Evidence-based spatial intervention for the regeneration of deteriorating urban areas: A case study from Tehran, Iran

Throughout the urban development process over the last seven decades in Tehran, many deprived neighbourhoods have developed. The main spatial attribute of these neighbourhoods is spatial isolation from the surrounding, more affluent areas, inadequate urban infrastructure and a lack of accessibility and permeability. This article discusses a method of developing a route filtering system and a transformability index for identifying the most suitable streets for the creation of a pedestrian-friendly network as a potentially socio-economic stimulus zone, using an example of a deprived area. The theory of ‘Natural Movement’ formed the basis of the research, the spatial pattern being analysed through Space Syntax using Depthmap software and ArcGIS 9.3 (GIS). The results showed that it is possible to identify the underlying spatial pattern using this approach and this could form a cost effective basis for developing a pedestrian-friendly street network, in order to release the deprived area from its spatial isolation.