Spatial Development of Karaj Metropolis based on Ecologic City

Abstract

Uncontrolled spatial development in many great cities of the world has operated the ecological resources intensively. Karaj also experienced the urban development and evolution much quicker than normal process and within a short time. This city that had a population of 14526 people in 1956, with an area if 2 square km, has been converted in 2011 to a metropolis with a population of 1614626 peoples and an area of 180 square km. Summary of results indicates that Karaj with irregular special expansion has changed its nature from urban garden with agriculture performance to an inharmonious metropolis with service performance. The macro national and regional policies such as decentralization from Tehran, approval of maintenance and organizing plans and Tehran urban complex, transfer of land and dwelling, and Karaj integrated plan have been the most important factors effective on special development of Karaj Metropolis. Destruction of high quality agricultural lands, gardens and green spaces, all kinds of environmental pollutions, increase of garbage, waste and wastewater production, increase of energy consumption etc. are the results of this special development. At end, results of this research indicated that accelerated and irregular special development not provided the opportunity of ecologic resources maintenance, to Karaj.