Document Type : Scientific-Research
Authors
1
PhD student in Geography and Urban Planning, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2
Associate Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3
Associate Professor of Physical Geography, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
4
Assistant Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Metropolises over the globe, especially those of developing countries, are currently confronted with an array of formidable challenges. A remarkable challenge is the rapid and increasing pace of urbanization. This swift demographic shift has not only augmented the number and population size of cities but has also boosted their physical expansion, and generated many urban issues. One such profound consequence, which has contributed to the uncontrolled proliferation of cities, is vertical urban development and the construction of multi-story buildings. It is increasingly evident that high-rise apartment structures are a remarkable characteristic of high-density urban life. This phenomenon serves a dual function: on the one hand, it addresses pressing urban dilemmas such as land scarcity, housing shortages, optimization of urban infrastructure, and the mitigation of horizontal sprawl; on the other hand, it simultaneously generates a host of new challenges and problems. The adverse effects are heightened population and building density, disruption to essential utility and service infrastructure, and detrimental physical-spatial and environmental impacts on the urban space. This matter is so significant that the necessity for a high-rise development strategy is now more conspicuous than ever. Over the history, high-rise buildings have been viewed as a sign of societal technological advancement, a symbol of the power of advanced cities, a response to severe demographic increases, and the dearth of land required for appropriate residential buildings. Moreover, with escalating land prices, vertical expansion is now viewed an inevitable issue. Vertical expansion of cities, however, mandates a particular focus on the quality of the urban environment alongside considering the density and height. There exists a mutual relationship between the
phenomenon of high-rise construction and the urban environment. Considering the mentioned issues about the impact of high-rise development on urban change, a glance at Iranian cities reveals an inappropriate state of affairs. Over the past few decades, this issue has engendered numerous problems, including the disorganization of urban land uses, the inequitable distribution of municipal services, the prevalence of unstandardized construction practices, excessive increases in population and structural density, and severe negative impacts on the ecological condition of the urban spaces. Considering the necessity for strategic planning regarding environmental change and its role in urban high-rise construction, this study examined the Kianpars neighborhood of Ahvaz. The aim was to delineate the criteria for high-rise development (i.e., social, economic, physical, and infrastructural) and then to elucidate the status of these components in the neighborhood. Accordingly, the main question was as follows: What are the most critical components of high-rise development influencing urban environmental change in the Kianpars neighborhood?
Method
This applied research used a mixed-method approach. The primary data collection instruments were interviews and a questionnaire. Following a comprehensive review of the related literature and expert consultation, 40 urban planning and high-rise development specialists were identified. Then, the internal relationships among the identified enabling factors were explored through the application of the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) method.
Results
Regarding the driving power (the influence power of each factor upon others), ten indicators related to high-rise construction and their impacts on urban environmental changes in the Kianpars neighborhood of Ahvaz were determined. The results indicated that the economic, physical factors of the high-rise building indicators, the physical-spatial indicator among the environmental quality indicators with a power of influence of 10 had the most impact. Moreover, the results showed that the social indicator among the high-rise building indicators and the functional-economic indicator and traffic access among the environmental quality indicators have a total power of influence of 8, the local indicator and infrastructures have the total power of influence of 7, the landscape comfort indicator has a power of influence of 6, and the socio-cultural indicator has a power of influence of 5. Regarding the dimensions, the results indicated that the three indicator with a influence power of 10 is one of the core dimensions of the impacts of high-rise development on urban environmental changes in the Kianpars neighborhood of Ahvaz.
Discussion and Conclusion
The outputs of the Interpretive Structural Model (ISM) showed that high-rise construction have a significant positive influence on urban environmental changes. That
is, the variables examined in this study account for over 90% of the observed high-rise development in Kianpars neighborhood. Moreover, the results showed that the economic, physical, and the physical-spatial indicators are, respectively, the most crucial factors influencing direct and indirect urban high-rise construction and urban changes. The validation of the causal pathways for these variables confirms this issue. Considering the results, and since a city operates as a complex system (that is, urban environmental indicators are inherently interconnected), one can conclude that the indicators of urban high-rise construction and urban changes are highly connected. Consequently, any minor change in these variables is liable to make other fundamental systemic changes. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully consider any changes while planning and making policies for cities.
Keywords
Subjects
