Urban and Regional Development Planning
Hamidreza Saremi; Peyman Omidi
Abstract
The city of Tehran has experienced a significant population increase, approximately twenty times, in the last century. Consequently, it is plagued with traffic issues for most of the year. To alleviate congestion, one solution is to shift transportation mode shares from private motor vehicles ...
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The city of Tehran has experienced a significant population increase, approximately twenty times, in the last century. Consequently, it is plagued with traffic issues for most of the year. To alleviate congestion, one solution is to shift transportation mode shares from private motor vehicles to more sustainable modes, as proposed by Transit Oriented Development (TOD). The increasing traffic congestion problems in cities have made applying TOD more essential than ever. This research aims to evaluate, analyze, and plan development within the catchment area of Monirieh Metro Station based on TOD principles. The practical research methodology begins by introducing TOD principles and evaluating the characteristics of the study area according to ITDP standards. The results indicate that the catchment area of Monirieh metro station fails to meet TOD standards. In other words, the city planning prioritizes motor vehicles over pedestrians, suggesting a car-oriented approach.
Keywords: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), Metro Station, Catchment Area, Walking, Monirieh.
Introduction
Transit-oriented development (TOD) refers to the creation of high-density mixed-use developments in close proximity to public transportation stations. Such developments aim to create vibrant neighborhoods with an enhanced quality of life, ultimately reducing reliance on personal automobiles and saving time for residents. While TOD is not a panacea for the challenges faced by modern urban centers, it represents a promising start towards improving the current state of cities (Belzer, 2002).
The growing issues caused by traffic congestion in the country have highlighted the need for TOD. Over two decades have passed since the launch of the metro in Tehran, with further development expected in the future. It is imperative that this infrastructure be utilized more effectively within the context of TOD to enhance accessibility for citizens. Unfortunately, such efforts have been largely neglected in practice.
This paper aims to address the question: to what extent has TOD been implemented in the catchment area of the Moniriyeh metro station?
To answer this question, the first step is to review relevant literature and theories, identify and refine the criteria for TOD, evaluate and measure the criteria and indicators in the area surrounding the station, and finally, plan for the implementation of a public transportation-based development model that maximizes advantages. Ultimately, it is important to strategically plan for the implementation of TOD while taking into account its many benefits.
Methodology
The current research is categorized as an applied study based on its subject and characteristics, specifically the evaluation and examination of development in the catchment area surrounding the Monirieh metro station within the context of TOD. The study is analytical in nature, aiming to introduce the key features of the TOD model through a comprehensive understanding of its principles and by reviewing relevant literature and theories from both national and international sources. Through comparing the indicators of the studied area against the criteria for TOD proposed by ITDP, the desirability of this type of development will be assessed. Ultimately, recommendations will be provided to guide the implementation of this development model.
Results & Discussion
The Moniriyeh metro station received a TOD evaluation score of only 37 out of the total possible points. While it scored optimally in some objectives, it falls short of the main standards for TOD. However, by implementing short, medium and long-term planning strategies, the area's score can be raised to bronze or silver status. The primary objective of TOD is to improve walkability and reduce reliance on cars. As Speck (2018) argues, enhancing walkability and reducing car usage requires attention to four key factors in planning: comfort, attractiveness, safety, and logical design for walking. When people view walking as an enjoyable and practical alternative to driving, they will naturally choose to walk instead.
Conclusion
The present research indicates that failure to adhere to any of the principles of TOD can lead to numerous issues. Neglecting the ratio between residential and non-residential land use in a station's catchment area, for instance, results in longer trips and increased intra-city travel. To shift away from car-oriented development towards human-oriented development, it is essential to adopt a human-scale approach. This entails scaling down designs and paying meticulous attention to details. However, implementing TOD in the current context faces several challenges; including Iran's urban planning system's (M-S-R-G) zoning regulations, which limit catchment area diversity within the metro station.
