Space Ontology International Journal
Volume:8 Issue: 2, Spring 2019

The present study is focused on place attachment from environmental designers’ point of view. The study’s aim is to offer a helpful and practical model of place attachment for its audience; this is done using the Spatial-Social Place attachment(SSPa)model. Based on this model’s hypothesis, place attachment has two aspects: spatial and social; a purposeful and methodical (systematic) study of these two aspects produces reliable and practical results on the subject of place attachment for architects and environmental designers. To study and complete the proposed model, the writers selected architecture schools located in Tabriz as their behavioral settings. Based on the SSPa model, visual base systematic field studies, mental mappings, behavioral mappings, deep interviews, and direct observation of case studies were conducted. Ultimately, designing recommendations in the form of factors influencing place attachment in faculty’s gathering places are as follows: 1) physical form; 2) activities; 3) climate; 4) views and landscapes; 5) privacy; 6) elements and furniture; 7) places in the vicinity of a gathering place. By specifying the factors influencing place attachment in behavioral-social settings, the practical outputs of this study intended for designers and architects proved the validity and efficiency of the SSPa model.

The spatial structure of cities has been one of the influential elements in the development of cities in different periods.In the cities of Iran,the spatial structure of cities is sometimes organic and during the lifetime of cities ,based on the requirements of the times,such as socio_social needs and their religious-religious ideology,and in many cases,this structure is based on programs and government plans of that period.Understanding the spatial structure of the city its relationship with the power and influence of power transformation on the spatial structure transformation can lead to better understanding of the factors affecting urban development,especially on the spatial structure of cities in Iran.In this article,the study of the city of Isfahan during various governorates,especially the Safavid government,has been attempted to assess the role of power in the physical organization of the city.Also,with descriptive approach and historical analysis ,based on written sources and field surveys,we seek to investigate the influence of governing power on the spatial structure of the city of Isfahan and its developmental trends during its capital city and its effects on the spatial structure of the city today.

The natural ventilation and the energy consumption are very important characteristics in buildings. Representation of the patterns for better natural ventilation performance versus lower increase in energy consumption is significant and useful. This study is simulating an office building in the temperate and humid climate of Rasht in Iran, and calculated the annual ventilation and the energy consumption for heating, cooling and total energy using Design Builder v 5.4. This simulation investigated variations in the window-to-wall (WWR) the building in cardinal directions. Accordingly, the influence index of consumed energies and ventilation from a change in WWR was calculated in cardinal directions. Moreover, the changes in total energy consumption and ventilation indices based on WWR were defined, calculated, and qualitatively analyzed. In the west direction, for the WWR of larger than 20%, a relative jump in total energy consumption is achieved. The ventilation and total energy consumption increased with increasing WWR from 10% to 15% and 20%. Also, for an increase to 25%, the lowest kew/kvw is attained and demonstrates the appropriate value. The heating energy consumption is positively affected by an increase in windows area in the north direction. In the south direction, WWR decrease from 25% to 10% showed better ratio of energy to ventilation indices. With increasing WWR from 25% to 30%, the low index ratio of 0.17 is achieved, demonstrating a larger increase in ventilation than in energy consumption and was considered as the suggested WWR. In the east direction, increment of WWR from 15% to 20% is a more appropriate option, as the ventilation index significantly increases with slight increase in energy consumption. Thus, using these indices and their analyses, engineering models of fenestration design of office buildings in the climate of Rasht to be improved in terms of energy consumption and ventilation.

Vegetation moderates a microclimate by casting shadows, increasing light reflection, evaporation and perspiration; and correcting wind patterns. The present study aims to investigate the microclimatic role of vegetated surfaces and bodies in improving thermal comfort in outdoor spaces between buildings. The main research question is which of the green system modes, that is, horizontal vegetation (green floor) and vertical vegetation (green façade) will be more effective in moderating a microclimate and improving thermal comfort in outdoor spaces. To find the answer, an academic building with vertical and horizontal walls facing an outdoor space (yard) was selected as the studied case. Data analysis was performed via numerical modeling (ENVI-met) and RayMan software model. The Indices of PMV (predicted mean vote), PET (physiological equivalent temperature), Tmrt (total mean radiant temperature), and RH (relative humidity) were computed and analyzed to identify and analyze thermal comfort levels in outdoor spaces. The analysis results indicate that vegetation significantly affects thermal comfort in outdoor spaces between buildings in warm seasons by reducing PMV, PET, Tmrt, and increasing RH. In all analytical modes based on the indices of thermal comfort in outdoor spaces, green floor performed better than green façade due to a more extensive tree coverage on horizontal surfaces. The trees planted on horizontal surfaces and the ground improve thermal comfort in outdoor spaces by shading and blocking direct sunlight. Further, the results indicate that compared to vegetation, blocking direct solar radiation and providing shading on surfaces are much more effective in improving thermal comfort in open spaces.

The present paper focuses on determining the most important factors affecting urban growth in large cities of Iran through modeling and comparing the common and diverse points of urban growth obtained from other studies. For this purpose, by reviewing the theoretical concepts associated with urban growth, quantities and measurable variables are developed as proper frameworks to study the influencing factors on the urban growth. This paper describes the urban growth model through “logistic regression ” by using both physical and socio-economic driving forces analysis and urban spatial pattern evaluation. Three large cities in Iran were selected as the cases to fulfill the tasks and two series of influencing factors for large cities of Iran's urban growth were introduced: 1) Factors with favorable effects including: bare lands, crop/ grass lands and less populated areas. 2) Factors with unfavorable effects including: lands covered with trees (forests) and distances from roads and industrial centers.

Climate change has become a challenge with adverse impacts on the Earth. Reducing the use of fossil fuel is a primary step to solve environmental problems. As the population continues to rise, to meet the growing demand for construction with a large share in energy Consumption, Efforts to make the built environment more energy efficient is crucial. The main objective of this research is to evaluates the relationship between urban form and the energy performance of neighborhoods, focusing on their energy demand, through case studies of Ghatarchyan and Mobarakabad neighborhoods in Sanandaj city. The forms of these neighborhoods were measured using spatial metrics (physical and climatic criteria). For analysis and evaluation, ECOTECT, GIS software and ANP method have been used. The results of research indicate a negative correlation between spatial metrics and building energy performance. Therefore, if spatial metrics amount of each neighborhood increases, neighborhood energy demand will decrease. Moreover, the result can form a basis for urban design recommendations to achieve an energy efficient urban development through spatial design.