Applying Space Syntax Theory in Pedestrian Oriented Urban Design, Case Study: Imamzadeh Yahya Neighborhood in Tehran

Imamzadeh Yahya region is located in 12th district in Tehran. The dominant use of the block (except for the main passage of the neighborhood) is residential, and predominant land use in the area would lead to manufactory, commercial and religious related purposes respectively. The abundance of Pahlavi and Qajar historical buildings in this neighborhood has made it one of the most affluent neighborhoods of the historical core of Tehran. The neighborhood is now in a state of dissociation, bewilderment and nonidentity. Although the block is enriched with a string of valuable historical elements, it is dramatically facing physical quality deterioration.
Residents do not have much interest in attending public places and urban spaces; they are also suffering from traffic issues, and the consequences of it. Iconic buildings have run out of credit and the neighborhood has lost its solidarity. The streets that used to make a sense of belonging for the residents which were considered as an iconic spine in the neighborhood are now misplaced with a demolished district. Obstacles caused by this misplaced neighborhood include, disturbances in the neighborhood and its physical elements, the lack of consistency of the spaces, overloaded streets, absence of pedestrian oriented areas and sidewalks, lacking public life and places for social interactions, and navigation problems which leads to undesirable mental images for inhabitants. As a result these obstacles decreased the presence of the neighborhood residents, and brought the physical and spatial quality of the neighborhood to a severe drop.
The present research aims to sustain the spatial-physical relations between the valuable elements and revive the neighborhood’s unity through the creation of a pedestrian friendly environment, as well as producing a framework with an emphasis on spatial-physical unity.
Shaping the physical space based upon the people’s spatial-social requirements, is the main task of a good quality urban design. The theory of the space syntax will make it possible to analyze the complex spatial networks, clarify the physical complications, and revive distressed urban areas.
Regarding the dependency of social interaction on the existence or non-existence of common ideological, political or economic interests among the dwellers, one can think to establish physical and spatial forms based on common religious and cultural interests (Imamzadeh, Mosque, Husseinieh) or based on political and economic motivations (Bazarcheh or centers of regions) as a solution. Establishing a visual integration between fabric and space, accompanied by applicatory consideration, leads the fabric directly affects social activity. Therefore, a collection of physical frameworks will be obtained; these frameworks can impact the formation of social relations way beyond physical borders, since they have been taken from common social structures.
The results of the spatial-physical analysis by Depthmap represents a high value integration in Imamzadeh Yahya and Javidi streets as well as Alimoradi, Sepehr and Hadavand streets. By all means, these routes will connect the main arteries to the neighborhood’s center.
Along with assigning the north-south streets of Imamzadeh Yahya and Javidi and the eastern-western streets of Alimoradi, Sepehr and Hadavand as the main pedestrian oriented path, the historical and religious urban elements of the neighborhood will be linked as a whole unity. Imamzadeh Yahya and Vaziri streets will be transformed into active retail corridors consistent with the historical, cultural and religious identity of the inner-city context, and the commercial land use of the northern and eastern edge of the neighborhood with focus on Persian and Islamic handicrafts retail stores. Assigning upper floors to residential units, cafes and restaurants will bring vitality and security to the district. The six collector streets around the neighborhood will serve the area and will carry the traffic load. Parking facilities in the vicinity of these axes allow residents and shopkeepers to use the best of the space, besides having easy access to the neighborhood.
The principle of the divergence is achieved by creating static spaces and urban nodes in the form of squares, designed facades and frontages, sakkoo, chahar-taghi, takiye, and green spaces, with the appliance of attractive land uses in the main routes. Accounting the symbolic element of Saghakhane as a landmark in form of information kiosks and injecting modern usage can be an optimal option for creating a united neighborhood and improving security throughout the district. The other function of these unifying two stories elements as information stalls can provide people with a historical-religious perspective of the pedestrian oriented path.
Ultimately linking urban spaces, improving retail corridors, traffic calming and developing light rail transit will be our design principles in order to achieve the main goal of our research