as residents with an urban right and ... Read More This paper is a practical attempt to choose social changing methods instead of environmental regenerations in order to manage and upgrade informal settlements areas. The approach of this research is in this way that inhabitants of informal settlements are accepted as residents with an urban right and they are the best resources for changing and upgrading of these areas. The objectives of this research work were to introduce social capacity and its relationship with local sustainable development in two different groups. Inhabitants and economical activists were selected as the study groups. Verifying the results based on the groups is the method to find out the way for achieving local sustainability. It was a descriptive surveying. Structure of social capacity and sustainable development were generated by expert ideas for informal settlement. The study approved that the social capacity is a mental structure influenced by the main motivations of the neighborhood’s activists to reside in the neighborhood. However, each group had different qualifications in this relationship and it is clear that each group uses its social capacities to achieve its own goals. Therefore, each group would have its special effects on sustainability and future of neighborhood life. The results revealed the existence of a positive and meaningful relationship between social capacities and the neighborhood sustainable development and if the clever exploration occurs, the chance of achieving local sustainability is not unexpected. The confidence of resident’s group in official institutions, and the importance placed to the neighborhood by the economical activists are the prime components, which had meaningful correlation with the majority of social capacity components. In addition, each program capable to persuade inhabitants to live longer and motivate people for remaining in that local area will be effective for developing social capacity. Moreover, it was found that there was not any sustainability in social dimension; social capacity will be useful for achieving this goal.

Urban Economy

An Analytic of Tourists Motivations and the Impact of Income and Gender Case Study: New-year Tourists of Mahallat

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 13-22

Abstract

Considering tourists’ viewpoints and motives for traveling to a given tourism destination is very important in terms of its significance on tourism developmental planning and marketing. Influenced by their motives, tourists have different expectations of travel products; so their motives are very ... Read More Considering tourists’ viewpoints and motives for traveling to a given tourism destination is very important in terms of its significance on tourism developmental planning and marketing. Influenced by their motives, tourists have different expectations of travel products; so their motives are very significant in determining developmental strategies and also in making the planners and policy makers aware of the major tourism destinations and their characteristics. Accordingly, the present study aimed to identify the tourists’ motives in order to attain a suitable pattern for marketing and providing developmental strategies for the products in Mahallat, Iran. With respect to the importance of effective factors in tourists’ motives, the impact of gender and income were considered. To test the hypothesis, the results of 185 questionnaires were analyzed through factor analysis, t-test, and ANOVA. The results of the analyses indicated that tourists’ motives can be classified into four categories - that accounted for 58.1% of the total variance. Examining the presumed concepts of the first factor (tranquility-recreation) by 15.8% of the total variance suggested tourists’ inclination for spiritual peace, being away from the worries of work and life, visiting the family and friends, enjoying the hobbies and exciting entertainments and the weather in Mahallat. Therefore, with these factors in mind, planning tourism activities must be based on the development of entertainment facilities. The second factor is the "ecotourism" accounted for 15.54% of the total variance. In this case, the tourists’ inclination to use the recreational space of Sarcheshmeh Park was to see and enjoy the natural scenery, visiting the flowers and plants, and having fun. In brief, these two factors represent a perspective of the attitudes of the respondents that is the most common one among them. In other words, most tourists visit Mahallat with recreation and ecotourism motives. In this regard, the infrastructure and facilities planning activities should focus more on these two motives. The third and fourth factors presumed as "historic - investigatory" and "pilgrimage - culture" respectively, accounted for 13.86% and 12.88% of the total variance. The mean of tourists’ viewpoints in response to the items related to the above mentioned factors revealed the importance of more consideration and planning in relevant areas with these motives. Among these, peace-recreation factor won the highest percentage of variance. Hypothesis test results also indicated significant difference between income and tourist motivation. Regarding to the fact that Mahallat has numerous ancient historical works and arts related to various historical periods, it needs the development of required tourism infrastructure.

Urban Sustainability

Application of the urban village model, a solution in order to achieve Sustainable Rural settlements (Review samples of successful abroad experiences and and Territorial case: Agh Evlar village of Talesh county)

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 23-40

Abstract

The idea of "Urban Village" as a strategy to achieve sustainability, in settlements with various conditions and with different social and economic incentives, used as a solution for urban and rural sustainable development and its success in many instances has demonstrated its universality. This ... Read More The idea of "Urban Village" as a strategy to achieve sustainability, in settlements with various conditions and with different social and economic incentives, used as a solution for urban and rural sustainable development and its success in many instances has demonstrated its universality. This idea was introduced as a strategy to achieve sustainable development in England. It aims to create an environment with a various functions, self-sufficient, with priority to public transport, walking and, with public spaces and attractive for encouraging local community development and public participation. In this article, we investigated and evaluated the design principles in urban villages through library research. In the experiments with this idea, after the introduction of the overall project and its history, key directions and strategies used in each, particularly of the aspects of architecture and urban design, access and paths, suggested functions, the type of buildings and, and strategies used to promote sustainability and reduce energy consumption were suggested. The sample criteria were based on being comprehensive principles and guidelines presented in each case, was in relation to urban design and architecture and the principles of sustainability. Creating sustainable development of rural settlements with the use of urban village approach, will be a solution to the existing problems and controlling the context of rural development. This research attempted to use the theoretical, explaining the concept of the urban village and urban areas of successful experiences related to the topic of the local conditions in a village case (Agh Evlar Village from Talesh County), to provide suggestions for the development of control strategies and access to the uncoordinated construction of rural settlements. Applying the principles of this approach, to suit the needs of each region and the implementation of local residents were generalized. It can be said that as a fundamental subject, any rural housing policy and planning in the country can be successful if efforts and planning with architectural features of the rural and ethnic traditions, cultural and geographical diversity in different regions of the country is coincident. Moreover, in the housing, neglecting other aspects of the quality of it such as: environmental aspects, health facilities, light, construction technique, visual qualities, local and regional identities, is a main weakness of the rural housing program. Contemplate the local architectural patterns and reliance on local knowledge and facilities can be a good base for design and implementation.

Urban Sustainability

The Use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) as an Implementation Mechanism of Urban Development Plans (Case Study: Kashan City, Iran)

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 41-54

Abstract

The functionality and efficiency of urban development plans in Iran is not satisfying for urban authorities, experts, and people. Confronting the issue of property rights is one of the major reasons for the inefficiency of these plans in a society, where the right is recognized officially by regulations. ... Read More The functionality and efficiency of urban development plans in Iran is not satisfying for urban authorities, experts, and people. Confronting the issue of property rights is one of the major reasons for the inefficiency of these plans in a society, where the right is recognized officially by regulations. These plans are restrictive and passive and are not capable of interaction with their production values, and they seem like a tool for violating the people’s rights in action. Market-Oriented Planning (MOP) is one of the latest approaches dealing with urban issues, which relies on the entrepreneurial values of urban spaces and achieving the development objectives by establishing a link among production values of plan and the two old enemies; Market and Planning. The concept of introducing “Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)” in urban development plans' frameworks is a new method, which can contribute to more successful implementation of these plans in Iran. This happens through establishing an internal connection between tools and development objectives, as origins and purposes of transfer of development rights. It is crucial to have an exact accuracy in designing and improvement in urban management and in ongoing monitoring of the results. If the concept of TDR be integrated in urban development plans framework, such as comprehensive and detailed plans, the implementation of urban development plans' objectives could be more reachable and that is because this technique establishes a connection between property rights and land use plan, and creates an interaction between development and value preservation. Considering the results of the proposed transfer of development rights plan in Kashan city, development rights are transferred from sending areas, where conservation objectives and developments origins are required, to receiving areas as our development purposes. The sending areas in Kashan city are divided into two major categories; the first category includes special valuable lands, which are agricultural, historical and architectural values, precious natural resources, or having a perfect landscape respectively. The second category is related to propose lands for public services in land use plan. Receiving areas in this city are lands, where there is a good demand of developing from the market, and additionally considering the high potential of development, existence of essential infrastructure and enough interests for investment of developers, which are proposed for the future development of Kashan City from the urban planners. Based on the mentioned criteria these areas are located in three regions of Naji-Abad, Fin, and Shahed. Accordingly, in addition to considering the social justice and preserving the valuable lands and buildings of the city, the future development of the city will also be planned and directed. The ratio between development right and overall ownership right is 35 to 65 percent and the baseline development right density is 120 percent in Kashan City.

Urban Scape

Developing Strategies for Improving function of recreational areas: the case study of Deedgah Recreational Complex, Sanandaj

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 55-68

Abstract

Human beings are rooted in nature, and when we travel in greenery areas, we become more aware of this connection. As we are more immersed in nature, we become more relaxed and comfortable and likely to make generous decisions. But rapidly growing urban population and changing patterns of work and live ... Read More Human beings are rooted in nature, and when we travel in greenery areas, we become more aware of this connection. As we are more immersed in nature, we become more relaxed and comfortable and likely to make generous decisions. But rapidly growing urban population and changing patterns of work and live have increasingly removed our societies from the natural world and allowed ourselves to be encapsulated in an artificial environment. This created a widening gap between people and natural settings in modern era. For this reason, urban greenery areas, in addition to the aesthetic values, can make a significant contribution to well-being, health and also improve the quality of life by providing a setting for people gathering and social life interaction. Urban parks, as part of urban greenery areas and open public spaces, can generate tremendous values by providing open space and recreational opportunities. In this regard, it further contributes to larger urban policy objectives, such as job opportunities, youth development, public health, and community building. Apart from this, urban parks in developing countries are generally facing great problems due to the poor urban management, rapidly urban growth which is almost geared towards the automobile and resource crunch for the maintenance of existing parks/gardens and for the creation of new ones. Considering these, Deedgah recreational complex (Mellat Park) located along Pasdaran Boulevard, as the main north-south corridor in Sanandaj and gateway to Kermanshah, has been selected as case study of the research. Due to its location, function and long historical background, it gained a symbolic identity in the collective memory of the people. In recent years, its social life of the park is threatening due to some improper management practices concerning two underpass bridges have been built to ease traffic congestion. To reach the main aim defined as the title of research, a kind of descriptive-analytical method has been used regarding the results of literature review and field survey conducted in autumn 2011. For more information regarding the users’ view, the questionnaire and interview with experts has been used. To evaluate the existing conditions and for strategies and prioritizing them, SWOT and AHP as a decision-making methods has been used regarding certain spatial elements. The results show that Viability, Environmental health and Permeability respectively fall into the high-priority strategies for maximizing Deedgah recreational park function. This means that the proposed action plans should be more in line with the prioritized strategies.

Urban Sociology

Comparative Analysis on Role of Tehran’s Squares in Promoting the Collective Memory of Citizens, Case Studies: Baharestan Square and Tajrish Square

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 69-80

Abstract

Collective memory is the common memory of individuals, as members of a group, of the experienced events in a social and spatial framework. Collective memory brings about the place identity by creating meanings in a space. This place identity can end up with promoting personal identity; therefore, disregarding ... Read More Collective memory is the common memory of individuals, as members of a group, of the experienced events in a social and spatial framework. Collective memory brings about the place identity by creating meanings in a space. This place identity can end up with promoting personal identity; therefore, disregarding the collective memories of a city leads to huge expenses as identity crises. Thus, this research is carried out to identify the key factors on promoting collective memory in Tehran’s squares. In this regard, the research begins with giving an account of ‘collective memory’ and its relationship to place and square through the study of valid documents with the emphasis on Murice Halbwachs’s theory of the collective memory. Afterwards, the preliminary effective factors, derived from the documents studied were identified in both Tajrish and Baharestan squares by means of observation and documents study. In order to test the proposed model of factors, collective memories of visitors of Tajrish and Baharestan square were asked by semi-structured interview. Then, the key factors affecting the formation and promotion of collective memories of citizens were extracted through the combined content analysis (qualitative and quantitative) of interviews. Finally, the significance of the extracted factors was determined by comparative analysis. Based on the outcomes of the study of documents, these factors were fallen into two main categories: spatial factors and characteristical factors. While the result of the study of documents led to the identification of collectivity, tranquility, singularity, flexibility, insideness and outsideness, integrity, continuity, orientation, identification, and transparency, the consequence of both content and comparative analysis added “escape” to the mentioned factors. These factors affect the collective memory in three different ways. The first group of factors will end up with the formation of collective memory, while the second group influences the image of that memory and the last group brings about the continuity of memory. In addition, content and comparative analysis laid great emphasis on characteristical factors in formation and promotion of collective memory in both Tajrish and Baharestan squares.

Urban Sociology

Comparing Social and Institutional Capacities for Sustainable Development in the Cities of Karaj and Qazvin

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 81-94

Abstract

Nowadays, more attentions have been paid on sustainability and following its goals in cities development and planning. Mentioning sustainable development principles as fundamental concepts that their main attentions are on preserving capitals for intergenerational justice, have become an ongoing and ... Read More Nowadays, more attentions have been paid on sustainability and following its goals in cities development and planning. Mentioning sustainable development principles as fundamental concepts that their main attentions are on preserving capitals for intergenerational justice, have become an ongoing and general purpose in city development plans. Since taking this route without being aware of the cities’ conditions might be impossible, evaluation of achievement of sustainable development goals has become government’s agenda. Extensive research and literature reviews have been done on assessment of sustainable development with various approaches and methods. Measuring achievements of sustainable development can be discussed from two main substantive and procedural perspectives. Substantive dimension includes the variables affecting the outcome of policies and consists of social, economic, and environmental sustainability evaluation. In fact, these variables represent the development of city. Whereas, procedural perspective refers to methods and processes of achieving sustainable development and urban planners’ role in this case is to arrange procedures and processes for sustainable decision- making. Moreover, this dimension consists of basic factors that can act as a backup and stimulus for sustainability. Considering focusing of majority of research works conducted in Iran is on substantial dimension of sustainable development, this study intended to discuss the relationship between sustainable development and social capital, institutional capital, and capacity building. In addition, we evaluated and compared procedural indicators of sustainable development in both cities of Karaj and Qazvin. Research variables were institutional capital, social capital, and capacity building. In this study, the main techniques used for data collection were interviews with experts and managers and administering questionnaire in the field. Interviews were used to collect data in capacity building indicators and questionnaires were used for social capital and institutional capital data collecting. We used Simple Random Sampling for indicators of social capital. Whereas, non-probability purposive sampling was used for institutional capital and capacity building indicators. For data analysis, the inferential statistics, descriptive and qualitative significance test means and methods were used. Our results revealed a significant difference between the variables of social capital, institutional capital, and capacity building in these cities. However, the indicators in Qazvin were in a better situation compared with Karaj. Thus, it seems that Qazvin has a better orientation in moving towards sustainable development in comparison with Karaj. Moreover, it seems that Qazvin is moving in the right path towards sustainability and has accelerated move towards sustainable development compared to Karaj.

Urban Sociology

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Improvement of Pedestrian Walkway Spatial Quality and Pedestrian-oriented Spaces, in order to Increase the Social Interactions Level of People (The case study: Tarbiat & Valiasr axis, Tabriz metropolitan)

Shahab Abbaszadeh; Sevda Tamry

Volume 1, Issue 4 , March 2012, Pages 95-104

Abstract

With the onset of industry revolution, automobile invention and development of cities, the pedestrian and pedestrian-oriented spaces and urban spaces role priority gradually faded and the quality of urban public spaces, urban open spaces, and the pedestrian walkways decreased. Lack of pedestrian-oriented ... Read More With the onset of industry revolution, automobile invention and development of cities, the pedestrian and pedestrian-oriented spaces and urban spaces role priority gradually faded and the quality of urban public spaces, urban open spaces, and the pedestrian walkways decreased. Lack of pedestrian-oriented spaces and current low quality pedestrian spaces affect citizens' social interactions in contemporary metropolitans. Pedestrianism is a part of daily journey and activity of citizens in metropolitans, however, pedestrians' need and security is ignored in current cities. In doing so, majority of current urban spaces in our cities are defined as road way, where the presence of automobile is preferred on designs of high-quality and appropriate pedestrian-oriented spaces. Nevertheless, these spaces play an essential role in increasing contacts and citizens’ social interaction level. In this regard, ignoring human scale and the pedestrians' needs are the problems ahead. Lack of quality in pedestrian-oriented open spaces has led to poor citizens’ presence and social interactions. Hence, identifying factors affecting the quality of mentioned spaces for meeting citizens’ needs and increasing the presence and social interaction level is more important than before. Tabriz metropolitan is not an exception either. Having more roadway spaces compared with pedestrian-oriented way has made the life difficult for the citizens. By conducting rigorous literature review, the study derived influential factors forming theoretical framework of the research (including factors affecting urban pedestrian-oriented spatial quality: vitality, legibility, security, and permeability factors). Research utilized mixed-method approach, where aforementioned influential factors extracted from literature review, formed the qualitative part of the study. In the quantitative part used as the validity of the research, Tarbiat & Valiasr axes in Tabriz metropolitan were studied and evaluated. In other words, the study examined the verification of extracted theoretical framework from literature review, through conducting a survey in quantitative part. In this regard, a questionnaire was used to gather the data about pedestrian-oriented spatial quality and citizens’ satisfaction of the mentioned spaces. G*POWER software and Cochran sampling technique were used to calculate the sample size of the study. Ultimately, using SPSS software the data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical methods. This study indicated that vitality, legibility, and permeability factors, the main factors of urban spaces qualities, play an important role in Tabrizian citizens’ satisfaction of pedestrian-oriented spaces. The finding of this research can be utilized for designing more sociable and friendly atmosphere pedestrian-oriented spaces, where citizens' social interactions are concentrated.

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Volume & Issue: Volume 1, Issue 4, March 2012, Pages 1-95

Achieving to neighborhood sustainable development within social capacity of informal settlement’s inhabitants and economical activists’: (Case study:Shemiran Nou)

Abstract

An Analytic of Tourists Motivations and the Impact of Income and Gender Case Study: New-year Tourists of Mahallat

Abstract

Application of the urban village model, a solution in order to achieve Sustainable Rural settlements (Review samples of successful abroad experiences and and Territorial case: Agh Evlar village of Talesh county)

Abstract

The Use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) as an Implementation Mechanism of Urban Development Plans (Case Study: Kashan City, Iran)

Abstract

Developing Strategies for Improving function of recreational areas: the case study of Deedgah Recreational Complex, Sanandaj

Abstract

Comparative Analysis on Role of Tehran’s Squares in Promoting the Collective Memory of Citizens, Case Studies: Baharestan Square and Tajrish Square

Abstract

Comparing Social and Institutional Capacities for Sustainable Development in the Cities of Karaj and Qazvin

Abstract

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Improvement of Pedestrian Walkway Spatial Quality and Pedestrian-oriented Spaces, in order to Increase the Social Interactions Level of People (The case study: Tarbiat & Valiasr axis, Tabriz metropolitan)

Abstract