Transit-Oriented Development in Iran; Introducing a Functional System

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Urban planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Bojnord

Abstract

Introduction: Sustainable mobility cannot necessarily include developing public transit infrastructure with insufficient demand, limited accessibility, an unattractive physical environment for active transportation, and convenient car ownership and use. On this, quality public transit infrastructure equipped with new urban developments around the stations (with high local access) under changing public policies has made the basic foundation of urban movement and development integration known as Transit Oriented Development (TOD). A few studies have been conducted on TOD, mostly as local case studies focused on the physical features of urban environments, including density, land use mix, and urban design. However, limited studies have focused on policymaking, planning, implementation, and affective factors. The present study sheds light on the integration between urban movement and development under the TOD idea in Iran. It addresses the challenges, opportunities, and requisites for integration in Iran and how this can reach its objectives in Iranian cities successfully. The present study is organized into four main sections. After the problem statement and a literature review, the second section describes the research methodology and elaborates on why and how such a model is employed. Section 3 analyses the research context (Iranian cities) concerning the model factors. The results are then discussed, the interrelationships and inter-system impacts are delineated, and implications are made for developing the integration approach in Iran.
Methodology: This study uses the analytical model of the Functional System based on Systems Theory and Complexity, which configures the relationships among all influencing factors, including Demand for such a kind of development model, Supply from role players, and the Context of Iranian cities
The model helps identify opportunities and challenges related to each factor, public needs, what can be done to address them, and to what extent such actions are convergent and effective. Previous studies inspire the present research to select the TOD categories and sub-categories. The analyses on the case of Iran are then realized by using local journal papers, technical reports, policy documents, regulations, design guides, surveys, etc.
Results: Demand. Firstly, citizens' needs and the potential of the integration approach to address them were investigated. Although it is required to conduct a detailed study using public surveys, for instance, efforts are made to make connections between them based on studying documents and direct field surveys—the urban context in Iran. Studying diverse factors associated with the context of Iranian cities helps to understand the ruling circumstances on "supply" actions by policymakers, planners, and practitioners. The present study categorizes such factors into four groups: Spatio-Physical, Social, Economic, and Policy-Governance. Supply. Although clear "demands" are raised from urban communities in Iran, "supplied" efforts at local and national levels have been partial, divergent, and with no clear impact on addressing public needs, so the integration has not yet been well-structured in Iran. Surely, this is the consequence of different social, economic, physical, and policy determinants with varying levels of direct and indirect impacts.
Discussion: The present study used the Functional System model to determine prospects, challenges, and requirements for developing an integrated urban development and movement model and influencing factors in Iran. The results showed that the model can help policymakers, planners, and practitioners better understand the country's situation and the needs that affect supply efforts. It is now clear to Iranian policymakers that transit-oriented policies tend not to be effective unless other policies and actions (e.g., subsidized fuel) are coordinated (Fig. 2). Also, the author recommends using the model when considering other urban issues than TOD in Iran thanks to its potential to provide a holistic view of the urban situation.
Fig. 2. The impacts of urban context factors on actions from policymaking to implementation
Conclusion: The study proposes further detailed investigations for each model's factor. More information about "demand" can be gathered through direct surveys using a bottom-up process. To make the TOD planning potentials and challenges precise, further studies may interview Iranian professionals in the field. It can be reiterated once more to discuss the "context" factor. It is highly recommended to consider a range of cities, urban fabric types, and citizens across Iran to increase the research's generalisability.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Urban Planning Knowledge
Volume 8, Issue 2
2024
Pages 1-16

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  • Receive Date: 02 December 2023
  • Revise Date: 18 February 2024
  • Accept Date: 08 December 2024

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