Landscape Ecological Structure Analysis of Tehran to Develop Strategies for Improving Environmental Quality

Tehran is one of the most polluted metropolises in the world. Sink capacity for absorption and assimilation of pollution is reduced generally due to failure in inclusion of ecological aspects in regional land use development planning. The present condition of air and water related issues in Tehran are greatly affected by landscape structural alterations at urban level. In this research the focus is to understand relationships between land use patterns and ecological processes particularly those air and water related issues affecting urban environmental quality. We propose measures to harmonize urban growth pattern based on existing opportunities for increasing the sink capacity for air pollution and waste water. Using Landsat satellite images (dated 1988 & 2002) maps for three classes of green, open and built land cover types were created. Landscape metrics NP, MPS, MNN, and CAP were used for the analysis of landscape structure (both configuration and composition) at two different scales using hexagonal zoning. Results demonstrate that despite ecological alteration, the remnant patch mosaic network of Tehran may still be restorable. The river valley network provides the basis for the necessary conceptual framework; “Refuge network” to integrate all corrective measures at different scales. Natural layouts of river valley networks along with the core open patches of hills may be the basis of implementation of such a comprehensive restoration plan based on the “Aggregate with out liar” model as a spatial design framework at urban level.