Analysis of Socio-Physical Aspects of Smart Growth in Isfahan

Land is considered as human’s natural capital that social life is formed by using and developing it. This matter elucidates the necessity of purposeful and controlled usage of land and causes the main structure of urban planning to be based on optimal use of the land. A smart growth approach to land management has been created against uncontrolled suburban development whose main framework is optimal use of land, urban development, social justice etc. Regarding the importance of management issues and land’s development control to increase the efficiency of the existent situation in the urban development designs, especially the designs related to the inefficient urban fabric, the necessity of smart growth issue is revealed more than before. The research question is: What strategies can be found against urban sprawl? The research methodology of this article is descriptive-analytical. This research provides a qualitative account of smart growth, the aims and principles of this theory by gathering information through library studies and internet. The purpose of this study is to compare the theoretical principles of smart growth with development process in Isfahan and propose some strategies for the realization of such principles in this city.Observing these principles in the old fabric of this city, Isfahan can be introduced as a pattern in which ancient principles of smart growth have been performed. Also for implementing this theory in present Isfahan some strategies like the division of urban areas into smaller pieces, designing of pedestrian in the streets, mixture of functions, infill development increasing the number of buildings’ floors and decreasing the size of floors are proposed.