In the heart of Tehran, District 18, a transformation is on the horizon, one that could redefine urban redevelopment and offer a blueprint for sustainable city planning worldwide. A groundbreaking study, led by Zohre Fanni, an Associate Professor at the Department of Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, has identified key abandoned spaces ripe for revitalization, with significant implications for the energy sector and beyond.
Fanni’s research, published in the journal ‘توسعه پایدار شهری’ (Urban Sustainable Development), focuses on the redevelopment priorities of abandoned urban spaces in Tehran’s District 18. The study is a beacon of hope for urban planners and energy stakeholders alike, as it provides a strategic vision for infill development, a process that could enhance land use efficiency and contribute to the city’s sustainable growth.
The research begins by examining the environmental, physical, social, and economic consequences of abandoned lands. Fanni explains, “Proper planning could enhance the deficiency and contribute to prepare the needed land uses of cities.” By identifying and evaluating these spaces, the study aims to optimize the use of unused and abandoned lands, a critical step in avoiding urban unsustainability.
Out of the total 57,008 land plots in the region, 15 unified land plots were determined as abandoned spaces, including sand quarries, abandoned warehouses, and factories. The study then employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis method to evaluate the redevelopment plan based on indicators of sustainable and intelligent development. This method, combined with adapted GIS maps, provided a comprehensive assessment of the land use capacity of these abandoned spaces.
The results are compelling. The study identified Land 1, spanning 189.8364 hectares, as the priority for redevelopment planning. This land, once abandoned, now stands as a symbol of potential, ready to be transformed into a hub of economic activity, potentially benefiting the energy sector through innovative, sustainable practices.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. For the energy sector, the redevelopment of these spaces could pave the way for green energy initiatives, smart grids, and sustainable infrastructure. Moreover, the study’s approach to infill development could serve as a model for other cities grappling with abandoned lands, offering a pathway to sustainable urban growth.
Fanni’s work is a testament to the power of strategic planning and sustainable development. As cities around the world grapple with urban sprawl and abandoned lands, this study offers a roadmap for transformation. It’s a call to action for urban planners, energy stakeholders, and policymakers to rethink our cities, to see potential where others see abandonment, and to build a sustainable future.
The research, published in ‘توسعه پایدار شهری’ (Urban Sustainable Development), is a significant contribution to the field of urban planning and sustainable development. It’s a reminder that our cities are not static entities but dynamic, evolving spaces that can be shaped and reshaped to meet our needs. And in the heart of Tehran, District 18, that transformation is just beginning.