Evaluation of the recreational capability and designing of the woodsy promenade

Abstract

The importance and role of vegetation on the ecological structure and urban environment is well known. The general theme of this research was maintaining, equipping, and improving the area for recreational use, connecting ecological urban forest network, and maintaining green belt continuity of Tehran for limiting the urban sprawl. At first, we surveyed the ecological and socio-economic resources. Then, the data were integrated to depict mapping unit. In these homogeneous units, the interaction of ecological resources was classified by varied typed. On the basis of surveyed resources, special model of area based on general model of ecotourism (the Iranian model of Makhdoum) was prepared. According to the designated model, the ecological capability evaluation was conducted for ecotourism use. From the levels of 40,400 ha on southern aspects of Alborz mountains of Tehran (and based on an ecological capability evaluation model) intensive recreation capability of class 2, extensive recreation capability of class 1, and extensive recreation capability of class 1 were classified (1309 ha, 1802 ha and 28,275 ha, respectively). To determine the appropriate area for allocation to the forest recreation, zoning was performed. Detailed mapping was carried out. Then, the area was allocated with 28 ha for design. After the execution of popular lookout and determination of the relative quality of views in the designated area, design of specific site with considering the ecological, social, cultural, and ecological aspects of landscapes was conducted. The programming in the frame of a management plan was founded and a proposed program was presented.