Sustainable Cities and the Contribution of Historical Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study of Historical Persian Gardens

Raheleh Rostami, Hasanuddin Lamit, Seyed Meysam Khoshnava, Rasoul Rostami and Muhamad Solehin Fitry Rosley
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Raheleh Rostami: Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi of Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
Hasanuddin Lamit: Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi of Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
Seyed Meysam Khoshnava: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi of Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
Rasoul Rostami: Department of Architecture, Islamic Azad University Noor branch, Noor 4768-75353, Iran
Muhamad Solehin Fitry Rosley: Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi of Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 10, 1-27

Abstract: Growing populations and rapid worldwide urbanization are recognized as constituting one of the most complex processes in the world and have raised concerns about the sustainability of cities. Sustainable development, a widely accepted strategic framework in city planning, singles out urban green spaces as a primary solution for addressing these issues. Growing empirical evidences indicate that the presence of natural areas contributes to a better quality of life in many ways. Urban green spaces serve as places of identity, memory, and belonging; enrich human life with meaning and emotions by providing important social and psychological benefits; and enhance the quality of life of citizens, which is a key component of sustainability. Despite our understanding of the benefits of urban green spaces, little is known about the benefits of historical urban green spaces. To highlight their importance with regard to environmental sustainability and citizens’ well-being, this study analyzes a number of historical Persian gardens that are still actively used by urban residents. The findings suggest that historical Persian gardens could accommodate many social functions and address many of the psychological issues relating to urban dwelling. It has been generally acknowledged that sense of community and place attachment is pivotal to creating sustainable urban environments. Historical gardens as physical components can cohesively weave together many parts of cities of any cities while providing places for public congregation as well as attracting a variety of local economic activities. All these attributes can make historical Persian gardens as a valuable municipal resource and a key ingredient for city’s living sustainability.

Keywords: sustainable development; urban green spaces; heritage; identity and belonging; well-being; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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