Azadeh Bitaraf - High air pollution, car dependency, and increasing statistics of obesity and cardiovascular diseases are growing issues in the mega city of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Therefore, investigating the quality of walkability as an effective solution for these issues in Valiasr Street, the longest street of Middle East and one of the key vena of Tehran, becomes significant. Research shows that despite the attempts of executed projects, the majority of implemented actions in this street were not in accordance with services of its pedestrian facilities. Even in some cases, they may threaten the walking environment. This paper discusses not only the physical features of Valiasr Street but it also considers the consequences of policies and municipal decisions in light of walkability criteria. Using walkability indexes from various scholars, this study seeks to investigate the level of walkability in Valiasr Street through field observation and mapping by trained observers/ auditors.<div><br></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keywords:&nbsp;</span>Sustainable urban environment; walkability index; urban life quality</div>
An Empirical Assessment of the Walking Environment in a Megacity: Case Study of Valiasr Street, Tehran
Type
journal article
Year
2016
High air pollution, car dependency, and increasing statistics of obesity and cardiovascular diseases are growing issues in the mega city of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Therefore, investigating the quality of walkability as an effective solution for these issues in Valiasr Street, the longest street of Middle East and one of the key vena of Tehran, becomes significant. Research shows that despite the attempts of executed projects, the majority of implemented actions in this street were not in accordance with services of its pedestrian facilities. Even in some cases, they may threaten the walking environment. This paper discusses not only the physical features of Valiasr Street but it also considers the consequences of policies and municipal decisions in light of walkability criteria. Using walkability indexes from various scholars, this study seeks to investigate the level of walkability in Valiasr Street through field observation and mapping by trained observers/ auditors.

Keywords: Sustainable urban environment; walkability index; urban life quality
Citation
Motamed, Bahareh and Azadeh Bitaraf. "An Empirical Assessment of the Walking Environment in a Megacity: Case Study of Valiasr Street, Tehran." ArchNet-IJAR: InternationalJournal of Architectural Research, vol. 10, issue 3 (2016): 76-99.
Parent Publications
Authorities
Copyright
Bahareh Motamed, Azadeh Bitaraf
Country
Iran
Language
English
Keywords