Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

The Study and Analysis of the Future Prospects of Smart Regeneration Applications in Revitalizing the Central Fabric of Tehran Metropolis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ramin Ghorbani 1
Ahmad Pourahmad 2
Keramatollah Ziari 2
Saeed Zanganeh Shahraki 3
Kiumars Habibi 4
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Geography and Urban Planning, Department of Human Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Human Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Human Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4 Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
10.22034/uep.2024.471885.1525
Abstract
Introduction 
In recent years, urban regeneration has become a vital strategy for addressing the challenges many cities face, particularly in rapid urbanization and the need for sustainable development. Research in future studies related to the regeneration of urban core areas, primarily through the smart city approach, explores innovative solutions for revitalizing the urban core of megacities like Tehran. The concept of future studies involves systematically forecasting future trends and challenges, enabling urban planners and decision-makers to contemplate potential developments and design effective strategies. In Tehran, the urban core is characterized by a blend of historical significance and modern challenges, including traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and social inequalities. By employing future studies methodologies, stakeholders can identify key factors of change and emerging needs within the population. The smart city approach integrates technology and data analytics into urban planning, making urban resource management more responsive and efficient. This approach focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents through improved services, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Implementing smart technologies in Tehran could significantly contribute to the regeneration of its urban core. Furthermore, analyzing urban regeneration through the lens of future studies and innovative city principles underscores the importance of community engagement and participatory planning. Involving local communities in the decision-making process ensures that developed solutions not only address technical challenges but also align with the needs and aspirations of citizens. Ultimately, implementing a futures-oriented smart city approach can lead to a more sustainable and resilient urban core in Tehran, fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and an improved quality of life for its residents.
Materials and Methods
This study aims to provide scientific and practical solutions for the transformation and advancement of smart cities and their positive impact on urban regeneration in Iran. The research is designed as a developmental and applied study, divided into two key phases: cognitive and exploratory. In the cognitive phase, researchers collected data from various sources. To this end, diverse methods were employed, including literature reviews, document analysis, surveys, and expert interviews. In this phase, qualitative data were initially gathered through open-ended questionnaires and interviews. Additionally, quantitative data were compiled numerically using a weighting method based on Delphi questionnaires. The Delphi panel consisted of 29 members who were purposefully selected to participate. The goal of analyzing the collected information is to identify perspectives and critical points that influence developments related to smart regeneration using a meta-synthesis approach. A systematic review of the relevant literature defined and analyzed six main dimensions: physical and accessibility, functional, environmental, livability, economic, and social/cultural. Subsequently, 33 components and 107 indicators were extracted as critical criteria. These indicators were then presented to the Delphi group, where members were asked to rate each indicator and identify potential factors that could negatively affect the achievement of regeneration goals. In the exploratory phase, the focus is on understanding the opinions and viewpoints of stakeholders as a crucial factor. In this regard, efforts have been made to identify key drivers that influence the success or failure of the regeneration process by summarizing data and employing a systems approach and environmental analysis. Possible future scenarios have been examined and analyzed to facilitate optimal planning and strategic decision-making aimed at improving the current state of cities and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
Findings
In the first step, six dimensions, 33 components, and 107 indicators were extracted using the meta-synthesis method. In the exploratory phase, key drivers were identified to identify influential factors and utilize a systems approach along with environmental scanning. By outlining the current situation, potential future scenarios were recognized and analyzed. The results of the Delphi analysis indicate that smart regeneration will have a greater impact on the transformations and spatial reconstruction of Tehran’s urban core in the following dimensions: functional (0.3456), physical and accessibility (0.2345), social/cultural (0.1789), economic (0.1234), environmental (0.0678), and finally livability (0.0498). According to the research approach, the central area of Tehran can be divided into several discernible sub-areas. This division aims to define dominant and comprehensible sub-areas to provide smaller-scale and more accessible plans for each area based on the smart city approach while ensuring a balance among these components of the central region. Clarifying and identifying these areas within the old and central city will reveal excesses and deficiencies in each area, which can lead to potential assessment and future studies regarding the application of smart city principles. In the central area of Tehran, the following sub-areas can be distinguished:
1. Economic Area: This region is characterized by predominant commercial activities and a concentration of wholesale and retail shops.
2. Cultural-Educational Area: This area is associated with predominant cultural and tourism activities, which are currently facing degradation and disorder.
3. Residential Area: This now occupies only a small portion of these regions, where displacement and evacuation have contributed to unhealthy urban living conditions.
4. Administrative-Service Area: This area is currently more prominent due to its concentration of publishing houses, print shops, institutions, banks, hospitality services, etc.
An initial assessment of the spatial structure of the urban core indicates that urban construction and fabric are severely affected by deterioration, imbalance, inappropriate land use distribution, and fragmentation in the morphological structure. These issues particularly include inefficient spatial division of labor. According to the results, five key drivers will be crucial: designing flexible and modular systems; interpreting aesthetics and utilizing visual culture in event-driven regeneration; blending elements and regeneration processes with the surrounding environment; ensuring flexibility in functionality; and designing smart places. These factors will be elaborated upon based on a matrix that includes project staff participation, areas of responsibility, research and development, technical support, research management, resource allocation, and management. The overarching perspective of this research posits that the central fabric of Tehran (as functional-spatial cores) reproduces four special functions of a smart city and is moving towards greater intelligence: 1) development of commercial centers and malls; 2) development of specialized technology services; 3) development of supportive services, knowledge-based companies, and startups; and 4) transition from historical fabric to cultural-functional fabric.
Conclusion
Studies show that existing urban planning methods have been unable to address the issues of the historical fabric of Tehran, necessitating a new approach. The spatial and functional structure of central Tehran initially had a specific order, shaped by its natural and socio-economic characteristics. However, with historical changes and the emergence of modernism, this structure has undergone significant alterations and has become heterogeneous. The physical-spatial expansion, disproportionate distribution of land uses, and imbalanced population settlement have led to the emergence of inefficient urban fabrics. These areas, including historical and intermediate fabrics, suffer from low quality of life and face challenges such as inadequate housing, incompatible land uses, lack of green spaces, and insufficient infrastructure. If these problems are not addressed, they may escalate into larger issues in the future. Many urban regeneration approaches designed to organize inefficient areas have failed due to their one-dimensional perspective and lack of attention to human structures. The concept of smart regeneration has emerged as a comprehensive approach encompassing economic, environmental, cultural, and social dimensions. This approach can facilitate the process of addressing urban issues and ensure quality of life standards for both present and future generations. The management of regeneration in central locations should be structured to attract innovative ideas and systems that enhance social activities. Ultimately, the implementation of smart regeneration projects in the central fabric of Tehran requires collaboration between the government, the private sector, and civil society. Utilizing modern technologies and encouraging public participation can be key to the success of this process and ensure an improvement in residents’ quality of life. Establishing effective communication among citizens and creating suitable spaces for living and working can foster positive and sustainable transformations in the central fabric of Tehran.
Keywords
Central Urban Context
Smart City
Technology
Tehran Metropolis
Urban Regeneration

Subjects

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Urban Economics and Planning
Volume 5, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 80-105

  • Receive Date 05 August 2024
  • Revise Date 29 September 2024
  • Accept Date 30 September 2024