Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University

2 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Extension & Education, Shiraz University

Abstract

Green belt is defined as a narrow green area surrounding an urban area. Shiraz green belt has been developed through 9 projects with a variety of purposes since 2005. The development of green belt is being considered in a number of Iranian cities, and therefore, investigation of Shiraz green belt’s purposes and challenges could contribute to an appropriate planning by decision makers. The main purpose of this study was to study the objectives and problems faced by Shiraz green belt. Data were gathered through in-depth interview with 5 project managers and the person in charge of the whole project, documents provided by Shiraz Organization of Parks and Green Areas, and direct observations. Data gathered through interviews were analyzed through coding and classification. The main objectives of the project were associated with environmental purpose, and economic and social purposes placed in lower priorities. Preventing urban area extension, improve air quality within urban area, conservation of resources, greening urban area, provision of employment opportunities and developing recreation areas were reported by the respondents as the objectives. Most of the problems stated by the interviewees were related to planning and environmental issues, followed by cultural, legal and technical issues. Inappropriate planning, drought and lack of access to water, and inadequate environmental knowledge and awareness among citizens were reported as the main problems, followed by, budgeting difficulties and soil related issue

Keywords

Main Subjects

Anabestani, A.A., Anabestani, Z. (2010), Strategies for controlling structural marginalization in Sabzevar, Journal of Urban Planning, 1: 65-85. (In Persian)
Bolund P., & Hunhammar S. (1999), Analysis Ecosystem services in urban areas. Ecological Economics, 29: 293-301.
Land Use Consultants for the Green Arc Steering Group. (2004), Bringing the big outdoors closer to people, improving countryside around London: The green Arc approach. 95p.
Mundie, A., & Dyett, B. 2007. Green belt conservation strategies, Lodi general plan update, 80pp.
Natural England and the campaign to protect rural England. (2010), Green belts: a greener future. 138 pp.
Available at: http://www.ruaf.org/ruaf_bieb/upload/3284.pdf.
Obsorn, F. J. (1969), Green belt cities. Evelyn, Adams & Mackay, London. Planning policy guidance 2:
green belts, 1995. British government, 25pp. Available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/155499.pdf.
Robert, M.S. (1995), The evolution of greenways as an adaptive urban landscape form. Landscape and Urban Planning, 3:131-155.
Shiraz Organization of Parks and Green Areas (2010), report of green belt project (not published) (In Persian)
Soltani, A., Hajipour, Kh., Khorsand, N.,(2010), Managing physical growth of cities using urban growth boundaries, Journal of Construction Engineering Organization reported Fars Province, 67: 52-47. (In Persian)
Tang, B., Wong, S., & King-wah Lee, A.( 2007). Green belt in a compact city: A zone for conservation or transition? Landscape and Urban Planning, 79: 358-373.
Tehran Organization of Parks and Green Areas (2011), Careful design of the Green Belt south of Tehran, available at: http://parks.tehran.ir/default.aspx?tabid=92&ArticleId=491(In Persian)
Yokohari, M., Takeuchi, K., & Watanabe, T. (2000). Beyond greenbelts and zoning: A new planning concept for the environment of Asian mega-cities. Landscape and Urban Planning. 47:159-171