Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability
Volume:4 Issue: 3, Summer 2022

In urban settlements a strong relationship exists between “urban morphology” and “sustainable energy performances” of settlements. More than half of the global population now live in cities and the United Nations. The study focuses on the dynamics of energy utilization in mega-cities, and ultimately aims at providing method categorizing for evaluating sustainable energy in large urban systems. The research into metabolic aims to understand the physical flows into, within, and out of the cities. Direct and indirect energy demand can be a proxy to emphasize how cities rely upon the outside in terms of energy demand. This research uses both theoretical exploration and field observation. It explores theories on the perspectives of sustainable planning and design. The problem-oriented methodology applied by this research has a system of basic problematic groups as the major perspectives of the sustainable approach. The main question is how can we assess the spatial interactions between urban morphologies and energy system? At last, three main approaches lead the subjects to urban morphology to being in evaluation stages. Finally, remote sensed dataset evaluation system is found the best method for urban-energy planning and design, and in this system, LIDAR technology has a maximum capability to evaluate urban settlements in transformation matters in geographical view. Lidar technology has allowed 3D information on the environment to be remotely obtained over large areas and in larger cities as case studies can be useful.

The courtyard has a special place in the spatial structure of traditional Iranian architecture and in addition to climatic applications, it has also been very important from a functional point of view. In this way, by placing it in the center of the building and the arrangement of other spaces around it. This essential member of Iranian schools has been removed from the spatial structure of many schools due to the lack of land and due to the density of buildings, or its location has been changed in terms of configuration, and its role in changing the functional performance of the building is ignored. This has pushed the purpose of the current research to investigate the role of the courtyard on the functional efficiency of schools. Accordingly, factors such as the type of geometry of the courtyard in the configuration of the building, its location were considered as the desired indicators in the present research. Therefore, in general, the research method will be quantitative and qualitative and Based on that, four schools with traditional, contemporary, and modern designs were selected as case examples, and analyzes related to measuring functional efficiency were performed on them using two methods of drawing graphs and using Depthmap software. Finally, the results the research showed that the presence of a courtyard with a central pattern and with a rectangular or square geometry creates the highest amount of functional efficiency in schools

The decrease in the presence of people in public spaces such as commercial complexes is due to the lack of attention to the sociability factor. The purpose of this research is to explain the influencing factors of sociability on the space syntax factors in the middle areas of the Persian Gulf and Zomorod commercial complexes in Shiraz city. This research is defined in line with the doctoral thesis. The qualitative-quantitative research method was used in the qualitative part of the descriptive-analytical method, and in the quantitative method, the field observation and collection of maps of the collections was used, and the field findings were analyzed in the depth map software. In the analysis of the data, it was found that the possibility of meeting more people is in central common spaces, cafes and cinemas. In addition, the dispersion of interconnection, connection and depth diagrams indicates the less readability of communication paths from the collective space. The most sociability happens in lobbies and at the entrance of the ground floor, which shows the importance of these spaces in commercial complexes in influencing people’s sociability. Spaces where the possibility of pausing and sitting are more, include the spaces adjacent to commercial units and the fountains and the spaces of cafes, which are the center of sociability. Therefore, the influencing factors of sociability on the space syntax factors of commercial complexes, the components, spatial structure, movement in space and recognition of the behavior pattern of users are among the indicators of sociability that affect the factors of connection, the depth and the coherence of space syntax. It has an effect.

In recent years, polycentric urban areas have become widespread as a spatial reality, analytical framework, and normative approach. While most researchers are focused on the structure of these regions and the assumptions such as economic competitiveness, territorial cohesion, and environmental sustainability; understanding the potential of planning in such areas is yet limited because planning in polycentric urban systems is relatively in a new scale which is based on new strategic goals. This paper studied the problem from the planning perspective and focused first on the role and necessity of the regional approach in developing polycentric urban areas. Then, by accepting this essential, a framework waspresented to apply a regional approach in these areas, i.e., the central Mazandaran urban complex, emphasizing the three dimensions of spatial-functional integration,institutional capacity, and culture-identity as a planning prerequisite. The results revealed despite the potential of complementary relations and everyday culture in this region, the immaturity of public organizations and institutions, and the lack of legal boundaries for the urban complex, the urban complex of central Mazandaran is a product of competition between cities rather than being the result of cooperative relations.

This research examines the tension between modernization and preservation of cultural heritage in Bandar Laft, a historical port village in Iran that has undergone significant changes due to economic growth and modernization. One hypothesis is the combination of traditional architectural features and materials in new buildings and the other hypothesis is to preserve and protect the historical monuments of the region. The research method uses a qualitative and normative approach using phenomenological and hierarchical research strategies to deepen the content and reach basic concepts. A conceptual framework is presented using modeling, conceptual matrices, and drawing comparative diagrams. The acquisition steps included completing the matrix based on documents, observations, available background and interviews with residents. The coordinates of the meanings in the place and mind of each element of the residential fabric of Bandar Laft were drawn and the frequency of each concept was calculated. The highest score and average semantic values of Bandar Laft's local historical context were obtained at "immediate-primary" value levels. This research concludes that old textures have a functional-instrumental level of value, which is important because it aligns the reality of the fabric with the associated meaning in the viewer's mind. On the other hand, new textures try to be in tune with the spirit of the times, but often lack individual and private connotations. This comparative analysis provides insights into ways to balance economic growth and development with cultural heritage preservation in the built environment of Bandar Laft.

Urban management has a fundamental role in the sustainability and development of cities. Currently, with the increase in population and the urgent need for water management, the importance of creating water and sewage management systems is very important. The process of managing water supply and demand, especially in the last half century, has led to excessive exploitation of surface and underground water resources in most of the watersheds of the country, and the continuation of this process has led to the continuous worsening of the water resources situation. In the current research, using the analytical method as well as the use of logical analysis, the existing situation in the 4th district of Tehran metropolis was examined from the perspective of the water and sewage management system, and an optimal model was designed based on its structure. The findings indicate that the optimal model includes the provision of a decentralized system based on the creation of treatment packages by the clustering design method, which due to the lack of a suitable domestic option for wastewater treatment in the 4th district of Tehran with a decentralized approach, the cost of the packages is the currency is calculated and this issue has caused the lack of economic competitiveness compared to the centralized approach. The result is that it is possible to optimize the cost and efficiency of water and wastewater management in Tehran to a high extent by presenting this model.

Contextualism has evolved with the comprehension of its underlying message, emphasizing the link between environment and space in architecture. The traditional Bazar, as the most significant space, is considered a functional element and a pillar of the urban fabric. The research hypothesis is both correlational and directional, suggesting that the architecture of the Bazar embodies the principles of contextualism, and the concepts of signs can serve as tools for analyzing the value and semantic system to identify the guiding principles of contextualism within the framework of Umberto Eco’s semiotics theory. The research methodology initially employs a qualitative approach, specifically descriptive-analytical. It elaborates on the concept of contextualism by drawing from scholarly sources and formulating the physical contextual components. Utilizing the dimensions of Umberto Eco’s semiotics. In the subsequent phase, an analytical-comparative method is used to pinpoint the context and physical signifiers of the Ardabil traditional Bazar. The resulting findings indicate that the criteria of contextualism encompass two spatial and visual aspects, with nine criteria including position, volume, height, setback, scale, orientation, rhythm, material construction, and color. Furthermore, the physical components within the structure of the Ardabil traditional Bazar, aiming to establish order, spatial coherence, hierarchical structure, grandeur, and influence in the collective consciousness, affirm the interplay between physical contextualism and the concept of signs. This is because the physical structure represents a form of connection that, through its representational expression, establishes behavioral and functional patterns towards achieving objectives, subsequently symbolically representing the accomplishment of cultural goals.

Transparency is one of the principles that has been continuously used in Iranian art and architecture. The meaning of this principle in Iranian architecture is the constant movement and evolution of material quality to spiritual quality. The current research is analytical-descriptive research in terms of its structure, which in terms of its main goal is considered to be of the type of applied and developmental research, which can also be used as an exploratory research approach considering the lack of previous research on the concept of transparency in the field of the city in a methodical way. According to the course of theoretical foundations, the effective factors in the influence of transparency in the field of traditional houses morphology and by explaining the branch of Qajar architecture style to it, these factors are gathered for indexing using content-analysis method are taken so that the framework of the proposed criteria can be presented in chapter one. In conclusion the main affecting factors are enlistment, spatial ambiguity, flexibility and compatibility, legibility, permeability, spatial perception, connection, connectivity, spatial organization, spatial opening, dynamism, lightness, sequence, visual connection and light transmission. In future studies the main factors can be evaluated about relationship and affection value in traditional house architecture.

Housing is the particular center of people’s activity and a part of Iranian society’s identity according to their social, economic, and cultural conditions. Socio-economic concerns have always been significant in residential complexes, but they are particularly vital in low-cost housing, such as Maskan-e-Mehr, because of the complex’s isolation from the city and the residents’ lack of familiarity. Therefore, social continuity is not formed, and people ignore improving their living conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the low-cost housing indicators and the influence of socio-economic factors on its models in Kerman, Iran, considering that because of real estate housing syndrome, socio-economic factors produce quantitative and qualitative indicators of low-cost housing. This case study was conducted using various information sources with qualitative and quantitative results, and the data were analyzed using ANP and AHP methods. The research objective was to provide a low-cost housing formation model considering economic-social factors. The results showed that the administrative bureaucracy sub-criteria are the most effective among the project’s components. The sub-criteria of weakness in the contract due to execution type, contract incompatibility, exclusivity in material supply, and transportation costs were placed in the following priorities.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between urban environmental quality and quality of life among various ethnic subcultures in Tehran City, Iran. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining theoretical research, in-depth interviews, and statistical questionnaires. The study focused on ethnic groups as subcultures and identified several factors that contribute to the relationship, including integration with nature, sensory-cognitive interaction, historical meaning of the environment, functional public facilities, urban management and governance, and respect for citizens’ needs and desires as well as macro-policies. The questionnaire analysis using Smart-PLS revealed that accessibility, mobility, ecological, visual-physical, functional-activity quality, social, management-economic infrastructure, semantic and mental worldviews, integrations with quality and cultural elements, and mental quality of life are the most important concepts. The study found that citizens’ quality of life is significantly influenced by how they perceive cultural concepts and elements. The study examined the opinions of various ethnic groups, including Turkish and Azerbaijani, Lur, Kurdish, Gilaki, and Mazandarani subcultures, revealing differences in accessibility and mobility, as well as social and economic quality. The study concludes that cultural elements and qualities influence individuals’ meaning, worldviews, and subjective perceptions, resulting in a higher quality of life. Future research could explore the potential impact on quality of life in various subcultures of specific urban design interventions.

Throughout history, urban spaces have played an important role in the socio-economic life of residents and have acted as a center of communication and transformation in cities. In the modern era, with the profound changes that have occurred in all aspects of life and living, most of the urban spaces have turned into places of speculation and have been influenced by bazar forces to serve the interests of limited flows. Iran's traditional bazars with their ancient history have had an active social role in addition to the economic aspect, and in many cities of our country we can see the juxtaposition of religious and cultural elements with the fabric of the bazar. The purpose of this article is to discover the commonalities and origins of the space. A city is in the process of sustainable development. To achieve this goal, the role of traditional bazar spaces has been briefly examined with regard to the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development. The historical review of the bazar space will inform us to some extent about the process of space production throughout history and will help in better understanding the role of urban spaces in sustainable development. In this way, both the components of sustainable development are explained and urban spaces in The new position of the "beating heart of the city" appears and in urban spaces, the social, economic and environmental role of cities is strengthened. Questionnaire and analysis of findings with spss software.