Emergence of pedestrianisation in Tehran: obstacles and opportunities

Abstract

Sustainable urban development has received tremendous public attention in the last few years. Energy cost, environmental concerns, traffic congestion and the feeling of lack of belonging in the cities are among the factors that have contributed to the development of pedestrian areas. These public spaces provide opportunities for shopping, entertainment, eating facilities and gatherings, where people can experience urban life as pedestrians. These concepts have become part of life in developed countries over the last five decades. However, developing countries, including Iran, have only recently paid attention to pedestrianisation, and walking as mode of urban transport, within a comprehensive urban development approach. The purpose of this article is to study, evaluate and make recommendations for pedestrian-oriented areas in the Tehran metropolitan area. A literature search through valid sources (articles on research, transportation and city master plans), together with local investigations through participant observation and interviews, has been used to substantiate the results. The findings demonstrate obstacles for developing pedestrian streets in the city, such as little awareness of local authorities on the subject, poor quality of footpaths and lack of a pedestrian master plan. The increasing public consciousness on pedestrianisation, as well as provision of some pedestrian-only streets, has been well received by the citizens. The diverse characteristics of Tehran afford great opportunities for it to become the pedestrian-friendly city of the Middle East.