Tehran city view has been chaotic for years, and doesn’t follow any specific pattern. Various styles from Iranian traditional architecture to European classical or modern styles have been applied in the city’s building facade. Sometimes even combinations of different styles have been seen in the constructions.
However, experts believe that the city facade should be tailored based on “national, historical and religious identity of the country,” Mehr news agency reported.
The city’s managers have announced a bill to reform the urban landscape to bring “greater harmony to the capital’s face.”
Creative and unique designs are considered valuable across the world; but specific criteria should be determined in construction to prevent “haphazard and ugly view of urban areas.” The city needs a synchronized look within the creativity of designs.
Three Approaches
There are three different approaches to the city’s urban landscape: In the first, public sector and urban area management is dominant. In the second, total authority is limited to the building owners. However, in the third approach, a combination of the first two approaches “is employed to keep balance between property owners and public rights.”
“Building frontages should meet public law requirements and owners are obliged to adhere to some do’s and don’ts in building facades. Of course, urban management should not be the only determinant; therefore the third approach is the best,” said Reza Alizadeh, an architect.
Legislation
Tehran City Urban Management has proposed the necessity of applying architectural regulations and rules for new building facades; therefore urban landscape legislation is to be drafted and presented to the Tehran City Council by the end of the current calendar year (March 2015).
The legislation is expected to be comprehensive and encompass all details about buildings facades, including exterior appearance, number of stories allowed, type of permissible materials for façade; even exterior lighting rules will be determined to be compatible with the surrounding area and local and regional features. This way, “inconsistency and heterogeneity” of urban facades will be prevented.
“We are trying to present the bill before the end of the year to the city council. If approved, building construction permits will depend on compliance with all conditions set in the legislation. Therefore coordination and harmony among city building facades can be achieved,” said Dr. Jamal Kamyab, managing director of Tehran Municipality Beautification Organization.
In Agreement
Tehran City Council officials are also in agreement to regulate urban landscapes and buildings facades. The legislation will be reviewed and conveyed to the city’s 22 districts after finalization. “The city council will be very sensitive to any violation related to facades,” said Mohammad Salari, head of the council’s architecture & urban planning commission.
In facade guidelines, materials, entrances, eaves, roof lines and colors will be recommended. Ban on all glass or metal facades, prohibition of exotic and sharp colors or constructing buildings with unusual shapes, and prohibition of use of sharp and brittle materials, are among restrictions to be imposed on building facades in the capital.
