Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Infill Design of Valuable Historical Urban Contexts Using “Accurate Visual Representation” (Case Study: The Main Axis of Pamenar)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sajedeh Nazari Majd 1
Amir Hosein Azimpour 2
1 Master of Urban Design, School of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
2 Ph.D candidate of urban planning and Design, School of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran
10.22034/uep.2025.519127.1632
Abstract
Introduction 
Since the 1960s, discourses surrounding urban design and its relationship with historical contexts have become a primary concern for planners and architects. Today, integrated approaches and sustainable development represent the dominant discourse in this field, within which “infill development” emerges as a strategy for revitalizing old urban fabrics and preventing their decay. However, integrating new architecture into historical contexts poses a significant challenge, requiring meticulous attention to architectural and aesthetic characteristics to maintain harmony with the urban heritage. A fundamental problem in contemporary cities, particularly in historical areas, is the visual chaos caused by uncoordinated designs, where each property owner designs their building’s facade with no attention to adjacent structures based solely on personal interests. This leads to a fragmented and chaotic urban landscape, reinforcing the need for specific facade design regulations. The Pamenar neighborhood, one of the oldest and most valuable districts of old Tehran within the Oudlajan area, is a prime example of these challenges. With its rich history, this neighborhood requires special attention to the visual appearance of its public axes. In response to this need, the present study utilizes the “Accurate Visual Representation” (AVR) technique to assess the cultural landscape and guide sustainable development in historical contexts. Accordingly, the main research question is: How can the AVR technique and the identification of key visual quality indicators be leveraged to develop effective strategies and regulations for designing infill buildings in the historical context of Pamenar that enhance its identity and vitality while ensuring harmony with the historical landscape?. The study’s objectives include identifying significant visual quality indicators, determining the role of visual monitoring tools in the design process, and ultimately formulating design regulations for infill buildings of this neighborhood. While previous research has primarily employed descriptive-analytical methods, this study utilizes a mixed-method approach focusing on residents’ perspectives to provide practical solutions and enrich the existing body of knowledge in this field.
Materials and Methods
The present research is descriptive and applied in its objective, employing a mixed-method analysis to investigate visual identity in the design of infill buildings in the Pamenar neighborhood of Tehran. Data were collected through literature reviews, field observations, semi-structured interviews, and the primary research tool, a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed using a five-point Likert scale, and its validity was confirmed by three experts in urban planning and architecture.
The statistical population consisted of the residents of the Pamenar neighborhood. The sample size was estimated at 68 individuals using the Cochran formula, with a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. Snowball sampling was applied to select the participants. The theoretical framework of the research is based on Carmona’s (2021) six components of urban environmental quality: physical, perceptual, social, visual, functional, and temporal. Data analysis was conducted in a subjective (through the questionnaire) and an objective (using the AVR model) manner. As an advanced tool, the AVR technique combines real-world images (photographs) with 3D models of proposed designs to provide an accurate and realistic visual representation of the future urban landscape. This assessment was performed at four standard levels: Level 0 (determining location and size), Level 1 (adding visibility), Level 2 (adding architectural form), and Level 3 (adding materials). To ensure accuracy, each AVR assessment was accompanied by a “Method Statement” detailing the technical aspects and decisions made. Finally, an expert panel of 14 members was formed to formulate the final regulations, and through theoretical saturation, design strategies and regulations were extracted and validated.
Findings
The demographic analysis revealed that the sample was predominantly young (91.17% aged 20-40), educated (82.35% held a bachelor’s degree), and comprised diverse perspectives, including pedestrians, employees, and residents. The descriptive analysis of the questionnaire responses (Table 2) unveiled significant challenges and potentials within the Pamenar context. The most critical finding was the “low coherence between new and old buildings,” which 30.88% of respondents rated as “very low,” highlighting the main challenge in infill design. Satisfaction with key visual elements such as the “skyline” (32.35% moderate)  and “color schemes of public spaces” (42.65% moderate) was also average. In contrast, a significant strength was identified: the “impact of historical landmarks and unique architecture on the area’s identity,” which 32.35% rated as “very high”. Furthermore, a strong preference for traditional materials like “brick” (38.24% high) and “composite materials” (39.71% high) was observed, providing significant potential for context-based designs. The presence of “attention-grabbing and pausing spaces” (32.35% very high) indicated the neighborhood’s high capacity for social interaction. In the objective analysis section, the AVR technique was applied to three case studies along the central axis of Pamenar. The results confirmed the effectiveness of this technique in providing design solutions: AVR0 & AVR1: Optimal locations for construction were identified that minimized negative impacts on the historical landscape and were harmonious with the street’s visual rhythm.
AVR2: Architectural forms were designed to match the traditional proportions of the neighborhood, reinforcing contextual harmony while allowing for innovation. AVR3: By proposing materials such as brick and stone, which aligned with residents’ preferences, designs with the highest level of visual coherence were created. A comparative analysis showed that Level 3 (AVR3) designs achieved 85% alignment with historical context criteria (including scale, materials, and facade rhythm). This finding proved AVR’s capacity to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation and create a common visual language.
Conclusion
This research successfully developed an operational framework for designing infill buildings in the historical context of Pamenar using the AVR technique. The findings revealed that although there is currently low coherence between new and old buildings, the community’s strong recognition of historical identity and preference for traditional materials provide a valuable foundation for future developments. Responding directly to the research question, the AVR technique is an effective and systematic tool for formulating infill design strategies and guidelines. Enabling accurate visualization and refinement of designs ensures harmony with the historical landscape of Pamenar. Specifically, AVR directly addresses the challenge of low coherence by determining optimal locations (Level 0), ensuring compatibility with the visual rhythm (Level 1), defining appropriate forms (Level 2), and selecting harmonious materials (Level 3). By providing realistic previews, the tool also helps improve elements like the skyline and color schemes, for which satisfaction was moderate. Compared to previous studies, this research, while confirming the potential for adaptive reuse in historical contexts (similar to AlGilani, 2020, and Bouchani et al., 2021), offers a more innovative and practical approach than earlier general frameworks by employing the precise tool of AVR. The primary strength of this study is the introduction of AVR as a tool that reduces reliance on subjective interpretation, increases precision, and not only enhances visual coherence but also facilitates consensus-building among stakeholders. Finally, based on the consensus of an expert panel, a comprehensive set of design guidelines was presented across six components—social, physical, perceptual, visual, functional, and temporal (Table 3)—which can serve as a practical resource for the sustainable development of historical neighborhoods. For future research, it is recommended that the long-term impacts of AVR-implemented designs be studied, and participatory models should be developed using this technique.
Keywords
AVR Technique
Building Facade
Historical Context
Infill Buildings
Pamenar Street
Urban Design

Subjects

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Urban Economics and Planning
Volume 6, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 20-37

  • Receive Date 26 April 2025
  • Revise Date 25 May 2025
  • Accept Date 07 June 2025