نشریه معماری و شهرسازی آرمان شهر
پیاپی 12 (بهار و تابستان 1393)

Windows have a major role on absorbing solar energy, reducing heat loses, and adding their values in traditional houses in Ardabil. The main aim of this research is to study windows as elements of beautification and production of clean and free energy. We discern that windows can be designed to respond to the regional climates. To explore that, we review four samples of the windows in the famous traditional houses of the Ardabil such as: Rezazadeh’s, Ebrahimi’s, Ershadi’s and Sadeghi’s that are related to the Qajar and Zand architecture periods in Iran. Research method for this study is the comparative and interpretative–history review. Moreover, the information is collected from documents and libraries. We focused in sash window design in southern front of traditional houses. Results showed that the physical dimensions of these windows are compatible in cold climates of Ardabil which are different from the other front of architectures. Also, this research showed that light loss in the Rezazadeh House is 17℅ and in Ebrahimi is 7%, Ershadi’s and Sadeghi’s were respectively 8.5℅ because there is a canopy above the window at Rezazadeh House. The last three houses are close to the average. So, it showed that windows can be designed to respond to the regional climates. The placements of windows in front wall without any indentations in the south walls indicate the need for more light on this front. But in the east and west side windows, the windows are associated with a slight indentation. Also, using large dimension windows in southern side of the case studies shows that light in these fronts was very important.

Worship places are psychologically evolved in human’s mind, because his unconscious mind manifests evolution differently in such places. Every religion has its concerning style, while Islam and Christianity represent two different blazes in two separate places. Church and mosque are very important worship places and designers try to create a spiritual sense of place for the audience. Whereas acoustic induces the sense to the audience much more better; this paper investigates an acoustic variable in worship places, at reverberation time was selected as main audio measurement parameter. Three mosques in Tabriz pertaining to Qajar dynasty were assessed and evaluated for their specific construction development patterns and deductible module of RT variable and the obtained results were compared with churches and mosques in Turkey, Spain, Portugal and so forth. Thus, the historical records were identified and obtained through descriptive- research analysis style of RT comparison, measurement tools and devices belonged to B&K, Denmark. Obtained results have availed numerical outputs and quality concepts adopted from numerical factors. We concluded that reverberation time of the mosques is lower than that of the churches, and acoustic quality of the mosques is more effective for speech intelligence, although church is a desirable place for music performance and mosque for speech respectively.

Making an investigation into the traditional architecture found in Iran’s Kavir, one can see an architecture that has emerged by merely changing the form of the face of the earth; this [complex] architecture is nothing but an intellectual use of simple land and water which simultaneously accords with the Islamic environmental principles [IEPs]. In this article, following a descriptive analysis of this architecture and its natural environment and making a comparative analysis of its values with the Islamic Environmental Principles [IEPs], we are going to demonstrate how Kavir’s vernacular architect, as the steward of the earth, has achieved utilization, development and maintenance of natural environment in the light of IEPs and a tacit sustainable building approach. Eventually, a model related to overlapping values of this earth architecture with the IEPs and the natural image of sustainability has been introduced.

This study aimed to investigate the spatial perception and evaluation of the place-based affordance of mosques in Tehran. Reviewing the literature and applying Gibson`s affordance and Canter`s place theory, the new model called place-based affordance is proposed. In this model, each location contains two potential types of symbolic and behavioural affordance. Accordingly, throughout history, behavioural affordance of mosques including the holding of worship and civic-social activities and their symbolic affordance, including identity, sense of place and community. In this research, to identify the factors that affect the perception and evaluation of behavioral and symbolic affordance of mosques, correlation method or multiple regressions was used. On this basis, four contemporary mosques in Tehran were randomly selected with regional performance and worshipers` responses to the questionnaires were analysed. Research findings indicate that the perception of place-based affordance of mosques, respectively, is influenced by three factors: the physical characteristics, characteristics of perceiving person`s perception and context features. Using the proposed model, the place-based affordance of mosque can be identified and particularly the efficacy of affordance for each place, in general, based on cognitive processes and interactions with the environment can be analyzed.

Characteristics of efficient roof shape is a part of configuration of efficient architecture which seems to be an ideal in contemporary architecture especially in contemporary architecture of developing countries such as Iran. This study is to investigate two roof shapes in view of air flow and indoor-temperature to find efficient roofs shapes for residential buildings in Tehran. Computational modeling and simulation methods are applied to reach this purpose. A mathematical modeling along with CFD simulation by Fluent Software is used to determine variables. For simulating velocity and pressure path lines κ-ε standard model and finite difference discretization technique is applied. Results show that a sample room with dome roof is about eight Kelvin degree cooler than the same room with flat roof. Also velocity and pressure simulations indicate that roof geometry has a major impact on reducing heat transfer of room and roof temperature. Finally the study suggests some methods for using results in an operational situation.

Providing welfare status for personnel of industrial plants is necessary and also emphasized in all standards. Preparing fresh, cool and clean air especially in warm seasons is one of the most important duties of plant owners to keep workers safe and healthy. Although in many workshops some cooling and air-conditioning systems (commonly mixing ventilation systems) were installed, most of them have economical problems and may not be energy efficient as the entire room volume gets cooled. The purpose of this article is presenting an executive improved solution in architecture to upgrade existing Mixing Ventilation Systems (MVS) by intervening in architectural variables. The new solution is compared with a traditional MVS taking into account technical and economic performances. The study was carried out resorting to experimental measurements on a single-diffuser pilot installation of the existing MVS in an actual industrial facility. The research method is experimental: the thermometry tests and interviews with workers which were carried out after initial observations and the case study selection. After that some interventions in architecture were impelled and the testes were repeated. To confirm the results, after interventions, a questionnaire was given to the operators, and their answers were registered. A comparison was fulfilled with respect to energy consumption and also the consumed power was checked before and after the interventions. The results demonstrate that architectural alterations based on this research canimprove the quality of existing MVS (Satisfactions of the workers approved the interventions) and reduce the energy consumptions. It could be generalized.

Iranian traditional cities were created with a system based on experiments and gradual establishment of society through time. Qajar era is especially important in Iranian art history. Until mid Qajar era, Iranian cities’s architecture mainly took benefit of its common traditional architecture that is already seen in most desert-surrounding cities. Till this era, there was not any connection between Qajar and western architecture and it rooted in principles of Iranian urban planning and architecture that were indicating traditional properties of the country formed as traditional cities structures. Later by entering of modernity thoughts during reign of Nasir al-Din Shah, several variations were seen at spatial organization of Iranian cities including Tehran and Tabriz. Identifying these variations requires profound recognition of traditional structure of Iranian cities during Qajar era to the mentioned time juncture to clarify the fact that how our cities have passed from the traditional to modern stage. Therefore, the main object of this study is investigation of the spatial organization and structure of Iranian cities during Qajar era and, finally, presenting pattern of traditional structure before entering modernity to Iran. The results show that there is not any main difference between spatial organization and structure of Iranian cities until mid Qajar and Ṣafavid eras. Architectural figure of most spaces are in direct relationship with their functional content and social concept and urban and work spaces are intensively merged, and organization of urban spaces is still based on main bazaar axis of the city and governmental citadel area.

One of the major aspects of quality of life is place-attachment which is affected by human-nature interactions. Looking at such a critical issue in human settlements requires the study of the relationship between architecture and nature. It is a critical issue in the contemporary literature of built environment and is discussed in specific frameworks such as phenomenology and environmental psychology. This paper evaluates the sense of place and place-attachment through investigating architecture-nature interaction in the built environment. The hypothesis of the research is that there is a correlation between architecture-nature interaction and the quality of place attachment of residents in a built environment. In order to explain and redefine “sense of place”, the basic approach is based on interpreting and considering the relationship between human and nature in house-gardens in which their quality is not affected by high density built environment. The study utilized a multiple case study methodology to investigate the effects of perceiving and experiencing nature in the built environment on the quality of place attachment. Thus applying qualitative methodology, this research focuses on the relationship between human, natural and built environment based on a theoretical framework. In this research a quantitative strategy examines the assumed correlation through investigating the case studies. Also, it is established a hierarchical multi-attribute system of aspects and criteria for considering nature and natural elements as an effectual system. This study reveals the existence of a direct relationship between quality of place attachment and perception of nature in the built environment.

In recent decades, extensive studies in order to achieve sustainable patterns of cities and settlements have done in the global arena. That two of the most important theory is urban village in the 80’s and timeless patterns of Christopher Alexander in the late 70s. Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander’s ideas, in many aspects provide the context for the idea of an urban village. Urban village theory is looking for a place to create a sustainable place for solving the problems of modern urbanization, through the integration of city advantages including progress, speed, specialization, facility, with advantages of village such as, coexistence with nature, peace, quiet and clean air. Alexander’s pattern language followings the creation of language without the time and place, to build up the city and building, and provide guidelines for achieving sustainable settlements. Concept of sustainable development have various dimensions of economic, social and environmental and can analyzed as different levels of global, national and local. The theory of urban sustainable development, analyze the sustainability of the city, sustainable pattern of settlements, and effective pattern of the transportation in fuel consumption optimization and city in the hierarchy of the urban area. The purpose of this article is the comparative study of the characteristics of the urban village, with urban patterns of Christopher Alexander, in relation with the theory of sustainable development. Method used in this article is Analysis – Comparative, and Studies have been done in a Library and documents. In following, two theories have been compared in thematic tables, and the amount of their overlap has been evaluated. Via this comparison, adaptation of some characteristics of Alexander Patterns with the characteristics of the urban village has clearly presented, and this adaptation, confirm the Universality of Alexander’s pattern language. Also, our conclusions indicate that the applying the urban village approach than the ideas discussed in the context of sustainable development, more comprehensively include the principles of sustainable settlements, and the realization of these principles with regard to all aspects of biological society, will consider more clearly. This approach with present guidelines for proper design principles of sustainable settlements can seriously prevent uncontrolled development of suburbs and rural areas.

The old parts of the Iranian cities, which have survived over the past few decades, are now suffering degradation due to the long-term lack of maintenance and conservation. Based on the comprehensive approach to urban planning, despite the high social potentials of some of these deteriorated areas, in order to improve their physical quality; complete demolition is the ultimate suggested solution. Therefore, an urgent strategy is needed in order to reintegrate these forgotten places into mainstream development of the main city in an adequate approach. In recent years, sustainability has become one of the main vital strategies to set as a goal in urban regeneration and renewal projects. This approach can link economic profits and environmental improvement with social aspects. This paper is the study of a historical district called “Ghaleh Abkooh”. With a 300-year history, this high density organic fabric is located at Mashhad downtown. Lacking a development plan in the past decades, Abkooh area does not function properly within Mashhad urban socio-eco system. Therefore, it is conceived to be an informal settlement. Despite of long history of residence and strong kinship ties which have led to social cohesion and strong local identity, the proposed regeneration plan consists of complete demolition and rebuilding approach through compulsory acquisition. There are growing local resistance against these culminated disputes, petition movements and negotiations with regional and provincial authorities. This article reviews Abkooh renewal plan. To evaluate the plan, local’s opinion as a criteria have been utilized and the gap between the plan and social sustainability dimensions was illustrated. Based on the results derived from content analysis, the following issues in order of priority has been neglected in planning process of Abkooh renovation: “citizen participation and empowerment”, “preservation of community spirit and social networks”, “social equity” and “preservation of local characteristics”. These issues are the most significant social sustainability dimensions which have been totally or in some occasions partially neglected through Abkooh renewal plan. Finally, the paper concludes with some recommendations for a proper intervention according to social criteria in order to promote sustainability in Abkooh regeneration project.

Cities are a focal point of energy consumption. Accessibility to public services has a significant impact on the balance of public and private energy uses, which are two sectors that are directly affected by urban planning (the third is industrial). This paper establishes the relative magnitudes of service accessibility enhancement on urban energy efficiency in comparison to other factors, and also points out the interrelationships between the two in the context of the cities and services. The main part of this paper assesses the energy trends, with a particular reference to the effect of service accessibility, and presents strategic findings. It seeks for continued research and development, particularly in the field of modelling the public service accessibility as a function of planning. In fact energy system change is the key for addressing and resolving these challenges. Transformative change in the energy system may not be internally generated; due to institutional inertia, incumbency and lack of capacity and agility of existing organizations to respond effectively in changing conditions. In such situations, clear and consistent external policy signals may be required to initiate and sustain the transformative change needed to meet the sustainability challenges of the 21st century. As one of the most important energy end-users, especially in developing countries, transportation consumes approximately 30 percent of the whole energy productions in the world. One important part of transportation is urban transport system in order to make accessibility to products and services which is one of the main factors of energy consumption and climate changes. Therefore analyzing the tools and policies through enhancing the accessibility and modeling a more optimized access system are the main aims of this research. The case of the research is a new town located within 70 km far from Tehran (the capital of Iran). Considering the population horizon for this city and a high dependency on private vehicles, it is an important concern to optimize the energy consumption in service accessibility. This also provides a basis for a more viable and more attractive urban settlement.

The rapid rate of population growth in developing countries leads to imbalances development in various urban levels. The trend of urban sustainability is declined due to these imbalances. This declination increases concerns of urban planners to improve the sustainability of urban environments. Being aware of sustainability level of urban intervention areas before doing any action is inevitable. For this reason, there are a lot of interests for application of ranking techniques for recognition and analysis of problems before planning. In this paper, the factor and cluster analyses were applied to rank municipal districts of Isfahan in terms of sustainability. At first, indicators for measurement of sustainability were reviewed. After that, according to the data availability criterion, 21 indicators which could be classified in social, economical, physical and infrastructural dimensions were selected. Finally, the study area, factor and cluster analysis techniques were introduced, and the selected indicators were summarized through application of the SPSS software. The result of the factor analysis was reduction of 21 indicators in 5 factors which described 77% of variance. Then, scores of factors and rank of municipal districts were calculated. Rank of municipal districts was determined through calculation of the Compound Index. Finally, the cluster analysis putted on the factors achieved from the factor analysis. The result of clustering was classifying municipal districts in the most sustainable, relative sustainable and the most unsustainable districts. Outputs of the models showed that the 5th, 6th and 3th districts are the most sustainable; the 1th, 2th, 8th and 7th districts are relative sustainable, and 4th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th districts are the most unsustainable districts of city of Isfahan.

Rational knowledge-claims, consisting of theoretical propositions expressing a judgment about complex urban problems, are not new. The audiences, i.e. the public whose lives are affected by such claims, have begun to question the claims of rationality in urban planning. In response, each urban planner, believing in a particular theory or point of reference, endeavors to challenge competing theories in order to make his or her own view legitimate. Each refers to a point of reference as being self-evident. Through this skillful manipulation, planners tacitly justify their own claims as reasonable, plausible, inevitable, etc. These efforts actively suppress all opposing views and consequently portray one particular rational narrative as the complete emergent one. In this context, the competition among urban planners reminds us of the allegory of the blind people and the elephant. Although, in this article, we do not attempt to provide yet another visionary theory, we claim that there exists no visionary position among planning theorists. The planning literature during the past two decades points to such competition between urban planners on the subject of rationality of plans. Could planners build consensus among themselves before they ask the public to do so? Here, a discourse between urban planning theorists is compared with the tale of the elephant. This article, using the above-mentioned allegory as a method of analysis, looks for the possibility of consensus building between two famous contemporary American schools of planning thought. Points of reference of these two schools of thought are categorized and discussed. It is also found that no visionary position exists among planners which explain why people have doubts over planners’ claims to rationality.

Today’s Transportation is known as one of the most important elements of urban development structure. Public Transportation, according to its more extensive functional capacity, can play a vital role in wider scale. Transit Oriented development by focusing on the subways is one of the special approaches in this field. Recently, Tehran Public Transport Fleet has significantly improved especially in the field of subway and BRT. Although Tehran has the potential capacity it could not only benefit from the advantages of this development, but also has imposed many social and traffic problems around stationary complexes. These are because of lack of implementation principles of TOD and the proper functioning of them. Mirdamad Station Complex plays a role in the implementation of these principles to achieve an efficient station complex. TOD is included four main principles: (1) Intensive development, (2) mixed land uses, (3) pedestrian-orientation, (4) Transportation facilities. In this study, the functional principles of TOD in the Mirdamad Station Complex are assessed using librarian data and archived studies in order to do descriptive and analytical research. As a main result the Mirdamad Station Complex, with the implementation rate of two-third of the functional principles, is in desirable condition and can be used as one of the complex station in Tehran.