نشریه نامه معماری و شهرسازی
سال هفتم شماره 14 (بهار و تابستان 1394)

With the advent of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and its multidimensional utilization in different fields of culture, economy, politics and environment, new tenets of application for it have been proposed and introduced. One of those newly adopted tendencies can be regarded as the new functions of ICT, cyberspace and the Internet in urban regeneration projects. In fact, nowadays ICT can be assumed as a kind of irrefutable and indispensable technological tool with significant usage in urban regeneration projects. However, the recognition of the potential cultural and social aspects of ICT and the extent of its employment in urban regeneration programs by the governments and relevant organizations has become a controversial issue. In the other words, the appropriate application of technological tools in tandem with the creation of “Sense of Place” and rejuvenation of cultural identity and traditions has become a problematic and debatable matter. In this regard, this survey delves into scrutinizing the application of ICT, and particularly the Internet, in urban regeneration projects by introducing a new categorization of adopted approaches towards cyberspace and the Internet, specifically in urban regeneration programs. These approaches can be divided into: (1) Top-down approach (Governmental Approach) and (2) Bottom-up approach (Public Oriented Approach). This study has been implemented and exerted within a comparative case study by selecting two representative cities from the western context and eastern one in order to examine the extent and salience of cultural background and so, its diffusion and assimilation in urban regeneration projects. To meet the targeted goal, this comparative study has been conducted between Hackney (London) and Kyoto (Japan), based on a top-down approach; to anatomize the role of ICT in the creation of local identity and its particular performance in urban regeneration programs. The main reason for choosing these cities is the long cultural and historical history of Kyoto alongside its old and noteworthy traditions and conventions in comparison with the other urban areas of Japan. Moreover, Hackney has been regarded as an important and noticeable area because of its high rank of multiculturalism and IMD (Index of Multiple Deprivation) that has made the area as a unique case for scrutiny and attention specifically, within preparatory programs for Olympics and Paralympics Games 2012. In fact, selecting these two urban areas can be useful for the interrogation and anatomization of policymakers’ attitudes and roles towards social and cultural aspects of urban regeneration programs as well as their concentration on cultural and conventional traditions and dimensions in those selected urban areas too. Ultimately, after analyzing the two aforementioned official websites and e-documents released by Hackney Council and the Website of Kyoto, it was elaborated that the application of ICT with regard to creating a local and even global identity, in the implemented urban regeneration projects, had a high status in Kyoto due to its robust cultural background; while in Hackney it had been confined just to the public informing.

The physical comprehensive viewpoint on development has been the reason of failure of many urban plans in practice. One major reason can be lack of consideration and attention to existing capacities and potentials within communities. In this regard, dilapidated areas are usually considered to have many problems and weaknesses, while they can include capacities that considering them might lead to acceleration of their development. Social capital as an important part of local capacity can be used by individuals and groups to facilitate their accessibility to local resources and would bring the possibility of taking better decisions for their welfare in addition to giving democratic validity to a community. The key concepts in social capital include participation in social networks, existence of common norms and creation of social trust. Social capital provides the possibility of achieving specific objectives which are inaccessible without it. This issue is critically important in improving dilapidated areas, since the residents would find themselves shareholders in the implementation of the project benefiting from its added value, which can result in improvement of their life quality. The objective of this paper is to investigate the rate and method of effectiveness of social capital indicators on participation tendency of local residents. In order to reach this goal, the indicators are extracted from domestic and international studies and are measured in Imamzadeh Hassan neighborhood located in 17th District of Tehran through survey and random sampling. The results of correlation analysis of social capital indicators and the tendency for participation in neighborhood indicate that indicators of belongingness (0.332), social participation (0.412), inter-personal trust (0.401), institutional trust (0.352) and social integration (0.335) are effective on participation tendency of residents; however the indicator of safety has no impact on it. Moreover, the results for path analysis of participation tendency and effective indicators of social capital indicate that the indicator of institutional trust (0.21) has a direct and increasing impact on participation tendency and indicators of interpersonal trust (0.077), local belongingness (0.042) and social integration (0.018) had indirect increasing impact on participation tendency and the indicator of social participation has both direct (0.176) and indirect (0.041) increasing impact on participation tendency. These results indicate that developing effective social capitals on participation, especially social participation and institutional trust as the most important factors, can be considered as a way to promote quality of urban dilapidated areas. Along this, organizing the local management system and providing the possibility of growth for NGOs is considered to be an inevitable issue. Furthermore, the productive foundations of social capital, which are creating new identities based on citizen participation, shall be recognized and they shall be used in favor of urban management.

Tenure security is one of the primary rights of households that its lack leads to economic, social, psychological and political challenges. In recent years, special attention has been given to tenure security in improving informal settlements, in such a way that in 2003 and 2006 this has been among the main research topics on informal settlements in UN-HABITAT. Thus, tenure security has become a deprivation index in settlements. Tenure security is much more than simply examining legal title deeds, and now involves social, economic and life-quality indexes. In recent years, scientific and practical experience on tenure security index indicate that the expensive process of title deeds issuance has made the inhabitants reluctant to pursue the mentioned process due to their financial inability, and also because of powerful and influential forces in land market, land hoarding and speculation have come into existence. Indeed, de facto and supra legal and perceived indexes along with legal ones, hold sway on tenure security scale in informal settlements. These days, instead of enhancement of tenure settlement through legal procedures, the application of mediating tools like urban services has become prevalent. In the current research the impact of urban services accessibility on perceived tenure security of inhabitants in Koshtargah neighborhood is examined. Examining urban services accessibility scale reveals that five explanatory indexes of perceived tenure security consist of concern about the informality of neighborhood, concerns about the municipality dissatisfaction with the people living in the neighborhood, fear of homelessness after evacuation, possibility of forced eviction at any moment and possibility of forced eviction in the next five year, and seven criteria, as well as fifteen sub-criteria are identified. Research method is descriptive-analytical, and survey, questionnaire, as well as ArcGIS techniques, fuzzy analysis and statistical methods such as Pearson correlation coefficient and regression are used. The results shows a positive, direct relation between urban services accessibility and perceived tenure security in Koshtargah and the more urban services will be accessible, the perceived tenure security of Koshtargah inhabitants will be stronger, in such a way that about 60 percent of variance of perceived tenure security in this neighborhood is depend on urban services accessibility. According to the results, to formalize the informal settlements, providing the urban services can be considered as a mediating tool in these settlements and providing legal property deeds can be considered a long-term plan. Improving the urban services for residents in Koshtargah Neighborhood has led to reducing fear from forced evacuation and as a result, had increased the residents’ perception of security of tenure. Increased sense of security in tenure housing has led to increased confidence among residents and this has led to the creation of investment in housing and providing some incentives for voluntary cooperation of residents to improve their neighborhood. Access to services could represent the beginning of a movement of formal recognition of the neighborhood and It is a sign of acceptance of the area by urban management authorities in Urmia.

Undoubtedly, developing secure environment free of offense is considered as one of the criteria for personal satisfaction with local spaces. In the meantime, some of the urban textures, including blind textures, due to lack of attention lose the quality of their environment and provide a context for occurrence of insecurity and crime. Due to the differences between men’s and women’s physical dimensions on the one hand and their perceptual sensitivity characteristics on the other hand, the amount of attention to the security is quite different among them. In other words, the relationship between security, space, gender, urban construction and environmental qualities is meaningful. Cause and effect relationship between crime occurrence and insecurity in local spaces and designing inappropriate environment for them is of particular interest of this study. So this study, which is based on CPTED approach, covers those approaches that emphasize on reducing crime through environmental designing, and priorities of the criteria mentioned in women’s subjective sense of security are compared with those of men. The CPTED theory is based on an idea that proper designing and suitable space usage not only bring positive influence on life quality, but also prevents from crime commitment. The CPTED approach will be presented through five main indicators, including territoriality, surveillance, access control, image/space management and activity support. Every indicator of CPTED has some sub-indicators necessary for the designed space to be free from crime. The methodology of this study is of survey and solidarity type of modeling the design of structural relations. Statistical population in this study is residents of central segment of Sabounpazkhaneh Neighborhood located in 12th District, Tehran. Samples were selected using cluster random sampling method to answer 31 questions related to residents’ view regarding impact of each index on neighborhood’s security. SPSS-20 software program was used for analysis of the data. The validity of study tool was checked formally and structurally and showed that the tool has an appropriate validity. Also, the reliability of this tool was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. The results showed that there is a significant difference in impact and prioritization of criteria between men and women. Women approved 5 criteria mentioned in CPTED approach and prioritized surveillance, image/management, access Control, territorial reinforcement and activity support, respectively meanwhile men emphasized on surveillance and access control, respectively. The obtained results showed that all five criteria had an impact on increased sense of mental security for women and surveillance criterion also was among both group’s priorities. Finally, research results were used for proposing some solutions, policies and a framework for urban design in those areas. Therefore, the security of the neighborhood must be reviewed and urban design must be carried out using an environmental approach for preventing from the crimes. Accordingly, taking advantage of indicators and sub-indicators in this approach can lead to management of crime and achieving secure space for different groups of society, especially for women, as one of the most vulnerable groups in the neighborhood, and this be considered as a urban design model in future, with the aim of creating a secure place for citizens.

Rituals can be defined as customs which have been formed during ages, and work toward defining and adjusting humans’ relationship with society, environment, and history; the rituals also define the relationships among citizens in a symbolic space. On the one hand, rituals, as social activities, are closely related to space, influence it, and are influenced by it; and on the other hand, rituals, as cultural phenomena, have the capacity to maintain social and cultural relationships in a city; therefore, rituals can be considered as spatial, and consequently, urban phenomena. Urban rituals have always left their trace on cities. The present research aims to investigate their relationship and interaction. In the first phase of the present research, using a descriptive analytic approach, and within a qualitative framework, the interaction of city and urban rituals is investigated in order to present a conceptual model for such interaction. The results show that processional rituals, as social actions which are repeatable in certain times and places, and have a metaphoric and symbolic nature, through four major norms, i.e. openness, connection, continuity, and adaptation, interact with three major urban components, namely form, meaning, and activity. In the second phase of the research, using a survey analytic approach and using special techniques such as spatial syntax, behavior analysis as well as cognitive mapping, and using the appropriate devices, the Ashura processions in Lahijan were investigated based on the presented conceptual model. The results suggest that from the perspective of form, processional rituals have created or given form to certain elements and spaces in Lahijan. Performing them in the spatial structure of the city in the past has formed connections between several networks and spaces across the city, and in general, has contributed to the formal-spatial coherence of the city. Today, despite the changes in the structure of the city, performing these rituals reminds one of the previous structures. From the perspective of meaning, processional rituals create memorable, meaningful and symbolic spaces, and give identity and a sense of possession to spaces. Moreover, the spatial structure of the rituals is reflected as a coherent and legible structure in the mind of citizens. From the perspective of activity, the most important aspects of the processional rituals are embracing more presence, providing more freedom for activity, creating a public domain, and being democratic; these in turn lead to strengthening neighborhoods, increasing public participation and processional unity. In conclusion, given the positive effects of processional rituals on the one hand, and the problems of the old and precious urban context on the other hand, these rituals can be considered as a potential in the city. If the conditions for performing the rituals and promoting their positive effects are prepared, they can be used in the regeneration and improvement of formal and functional aspects of the old context.

Unaccompanied children have personal identity problems due to the lack of kindness from their family and friends. Environment of orphanage as a domicile that they have settled is their only comrade. The main problems of them are an identity crisis, isolation, fear, and lack of social relationships and attachment. According to some studies, children’s sense of place has an important role in obtaining personal identity, so creating place attachment in such residential spaces is necessary. The feeling of fixation to this place, due to the role that sense of place plays in the formation of the child identity, is much more important for them than for normal children. In fact, the orphanage is a house of children which they live and are taught there. In discussing about settlements, creating a sense of place and also promoting children’s learning and interaction is required for the formation of their personality. Sense of place is a factor that has a great impact on shaping human identity. An important part of individual’s identity in the society is established in childhood and is based on collective and spatial memories as well as subjective images which underlie many social and personal characteristics such as anxiety reduction, self-esteem achievement and collective and interactive morale. As a result, the concept of sense of place and the factors contributing to creation of the sense, particularly in childhood years, is an important subject which will be discussed in this paper. In this survey, first unaccompanied children are introduces and their problems in the environment of orphanages are studied. To this end, necessity for creating the sense of place to solve some of these problems is perused. Further, sense of place, its factors and the role of each of them in improvement of accommodation spaces of the orphanages are noted. After considering mentioned study, the importance of physical factors, participation in the space designing and active-interactive parameters for developing the atmosphere of orphanage to create sense of place and space of domicile are pointed out. The results of the study suggest a tremendous impact of active and interactive factors in form of play-partnership, on manipulating the place by child himself and his/her contributions to designing and creating spaces and individual territories. Accordingly, proposed solutions are categorized and at the end for the practical testing of the noted factors, Ameneh Integrated Services Welfare Nursery as a sample has been studied. After considering the difficulties and problems, solutions and proposed patterns are presented in three major categories. Also In this case, psychological needs of children to have a safe and warm environment have been ignored and the settlement only provides a roof and shelter for the children. So it performs a review of the spaces and functional relationships at home, trying to offer a model for the design of such spaces.

The housing issue, as a longstanding and basic need of human being, has emerged as a new problem in the present era due to the population growth. The need for residential places has necessitated the transformation of traditional houses to apartments; and single-family housing has been replaced with multi -family housing. Tabriz city, as a metropolitan area in Iran, has been no exception and, therefore, followed the same path. One of the major issues in designing and planning the new residence pattern is providing a conceptual framework for determining, evaluating and diagnosis of the status quo. The present study aims to provide insight into the communal residence patterns, with two key questions: “Is it possible to assume a taxon, or taxa, of characteristics for residential complexes in Tabriz?”, and “which spatial qualities are generated by the defined typology of residential complexes in Tabriz?” The objective is to evaluate and diagnose these spatial qualities. To answer the research questions, first, there was a need to survey the status quo and to provide a framework for taxonomic classification of residential complexes. To achieve this framework, the relevant concepts and theories in residential complex design were reviewed and analyzed in order to provide an understanding of two domains: a) the criteria for typology of residential complexes and b) the criteria for evaluating the spatial qualities in various taxa of characteristics in residential complexes. The review of existing literature revealed two major criteria in classification of residential complexes: the height (number of floors), and adjacency of open/closed spaces. The literature review also identified the criteria to be used for examining the spatial qualities that are generated in various taxa of residential complexes. Those include: accessibility and permeability, distinction and readability, comfort and relaxation, social vitality and viability, safety and security, diversity and dynamics of the functions. Then, the spatial qualities in each taxon were analyzed based on these criteria. In the second phase of research, all residential complexes in Tabriz were identified by examining the city’s aerial photos and field visits. We then attempted to classify those with an emphasis on previously identified criteria. Finally, the identified taxa of residential complexes were qualitatively examined using environmental factors. The results achieved using ‘height’ as criterion indicate high frequency of low-raise residential complexes in Tabriz that is rooted in economic issues and feasibility of construction technology. Furthermore, the results achieved using ‘adjacency of open/closed spaces’ indicate high frequency of spread blocks as a strategy to overcome the space restrictions and to provide spatial diversity. Typology of residential complexes in Tabriz, using the two criteria simultaneously, shows a dominant linear taxon in low-rise complexes, a dominant spread taxon in mid-rise and high-rise complexes, high frequency of high-rise complexes in spread and free-standing taxa, and high frequency of low rise in other taxa. The assessment of the weaknesses of the typology would lead, in macro–scale to development of appropriate executive policies and strategies; in mid-scale, to design and implementation of optimal solutions; and in micro-scale, to favorable residential environments by meeting the residents’ needs and satisfaction.

Spread of imported residential patterns and ignoring indigenous patterns has destroyed the quality of today’s houses and has made it necessary to readout the pattern languages of Iranian homes to match it with the residents’ needs. Studying the theories of pattern language in housing suggests the following questions: (1) what are the component of patterns of events in traditional homes and modern houses? (2) What are the component of spatial patterns in traditional homes and modern houses? (3) How is the relationship between patterns of events and spatial patterns in traditional homes and modern houses? (4) What changes the passage of time has imposed on residence patterns? (5) What has changed, with changing in residence patterns, in relationship between patterns of events and spatial patterns in houses? The purpose of the research design is discovering the behavioral-spatial stress in habitation and removing them through revision of spatial organization and compatible patterns with lifestyle, culture and needs of the residents. The hypothesis of study is that each type of home is formed by specific behavior-physical patterns. The more dynamic and interconnected will be the spatial patterns and pattern of events, the more will be possible for residents to release their endogenous forces. The research has been developed in two sections. The research firstly defines the pattern language and semantic elements by content analyze approach. Patterns are concepts which go through former experiences, make continuity with the past and create a quality of the built environment and thereby give identity to the built environment. In fact the patterns are the results of experiences and collective wisdom of the community. Secondly it investigates the patterns of Zanjan’s homes in terms of spatial dimensions and dimensions of events. It also studies, using case study method, the interaction rate of these dimensions of traditional and contemporary samples of houses. Field studies are done by taking photographs and preparing the drawings of old and new houses in residential areas in Zanjan, in order to answer the research questions. The obtained data, according to the theoretical model of the study, has been converted into patterns and is presented accordingly. ‏Comparison of traditional houses and common houses today is done in three large, medium and small scales. The results indicate that form-oriented and functional design has led to neglect of social-conceptual organization of houses. It also shows that the role of pattern language of events (nature, feelings, behavior and emotion) as it could be seen in traditional houses, has been weakened in contemporary homes and space-behavior patterns of residence have been reduced to simplified space-activity patterns. According to the results, it is possible to strengthen the relationship between people and nature, effectively activate the senses of sight, smell, and touch at home, strengthen the dignity, diversity and flexibility of spaces and the possibility of cooperative interaction among family members and neighbors. It is also possible to strengthen the sense of attachment, self-esteem and memories of residents through recreation of spatial organization, various spaces and paying attention to detail of homes. Thus the language of behavioral-spatial patterns of house can be rehabilitated and the housing needs of people will be met and their residential motives will grow and evolve over time.

The way of formation of some geometric shapes and forms as ritual signs or symbols, and the reflection of these signs in architectural and urban spaces are the subject of this research. The aim of this paper is paying attention to the reasons of formation of square, circle, triangle, cube, sphere and pyramid as important and symbolic forms, and its second aim is to research about the reflection of these forms in urban and architectural spaces. The questions of the research are: why these geometric forms have become important? And how these forms have reflected in urban and architectural spaces? The theoretical framework of this research is based on the fact that worldview and culture in old societies had important role in formation of meaning for geometric forms. Historical-interpretation method has been used in this paper because the data was historic. The outlook, culture and some environmental phenomena are the independent variables, meanwhile symbolic geometric forms and their meanings, are the dependent variables. How geometric forms became symbols and what are the effective factors on this formation, are studied in this research. The reflections of these forms in the urban and architectural spaces in the historical periods are shown through a few examples. The statistical population is related to Iran, but because of some cultural exchanges between Iran and other countries and the existence of some common phenomena in outlook of the human in ancient civilizations such as the way of thinking about sun and moon and their role as well as the increasing importance of the motifs of circle and sphere, there are some data gathered from other countries. The result of research shows that outlook, culture, nature and some environmental factors and phenomena have important role in formation of geometric symbols which have been reflected in some urban and architectural spaces. It is necessary to pay attention that some geometric signs and symbols may have different meaning in various countries or in different periods. On the other hand, in some cases a sign can have several meaning or even in some cases several signs can have a similar meaning. Another important point is that all geometric shapes and forms that were used in architectural and urban spaces were not used for their symbolic meanings, so that in many cases, applied and functional aspects were the reason of using important shapes and forms. There is an important point to be noted, i.e. in every country there were some special geometric shapes and forms that became more important than the other forms; for example, pyramid in Egypt became more important than the other forms. Some examples have been given so that everybody can see the reflection of important shapes and forms in historical architecture and urbanism. The Taj Mahal in India is one of the best examples that shows how square were used several times in the complex without any functional reason, but it is obvious that they have been used for symbolic reasons.