Urban Planning for Heritage Cities

UNESCO Tehran and Shahid Beheshti University Discussed Urban Planning for Heritage Cities

A Technical Seminar concerning Methodological Intervention in Deteriorated Urban Spaces was co-organized by the Iranian Society of Consulting Engineers, UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office, National Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran Municipality’s Research and Planning Center and ICOMOS Iran took place on 1 February 2011 in Tehran, I.R. of Iran.

Keynote speaker Dr Simon Bell, M.Phil in Landscape Architecture from the University of Edinburgh presented the application of space syntax, as a methodology for planning interventions for deteriorated urban spaces, notably heritage and historic areas, in favour of the disadvantaged community members within societies. Together with Mr Omid Rismanchian, Ph.D candidate, Dr Bell presented a case study – a work in progress applying space syntax to a deteriorated district in Tehran Municipality – to demonstrate the methodology which could be applied for planning urban upgrading interventions within heritage and historic cities.

The seminar was chaired by Mr Ahmad Saeednia. Expert panel members present were Mr Naser Barati, Ms Junko Taniguchi from UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office, and Mr Kamran Zekavat. After the keynote presentation by Dr Bell, the panel and audience discussed strengths and challenges of the application of space syntax for planning interventions for heritage cities, underscoring the critical importance of the participatory process with community members, as well as environmental

This seminar was organized within the framework of the Iranian Consortium for Enhanced Urban Planning for Heritage Cities, established in 2006 after UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office provided catalytic and technical support.

• Source:UNESCO Tehran
• 21-02-2011