Soffeh
Year:2006 | Volume:15 | Issue:41|Papers Count:12

Theory is the fundamental form of systematic human thought which has to be well understood before the theory in a specialized discipline is studied. The article tries to define the essential nature and meaning of theory so as to establish a hierarchical system for evaluating depth, coverage and strength of theories. After general explanations on various theories, the theory of architecture is then scrutinized to explain challenging issues such as normative theories and theories of architects who do not meet conventional theoretical criteria.

Rapid urbanization is associated with complex problems which demand a level of knowledge and skill beyond the traditional urban expertise. A multi- disciplinary approach is needed to help urban management to cope with the new multifaceted urban problems. The Urban Management Program (UMP) sponsored by UN/World Bank has evolved through implementation in several countries to address issues such as participatory governance, poverty alleviation, environment management and facilitating transfer of know-how at city, country, region and global levels. UMP has also prepared strategic guidelines for urban management for urban management processes, methods, function and spatial scales. The decentralization idea and globalizations provide new opportunities for addressing some of the major challenges for cities by attracting the inputs of elite citizens and creative investments. Nevertheless many cities have not been able to take advantage of the opportunities because of lack of resources, capacity and a multifaceted approach.

Urban design is a collaborative problem solving process in which informed decisions are made using a large variety of analytical techniques. A conceptual framework for identifying and analyzing threats and opportunities in the external environment of the system, the SWOT matrix has been increasingly employed in urban design practice to analyze the situation involved and to set strategy, initially in the private sector but recently in the public sector as well. While this technique has been widely received by professional urban designers over the recent years, the technique itself has not yet been investigated with due deliberation and adequate theoretical depth. This article aims to probe into the technique, to explore its potentials, and to theoretically tailor it so as to be applicable to urban design. In doing so, first a brief background of the technique, its formation and the basic concepts have been discussed followed by a literature review on the application of SWOT analysis in urban design. Having redefined the basic concepts of SWOT analysis within urban design context, a conceptual framework on urban design-oriented SWOT analysis is finally proposed. The research finding indicate that to effectively employ SWOT analysis in urban design context on has to base it on sound theoretical grounds. The study posits that Sustainable Place Model as substantive theory depicting the urban design qualities which need to e addressed and Urban Morphology Theory describing the different aspects of urban form, should be employed simultaneously to establish the theoretical foundation on which an urban design-oriented SWOT analysis model could be formed. The study concludes that a 17 by 20 matrix as elaborated by this article would be an appropriate tool to carry out a SWOT analysis in the urban design process.

Based on western philosophical thought, a thorough reconsideration of the rapid urban and regional modernization procedures reveals continual principles that have, and are, guiding the course of modern urbanism. By contemplating the subjectivity of Modernity and its corresponding phenomenon 'capitalism', the authors aim at discovering the specifications of urban modernization procedures, so as to be able to judge the contemporary city and the contemporary urbanism. This will also uncover some interesting aspects of early modernists' speculations on, and their correct understanding of the 'modern city'.

A safe secure environment is just as essential as other human needs such as food, hygiene and shelter. The feeling of insecurity will not only adversely affect human activity, but also will impede socio-economic and cultural activities of the society. Social disorder and urban crime are among the mail factors in creating a feeling of insecurity in the urban environment. This article is an introduction to theoretical methods of crime prevention using planning techniques. The results of this study show that 'modifications in urban physical environment' may help prevent crime and criminal acts.

An essential feature in spatial arrangements of Persian plateau, the central courtyard is an integrated solution for both material and spiritual needs of its inhabitants. The arrangement is much influenced by its surrounding environment both in its formal composition (overall geometry versus the geometry of details), and construction methods (materials and technology). It thus exploits all potential advantages of the environment with the least possible intervention (deformation or pollution). Prudent treatment of natural elements (sun, wind, water, and soil) has created a pleasant comfortable microclimate in the harsh warm desert climate. The "Central Courtyard or the City-House" thus creates a shelter which harmonizes with the sun movement and demonstrates the nature in an intelligent abstract way which bestows it with an archetypal dimension. On the other hand, the progressive Sustainable Architecture approach which values design solutions in response to socioeconomic, cultural and environmental constraints, recommends techniques in line with the central courtyard arrangement in the plateau. Therefore the arrangement can be constituted as functional and thus learnt from in the present context.

The ever- growing population of the world and the need for providing them with housing, the spread of poverty, and the ecological pollution caused by extensive exploitation of our limited natural resources, are few of the issues that have prompted some professionals to look out for alternate, recyclable, and inexpensive resources with minimum ecologic/ environmental pollution. One approach would be to extract the dissolved minerals in sea brine to produce construction materials for use generally in coastal areas. With regard to the huge reserves and potentiality of oceans and seas, the 'Mineral Accretion Technology' and its process of production are introduced as a new means of supplying building materials and components.

After describing the recent rapid quantitative development of architectural education throughout the country, followed by an inevitable qualitative decline, the article tries to underscore the need for strategic planning and division of work on the basis of strategic planning are further explained drawing on the sample of a research project for strategic planning in the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University.

The subject of cities in the Islamic countries has been sporadically treated in the European writings since late nineteenth century mainly in line with colonial interests. Nevertheless, since the early twentieth century, the Islamic city became the topic of research per se. the diversity of literature on this topic demands an updated bibliography which is instrumental in further research. Following the Bibliography of Iranian Cities published in Soffeh between 1992 and 1995, this updated bibliography covers nine topics: architecture, the urban- rural relationship; case study; Waqf; the Islamic city; geography and urban planning, Islam: reforms and modernism; and miscellaneous topics (sustainable development, housing, mosque and qibla).