Isfahan
City Government, Private Sector, Public Utility
Whole City/Administrative Region
Ongoing since 2016
Making the urban fabric of the city safe and sustainable.
The City of Isfahan has adopted a unique approach to "sick" buildings (buildings that are unsafe or energy-inefficient). Trained "doctors", usually graduates in urban studies who have uncertain career prospects, visit the buildings and provide a “diagnoses” of the building’s condition and sustainability. The municipality then provides financial aid to "cure" the building, which receive a health certificate when recovered.
This project was shortlisted for the 'Guangzhou Award' in 2018 in the following category: Deserving initiative.
The deteriorating urban fabric of Isfahan covers an area of more than 2304.8 hectares. These areas are full of non-compliant and vulnerable buildings, which affect Isfahan’s population of 2 million people, of which 1,500,000 live in residential buildings. The rate of energy consumption of the buildings is 6 times higher than average consumption. Simultaneously, Iran and in-particular Isfahan (as an arid city), is facing a serious water and energy crisis. In the last 3 months more than 100 buildings have had fires due to the lack in safety standards and there is no systematic method to address the condition of buildings after construction.
The project aims to:
The initiative provides maintenance, restoration, refurbishment or renovation for dilapidated buildings. It includes a systematic method to monitor the building regularly.
Activities include:
The project is carried out under the following legislative or policy framework:
The Following organizations provide support for the project:
This project is the initiative of Mr. Omid MAHMOUDI GHAHSAREH (Rights Owner & Director) and was developed at Baraye Fardaye Shargh Institute (Leading Partner). It is implemented by the Municipality of Isfahan (Executive and leading Partner).
The funding for the project is allocated from the Urban Planning and Renewal Department of the Municipality and includes:
Other funding and resources include:
Short-Term Outcomes:
Nature of Outcomes: Create a systematic framework to improve buildings standards; Improve quality of life, improved efficiency, effectiveness;
Scale Local (City of Isfahan):
Long-Term Outcomes:
Nature of Outcomes: Improved sustainable urban policies; improved macro image of city’s condition in case of crisis and emergency event; improved quality of life in a regional scale.
Scale Local & Regional
For a deep analysis & a reliable assessment of the changes, different measurement systems have been used based on outcomes which included 3D computer models, Geographical Information System (GIS), Urban Surveillance Drones, analytical software, and on-site surveys.
The success of this project relies on the co-operation of the owners of the buildings. The major challenge is to persuade them to cooperate and participate in making their building comply with city standards. To achieve this, the Municipality provides financial assistance to owners such as loans or discounts on municipal charges and insurance costs. The owners also benefit from tax deductions and pay less for utilities when the building has been upgraded.
Specialized Hospital of Sick Buildings, Isphahan, Guangzhou Award for Urban Innovation: http://www.guangzhouaward.org/award_d.aspx?CateId=289&newsid=1401
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