Effectiveness of Urban View and Landscape Regulations on the Integrity of Urban Facades (the 1968–2021 period)

Description: 

Integrity of urban facades greatly influences the order of urban view and landscape. Facades themselves have various components and aspects. The structural quality and layout of said aspects and components requires integrity, whether in a single façade, in conjunction with neighboring facades or in the total urban scale. This integrity requires regulations and principles the effectiveness of which is the focus of this study.

Evaluating the effectiveness of façade construction regulations enforced by municipalities and other competent authorities in the 1968-2021 period, concerning the integrity of urban facades and their components.

This is a qualitative study with an exploratory-descriptive approach and a critical attitude. Initially the most effective urban façade integrity parameters were determined. Next, the façade construction regulations of the research period were analyzed. After that, every provision of the regulations was analyzed in comparison versus each integrity parameter.

The most effective and comprehensive set of regulations was the spring 2014 Façade Design regulations in Tehran. Among the integrity parameters, visual appeal and after that, content communications, materials and meaning were most affected by regulations. On the other hand, the least affected parameters were the harmony between façade and context, body silhouettes, and the transverse proportions of pieces.

The façade construction regulations are increasingly inclusive and expressive toward the integrity of urban facades; however, they still require further additions and improvements.