Combination of land- uses and measurement of its effect on neighborhood- based sustainability(Case study: Velenjak and Darroos neighborhoods- Tehran city)

 the diversity of land- uses is one of the key elements in contemporary urban planning that due to its social, economic and environmental advantages has been widely emphasized in modern urbanization patterns. The main purpose of present article is to compare the level of urban neighborhood sustainability in two planned neighborhoods (Velenjak and Darroos) in Tehran and the position of land- use diversity in the improvement of sustainability in two under study neighborhoods.

in the present research by emphasizing on qualitative indices the sustainability of two selected neighborhoods are evaluated. The proposed theoretical framework is based on neighborhood sustainability framework. For this purpose, a questionnaire was compiled containing 30 questions and neighborhood sustainability was evaluated based on Likert five- point scale by the residents. The value of Cronbach Alpha test (0.891) confirms the validity of questionnaire questions.

the data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using multi- variable regression analysis, t- test and Pearson correlation test. The hypothesis of the study stating the higher degree of desirability of sustainability in Darroos neighborhood was rejected and the mean score relating to the sustainability of Velenjak neighborhood with mean value = 81.3 and Darroos with mean value = 52.4 reflected the difference in the sustainability of two above mentioned neighborhoods. In investigating the other hypotheses, the significance of the effect of land- use diversity factor on neighborhood sustainability was rejected.

the results of present study indicate that the low level of diversity and land- use diversity in Velenjak neighborhood compared to Darroos neighborhood not only increases the citizens’ satisfaction but also enhances the peace in this district; in the other hand, land- use diversity in Darroos neighborhood has led to the increase of density and traffic. The findings indicate that although the land – use diversity may enhance local access in short term basis but in long term it may led to the attraction of traffic trips, arrival of strangers into the neighborhood and elimination of confidentiality, increase of building density and consequently the population; so that gradually, the level of neighborhood sustainability may deteriorate. Hence, it is essential that in codification of regulations of detailed design a special attention is paid to this. For this purpose, proportional distribution of activities based on the density of households and also their needs, elimination of incompatible land- uses in neighborhoods, application of vacuous spaces and barren lands are proposed for development of new and more flexible activities, development of zoning regulations on neighborhood level (float planning) as the research suggestions.