DESIGN CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SETTLEMENTS IN ARID COASTAL REGION OF IRAN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND CONSERVATION : CASE STUDY OF BANDAR LENGEH AND BANDAR KONG

Abstract

The study concerns with planning and design criteria for development of settlements in the Arid Coastal Zones of Iran along the Persian Gulf, with special referen-ee to Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Kong. The study consists of nine chapters, each chapter is further subdivided into different sections. The first chapter deals with Arid Coastal Zones in general, the Persian Islamic settlements in these zones and the impact of major factor influencing the built forms. The second chapter gives an idea about background of Iran, the regional context and the factual information available on climatical, geology, geographical and socio- economic aspects of the region. The third chapter is the study of physical and non-physical aspects of the two settlements. The physical studies are the outcome of six months field work at the site. It covers the planning and urban design studies of the two settlements, Chapter 4 deals with the evaluation of plans and programmes already proposed, to review their feasibility from implementation point of view. Chapter 5, deals with peculiar ecological consideration of Arid Coastal Zones, i.e., positive and negative impacts of floodways and runoff on the settlements. The surveys done by the author and the results are presented in Chapter 3, 4 and 5. The literature study of the already proposed Master plans lead to the identification of many problems evident in these zones which have been grouped together and are presented in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 is devoted to the synthesis of planning criteria in relation to landuse and town structure. This information serves as a feed-in for the Chapter 8; that addresses itself to the urban Design Criteria, Development and revitalization of these settlements. Chapter 9 brings out important conclusions and recommendation to highlight the achievement of the study. The study is amply illustrated with relevant drawings and graphics. THE OBJECTIVES, LIMITATIONS AND METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY "• The study endeavours to gather and analyze empirical evidence on the planning and design of settlements in arid coastal zone of Iran along Persian Gulf with the following aims and objectives in focus. 1. Because of the loose connotation given to arid coastal zones and treating these as synonymous with the arid areas at large; the first objective of the thesis is to define the arid coastal zones, in specific terms -- to clearly understand the underlying nuances of such a climate. 2. To prepare an inventory of the characteristics of two typical coastal settlements of Bandar Kong and Bander Lengeh with the consideration that the methodology developed in their study could be usefully deployed in the study of other similar settlements in future. 3. To understand the hydrolytic process that governs the run off in the area and their impact on the ecosystem of the region and morphology of the selected settlements. V;. 4. To study the characteristics of the urban form of the selected settlements with special emphasis on the design qualities of its architecture inherited from Persian and Islamic influences. 6. To study and understand the current disposition of these selected communities in all their ramifications. Highlighting the causes of their growth and development over time. Critically reviewing their current social, economic and physical disposition. 6. To study and critically review the contents of the Master Plans proposed in the last two years for the growth and development of these settlements. Isolate causes which Impeded their implementation. 7. To evolve an appropriate philosophy of planning and design criteria suited to the growth and development of small settlements In arid coastal regions. 8. To demonstrate through new plan proposals, (based on derived planning standards and design criteria) for Bandar Kong and Bandar Lengeh that it is quite feasible, and in fact most essential that expanding demands of urbanization can be successfully met both by inward development and outward expansion without obliterating the cultural heritage and without damaging the ecological character of the area. » FIELD WORK Due to lack of adequate information, a strong need was felt to study real situation of the settlements on site, update the site information so as to generate a reliable primary information base to create an authenticity of the research goals. To clear the bases for recommendations and policies a proper study of factual aspects and the analysis of their interaction have been done through field survey. This establishes a system for covering the entire area with equal attention to provide multiple opinions in subjective analysis to reduce personal bias. The field survey was carried out in winter of 1987 and spring of 1988, which covered many aspects of urban planning and design. Most of the items presented in Chapter 3. 4 and 6 are the outcome of the aforesaid field survey. Updating of the maps, the condition of structure, circulation net work, architecture and urban design studies and feed back to the already proposed Master plan, housing studies and land ownership, the eco-system study and problem identification are based on the surveys conducted by the author. The author's own photographic equipment was used for the field survey, and urban design studies were done through sketches made on the site. The study of floodways, green spaces, and water storage tanks are the important parts of the field survey which helped to determine the factors which have led and continue to affect existing eco-system of the environment and providing suggestion to maintain the system and its future improvement regarding vegetation cover and water supply. Besides diagnosis of the problems, the field survey helped to investigate the state of historical core of the settlements, tracing the morphological development, analyzing their problems and constituent urban and architectural elements. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY The research has been limited to defining the arid coastal zone of Iran, its urban design and architectural qualities. An Introduction to Persian architecture, a brief on the regional aspects of the settlements of Bandar Kong and Bander Lengeh. A broad level review of the plans already proposed with focus on finalizing the major circulation plan, the study of special quality of environment and ecosystem, problem identification, synthesis and criteria for developing major concept to develop the neighborhood and other city sectors. Considering, circulation system, climatlcal aspects, layout of various open and urban spaces and locating the facilities proposed in the master plan. The scope will be limited to the design demonstration and application of criteria in the old core, transit zone and future expansion areas.The regional interferences are out of the scope of this thesis. METHODOLOGY In general, the manner adopted to do the thesis included three major phases, i.e. research, investigation, analysis and synthesis ( study, analysis and proposals). The first step which is survey or research is assembling of the facts and data which have consequences for the design outcome. The second which is analysis or the making of value judgments. This is about the effects of one fact upon another. The last step can be called synthesis or the weaving of the results of the study and analysis into a comprehensive form and organization of solution to the problem. The strict chronological order discussed above may not be followed for there have been much feed back and interplay among them. The detail break up of the methodology followed has been shown in the following figure.