Developing a "Low-Carbon Neighborhood Model" in Order to Implement It in the Urban Planning & Design

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor,, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art & , Architecture ,, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

2 M.A in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art & , Architecture ,, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

3 Master Degree Student, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art & , Architecture ,, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Background: The "low-carbon" approach emerged as a goal for the economy, society and the city at the beginning of the last century. This approach has been pursued in recent years at the micro and the urban “neighborhood” scales. But it seems that in the scientific literature of the urbanism in our country, especially at the neighborhood scale, it has not been sufficiently addressed.
Objectives: This study seeks to develop the theoretical model of "the low-carbon neighborhood" with the help of the local experts and with an indigenous approach to prioritize its indicators in order to apply them in the urban planning and design strategies and to study their effect.
Methodology: To this end, while utilizing the library studies, more than 30 scientific sources on the low-carbon development, and the components and indicators of the "low-carbon neighborhood" have been identified and categorized. Then, using a matrix-based questionnaire, 9 of the researchers who studied in this area examined the influence of the components and indicators on the realization of the low-carbon neighborhood. The survey data were analyzed using the combined "Danp" method and the low-carbon neighborhood model was formulated and analyzed in the form of the 6 components and 19 indicators. The main components in this model were "form", "access", "user and activity", "natural environment", "facilities and infrastructure", and "local community".
Results: Findings showed that in the realization of low-carbon neighborhood the most important component was "local community" and the most important indicators were "culture-raising and public awareness" and "public participation". In the category of "component" indicators, "contextual fabric" and "compactness" were identified as the most effective indicators in the realization of low-carbon neighborhood. In this analytical model, "local community" and "form" were identified as the affective factors (cause) and the other four components as the being affected components (effect).
Conclusion: Considering the priorities in achieving a neighborhood with the minimal renewable energy consumption and the minimal pollution emission -as followed in this paper- is a goal that the academic community should seriously demand from the authorities involved in decision-making.

Highlights

Classification of the components and indicators of a "low-carbon neighborhood" and determining the degree of effectiveness and prioritization of indicators

Developing a conceptual model for a "low-carbon neighborhood" in order to assess the situation of areas and neighborhoods in the country's cities with a low-carbon approach.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 January 2020
  • Revise Date: 15 February 2020
  • Accept Date: 08 April 2020

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