Critical Review of Rules and Regulations Affecting the Facades of New Buildings (Case Study: Hakimieh Neighborhood in Tehran)

The facade, serving as a crucial link between people and the urban environment, plays a pivotal role in shaping a city's identity. While changes in facades signify societal progress, the disconnect between new buildings and local identities contributes to urban chaos. Despite recent efforts, the persistent visual disturbance in cityscapes raises a critical question. This research aims to analyze theoretical literature, compare findings with legal frameworks, and assess the realization of building facade criteria in new structures in Tehran's Hakimieh neighborhood. Through interviews, the study seeks to uncover reasons for non-compliance.

Theoretical Framework:

The significance of the urban landscape lies in its identity and connection with perspectives, as explored by Cullen (1971). A visually appealing cityscape enhances urban identity, characterized by building facades, structural heights, and distinctive urban spaces. On a smaller scale, cityscapes encompass elements such as building facade features, material composition, color and texture, light and shadow play, windows, sidewalk features, and urban furnishings (Doyran et al., 2011). The building facade, as a crucial variable, influences the identity aspects of urban landscapes by establishing correlations and structural order within urban environments.

A comprehensive mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies, guides this research. The initial phase involves an in-depth analysis of literature and theoretical foundations related to building facade identity components. The field observation stage evaluates buildings constructed within the last three years in Hakimieh neighborhood based on the extracted components. Data collection involves examining approximately 300 buildings, using a 5-point Likert scale to assess the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of facade identity components. Interviews with city officials, builders, and consumers aim to extract nuanced insights from the research findings.

The degree of fulfillment of the country's official documents' requirements for facade identity components in buildings less than three years old in Hakimieh neighborhood is determined to be 58%. A detailed analysis reveals the highest realization rates in components banning the use of curtained facades (96.4%), unconventional forms (94.7%), and construction of facilities in a visible manner (82.7%). Governance strategies and guidelines, while not fully executed and occasionally conflicting with consumer preferences, have nevertheless influenced nearly 60% of the observed urban landscape.

The chaotic state of Hakimieh neighborhood's building facades is not solely the outcome of implementing laws and approvals; various contributing factors and sometimes contradictory approaches have intensified the crisis. Notably, the lack of specific criteria in urban planning and architecture, stemming from a collective and widely accepted perspective, exacerbates the challenges in the existing situation. In conclusion, this critical review sheds light on the intricacies of urban facades, emphasizing the need for a holistic and comprehensive approach to enhance urban identity and mitigate visual disturbances.