Explaining Design Dimensions of Ecological Greenways

Abstract

Design of greenways is one of the most important planning tools in the promotion of quality of life of the city residents. Greenways are necessary due to their major role in increase of air quality and positive changes in the climate of the urban environments for keeping the environmental quality of the cities and considerably increasing aesthetic values of these environments. Protection of natural ecological systems, provision of extensive recreational opportunities for people in urban regions and rural districts, provision of economic benefits and protection of cultural values and historical heritage are the advantages of designing and creating greenways inside cities. The present paper which was conducted with descriptive-analytical method tried to explain design dimensions of ecological greenways in three urban physical, environmental and social-economic systems by studying suitable experimental concepts and samples in the world. In this regard, this paper studied five main goals of designing greenways: promotion of local and urban accesses with greenways, aesthetic aspects of urban landscapes, improvement of performance and distribution of activities by creating greenways, increase of efficiency and environmental aspects in the city and revival of social values considering economic sustainability and in this regard design strategies and policies were presented for each one of them based on these goals.