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FEASIBILITY STUDY OF URBAN AGRICULTURE IN TEHRAN: A METROPOLIS
a&b
Abdolzaher, Qezeljea*, Sevan, Aziz Aghjeh Ghalehb
Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Allameh Tababai University, Tehran, Iran.
a
E – mail: [email protected]
b
E – mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Ever increasing human population and heterogeneous urban community growth has been conductive to severe
consumerism in cities. In new world, food safety, air pollution, urban poverty etc, are considered as major
problems by governments. In this regard, promotion of urban agriculture is considered as one of the essential
strategies in consolidation of sustainable development. In Tehran, there are many problems such as air
pollution, urban poverty and food crisis. In this way, this research aims to assess urban agriculture as an
effective strategy for reduction of afore-mentioned problems. The method of the research is surveying and
descriptive- analytical and for data gathering, 660 questionnaires were distributed among urban experts of
twenty-two areas of Tehran like a cluster. The amount of Cronbach's alpha is %78 which indicates justifiability
of the research. Twelve indexes were examined and weighted through AHP technique (hierarchical analysis),
for recognizing the level of enjoyment of Tehran areas. Then, using TOPSIS method, prior areas were classified
in terms of urban agriculture. The results indicate that Tehran’s areas have exigency and enough potential for
implementing urban agriculture via suitable policies. In this regard, fifth region is the first place for
implementing agriculture in Tehran with coefficient of 0.7 and the largest relative distance and also second,
twenty-second and first regions come next respectively.
KEYWORDS: Feasibility, TOPSIS, Hierarchy Analysis, Tehran, Urban Agriculture.
INTRODUCTION
Intended aim of this research is feasibility study of urban agriculture in twenty-two areas of Tehran for measuring
related indexes and prioritizing; hence, enhancing quality of urban environment and aboriginal capacity usage, all for
recognition of appropriate opportunities for urban agriculture in Tehran metropolis. Main Aim: Feasibility assessment
of urban agriculture in Tehran metropolis.
Subsidiary Aims:
 Introduction of appropriate aboriginal indexes in terms of assessing and prioritizing urban agriculture
implementation.
 Twenty- two areas prioritizing in Tehran metropolis on the basis of exigency and possibility of implementation of
urban agriculture related projects.
 Offering suggestions about implementation of urban agriculture in chosen areas.
These days urban agriculture has been considered by developed countries as a new subject. Many researches have been
done in America, Europe and Australia in many years (Gorgolewski & others, 2011). First major effort in this regard
can be seen in Ebnezer Howard’s views, known as Garden City. In all Ebnezer Howard’s proposals about Garden City,
an area about 5/6 of lands have been allocated to agriculture activities (Howard, 1965). Howard’s ideal city in 1902 was
proposed as Garden Cities of Tomorrow. Main idea was establishing a city through combination of city and agriculture
pattern. This is while this idea (Garden City), was proposed in early twentieth century by Patrick Geddes and had been
his intellectual basis in urban planning. Geddes’s emphasize was land-usage in the space and connectivity of urban
centers via agriculture fields (Geddes, 1915).
Another view in this regard, can be seen in Frank Lloyd Wright’s thinks. Relation of Broad Acre City with agriculture
fields in his proposed pattern is obvious (wright, 1945). In 1922, Le Corbusier in his pattern, Contemporary City,
proposed function of the city on the basis of three different major agriculture products and the way of management and
land-use control (Le Corbusier, 1987). Along Second World War, many countries faced with agricultural stagnation.
For establishing food production stability along the time, integrated planning system should was considered by
planners, for example small gardens for producing daily vegetables, even large gardens and fields inside the cities for
comprehensive production as we can see they today; for instance we can name Havana in Cuba, where such efforts
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have been done for producing foods inside the cities (Hodgson & others, 2011). There has been not any inside city
agriculture in Iran and this research peruses Tehran considering required necessities. It also endeavors to evaluate
feasibility of this activity in Tehran and to specify potentially appropriate urban areas.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This research is functional in terms of aim and is descriptive-analytical in terms of method; in the first step, reviewing
references, it engages with introduction and recognition of urban agriculture for reaching precise perception of the
issue. In second level, Tehran has been studied as the case of study and then urban agriculture indexes, which were
proportional with Iran’s situation, were extracted. According to urban expert’s view, 660 questionnaires were
distributed in twenty- two regions of Tehran and data station was formed. Questionnaires were scored and filled on the
basis of five options of Likert scale (from 1 which means very low to 9 which means very high). In following step,
descriptive-analytical statistical method was used for analyzing gathered data. In terms of this method, gathered data
were examined in SPSS software. For justifiability of questionnaire the amount of Cronbach's alpha was calculated and
it determined by 0.78 % which shows justifiability of this research. Then, intended indexes in Tehran’s regions were
evaluated on the basis of their importance and weighted by AHP in order to classification of Tehran regions while
considering possibility and exigency of urban agriculture pattern. For ranking of Tehran’s regions multi-criteria
planning method, (TOPSIS) was used. In addition to distance of an option from an ideal point in TOPSIS method,
distance from negative ideal is also considered. This means that the selected option should have least distance from the
ideal solution and yet, farthest distance from the negative solution which this property is one the superiorities of multicriteria method than the other methods. In this method, following steps were done for ranking regions using TOPSIS:
At first using Likert formulate we turned quality indexes into quantity indexes and then following quantity steps were
done.
1- Making non-scale decision matrix using following equation: (Relation 1)
2- In second step, we multiplied indexes (was obtained by hierarchy analysis, assumed W vector) by normalized
matrix. (Relation 2)
W =
Harmonic non-scale matrix: V = N D . W
n*n
=
3- In next level, ideal solution (A+) and negative ideal solution (A-) obtained as follows: (Relation 3)
Positive ideal Solution: A + =
Negative ideal solution: A - = {
4- In this level, we calculate the length of distance of any option from positive and negative ideals using bottom
formulate: (Relation 4)
i = 1, 2 , …, m
i = 1, 2, …, m
5- In this level, finding positive and negative distances for any option, relative distance of decision options are
determined using bottom relation: (Relation 5)
Considering above relation, now we are able to rank existing assumed options by descending order CL i+.
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ISSN: 2319–4731 (p); 2319–5037 (e)
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CASE OF STUDY
Tehran is the largest and the most important city in Iran. According to obtained data, from Global Large City’s site,
Tehran’s rating is one hundred and twenty-fifth, in terms of area, among large metropolises. However, its rating is
twenty-eighth in terms of population. Tehran with 730 square kilometers has been situated in 51 degree and 37
minutes eastern length and 35 degree and 34 minutes to 35 degree and 50 minutes northern width. Its elevation varies
from 2000 in the highest points in north to 1200 meters in center and 1050 meters in south. Tehran on the basis of
administrative subdivisions is divided into 22 regions, 119 areas and 362 neighbors. Tehran, capital of Iran, has been
situated between Dowadi Mountain and desert and in southern Alborz mountains hillside. In fact, geography
environment of Tehran is rather closed (Mahmoodi, 1990).
According to the last formal census, was taken in 2011, Tehran’s population was 12, 223, 598.
Figure1. Tehran regions
Theoretical framework
What is urban agriculture? What is its importance and necessity?
The most appropriate author’s definition about urban agriculture is maybe so: urban agriculture is sophisticated system
consist of a range of interests, a traditional core involves of production, technology, marketing, distribution and
consumption addition to other advantages and services which have recognized and documented less. These services are
recreation and leisure, economic boom entrepreneurship, individual hygiene and well-fare, community hygiene and
well-fare, landscape beautification and restoration and reconstruction of environment (Butler and Maronek, 2002).
Urban agriculture can be defined as a path for plant growth and animals for food and other usages inside and outside
the cities and towns (Veenhuizen, 2006). The view of majority of urban farmers is producing food materials just as one
of operational goals along with community interaction, environment balance, public hygiene, environment services and
other important motivations. This approach can comprises broad range of methods for producing food such as
cultivation on ground surface, cultivation on roof, hydroponics and greenhouse, and does not only apply ordinary food
materials. It applies all types of aquacultures, honeybee and mushroom nurturing. In urban areas it can be consists of
non-food advantages and can involves of economic profits and infrastructures as interested in cultivation with
commercial purpose such as flowers, decorating flowers and bio fuels (Ackerman& et al, 2012). Cities are mainly
known as consumers and waste producers. These days, cities are faced with excessive demand for nutrition as well as
increasing population (Deelstra and Girardet, 2009).On the other hand, poverty growing, hunger and lack of formal
occupations as same as social situations all have led farmers appealed to cities by high motivation. Urban agriculture
beside other urban activities, both have positive and negative social, economic and environmental effects (Fleury and
Ba, 2005). It is estimated that 2 million people should produce 15to20 percent of global population’s food (Margaret
ArmarKlemesu, 2000).Since poor people in society designate 60 percent of their overall income to food, urban
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ISSN: 2319–4731 (p); 2319–5037 (e)
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agriculture is an important source of income especially in developing countries (Mougeot, 2005). Urban agriculture can
also do various activities on abnormal society groups in significant strategies and preventing social difficulties
(Gonzalez & Murphy, 2000). So, urban agriculture is a method used for decreasing vulnerability of global urban
population against global ecological changes. Inside the city cultivation should be one of urban land-use and social
planning factors for sustainable development in all countries in the world. The relationship between urban agriculture
and preservation of urban flowing waters, elimination of food insecurity, energy efficiency, integration in social wellfare, economic diversity, air pollution reduction, resident’s sprit reinforcement has been documented (Mazereeuw,
2005).
Why Tehran?
What is the capacity of Tehran for producing urban agriculture productions? Recognition of what lands can be used for
agriculture and gardening in Tehran and what amounts of them can be promoted realistically? Replying above
questions can be considered as significant steps to increasing awareness and creating a base for assessing potential
beneficial urban agriculture expenditures. What potential utility has urban agriculture in Tehran? Tehran has been
vulnerable in three dimensions which are completely urban agriculture related. These dimensions can be named as
follows: air pollution, poverty and food security. These days, various air pollution consequences particularly its
hygienic effects have been lead to suggesting air quality control and supervision as an inevitable issue in all societies.
Results of a research done by United States environment preservation agency (IE.AQI=100) in 2004, indicated that air
quality in Tehran exceeded from the standard level in 262 days; its reasons had been recognized mainly for establishing
industries and factories downwind (western Tehran), and also for ever increasing number of cars in urban
transportation. On the other hand, realization of justice and inequity reductions especially in sensitive and fundamental
social domains has been always one of different government’s preoccupations all around the world. According to
research’s findings of “Measurement of Justice in City”, the rate of poverty in Tehran is 42 percent and this is
completely warning.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In this research for specification appropriate indexes in case of study, firstly, considering attributive studies, quality and
quantity research indexes were extracted. Then in second step, scrutinizing criteria and sub-criteria, related data were
gathered through librarian studies and refer to related urban organizations. Due to the existence of different indexes
which are affective on urban agriculture feasibility, in diverse situations they may have different importance. So, for
determining importance of effective indexes, on the basis of gathered data, via hierarchy analysis technique (AHP),
they were weighted. Importance of factors highlights that in prioritizing of effective factors which criteria and subcriteria are more considered and what weight is allocated to each factor. In this regard, sample member’s responds were
examined and on the basis of number of sample responds, experts pointed any criteria and sub-criteria.
Table 1. Indexes of study and their weights for feasibility of urban agriculture exigency in Tehran
Weight of Indexes Using AHP
Sub-criteria
Criteria
0.012
0.027
0.081
0.068
0.028
0.169
0.041
0.016
0.009
0.048
0.368
0.133
Municipal Income
Land Cost
Unemployment Rate
Participation Rate
Quality of Life
Poverty Level
Level of Appropriate Agriculture
Green Space Capitation
Industrial Lands
Noise
Temperature
Air Pollution
Economic
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Social
Physical
Environmental
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In following, for establishing initial matrix, quality indexes are turned into quantity amounts as follows:
Table 2. Research indexes initial matrix
In next level, initial matrix turned into normalized matrix and then multiplied hierarchy analysis obtained
weights, for achieving harmonic normalized matrix as follows:
Table 3. Harmonic normalized matrix
Volume- 4 Issue- 2 (2015)
ISSN: 2319–4731 (p); 2319–5037 (e)
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Forming harmonic normalized matrix, we obtain option distances matrix from positive and negative ideals and finally,
exploring positive and negative distances of any option, rather distances of decision options would be specified via
number five relation:
Table 4. Rather proximity matrix of options to ideals and options ranking
rank
4
2
13
11
1
14
22
8
5
10
17
16
20
21
7
15
6
12
9
18
19
3
CLᵢ
0.64747
0.68605
0.48655
0.51339
0.70573
0.25118
0.16020
0.55149
0.62185
0.52604
0.21862
0.23920
0.17497
0.16043
0.55679
0.24708
0.56728
0.50320
0.53030
0.21285
0.18235
0.67080
dᵢ negative dᵢ posotive region
0.1165369
0.1169239
0.0701162
0.0724549
0.1176089
0.0377387
0.0237831
0.0764163
0.0899268
0.0743387
0.0317074
0.0363508
0.0250631
0.0229552
0.0783923
0.0384496
0.0786314
0.0736493
0.0783061
0.0331221
0.0279129
0.1190020
0.0634504
0.0535067
0.0739915
0.0686753
0.0490404
0.1125089
0.1246788
0.0621472
0.0546844
0.0669785
0.1133272
0.1156169
0.1181758
0.1201309
0.0624019
0.1171649
0.0599793
0.0727135
0.0693570
0.1224929
0.1251598
0.0583999
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Considering final table of Tehran regions ranking, we are able to suggest that for exigency of urban agriculture
implementation, this ranking suggests the most important regions for urban agriculture. Above ranking, considering
introduced indexes, suggests fifth region as the most appropriate region for urban agriculture; second and twentysecond regions come next, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Human society in twenty-first century, along with rapid growth of cities and urban population, is faced with agriculture
productions storage, ever increasing costs of foods and air pollution. These have led to changing agriculture
productions trend. In Tehran, Iran, because of high number of new arrivals, proliferation of vehicles and …, this city is
now faced with some problems such as air pollution, urban poverty and food insecurity.
Research results show that in Tehran, considering urban expert’s responds and attributive studies, there is an
appropriate base for implementing urban agriculture. According to this study, due to the diverse distribution of
population in Tehran, this city is faced with cultural transmittal within city. On the other hand, it is threatened by
environment crisis. So, considering these two dimensions: Related indexes have major roles in implementing urban
agriculture and in this regard comprehensive studies should be done in different dimensions. Of exigency, although
semi-regions of Tehran have high importance, more infrastructural works should be done in social and collaborative
dimensions. Fifth, second and twenty-second regions are first to third grades which are representative of high capacity
of these regions for implementing urban agriculture. Appropriate preparation should be done for urban agriculture in
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ISSN: 2319–4731 (p); 2319–5037 (e)
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Tehran and for this purpose and considering social, environmental and managerial categories following policies are
proposed for implementing urban agriculture in Tehran:
 Catching taxes and fines for vacant field owners.
 Evaluating all over the city of accessibility to suitable land for urban agriculture.
 Investigation and protection of active organizations in the field of urban agriculture in management, supervision
and acknowledgment of public lands in agriculture.
 Incentive taxes for private land transition to other forms of social gardens.
 Trial plans in different sites for promoting of this approach and reaching to success.
 Establishing green roof related laws and giving financial aids to applicators of green roof productions.
 Simplification of legal process of green roof and creating particular laws for agriculture on the roofs.
 Introducing of a foundation intra of existing urban organizations or a separated public foundation which will be
responsible for public roofs with the aim of using farms and gardens.
 Introducing of an initiated model in urban planning and encouraging garden and gardening and food production
in backyards of private buildings.
 Adding fruit trees into cultivable plant category in green streets (only in appropriate areas).
 Permission for increasing extra density by this condition that a space would be used for food production.
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ISSN: 2319–4731 (p); 2319–5037 (e)
© 2015 DAMA International. All rights reserved.
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