Motaleate Shahri

Urban Sustainability

Evaluating the impacts of border on the issue of urban sustainability: the case study of Marivan

bakhtyar khosravi

Volume 5, Issue 20 , November 2016, Pages 5-16

Abstract

Development is an idea or practice which came into existence in the early 19th century. This notion differs from that of progress. Key features of urban sustainability which are mostly expressed in documents and literature are intra-generation equality, inter-generation equality, natural environment ... Read More Development is an idea or practice which came into existence in the early 19th century. This notion differs from that of progress. Key features of urban sustainability which are mostly expressed in documents and literature are intra-generation equality, inter-generation equality, natural environment protection, minimum use of non-renewable sources, economic survival and diversity, self-reliant society, individual welfare and meeting peoples' basic needs in a society. Moreover, sustainable urban development is a form of development which provides the capacity for the continuous development of cities and future generation of urban communities. From a structural point of view, development brings about changes in land use and density levels and can meet city residents’ needs in the area of housing, transportation, and leisure so that with the lapse of time, the city becomes habitable environmentally, life is rendered endurable from an economic standing and remains coherent socially. Each city, given the extent to which it is influenced by local and global forces, needs to formulate their own local strategies for sustainable urban development to take into account environmental conditions as well as its social and economic structures. In this regard, border cities, due to their own peculiar situation and functions, are amongst cities whose sustainability is affected by both local and global forces. Because on the one hand, cities, like their counterparts, are affected by environmental conditions, residents' social relations, and relations with their surrounding settlements, they have roles and functions within their national policy and economic systems. On the other hand, given border situations, these cities are also influenced by trans-national and even global economic, political, social and environmental developments. For this reason the issue of sustainability in such cities is more important and is deemed to be more challenging compared to other cities. Currently, sustainability in a considerable number of cities in the country depends directly on their border situation. Therefore, any strategies, polices and development with regards to a country's borders affect a substantial part of the country's borders directly and indirectly. In this regard, cities in Kurdistan, as one of border provinces in the country, is constantly influenced by the border situation of this province, and development, especially sustainability, has always been a function of their border situation (due to numerous ups and downs in relations and ties between Iraq and Iran). Accordingly, the main issue of the research has been directed at border cities' sustainability for achieving sustainability in such cities. To answer these questions in this paper, analytical-descriptive methods, as well as such methods as numerical taxonomy, strategic planning methods and statistical tests based on SPSS software were used for assessing sustainability in the city of Marivan.

Urban Sustainability

Analysis of Factors Affecting Urban Community Perception in Public Leisure Spaces: The Case study of Public Parks in Yazd

Mahdi Montazerolhodjah

Volume 5, Issue 20 , November 2016, Pages 17-28

Abstract

Urban sprawl and population growth impact urban quality significantly by reducing livability and human comfort causing areduction in outdoor leisure and recreation activities. In addition, busy lifestyles of the urban community also affect the lack of time for leisure and recreational activities in public ... Read More Urban sprawl and population growth impact urban quality significantly by reducing livability and human comfort causing areduction in outdoor leisure and recreation activities. In addition, busy lifestyles of the urban community also affect the lack of time for leisure and recreational activities in public outdoor spaces. Leisure is defined as free time that does not involve work or performing other life sustaining functions. Leisure and work are rivals for time. If one increases, the other decreases. This is the same for individuals and for society as a whole in every culture and society. Social role and function of public parks can be important for lower income groups. While the conditions in such areas are less attractive to those of the higher income area, the urban public park can provide lower income citizens opportunities for fun and entertainment within a place with environmental quality. Nowaday, most of a community’s leisure activities take place indoorsin such places as cinemas, coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping centers. The use of indoor rather than open and green outdoor spaces during leisure activities has led to a greater passive lifestyle in urban communities. People in urban spaces neglect the fact that physically active outdoors lifestyles are important in terms of physical and mental health to enhance the quality of life. Urban public parks and their design are important factors which influence citizens’ leisure activities. The objective of this research is to identify the impact of the community perception on leisure activities at two urban public parks in the city of Yazd. Kuhestan Park and City Grand Park were selected for this study. The literature review was carried out to gather information and findings and determine the study criteria of previous research regarding leisure in urban public parks. The results from the literature review and observation survey served very well in codifying the variables and attributes for structuring the questionnaire to examine citizen perception of leisure activities in public parks of Yazd. According to this study, the use of parks has changed from quiet activities during the day to more community activities in the evening and night. People dispersed throughout the parks during the day, while in the evenings and at nightfall the areas became more vibrant with social leisure activities. The questionnaire survey was carried out atvarious times and different locations of the parks using random stratifying technique. This study reveals the positive perception of the community towards night-time leisure activities at urban public parks in both case studies. Four types of variables were studied in relation to night-time leisure in urban public parks: comfort, convenience, safety and aesthetics. The findings of this study showed that the urban park users’ perception of safety and related factors had the greatest correlation with increase in leisure activities in urban public parks. The results of this research could be used to improve the Yazd local authority strategies and guidelines regarding future urban public park planning and design. This study has identified crucial factors contributing to citizens’ comfort, convenience, and safety in public parks as well their aesthetic views of such places in relation to leisure activities.

Slum Settlements

Analyzing the impacts of social sustainability on the perception of tenure security in informal settlements: the case study of Koshtargah neighborhood in Urmia

bahman ahmadi

Volume 5, Issue 20 , November 2016, Pages 29-42

Abstract

Tenure security is a fundamental right of households lack of which leads to economic, social, psychological and political problems; thus, tenure insecurity has become a deprivation index in informal settlements. In recent years, special attention has been given to tenure security in improving informal ... Read More Tenure security is a fundamental right of households lack of which leads to economic, social, psychological and political problems; thus, tenure insecurity has become a deprivation index in informal settlements. In recent years, special attention has been given to tenure security in improving informal settlements and thus was the research subject carried out by UN-HABITAT in 2003 and 2006. Scientific and practical experiences in tenure security index show that tenure security is a sense that cannot be achieved only by formal means such as ownership of a title deed. Tenure security is much more than simply examining legal title deeds and involves social, economic and life-quality indexes nowadays. Indeed, de facto and supra legal and perceived indexes along with legal ones, hold sway on tenure security scale in informal settlements. Moreover, sustainable development of informal settlements became one of the main topics of a seminar held by the Habitat in 2004 with particular emphasis on sustainable social development in order to empower residents and promote tenure security in informal settlements. At present, the application of mediating tools has become prevalent in the enhancement of tenure security instead of through legal procedures.. Based on the question of whether it is possible to consider social sustainability as a mediator tool, the purpose of this research is examining and evaluating the impacts of social sustainable development on tenure security in Koshtargah neighborhood in Urmia. Two main indexes have been used in this research to explain social sustainability: spatial justice (accessibility to urban services such as daily shopping centers, educational centers, sports centers, cultural centers, recreational centers, administrative services and remedial centers) and social cohesion (duration of residence, amount of power and solidarity of local organizations, the cohesion of family and friends and willingness of residents to work together in order to improve neighborhood). For Examining perceived tenure security in Koshtargah neighborhood, five criteria (concerns about informality of neighborhood, concerns about municipality dissatisfaction of residences in the neighborhood, concerns about homelessness after evacuation, possibility of forced eviction at any moment and concerns about forced eviction in next 5 years) are utilized. Research method was descriptive – analytical, and field data collection was carried out by means of questionnaire surveys. To analyse the data, ArcGIS techniques, fuzzy analysis and statistical methods such as Pearson correlation coefficient and regression were used. According to the correlation analysis it could be concluded that the impact of social cohesion on the sense of tenure security in Koshtargah neighborhood has been positive and significant; this relation was confirmed by significant degree of 0.000, confidence degree of 99% and correlation coefficient of 0.873. Furthermore, it could be concluded that spatial justice has had a positive and significant impact on the sense of tenure security in Koshtargah neighborhood; this relation was confirmed by a significant degree of 0.000, confidence degree of 99% and a correlation coefficient of 0.792. The results illustrate that by increasing social cohesion and providing justice in urban services accessibility, the perceived tenure security of Koshtargah neighborhood became stronger; thus it can be predicted that moving toward social sustainability promotes the sense of land and housing tenure security of Koshtargah inhabitants.

Urban Management

Analysis of Good Governance Indicators in Torbat Haydarieh: Emphasizing on the citizens and urban managers' viewpoints

SEYED HADI HOSSEINI

Volume 5, Issue 20 , November 2016, Pages 43-52

Abstract

In the recent decades, good governance has became one of the key words in the domain of Social Sciences. this research follows two main objectives: first, to study the status of urban governance in the city of Torbat Haydarieh and second, attempting to understand the differences and similarities in perceptions ... Read More In the recent decades, good governance has became one of the key words in the domain of Social Sciences. this research follows two main objectives: first, to study the status of urban governance in the city of Torbat Haydarieh and second, attempting to understand the differences and similarities in perceptions and points of view of citizens and urban managers of good governance indicators in this city. Research methodology was based on descriptive – analytical method. For data collection, library documents and survey studies were used. Sample size included 383 residents over the age of 20 years old and 170 managers and experts in urban organizations. Research findings indicated that the total score of the urban governance index for citizens was equal to 1.98 while for urban managers and experts it was equal to 2.35. These results indicate that Torbat Haydarieh is not in a good state in terms of urban governance. The study results also showed that amongst the 9 indicators investigated in this research, the mean score of 8 indicators for citizens was less than the mean scores for urban managers and experts and only in consensus orientation and strategic insight indicators mean scores of citizens was higher than that of urban managers and experts. Moreover, the greatest disagreement between citizens and urban manager and experts existed in the two indicators of rule of law and efficiency and effectiveness.On the other hand, the greatest commonality between urban citizens and managers and experts existed within the parameters of transparency, accountability and justice. One of the most important findings of this research was the recognition of differences in viewpoints, perceptions and understanding between citizens with city managers and experts on some indicators such as the rule of law. Another important point in the findings is that there are similarities between the points of views of citizens with experts and city managers in regards to indicators including such as responsibility, transparency and justice. Existence of consensus on these three criteria, can be a turning point and a move in direction of implementation of urban good governance in Torbat Haydarieh. In regard the Participation Index as the first and perhaps the most important indicator of good governance, reviews indicated that one of the important commonalities in both groups is that they emphasize that the issue of participation in the mind of managers is unreal and they use this concept as a an instrument for personal and political advancement. Finally, the implementation of urban good governance in Torbat Haydarieh and maybe other urban areas of Iran, more than anything, requires strong political determination, particularly at high levels of government, and their belief in good urban governance. As long as this impertive issue don’t become an important point for all political and administrative authorities, implementation of good urban governance would not be possible.

Slum Settlements

Identifying the key factors influencing the future status of urban slums regarding future study approach: the case study of Sanandaj

Volume 5, Issue 20 , November 2016, Pages 53-64

Abstract

Urban slums have always been a challenge for urban managers in our country. In recent years, some problems such as rapid and continuous changes and emergence of new issues has led to planning and policy in this area to be solved with short-term and temporary measures. Transformation and change ... Read More Urban slums have always been a challenge for urban managers in our country. In recent years, some problems such as rapid and continuous changes and emergence of new issues has led to planning and policy in this area to be solved with short-term and temporary measures. Transformation and change is a normal phenomenon in society and is a continuous and long process. Changes in all fields, past, present and future will be extended. What is needed is the revision of approaches to the management and use of new tools in planning. Foresight as a new approach is in fact the wise and prudent response to the challenges arising from changes and is a process that will lead to sustainable planning . I this study, the foresight approach is used to identify the drivers or effective factors that impact the future status of urban slums in Sanandaj and their effects on each other . In addition, the foresight approach is used to provide strategies, plans and policies to achieve the desired scenarios. The research methodology was based on new methods of foresight study and to gather the data library method and environmental scanning was used. Cross-impact / structural analysis was used to analyze the data using MICMAC software application. The results show that in the first stage, using environmental scanning, 54 factors in 6 areas were identified to affectthe future status of urban slums of the city. Based on the number of factors, the matrix size was 54 × 54 which was set in 6 different areas. The considered number of repetitions was 2 times and the matrix fill degree was 47/70 percent, indicating an average coefficient which seems to be normalbecause of the scattering of the variables affecting the future status of urban slums in Sanandaj. Amongst a total of 1391 relationships in evaluation of this matrix, 1525 had zero relationshipss, 1276 had one relationship, 102 had two relationships, and 13 had three relationships. . On the other hand, the matrix achieved 100% desirability and efficiency based on the statistical indicators with 2 times data rotation, indicating the validity of the questionnaire and its responses. In regards the scattered distribution of variables one can understand that it is due to system instability which shows that most variables are scattered around the diagonal axis and also apart from a few limiting factors that demonstrate a high effectiveness in the system other variables of conditions are similar to each other. Therefore, the five categories of factors (Effective factor, Two-sided factor, Regulation factor, Effectiveness factor, Independent factor) are identifiable. Finally, of the 54 factors mentioned after checking the amount and the degree of effectiveness the of factors in connection to each other and on the future status of settlements with direct and indirect methods, of the following 12 key factors were selected as having the greatest role in the future status of urban slums in Sanandaj: management style, development of the national economy, immigration, neighborhood-oriented approach, affordable housing policies, quality of space and place, social capital, the price of land and housing, educational permeability, land management, and ownership (security of tenure).

Urban Planning

Solutions to determine the optimum level and size of the city limit in the master plans of the cities with a population of less than 50 thousand inhabitants

seyed hossein mirzade

Volume 5, Issue 20 , November 2016, Pages 65-78

Abstract

It is fortunate that many fine scholars and theorists, in the past and present, have focused their attention on cities. Nowadays, we know a great deal about how cities influence the evolution of their people and culture, how they are organized spatially, what economic functions they perform, how they ... Read More It is fortunate that many fine scholars and theorists, in the past and present, have focused their attention on cities. Nowadays, we know a great deal about how cities influence the evolution of their people and culture, how they are organized spatially, what economic functions they perform, how they are planned and governed, and their probable futures. In recent years, cities have found much importance in Iranians’ economic and social lives and a great deal of people have immigrated to cities in recent decades. Thus, many cities in Iran have a rapid physical spread in new valuable areas such as agricultural lands. One of the main problems of urban planners in comprehensive plans and urban development is determining the exact boundary of the city. Planners try to detect the boundary of cities with particular objectives such as protecting rich agricultural lands from long-term spread of the city, and protecting ecological and natural environmental zones around cities The Urban Development and Architecture Supreme Council of Iran in Article 7 of the ratification dated 6/7/2005had determined the size of cities boundaries should be 3 to 5 times the legal city limits . In the article, we are going to evaluate this decision in the urban planning system of Iran. There is increasing emphasis on importance of research projects as part of the planning process by urban researchers and extensive use of this word in many operational and scientific research shows the importance of evaluation. To achieve this aim, the following three questions must be answered: 1. What role do laws play in measuring the size of city boundaries? 2. Does the Urban Development and Architecture Supreme Council focus on the position and function of each city?,? 3. Do laws have any flaws in determining city boundaries? To answer these questions, 50 cities were chosen as the study sample in order to evaluate the ratification of the council and survey the level of compatibility of the cities’ status in Iran with the mentioned act. Tables of current and suggested use are extracted using the comprehensive plan of each sample and the results are compared with the act of the Great Council. The method used was descriptive- analytical and the research is applied in nature. The results imply that in the act some issues such as different climates, roles and positions of functions and ethnic-cultural and economic problems are disregarded. The investigation revealed that on average, city boundaries were 8.1 times greater than the legal limit of cities, and should be reviewed in this section of the ratification. Economic issues were often considered in determining the boundaries of the city which often were disproportionate to the shape of urban boundaries and little attention was paid to urban boundary limits. Therefore, the above decision must be reviewed. A review of methods to assess the logical framework of city boundary limits in the future development of cities have to be based on the physical and environmental aspects of lands because the reform of urban boundaries should protect agricultural land. If urban and regional planners disregard these points, local and national managers may face different problems that will cause some threats in the future.

Urban Planning

Designing a holistic framework in studying urban segregation

Mohammad Saeid Izadi; Mohammad Masoud; Amir Mohammad Moazezi Mehr-e-Tehran

Volume 5, Issue 20 , November 2016, Pages 79-91

Abstract

Urban segregation as an undeniable urban reality is a multidimensional and multi-faceted phenomenon, which occurs in space and time. This phenomenon is determined not just by fragmented spaces or socio-economic differentiation but also by interaction of all dimensions (spatial, social and economic) and ... Read More Urban segregation as an undeniable urban reality is a multidimensional and multi-faceted phenomenon, which occurs in space and time. This phenomenon is determined not just by fragmented spaces or socio-economic differentiation but also by interaction of all dimensions (spatial, social and economic) and their differentiations. Despite these varieties, there is no holistic approach to studying and dealing with this phenomenon. Although segregation has been regarded as a social issue, little attention has been paid to space and spatial structure of the city as effective factors in formation and development of urban segregation. Therefore, in anti-segregation practices, there are no hybrid analytical methods of spatial and socio-economic aspects. In this paper, the research method is “theory development trajectory” which is based on literature review and its aim is to develop and complete the existing theory. Thus, the concept of urban segregation is developed as a precise and comprehensive exponent of reality with a high degree of predictability in implementation. In the process of conceptual development, urban segregation - based on its spatial connotation - is introduced as a spatial and socio-economic phenomenon. The designed conceptual model depending on the contribution of the aspects of urban segregation manifestation includes four parts: “areas with Spatial Segregation (absolute segregation)”, “areas with Involuntary Segregation (absolute segregation)”, “areas with Socio-economic segregation” and “areas without segregation (integrated areas)”.For testing the model, neighborhood areas of Isfahan were studied and analyzed because nowadays, urban segregation is involved at urban quarter levels and becomes visible through the socio-spatial gaps. For clarifying the proposed model at the level of neighbourhood quarters, data gathered from analyzing effective dimensions on urban segregation was synthesized and the state of Isfahan quarters were determined based on the development ranking and average value of integration. Appraisal of 188 quarters and their place at the model presents high conformity of results with reality. Deteriorated urban areas and quarters such as “Aligholi Agha”, “Zeinabieh”, “Vahid”, “Hemmat Abad”, Marchin”, “Juibareh”, “Koujan”, “Baboukan”, “Shahshahan”, Atsharan” and “Ghaemieh” were placed at absolute segregation area (part (3) of the model) and affluent quarters such as “Malek”, “Isfahan University distrct”, “Bagh e Negar (Ayeeneh Khaneh)”, “Abshar”, “Saadat Abad”, “Hezar Jarib”, “Barazandeh” and “Sheikh e Eshragh” which are in a good state in each dimension were placed in part (1) of the model showing areas without segregation (integrated areas). Therefore, in the test, most of the deteriorated urban areas and quarters were placed in absolute segregation area of the model and affluent quarters in the northern parts of the city were placed in areas without segregation (integrated areas).Therefore, the findings reveal the model efficiency in describing the situation and status of urban areas. Due to the placement of the quarters at each four parts of the model, different descriptions for their status were obtained. Thus, proposed priorities and actions for each urban quarter should be planned according to their placement in the model. It can be argued that this proposed holistic model can be used as an effective tool to support decision making regarding urban quarters and their level of segregation. The real and holistic image represented by this model acts as a base for defining priorities and types of necessary actions to establish balance and equality in the city.

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Volume & Issue: Volume 5, Issue 20, November 2016, Pages 5-91

Evaluating the impacts of border on the issue of urban sustainability: the case study of Marivan

Abstract

Analysis of Factors Affecting Urban Community Perception in Public Leisure Spaces: The Case study of Public Parks in Yazd

Abstract

Analyzing the impacts of social sustainability on the perception of tenure security in informal settlements: the case study of Koshtargah neighborhood in Urmia

Abstract

Analysis of Good Governance Indicators in Torbat Haydarieh: Emphasizing on the citizens and urban managers' viewpoints

Abstract

Identifying the key factors influencing the future status of urban slums regarding future study approach: the case study of Sanandaj

Abstract

Solutions to determine the optimum level and size of the city limit in the master plans of the cities with a population of less than 50 thousand inhabitants

Abstract

Designing a holistic framework in studying urban segregation

Abstract