Regeneration of Urban Riverside's Worn-Out Textures The Case Study of Urban Worn-out Textures of the Abshuran Riverside in Kermanshah

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Architecture (Urban Design), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Architecture, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran

3 Department of Civil, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran

4 Department of Islamic Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

A B S T R A C T
Lack of paying attention to environmental considerations and attitudes in urban planning and simplification of natural patterns in the urban context, including rivers, will cause changes in their development processes and serious damage to their natural systems. Some of the inter-city riverside spaces are spaces where the Worn-Out and old texture of cities is usually formed next to them. Such spaces have capacities that can become a beautiful urban landscape. Kermanshah city is one of the cities that have these natural elements, but have been neglected. One of these rivers is the Abshuran River, which has caused many problems due to lack of paying attention to it. The present study was an attempt to answer the question of what should be considered in regenerating worn-out urban structures alongside the urban rivers. The research method is descriptive-analytical and the method of data collection is field and documentary study (library) methods. Factor analysis method in Spss software was used to analyze the data. In the present study, main indicators for functional, identity-meaning, social-cultural, etc. dimensions were obtained, which were loaded in the form of 4 significant factors. The results showed that ranking of the study area neighborhoods based on the factor scores obtained for each of them is Baq Ney, Feyz Azabad, Toopkhaneh and Chal Darvish, respectively. The main results of the study suggest that none of the study areas is in a favorable status in terms of regeneration components and integrated and comprehensive planning is required in this regard.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Nowadays, worn-out structures are one of the most critical challenges facing cities, and finding a way to improve their quality of life requires an integrated and comprehensive approach. Lack of attention to environmental considerations and attitudes in urban planning and simplifying natural patterns in the urban context, including rivers, will cause changes in their development processes and serious damage to their natural systems. Some inter-city riverside spaces are ones where the old texture of cities is usually formed next to them. Such spaces have capacities that can become a beautiful urban landscape. Finding a solution to improve the quality of life in urban issues requires an integrated and comprehensive approach to a balanced and comprehensive approach to deal with various socio-economic and physical problems in these urban areas. Advancing such an approach is not compatible with the current administrative structures in Iran and often faces serious challenges Another point that should be considered is that uncontrolled and unplanned physical development in recent decades has limited natural ecosystems' ecological capacity and capability and has imposed harmful impacts on the environment, such as air, water, soil, and natural environmental degradation. Naturalness around the city, etc. has been one of its consequences. Lack of paying attention to environmental considerations and attitudes in urban planning and simplification of natural patterns in the urban context, such as valleys, rivers, forest edges, and shores, leads to changes in their development and shaping processes and, finally, causes serious damage to their natural systems.  Due to the non-generality of such spaces in stabilizing the urban life system, it is necessary to pay a special attention to these areas and efforts should be made to develop different scientific principles and rules for them.   Some of the spaces in inter-city riversides are spaces, where the old texture of cities is usually formed next to them. Such spaces can become beautiful urban landscapes. Kermanshah city is one of the cities that
 
have these natural decorative elements but have been neglected. One of these rivers is the Abshuran River, which lack of paying attention to it in recent decades has caused several social and environmental problems for residents.
 
Methodology
The present study was part of descriptive-analytical researches. Field and documentary (library) study methods were used to collect data. Data collection tools also included questionnaire, interview, observation and note taking, database, internet and satellite networks (Google Earth). A systematic random sampling method was used in this study. The factor analysis method in SPSS software was exerted to analyze the data.
 
Results and discussion
In the present study, four neighbourhoods alongside the Abshuran River were examined. They were classified into three levels of very weak, weak, and moderate in terms of regeneration of worn-out texture. Based on the factor analysis method, 13 indicators were reduced to 4, including management, identity-meaning, economic, and socio-cultural. Four factors, accounted for 70.118% of the aggregated variance, which is a good percentage for factor analysis and studied variables. In terms of management factor (Factor 1), every four neighbourhoods of Chal Darvishan, Topkhaneh, Feyz Abad and BaqNey are undesirable, but the situation is slightly different in terms of identity-meaning factor.  Chal Darvishan and Feyz Abad neighbourhoods with a bit difference and Topkhaneh neighbourhood are undesirable, because they are part of the old and central neighbourhoods of Kermanshah. The study areas have a similar and somewhat unfavorable situation regarding the fourth factor (socio-cultural) and economic factors.
 
Conclusion
Lack of paying attention to rivers and weak management of riverside spaces have turned these vital and valuable elements and their surrounding areas into one of the most dysfunctional areas in cities, which usually face significant environmental and social challenges. Additionally, their role and economic opportunities for citizens, in general, have been neglected. In recent decades, serious and valuable efforts have been made to manage some cities of Iran to organize and rehabilitate urban rivers and these efforts have re-considered the river as a natural and constructive heritage of life of cities. They have resulted in avoiding measures such as covering rivers and removing them from the city's natural and public spaces.   Examining the study area in the present study reflects that it has faced several problems due to the negligence of officials and people and under the influence of urban growth and development over the years. Its surrounding environment has also been affected and caused dissatisfaction among residents and citizens. The results show that the studied neighborhood's area rankings are Baq Ney, Feyz Aabad, Topkhaneh, and Chal Darvishan, respectively. However, the important point is that none of the neighbourhoods are in good status and integrated and comprehensive planning is required.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Keywords


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