International Journal of

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Quality is the most important consequence of an urban design project, and its promotion is the final duty of an urban designer. So "urban design guidelines" which use environmental improvement factors in their structure, have an effective role in promoting urban space quality. "Urban design guidelines" are the most important instruments in urban designers' authority, to reflect and appear improvement plans in urban spaces and create the bridge between research (theoretic studies) and practice (professional efforts). The paper guidelines are generic statements that specify the goals, the design pattern for achieving them and the evidence supporting the linkage between goal and pattern. On the other hand, decisions about how to address the issue of parking are among the most important in making the city center a high-quality place for people. The city center cannot have a pedestrian orientation, a concentrated diversity of uses, or a continuity of street-level activity if parking is not well designed. Attention to varied types of existing parking in city center area (such as on-street parking, surface lots or parking structures), the main idea of this paper is to promote the quality of city center spaces, by using different urban design guidelines.

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Living in satisfying urban environments is important for an individual’s well-being. In order to create such environments, planners, designers, and policy makers need to understand the structures that cause residents to feel satisfied with their environments. This paper focuses on the perceived quality of urban residential environments: dwellings and neighborhoods. First, literature review was conducted to extract a list of relevant attributes of environmental quality (EQ), which in turn became the theoretical basis for the rest of this work. Next, the general research methodology, the multi-attribute evaluation of perceived quality of urban residential environments, was presented. Hierarchical multiple regression was used for data analysis. Using written questionnaire, residents in two neighborhoods of Tehran, Zafaranieh and Khaniabad were asked to evaluate their present residential situation on the various residential attributes. Due to the presence of north-south dichotomy in Tehran, researcher tried to compare perceptions of the residents of these two neighborhoods. Regressing the general satisfaction evaluations on the specific evaluations revealed a model fit which appeared to be relatively high (49%). It was concluded that next to physical attributes, psycho-social attributes and attributes of built environments are relevant attributes, and EQ may best be seen as a hierarchical multi-attribute concept. Subjective evaluations varied across two neighborhoods and results showed that older people were somewhat more satisfied with their residential environments than younger people.

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Visibility is an important factor of environmental quality that has various influences on the quality of neighborhood. This paper aimed to find the relationship between urban form and visual quality. A public space with a spatial configuration in one of Bushehr city's neighborhoods was selected as the case study. Bushehr city is surrounded by urban development and the sea. Compact urban space, squares, long and narrow streets shape this fabric. Correlational research method was used with Isovist tool to evaluate visibility. A grid analysis and two paths inside the fabric with different urban forms were analyzed using Syntax2D software. The results show that the paths with different urban forms have various visual qualities.

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Based on a gender equity perspective and within a pluralistic civil society, women should have equal rights for presence in and use of urban open spaces. Despite this, various factors decrease their presence including inappropriate design of space, as well as socio-cultural obstacles. Since women’s major place of presence and activity has traditionally been in or near home, neighborhood open space is chosen as a relevant case study. Through a questionnaire survey of 180 subjects, 90 male and 90 female, of both marital status the criteria affecting their presence are investigated. Results show that environmental quality factors are more effective than socio-cultural factors on presence of women in urban open spaces.

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According to several researches sustainable development is based on three different dimensions of sustainability social and economical dimensions and ecological or environmental sustainability. These dimensions are recognized as basic elements of sustainable development. This research tries to evaluate social sustainability at some neighborhoods in Karaj. Considering the fact that urban neighborhoods, as the smallest units of cities have a high importance in cities and their sustainability are a positive step toward sustainable development as well as social cohesion of city. In this research five neighborhoods have been selected with 320 questionnaires for sampling. Assessment of the related variables was made through determining a collection of indicators. The collected data via specialist questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software. The reason for which Kendall’s test was selected to study the meaningfulness relationship of the research variables and the concept of social sustainability is the largeness and qualitative feature of the N volume. The result of the research is the proving meaningfulness of the relationship between the defined variables and the notion of social sustainability except social participation. Level of social Sustainability in the neighborhoods are not the same and there is high gap between them (about 2.6).In addition education indicator has the highest level of sustainability between the neighborhoods (0.024). Access to the recreational facilities indicated the highest level of difference between sustainable and unsustainable neighborhoods (74%). This means that even in sustainable neighborhoods despite the dependency and happiness of the residents, the rate of participation has been at a low level and the residents do not have a positive view resulted from confidence to the performance of civil managers. In other words, there is a kind of homogenization in this component between urban neighborhoods.

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In the developing world, skills in innovation and creative design have emerged as key attributes for graduating designers. Creativity is essential if we want to generate new solutions to the considerable and complex problems in architecture. Metaphor is frequently expressed as a key tool for enhancing creative design, yet little empirical research has been performed on how novice designers can use it within their design. The goal of this study is to empirically research the use of metaphor in the design studio, with a focus on its effects on design creativity and quality. A three-stage method is presented, which allows novice designers to use meanings and metaphors in the early stages of design and idea generation. This method was tested in an architectural studio with two groups as experiment and control groups. The results were evaluated using a qualitative research methodology and a questionnaire was prepared in which the students were requested to assess the use of this method in their design process. Also expert designers evaluated the design outcomes in both control and experiment groups. The results highlight that metaphor is a helpful tool for young designers to stimulate design creativity and has a noticeable effect on design quality factors such as novelty, value, flexibility, usefulness and detail. These research findings have different implication for novice architects and help them enhance creativity and quality in their design endeavors.

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Housing is the second need after food for human beings. Since the housing crisis began with the increase in population, respective governments were forced to construct houses for a large number of families. Ignoring the qualitative aspects of these houses has caused social and cultural harm. Therefore, designers need to pay more attention to the quality of housing and living environments. The main objective of this study is to find the most important factors that affect the quality of low- income housing. In order to achieve this goal, the first stage of the research was to undertake a systematic review of the literature and interview the residents. The housing environment factors were classified in four categories: environmental, functional, formal and semantic factors. In order to give priority to the factors, a questionnaire was distributed among 15 experts (according to the Delphi technique, two rounds of surveys were taken). In the first round, some factors were removed and a new category was added. In the second round, experts gave priority to the factors. Once the data was collected, the next stage was to analyze it. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 18 SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The results obtained - based on the weighting of each factor - showed that some factors, such as interior space function, volume, relationship with nature, safety and social security are the most effective factors of low-income housing quality.

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Due to audiences’ diversity, local cultural spaces have the highest share in residents’ mass life. Therefore, these spaces are the necessary environment for social relations and face-to-face communication of residents of urban area. If these are well qualified, welfare would be promoted. This study aims at identifying and evaluating factor influencing quality of local cultural spaces and aims to recognize and prioritize the factor using AHP analytical hierarchical process so as to promote them. This applied study has a descriptive-analytical basis with a population of 75 experts in urban planning and cultural matters and academic staff used as participants. First, the quality criteria of cultural space was determined based on the 4 main criteria and 26 sub-criteria in a hierarchical tree. Then experts were asked to score the major and minor criteria and specify their priorities based on paired comparisons. Applying the Expert Choice which implements the AHP, the weights of each criterion and sub-criterion were estimated respectively. Finally, according to the study’s aim, priorities were determined. The results obtained showed that the physical criteria, weighting 0.557, got the first priority and it was followed by social (0.162), economic (0.148) and environmental (0.133) criteria which got the second to the fourth rank. The sub-criteria affecting the "quality of cultural spaces" of the physical structure included safety, human scale and availability.

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The quality of the communication between teachers and students and ultimately, of classroom education itself, is closely linked to the acoustic quality of the auditorium. This acoustic quality can be characterized based on the reverberation time (RT), speech transmission index (STI) and the sound insulation. In this context, an acoustic study was conducted in an auditorium located in the Higher Institute of Technological Studies (ISET) of Sfax, south of Tunisia. The investigation used acoustic measurement methods to assess the acoustic quality of the nave and the results were compared with the standards ISO 3382-1 and ISO 3382-2.The results of this work were obtained by measuring the RT values and the sound insulation of auditorium façades. In addition to these parameters obtained by measurements, STI was obtained through the computer simulation (utilizing ODEON ver. 4.2, assuming the occupied case). The results showed that the measured and calculated values were consistent with those proposed by the standards for speech auditoria (RT_500Hz = 0.98 s, D₅₀> 50% and STI> 0.45), and are in line with the speech intelligibility requirements.

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The purposeofthispaper is to examinethe impacts ofphysical contextson theefficacy oflocalmosques. The main question of thisresearchis: “What istherelationship betweenphysical context (including:number and space share per head of mosque in neighborhood, functional radius of mosque, the location of local mosque, local adjacent land uses and finally legibility and identity of local mosque in neighborhoods) and efficacy of local mosques? The research hypothesisis based on the assumption that there is a meaningful relation between physical context of mosques and their expected socio- cultural efficacyinurban neighborhoods. The method of the research has been analytical descriptive.In order to examine the hypothesis, variables “physical components of the mosquesandtheirefficacy" have been assigned. Applying“the Theory of Environmental Quality”, theindexes of each variable have been determined and applied in questionnaire to be evaluated in case studies. The data of the study wereanalyzed through SPSS software and the hypothesis was confirmed with 95% confidence level. Theresearch resultsrevealedthatphysicalcontext ofmosques can have a positive influence on their function of efficacy which consists of socialsolidarity, sense of belongingand sense of religiousaffiliationsofpeople through the five above mentioned factors.

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According to several types of research, one of the most important issues and principles of sustainable development that urban professionals pay attention to it recently is Just City. One aspect of Justice in cities, spatial justice, has particular significance by Unequal and discordant Expanding in cities regarding creating unequal areas. On the other hand, the urban spatial structure affects the equal distribution of elements and services. If this structure is devoid of justice ideology will lead to a complex social crisis and spatial issues as spatial conflict. Accordingly, this study aims to analyse the spatial justice and structure in the case of Yazd city to know how they influence each other. Spatial justice is examined from the view of "Equality of opportunity". Involved criteria are "equality", "Physical diversity", "human diversity" and "urban spaces", and spatial structure based on “Space Syntax” technique with "integration", "control", "connect" and " intelligibility " parameters. These criteria are Scored and analysed by FDAHP techniques and GIS. The result shows favourable status in the Central District, and as getting away from the disadvantaged downtown District increased. On the other hand, the spatial structure analysis reveals the most spatial coherent analogue the north-south axis with a little depth and isolated District (Spatial segregations) have located in the corners and edges of the city. Results from the superposition of these two analysis layers show a compatibility relation between the spatial structure of Yazd and the pattern of justice distribution except in the central and historical centre.

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Meaning quality of urban public places is a big concern. Various indices shape meaning quality of urban public places. Some indices have more roles in perception quality and some of them less. Finding these indices could help planners and designers to improve meaning quality from the perspective of citizens. The main question of this paper is: what are the main indices in perception the quality of squares in the view of Yazd (Iran) citizens? To answer this question, this paper used survey analysis method. With 376 participant to answer questioners. Process of survey start with literature review to determine meaning quality indices and T-test and Friedman test, in SPSS, used to analysis data. Results indicate that among the 22 indicators, three indicator (public place, accessibility and efficiency) have the most effect on perception meaning quality. Amir Chaqmaq square has the best quality between Yazd squares. Referring to history and heritage was the main index in meaning quality of Amir Chaqmaq square.

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Today Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a powerful development method whit a wide range of applications to translate customers’ needs into technical requirements for achieving customer satisfaction. The current study demonstrated a QFD analysis to improve school furniture design in Tehran as the baseline of Iran. Accordingly, we extended the widely used QFD method into a complex set of customer demands about the school furniture and showed the step-by-step application of QFD that focused on the firs matrix known as House of Quality matrix. The study started by identifying the problem statement, specifying the objectives and designing the scopes of school furniture. 160 students recruited from three high schools located in different areas of Tehran participated in our study. Student’s requirements were collected and translated into the technical requirements using QFD method. Data gathering was carried out through survey, questionnaire distribution and structured interview. Subsequently, the collected data was analysed to find the best solutions for the problems. Obtained results from House of Quality matrix evaluation, were used to provide suggestions and solutions to reduce the problems. The present case study shows that QFD method can help demonstrators to ascertain inter relationship between operation requirements and measures of performance.
 

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Today’s housing, as a private realm of human life, has changed in comparison with the past which was made regardless of quality, desirability, and lack of paying attention to the human needs and its psychological consequences; That is to say, residential units have turned into a set of closed spaces and their open and semi-open spaces have been merged into the urban spaces which disrupted their fundamental functions. In such a situation, reviewing and paying special attention to these spaces together with closed spaces in Tehran is really necessary. But this question is proposed that what are the indicators affecting the quality of open and semi-open spaces in contemporary housing? And how much do they affect the quality of these spaces? This research has a mixed (quantitative-qualitative) method which is applied in terms of purpose, and in terms of data collection method it is of descriptive-analytical and survey type. The statistical population includes 380 inhabitants in residential apartments in the Zafaranieh neighborhood of Tehran. After collecting field information through the questionnaire, the indicators affecting open and semi-open spaces, including: functional, behavioral, physical, environmental, social and perceptual-semantic by using statistical analysis software were analyzed. To investigate the significance of relationship between the mean difference of the scores of the effective indicators, the one sample T-test method and intragroup one-way analysis of variance have been used; the results obtained from the research showed that in the open and semi-open spaces of residential apartments in the Zafaranieh neighborhood, the physical, environmental and behavioral indicators with the mean score of 4.17, 3.52 and 3.22, respectively, have somewhat more favorable and more appropriate situation than other indicators, and currently their efficiency ratio is at moderate limit. However, the functional, social and perceptual-semantic indicators with the mean score of 2.68, 2.57 and 2.21, respectively, are in an unfavorable and inappropriate situation, and their efficiency ratio is at weak limit.

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Ergonomics as a multidisciplinary science is known as a human centered science that is concerned with human beings and their quality of life. In this regard, the integration between ergonomics and the concept of sustainability might culminate in higher levels of quality of life. In terms of research methodology, this article is a review, and the main research question is to figure out the relationship between ergonomics and sustainability towards develop a new synergetic paradigm between these two mentioned fields. In this review article, we assessed some of the recent and related articles in which both ergonomics and sustainability were considered. This review aims to develop an integrated state-of-the-art approach including the benefits of both fields. PubMed and EBSCO were the databases consulted and the keywords of “ergonomics”, “sustainability”, and “product design” were selected to gather the relevant papers. Papers in English, which were published during last decade and that includes the keywords, were our inclusion criteria. Exclusion criteria were: microeconomics and cost-benefit studies, aspects of law in environmental issues, and technical issues in environmental protection (such as waste-water treatment, air pollution, etc.). We initially identified 255 papers. This was narrowed down to 33 articles that addressed issues. In a critical review of the abstracts and full papers, 9 papers remained for the final assessment. Of these papers, 64% were from a management approach. Three articles had product design approach. Most of the assessed issues were about ergoecology, business management, s system-based approach, global supply chains, design for sustainability, and a cost-effective approach. Based on the mentioned articles, it seems that introducing a new term that includes all the positive aspects of ergonomics and the sustainability scope, is unavoidable. Therefore, we propose a new approach that includes the majority aspects of ergonomics, sustainability, and design. This new paradigm helps the related experts to manage a better future life for all.

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Designers rely much heavily on experience. Previously, it was assumed that particular developmental experiences are correlated with creativity which develops over time and with experience. The aim of this study is to explore whether design expertise definitely improves the creativity of design idea in architectural design. To test the hypothesis, some architectural designers at different levels of expertise, from novice students to expert architects, participated in a design task. The novelty and quality of design ideas were evaluated as the signs of creativity. The results indicated that there are significant relations between design expertise with the quality, but not with the novelty of design ideas. The expert designers preferred to find ideas that have practical solutions to the design problem, but novices looked for original ideas. We concluded that design experience influences the creative ideation, but have different effects on various aspects of design creativity.

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Learning environments have the ability to enhance the quality of education and produce optimal behaviors. The management of educational environments raises the quality of education both physically and psychologically .This research attempts to modify higher educational environments by enhancing creativity, accountability, motivation, self-actualization, and interaction. This study is quantitative and qualitative research done through a descriptive-survey method. Included in the study used for research were published books and articles that resulted in the development of a theoretical framework and the collection of two groups: environmental and human factors. Then, field resources were used. Students of University of Guilan were randomly selected as the statistical population and the sample was modified based on Morgan's Table. Afterwards, environmental and human variables were prioritized by the Delphi method as a result of interviewing several architecture and psychology experts. A closed-ended questionnaire was made, its validity and reliability were examined (Cronbach's alpha), distributed among the target community, entered into SPSS, analyzed by Chi-square and Friedman tests, and lastly the data was extracted. Based on the findings of survey, the impact of environmental and human factors on each other were identified and ten priorities were concluded to be the most effective on the relationship. Finally, with a semi-structured and an open-response interview with several architecture professors, design suggestions were proposed.

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The realization and sustenance of spatial justice within urban environments encounter substantial hurdles arising from the imbalanced expansion of cities and ensuing socioeconomic crises. According to available statistical data on Iranian cities, these crises and challenges have contributed to an escalation in the number of urban inhabitants perceiving a state of impoverishment. Many researchers believe that the indices measuring the development and welfare of a city serve as indicators of its overall quality of life. The objective of this investigation was to examine how the urban quality of life, as facilitated by access to urban services, influences the perception of poverty among urban residents. Considering that objective urban quality of life transforms into subjective urban quality of life through individual perception, and recognizing that the sense of poverty is also a subjective phenomenon, it becomes imperative to explore the interconnection between these two aspects. Initially, the study formulated its conceptual model. Subsequently, the historical district of Shiraz City was chosen as the sample for examination. A structured questionnaire was devised and disseminated among the residents of this specific district. The collected data were subjected to analysis utilizing SPSS 23. The findings revealed that within the residents of the historical district of Shiraz City, the perception of poverty is influenced by three key factors: "employment and economy," "housing," and "recreation and entertainment." Furthermore, the results indicated that proficient urban management, particularly in the provision of urban services, holds substantial potential for alleviating the sensation of urban poverty.
 

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This research assesses the determinants influencing the efficacy of a particular locale, specifically comparing a National Park endowed with historical significance, globally recognized, with another site, an Artificial Lake serving as a contemporary and burgeoning urban space, both situated in Gonbad-e Qabus, Golestan, Iran. The methodology employed involves a comparative study to gauge their respective levels of desirability. The primary objective of this investigation is to identify the factors contributing to the success of the Artificial Lake, despite its relatively limited historical attributes, in contrast to the National Garden, acknowledged as a world heritage site. Additionally, the identified challenges within these spaces are addressed, and solutions are proposed with active citizen participation. The research introduces novelty by concurrently investigating factors influencing the success of public spaces and comparing two categories - historical and contemporary. The sample size (n=383) was determined using Cochran’s formula, comprising 184 male cases (48%) and 199 female cases (52%). Internal consistency of the questionnaire was confirmed through Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Employing a descriptive-analytic approach, data analysis utilized SPSS software (one-sample t-test) and LISREL software (second-order confirmatory factor analysis). The findings reveal a total success score of 82.63 for the Lakeside and 72.47 for the National Garden. Notably, the "safety and security" component in both spaces received the lowest satisfaction and quality scores. Conclusively, 81.2% of citizens express a preference for the Lakeside over the National Garden for their recreational activities.