An Investigation into the Scattered Urban Development of the City of Boroujerd and Suggestions for Inner-City Development

Subject Areas :

H. Sheykhi ¹ , K. Zaker haghighi ² , S. Mansoori ³

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Received: 2013-08-25 Accepted : 2014-04-21 Published : 2014-01-21

Keywords: Inner development, horizontal growth and spraw, Smart Growth, boroujerd city,

Abstract :

  Urban sprawl and scattered development are the most conspicuous features of the majority of the cities in western Iran. Urban sprawl in Iran in the recent years may have emanated from a number of significant contributing factors, such as natural population growth, migration of rural population to urban areas, urban centralization and activity, housing needs, and residential housing speculation. Among the adverse consequences of urban sprawl and scattered development are deterioration of farmlands and orchards in rural regions and suburban areas and the destruction of natural city landscapes. The purpose of the present research project is to randomly investigate the principal factors contributing to urban sprawl in the city of Boroujerd and to assess the potentials for urban development of the city by using various approaches-particularly the smart growth approach. The research was conducted mainly using the descriptive-analytical method of the applied functional type, drawing mostly upon library sources and occasionally upon field studies. This research project initially verifies the conditions of urban sprawl and scattered development in the city of Boroujerd by drawing upon official data, statistics, and documents pertaining to urban development as well as by using applied Shannon Entropyand Heldren models, and quarter distribution. Subsequently, after determining the indices for urban development, the project proceeds to investigate the potentials for infill development in dual-purpose areas in the city of Boroujerd. Based on the results of the research and the availability of 223 hectares of grey field, 94 hectares of brown field, and 479 hectares of worn-out land in Boroujerd, this research project has determined that the city has considerable potentials for infill development and is perfectly capable of preventing urban sprawl and horizontal growth.