Explaining the Relationship between Use and Vitality in Tehran's Urban Squares
Subject Areas : Islamic Architecturefatemeh moslehabadi 1 , Marjan Khanmmohamadi 2 * , Mohammad Saeed Izadi 3
1 - Ph.D Student, Department of Architecture, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran.
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Design, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
Keywords: Vitality, Use, Urban Square.,
Abstract :
Explaining the Relationship between Use
and Vitality in Tehran's Urban Squares
Fatemeh Moslehabadi*
Marjan Khanmohammadi**
Mohammad Saeed Izadi***
The central fabric of Tehran has declined in vitality due to unbalanced urban development and homogeneous land uses. This study analyzes the relationship between land use characteristics and urban vitality across four urban squares: Baharestan, Hassan Abad, Tajrish, and Haft Hoz. Using a mixed-method approach based on behavioral sciences and field data (observation, interviews, and questionnaires), data were analyzed through exploratory, inductive, and confirmatory methods. Findings reveal that ten physical, functional, and managerial land use characteristics significantly contribute to vitality. Among them, land use activity level, presence of population-attracting uses, and entrance personalization were most influential. The low scores of these features in Hassan Abad and Baharestan explain the decline of vitality in these squares.
Keywords: Vitality, Use,Urban Square.
Introduction
With the horizontal expansion of Tehran, the old parts of the city and the central and historical context have faced a decline in environmental quality and vitality in recent decades due to uncoordinated development, environmental degradation, changes in land use, and the expansion of wholesale and warehousing activities (Ganjali et al., 2019: 20; Hedayatnejad Kashi, 2019: 6; MaqboolEghbali, 2019: 167). The conversion of residential to commercial uses, displacement of the indigenous population, increased traffic congestion, and evacuation of the city center during non-working hours are among the consequences of these developments, which have led to the weakening of the city's historical identity. Domestic research shows that Tehran’s urban squares, which were once the center of social interactions, are now facing a decline in citizen presence and a decline in spatial attractiveness (Shahrokhifar et al., 1401: 83). In the meantime, urban vitality has been proposed as a key indicator for measuring the quality of public spaces and social dynamics, and the concept of urban vitality revolves around people’s satisfaction with all aspects of urban life (Fang & et al, 2021: 2). Therefore, understanding the factors affecting vitality can play a fundamental role in improving the quality of urban planning, design, and management. A review of previous studies confirms the importance of physical characteristics of the environment and diversity of uses (Mehta, 2006; MolaeiHashtjin et al., 1400), the role of urban furniture (NabatiShahrzaei et al., 1403), the integration of commercial and residential uses (Shahrokhifar et al., 1401), and indicators of security and sociability (Karami et al., 1400; Salaripour et al., 1403; Kaviani et al., 2021), color and materials, sidewalk space, lighting (Badahhang et al., 1402), and the activity of uses (Zumelzu& et al, 2019) in increasing urban vitality.
Given this necessity, the present study uses a behavioral-applied approach to analyze the relationship between physical, functional, and managerial characteristics of uses and the level of vitality in four urban squares in Tehran (Baharestan, Hassanabad, Tajrish, and Haft-Houz). The study variables include physical dimensions (facade articulation, visual appeal, transparency, width, and density of uses), functional (activity level, diversity, and population-attracting uses), and managerial (personalization of entrances and permeability).
Research Method
This research was conducted with a mixed approach (qualitative-quantitative) and using exploratory, inductive and confirmatory methods. Data were collected through behavioral mapping, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Baharestan, Hassan Abad, Tajrish and Haft Hoz squares were selected as study locations.
In the field section, user behavior in urban spaces was observed during the period from Mehr to Aban 1402 under similar weather conditions and at different times from 7 am to 11 pm on weekdays and weekends. Observations included recording the type and amount of activity, duration of stay, physical condition and social interactions of users. In spaces with higher activity, observations were made with greater accuracy.
The observations were conducted in two forms: structured and unstructured. In structured observations, data were recorded at specific time intervals, and in unstructured observations, photographs and short videos were used to record behavioral patterns.
In parallel with the observations, questionnaires were designed to measure the users' subjective dimensions of the space, examining the dimensions of personalization, expression, permeability, and visual appeal of the uses. The questionnaires were prepared in consultation with architecture and urban planning experts and distributed among the users of the squares and the owners of the ground floor businesses.
Finally, the data from the observations, questionnaires, and interviews were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient in Excel software, and the degree of correlation and intensity of the relationship between user characteristics and the level of vitality in urban squares were examined.
Conclusion
Table 1. Comparison of the correlation between ten land
use characteristics and vitality in four study areas
|
Components of uses in order of impact |
Tajrish Square |
Haft-Houz Square |
Baharestan Square |
Hassanabad Square |
|
Vitality |
10 |
7.8 |
2.8 |
2.5 |
|
High |
Good |
Low |
Low |
|
|
Entry personalization Correlation 0.86-Very strong |
6.86 |
6.77 |
4.65 |
4.35 |
|
High |
High |
Low |
Low |
|
|
Activity of uses Correlation 0.70-Strong |
8.49 |
6.57 |
6.42 |
4.81 |
|
High |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Low |
|
|
Popular attraction uses Correlation 0.69-Strong |
7.86 |
0.71 |
1.19 |
0 |
|
High |
Low |
Low |
Very low |
|
|
Visual attractions Correlation 0.67-Good |
5.59 |
5.43 |
4.48 |
6.20 |
|
Moderate |
Moderate |
Low |
High |
|
|
Facade articulation Correlation 0.64-Good |
5.13 |
5.47 |
3.67 |
4.24 |
|
Moderate |
Moderate |
Low |
Low |
|
|
Permeability Correlation 0.61-Good |
6.79 |
3.80 |
3.89 |
5.12 |
|
High |
Low |
Low |
Moderate |
|
|
Diversity Correlation 0.47-Average |
7.50 |
5.71 |
5.59 |
1.90 |
|
High |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Very low |
|
|
Width of Uses Correlation 0.34-Weak |
5.68 |
4.38 |
4.85 |
7.27 |
|
Moderate |
Low |
Low |
High |
|
|
Density of Uses Correlation 0.31-Weak |
6.36 |
5.45 |
5.76 |
7.58 |
|
High |
Moderate |
Moderate |
High |
|
|
Transparency Correlation 0.20-Very Weak |
5.20 |
3.92 |
5.52 |
6.84 |
|
Moderate |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
|
|
Descriptions |
High Activity of Uses, Personalization and Crowd-Attracting |
Uses High articulation, green space and garden edges |
Low activity of uses and poor articulation and low diversity in some sections |
Low activity of uses, absence of population-attracting uses, low diversity and personalization of uses
|
Conclusion
Interpretation and Evaluation of Research Results: The present study analyzed the factors affecting the vitality of urban squares in Tehran using a combined approach (behavioral observation and Pearson correlation analysis). The results showed that the components of “personalization of entrances”, “activity of users”, “crowd-attracting uses” and “visual attractiveness” have the greatest impact on enhancing vitality. In contrast, “transparency of facade” and “density of users” showed a weak relationship with vitality.
Tajrish Square had the highest score in most of the characteristics (Users activity, diversity, personalization of entrances, crowd-attracting uses, permeability), which indicates that this square has performed more successfully than other squares in terms of dynamism and the presence of people. Haft-Hoz Square performed well in some criteria such as activity of users and Facade articulation, but it scored lower than Tajrish and was ranked after it. In contrast, Baharestan and Hassanabad squares had lower scores in most characteristics, and Hassanabad in particular had very poor scores in the "diversity of use" and "population-attracting uses" indicators.
In conceptual and methodological innovation, this research is distinguished from other similar studies by focusing on the architectural body and using a combination of behavioral mapping analysis and Pearson correlation, especially in vitality analysis. The use of exploratory methods and Pearson correlation analysis guarantees high validity of the results, and the discovered relationships have acceptable reliability. With a multidimensional approach to the characteristics of uses (physical-functional-management) in vitality analysis and the use of fields with different identities, its findings have the ability to be generalized to other similar projects and improve the design and management of urban spaces.
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* Ph.D Student, Department of Architecture, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran.
fatemehmosleh@gmail.com
** Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran.
Khanmohamadi.marjan@kiau.ac.ir
*** Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Design, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
ms.izadi@basu.ac.ir
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