Ecovillage as a Comprehensive Model for the Sustainable Development of Urban-Villages(Case Study: The Urban-Village of Farahzad, Tehran, Iran)

The purpose of this study is to introduce Ecovillage as a comprehensive model for the sustainable development of human settlements, which is an appropriate response to the challenges in the target urban-villages and Farahzad as the case study.

A descriptive-analytical approach has been applied in this study. In the theoretical part of the research, the principles of ecovillages have been investigated through the study and analysis of written documents and articles (documentary method) and the conceptual framework and general goals of Urban-Village sustainable development have been developed based on the ecovillage model. In terms of experimental studies, several field studies and site visits have been done in order to better understand the case study and its situation. The urban design framework of Farahzad Urban-Village has been developed based on AHP Analytic hierarchy process.

According to the study findings, the ecovillage model includes four key dimensions of environmental, social, economic and cultural and 18 principles that in Farahzad, environmental dimension and then social and economic dimension are the most important. The selected framework of Farahzad village is based on AHP, based on emphasizing its role in tourism and Residential, and considering both local and tourism areas.

The ecovillage is a comprehensive model for the sustainable development of Farahzad urban-village and the target villages. The principles and objectives of ecovillages include both substantive and procedural dimensions, which can be accomplished through a bottom-up process involving local residents and institutions.