The purpose of my thesis is to define a restoration plan for green structure of Urmia city by considering cultural aspects of human lifestyle. The environmental crises are challenging the future of several cities around the world; Urmia city in Northwest of Iran, located near Urmia Lake is not an exception. This lake is an important internationally recognized natural area designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Maps and satellite images show the tragedy of water decline during 30 years, led to an environmental disaster from increased salinity and negative effects on ecosystems, agriculture, livelihoods, and health. This lake is experiencing the similar problem …show more content…
Many studies were conducted on the effect of drying lakes, they show the extended social, economic and environmental aspects of this phenomenon. Past experiences indicates that planning for this kind of consequences are not possible just by physical planning strategies in cities, and a more profound approach is needed; which could consider culture and environment together. Thus, the Eco-city approach was chosen to investigate, because based on studies, this approach aims to make a balance between natural and built environment by enhancing the knowledge of society and encourage them for participation. The thesis is composed of four chapters, each of them presents a different section of research process based on strategic plan process. The methodology to develop this thesis was a literature review, field analysis, expert interviews, questioner of local residents, AHP analysis, and scientific …show more content…
To investigate the Urmia city, relating documents were researched and some field analysis were done. This chapter consists of Three parts. In part One through the field and document studies, damaged green structure of Urmia was identified such as filled and ruined rivers, water channels, and gardens. In part Two, the most unsustainable part of the resident’s lifestyle investigated by filling a questioner which is relying on the car in mobility. In the third part highlights the major cultural, environmental, historical, and economic destinations of the residents in the whole city. For this reason, a questionnaire along with GIS databases was used.
Chapter Three is subdivided into two parts and provides analytical results of the study. In part one, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used for analyzing the hierarchy of the destinations. The results presented the environmental, historical and cultural nodes of Urmia and their locations. In the second part by overlaying the transportation network (pedestrian, public and private), destinations and ecological structures by ArcGIS software planning area were