Environmental Planning for Identifying, Analyzing and Solving Environmental Problems of the City of Rasht Based on Applying Creative Problem-solving Techniques

Environmental Planning for Identifying, Analyzing and Solving Environmental Problems of the City of Rasht Based on Applying Creative Problem-solving Techniques Fazilat Tahari * Master of Art in Urban and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Urbanism, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. *Corresponding author: [email protected] Keywords Abstract Environmental Planning Environmental Problems Environmental Degradation Creative Problem-Solving Techniques The City of Rasht and its Surroundings

Increasing and accumulating environmental problems in the city of Rasht and its surroundings and consequently environmental degradation of this city indicates that on the one hand, the importance of correct, radical and purposeful identification of problems and choosing “problem-finding-problem-solving” procedures in this city's planning process has not been properly taken into account. On the other hand, traditional urban planning approaches have not been efficient in dealing with these problems and solving them. In response to these problems, some of the planning scholars have emphasized on the necessity of integrating environmental problems in urban planning processes and transformation of urban planning from traditional approaches to “environmental planning approach”. This paper addresses the issues of how to find environmental problems, how to redefine and analysis them, how to solve them and how to enter into the phase of prescription. To achieve this, the problem-finding process for the city of Rasht consists of combining the results of two parallel paths: First- applying documentary method of research and determining problems which can be found from the analysis of planning documents. Second- using descriptive method of research, preparing and completing questionnaires and analyzing them with the assistance of SPSS software to detect problems based on citizens’s views. Then by applying the “Creative Problem-Solving Techniques” (Goal Orientation Technique and Fish Bone Technique), these problems will be redefined and analyzed. Finally, the results of Goal Orientation Technique and Fish Bone Technique will aid to apply the new approach of environmental planning and design environmental plan to deal with environmental challenges of this city. The results of this research shows the advantages of integrating “creative problem-solving techniques” and “environmental planning approach” for redefining and analyzing environmental problems and developing environmental plan to solve environmental problems of the city of Rasht.

1. Introduction 1.1 Statement of the problem and the importance and necessity of this research Cities around the world and their surroundings (mostly in more developed countries) are facing with two groups of environmental problems caused by horizontal growth and expansion of urban areas into valuable natural areas: First- natural environment degradation problems and problems associated with it including destruction of farmlands and forestlands around the city, destruction of valuable natural ecosystems such as rivers and wetlands, environmental pollutants emissions and dumping them in natural habitats, threats to wildlife habitats and biodiversity and second- built environment degradation problems and problems associated with it including a wide range of problems related to urban planning and management such as waste waters and surface waters disposal, solid wastes disposal problems, inefficient management of solid wastes disposal, spreading various types of environmental pollutions, exposure of urban population to a variety of natural hazards and problems associated with climatic change. Environmental degradation resulted from extending and complicating the nature of environmental problems in the world’s urban areas indicates that on the one hand, the importance of choosing “problem-finding-problem-solving” procedures in urban planning processes has not been properly considered and developing problem-oriented urban plans has not been taken into account and “problem-finding-problem-solving” methods and techniques in urban planning processes has not been applied [1]. On the other hand, traditional urban planning approaches are inefficient in dealing with environmental challenges. In response to these problems, some of the planning scholars have emphasized on the necessity of integrating environmental problems in urban planning processes and transformation of urban planning from traditional approaches to a new planning approach that addresses the conservation of environment and natural resources by urban planning mechanisms. The reasons for justifying environmental planning approach with two main and basic features: integrated and strategic, based on views of some of the planning scholars are that the environment is not fragmented, so the policies that are supposed to deal with it cannot be fragmented [2]. So, environmental planning approach based on adapting a problem-finding-problem-solving process and taking the advantages of strategic thinking can be applied for solving problems and entering into prescription phase. As a result of growing trend of urban expansion into its surroundings, the city of Rasht and its surroundings are facing with two groups of environmental problems related to environmental degradation: First- problems such as destruction of farmlands around the city, invasion to the protected natural areas due to urban sprawl (especially natural habitats around the city), environmental pollutants emissions (sewage and solid wastes) in natural habitats of migratory birds and aquatic animals (forests, wetlands and streams) and exposure of biodiversity living there to risk and second- problems such as inefficient infrastructures for collection, disposal and treatment of sewage, inefficiency of surface waters drainage systems, discharge of sewage into rivers and thus contamination of drinking water resources, improper disposal of solid wastes and consequences of inadequate urban green space that these problems altogether have led to environmental degradation of this city. On the one hand, growing understanding of the importance of environmental issues, not only at the global level, but also in Iran and in Rasht and on the other hand, inefficiency of urban planning approaches which have been applied in urban planning and management of this city, emphasize on the importance of applying the new approach of environmental planning and designing problem-oriented environmental plan in the planning process of this city, that can be based on correct, radical and purposeful identification of problems and adapting “problem-finding-problem-solving” procedures.

Int. j. econ. manag. soc. sci., Vol(3), No (12), December, 2014. pp. 39-50

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1.2 The purpose of this research The main purpose of this research as in insists on the identification of key environmental problems of the city of Rasht and its surrounding based on analyzing objective data (planning documents) and subjective data (citizens’s views), is to introduce a framework for dealing with environmental challenges of this city, that integrates applying the new approach of environmental planning (with the basic feature of being strategic) and designing environmental plans with the results of applying “Creative Problem-Solving Techniques” (Goal orientation Technique and Fish Bone Technique).

1.3 The hypothesis The hypothesis of this research is that the city of Rasht has environmental problems, if these problems are not identified in a correct, radical and purposeful manner and continuity of current practices and traditional planning approaches in dealing with them, this city will face more and more with environmental degradation and will be caught in a vicious circle of environmental problems and their consequences.

2. Methodology At first by applying documentary method of research, problems related to environmental degradation in the city of Rasht and its surroundings will be identified (analysis of objective data). Then, by using descriptive method of research, preparing and completing the questionnaires, citizens’s views about these problems will be assessed and analyzed (analysis of subjective data). Simple random sampling method is used for sampling from the population of Rasht. According to the size of the population and using Cochran formula, the sample size was determined to be 118.55. The information obtained and characteristics of the statistical sample are analyzed by using SPSS software and descriptive statistical methods in the form of tables and diagrams. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for determining the reliability of the questionnaire was determined around 0.948, which means that the questionnaire is reliable. Then Creative Problem-solving Techniques (Goal Orientation Technique and Fish Bone Technique) is applied for analyzing data. Environmental plan of the city of Rasht and its surroundings will be designed based on the results of applying these techniques.

3. Case Study Rasht is the capital city of the county and Guilan province, which is located in the central part of the county. The city of Rasht in its natural state is a small fraction of Guilan plain that is located in the southern plains of the Caspian Sea. The northern and southern boundaries of this plain are located between the Alborz Mountains and coastline and this plain covers the city of Rasht [3].

4. Theoretical Foundations

4.1 Environmental Planning approach Environmental planning is based on the theoretical base of ecological concept that in turn the ecological concept is a subset of ecological planning [4]. Environmental planning as an activity involves use of bio-physical and socio-cultural information to suggest opportunities and constraints in relation to land development in a manner that seeks to explain the fitness of the environment to support a given function and may be defined as the initiation and operation of activities to direct and control the acquisition, transformation, distribution, and disposal of resources in a manner capable of sustaining human activities with a minimum disruption of physical, ecological, and social processes [5]. It can be defined as the appropriate arrangement of time and space for human activities within the environment in order to achieve the coordination needed in the development of the environment, the economy and society [6]. Environmental planning is a comprehensive social and political process and the essential dimensions and features of it are "integrity" and "strategic”. Land-use policy is but one element of environmental planning, along with energy policy, waste management, water resource management, pollution control and so on [2].

4.2 Environmental Plans Environmental plans are directed toward the environmental challenges that face the community. Environmental plans are the main instruments for integrating environmental variables in the urban planning processes. Thus, while we recognize that environmental variables are interconnected, our general approach to the environment is to fix symptoms one at a time (i.e. protecting water, protecting air, protecting land) [5]. Local Environmental Plan is a legal instrument that imposes standards for controlling developments [7].

4.3 Problem A problem shows the gap between where we are or what we have and a desired outcome or a desired place [8]. In other words, when a "problem" is meant that there is a difference between the two concepts of "what is" and “what is desired” [9]. A problem is also expressed as an identifiable "distraction" from "what should be" [10]. The problem arises when a person is motivated toward a goal but his or her first attempt to achieve it is not satisfactory [11]. The distinctive feature of the "problem" is that there is a goal but it is not clear how to achieve it, therefore, when there is a problem that needs doing, but it is not clear what should be done. So when there is an obstacle in reaching the target, problem arises [9].

4.4 Environmental problems When there are changes in quality or quantity of an environmental factor that these changes directly or indirectly affect human health and well-being in a detrimental way, there is an environmental problem. Environmental issues are harmful effects of human activity on the bio-physical environment [12] that can be analyzed in two groups: First- Natural environment degradation and related problems such as threats to ecosystems, forests, natural resources and biodiversity, depletion and deterioration of natural resources and uncontrolled exploitation of them, desertification, land pollution, destruction of natural habitats, deforestation, land degradation (erosion of soil resources) and problems associated with climatic change [13]. Second-built Environment degradation and related problems that include a wide range of problems related to urban planning and management such as urban sprawl, failure to management of solid wastes disposal, inefficient management of toxic chemicals, inefficient management of hazardous wastes disposal [14], inefficient management of water resources, inefficient use of energy resources, pollution, risks associated with development in areas susceptible to natural hazards and discomfort of residents of these areas and increasing pressure on natural resources due to population increase [12].

40 Fazilat Tahari *

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(3), No (12), December, 2014.

The most critical environmental problems of urban areas in developing countries include problems such as access to basic environmental infrastructures and services, Pollution from urban wastes and pollutants emissions, loss or degradation of natural resources and exposure of urban population to natural and man-made dangers [15].

4.5 Problem-finding Problem-finding is an activity to recognize decision-making opportunities for each decision-maker and process of adoption of each problem, which leads to identify problems (including information about the source, structure and timing to solve the problem). Problem-finding is tracing problems to needs, values and beliefs that problem-solver chooses them as decisions or choice opportunities. The problem-finding process is one of the prerequisites to diagnose problems. This process includes systems that contain subsystems with information systems that collect, process and store information and will be used to find problems and to regulate problem-solving process [16].

4.6 Problem-solving Problem-solving is an activity involves to choose actions for solving problems including items such as correct regulating values and beliefs, seeking the appropriate options, selecting and evaluating options and choosing the option that seems to have the ability to solve problems. If the problem is defined as any situation in which there is a difference between "what is" and "what could be”, the process of problem-solving will change the condition that is not "it should be" to the condition that "should be". In reality, when there is a problem that there is a goal and there are also ways by which the goal can be reached, but it is not clear how to achieve it. In this case, the problem-solving process is used that each phase of it is reformulation of the main problem according to determined goal [17]. In other words, problem-solving is a thinking and behavior that we get involved for obtaining the desired outcome we are looking for. Outcome could be achieve a certain goal or find a satisfactory answer to a question [8].

4.7 Creative problem-solving Creative problem-solving is the mental process of creating a solution for a problem. Independent and innovative solutions are created in creative problem-solving. Creative Problem-solving with the recognition of the fact that discovering a problem needs to a curious mind [18], believes that correct recognizing a problem and finding it have an importance equal to problem-solving [19]. Problem-solving approach is a methodological framework that have been designed to aid problem-solvers by using creativity to achieve goals, overcome obstacles and increase the possibility of adding creative performance [20] and will guide problem-solvers for coordinated use of creative and critical thinking skills, individually or in groups, to understand the challenges and opportunities, to create ideas, to develop effective plans, to solve problems and manage changes [21]. Creative problem-solving involves two kinds of thinking: creative thinking and analytical thinking, but rather, more emphasis is on creative thinking. This model is also creative in the sense that can help a person to find new ways to deal with the problem, that a person has no previous experience about them [22].

4.8 Creative Problem-solving Techniques Goal Orientation Technique for finding and redefining problems Techniques applicable in the process of problem-finding and problem definition lead to obtain new perspectives on the problem or redefine it. Goal Orientation Technique is applied for redefinition of the problem and can help us to obtain a properly defined problem. It has four phases: First- determining the general problem and formulating a general statement of the problem. Second- determining the goal of solving the problem (what is the purpose? And after solving the problem where we want to be?). Third- determining the needs, constraints and obstacles in achieving the goal (Which barriers and constraints are on track to meet the goal?). Forth- formulating a new statement of the problem [17]. Fish Bone Technique for analyzing problems The first and probably the most common method used to analyze the problems by problem-solver groups is "Fishbone Diagram" that also known as "Cause and Effect Diagram ". This diagram is a tool for separating cause from effect and is a great help to problem-solving groups to look into the problem as a whole. Fish Bones Technique involves the following steps: First- defining exactly the effect and writing it completely on the diagram. Second- drawing bones of fish’s main rib and determining the titles of main areas of the problem on them. Third- remembering brainstorming rules. Forth- using brainstorming rules and procedures for the preparation of a list of causes related to effect. Fifth- developing comments on the diagram. Sixth- estimating the main causes of the problem [19].

5. Findings

5.1 Identifying and analyzing environmental problems based on objective and subjective data Given the fact that many of the decision-making attitudes believe that regulating and discovering a problem or problem-finding is more important than problem-solving, in order to test the feasibility of problem-finding in the city of Rasht, that based on it we can establish problem-solving or prescription activities, two parallel paths of problem-finding is adapted. The proposed problem-finding process for the city of Rasht consists of combining the results of two parallel paths: First- analysis of planning documents and second- Completing and processing questionnaires with the aim of detecting the environmental problems in Rasht based on citizen’s opinions. In case of going through such a process (or similar processes that can provide the necessary conditions for problem detection) can be entered into the territory of prescription or problem-solving.

5.1.1 Objective analysis: analysis of planning documents In the first path of problem-finding, those environmental problems are determined that can be found from analysis of the planning documents from 2001 up to now. The environmental problems of the city of Rasht and its surroundings which are extracted from the planning documents1 are shown in table 1.

1 Planning documents in ultra-urban levels are: National Document of Development of Guilan 2005, Rasht city development plan documents 2004, Planning documents in urban levels are: Rasht Comprehensive Plan 2007 and Thematic Plans are The future development of the sewage network 2001 and Development of drinking water and related ancillary facilities 2001.

41 Environmental Planning for Identifying, Analyzing and Solving Environmental Problems of the City of Rasht Based on Applying Creative Problem-solving T...


Table 1.Environmental problems of the city of Rasht and its surroundings based on analyzing planning documents

Environmental Problems Areas of Subject Level of planning documents

Beyond Urban Areas Urban Areas Thematic Plans Environmental Pollutants Contamination of surface

waters and ground waters Discharge of environmental

pollution into natural environment

Discharge of sewage and solid wastes into rivers

Sewage infiltration to ground waters Air Pollution

Soil contamination due to discharge of raw sewage

Open disposal of sewage

Solid Wastes Insufficient funding for implementing projects related

to sewage treatment and municipal solid wastes disposal

- -

Urban and Environmental Infrastructures

Destruction of water resources Exhaustion of existing irrigation

installations Lack of installations for disposal and treatment of

industrial wastewaters Poor quality of existing

infrastructures

Physical and functional deterioration of wastewaters collection and disposal

infrastructures Lack of green space

Lack of proper drainage system for collection and disposal of rainwaters Destruction of natural ponds due to

urban constructions

Physical and functional deterioration of water distribution system

Shortage of water resources Only 70 to75percent of the population of Rasht have been serviced by water

distribution system Incomplete sewage infrastructure and

lack of service to the entire city Erosion of pipes and leaking waste waters from Connectors into ground

waters Natural Disasters and Climatic

Characteristics Severe erosion of soil resources

Limitation of land in city for development

Flood Earthquake

Heavy floods from mountains Difficulty of disposal of surface waters

due to low slope of the city Lack of soil permeability

High rainfall and river flooding during rainfall

High groundwater levels Low resistance of soil

Emergence of pond areas in the city

-

Natural Environment Destruction

Changing land use of forestlands to other uses

Endangering the aquatic life by unauthorized removal of sand

from the river bed Fragility of the environment as

a result of population settlement and economic activities Failure to comply the

regulations of preservation, restoration and exploitation of

natural resources Threats to forests and farmland as a result of physical spread of

cities

Destruction of aquatic species caused by discharge of sewage into rivers

Destruction of Pheasant habitat, Eynak wetland habitat and biological species

living there

-

Comfort of Living The influx of immigrant populations from rural areas to

urban areas

- -

Energy - - - Urban and Environmental

Management Lack of programs about

environmental protection Lack of public participation Lack of clear administrative

rules and regulations and failure to comply the rules about

exploitation of natural resources Lack of funds for Preparing

Programs

5.1.2 Subjective analysis: analysis of citizen's views The second path of problem-finding is based on information taken directly from the population of the city of Rasht. In order to tracing environmental problems based on citizen's views, questionnaires are designed, completed and processed. In the second path of problem-finding, causes of the environmental problems are also discussed. Three types of questions have been considered in the questionnaire of this research for identifying citizen's views about environmental issues: First- assessing the importance and seriousness of environmental problems which is shown in Figure 1. Second- assessing citizen satisfaction from city management measures to deal with environmental problems which is shown in Figure 2. Third- assessing willingness of citizens to participate in dealing with environmental problems which is shown in Figure 3.

42 Fazilat Tahari *


Figure 1. Distribution of respondents according to the relative importance of environmental problems. Source: Findings

Analyzing the results of the first type of the questions indicates that, environmental problems raised in the questionnaire have high importance, or in other words are quite important.

Figure 2. Assessing progress of urban management measures in dealing with environmental problems based on citizen’s views. Source: Findings



Assessing citizen’s satisfaction from urban management measures indicates that these measures have been evaluated almost no progress or little progress.

Figure 3. Assessing the willingness or inclination of citizens to participate in dealing with environmental problems. Source: findings

Analysis of the results of the third type of the questions implies that a significant percentage of citizens are very inclined or inclined to participate in dealing with environmental problems. The outcome of combining the results of two parallel paths: first- analysis of planning documents and second- completing and analyzing questionnaires is the final statement of the environmental problems of Rasht which is shown in table 2. 5.2 Applying Goal Orientation Technique The process of applying Goal Orientation Technique aimed to redefine the problems and provide a clear and correct definition of the environmental problems in Rasht is shown in table 2.

Table 2. The final statement of the environmental problems and applying Goal Orientation Technique aimed at redefining the environmental problems of Rasht. Source: Findings

Areas of Subject First step: general statement of

environmental problems

Second step: the aim of solving the problem

Third step Forth step: a new statement of the problem Obstacles Constraints

Environmental Pollutants

Discharge of waste waters and solid wastes

into rivers

Protection of river ecosystems

Spending the funds for

cleaning up and restoration

of rivers in other projects

Implementation of clearing and

dredging projects in existing urban

management system

Destruction of river ecosystems

Water pollution Protection of high quality of water resources

Lack of precise

identification of water

resources and their pollution

Exploitation of existing water

resources / Exhaustion of

sewage discharge systems and leakage of waste waters into

water resources

Degradation of water resources

Pollution and poor quality of drinking

water

Access to safe drinking water

Water pollution/

Infiltration of waste waters

to water resources

Operating current water supply system

Inefficient water supply system

Solid Wastes Problems related to collection, disposal and

recycling of solid wastes

Improving collection, disposal and recycling of

municipal wastes and environmentally-friendly

recycling

Increasing solid wastes

Giving priority to protecting the natural environment rather than solid wastes

disposal

Inefficient system for collection, disposal and recycling of solid wastes

Toxic and hazardous wastes and incineration

of solid wastes

Reducing production of toxic and hazardous wastes and reducing

adverse environmental impacts of incineration of

solid wastes

Increasing municipal and

industrial wastes

Establishment of current waste

incineration plants in natural habitat

Harmful consequences of toxic wastes and incinerators on the natural environment

44 Fazilat Tahari *


Urban and Environmental Infrastructures

Low supply of green space

Increasing urban parks Failure to allocate

relevant funds

Giving priority to commercial land uses rather than

urban green spaces

Poor quality of urban green spaces

Physical and functional deterioration of sewage discharge system, water

supply system and surface water drainage

system

Enhance functional efficiency of urban

infrastructures

Scope of project/

Necessity of allocating substantial

funds

Use of existing infrastructures and necessity to repair

them

Extending environmental pollution due to inefficient

urban infrastructures

Lack of efficient systems for disposal and treatment of industrial

waste waters

Equipping the industries with industrial waste

waters disposal systems

Inefficiency of monitoring systems on industries regarding

adherence to the rules

Industrial activities even in the absence

of a disposal and treatment system

Influence of industrial pollution on the natural

environment

Natural Disasters and Climatic Characteristics

Failure to avoid the risk of earthquakes and lack of supervision on urban

constructions despite low resistance of soil

and the probability of an earthquake

Reducing harmful environmental

consequences of natural disasters and climatic characteristics on the urban environment

Probability of an earthquake

Horizontal and vertical development and expansion of the

city

Vertical development without regard to safety principles in

urban constructions

Difficulty of surface water disposal and sewage disposal

because of low slope of the city and low

permeability of soil

Efficient urban infrastructure in

coordination with the climatic conditions

Urban climatic characteristics

Establishment of existing surface waters drainage

system and sewage disposal systems in

current climatic condition

Lack of conformity between urban infrastructures and

climatic conditions

Natural Environment Destruction

Uncontrolled urban development and

destruction of natural environment due to

urban sprawl

Conservation of natural resources, wildlife

habitats and biodiversity

Unplanned urban

development

Lack of appropriate spaces within the city

for constructions

Horizontal urban development

Failure to comply regulations relating to

preservation, restoration and exploitation of natural resources

Compliance with the regulations relating to protection of natural

resources

Poor monitoring

about compliance with rules

The necessity of exploitation of

natural resources to meet human needs

Sustainable use of natural resources

Loss of aquatic species caused by sewage

discharge into rivers and unauthorized

exploitation of sand from riverbeds

Prosperous rivers and wetlands

diversity of plant and animal life

Poor monitoring

about compliance with rules

The necessity of exploitation of

natural resources to meet human needs/ Inefficiency of the

current sewage disposal system

Destruction of natural habitats and extinction of

biological species

Comfort of Living Reducing comfort due to urban density and

traffic congestion

Reducing urban density and traffic congestion

The influx of migrants from rural areas to urban areas

Organizing increasing population

and vehicles within the current

urban transport system

Environmental pollution caused by crowds and

vehicles

Energy Burning fossil fuels and indiscriminate use of nonrenewable energy

Supply of various, renewable and sustainable

energies

Increasing demand for

energy

Mismatch between supply and demand of renewable energy

sources

Unsustainable use of energy resources and failure to

supply energy from renewable sources

Urban and Environmental Management

Poor public participation

Interaction between urban management with citizens

and industries

Failure of management to motivate

citizens

Low level of environmental

awareness of citizens and industries

Inefficiency of the public sector in attracting citizens

participation

Lack of transparent and documented

administrative rules and regulations and failure

to comply with regulations relating to exploitation of natural

resources

Enhance the effectiveness of enforcement and

monitoring system for implementation of

environmental rules

Weak legal basis for

environmental protection

Rules enforcement and monitoring

within the current administrative and regulatory system

Inefficiency of rules enforcement and monitoring

system in the case of environmental protection

Inefficiency of developing urban

environmental plans and inefficient enforcement and monitoring systems

Increasing efficiency of urban management system to identify the necessity of

developing and implementing

environmental programs

Lack of specialized

work forces in public sector

Development and implementation of

programs within the current urban

management system

Inefficiency of organizational mechanism for formulation

and implementation of environmental programs



5.3 Applying Fish Bone Technique The phase of analysis of problems can be done by Fish Bone Technique, a method which is based on creative thinking. One of the steps in applying this technique is to prepare a list of the causes of the effect. Fish Bone Diagram for analyzing environmental problems of Rasht is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4(A)

Figure 4(B)

46 Fazilat Tahari *


Figure 4(C)

Figure 4(D)



Figure 4(E)

Figure 4(F)

Figure 4. Applying Fish Bone Technique for analyzing environmental problems of the city of Rasht and its surroundings. Source: Findings

5.4 Designing Environmental Plan for the city of Rasht and its surroundings Vision statement, goals, objectives and strategies of Rasht’s problem-oriented Environmental Plan that directed to identify and analyze environmental problems are shown in table 3.

Table 3. Vision, goals, objectives and strategies of Rasht’s Environmental Plan. Source: Findings. Subject areas Vision Goals objectives Strategies

Environmental pollutions

A city with clean air and water for all

citizens

Reducing environmental pollutions

Reducing air pollution and continuous improvement of air quality

Control on industries and vehicles fuel consumption and mandatory regular ispection of emissions and gradual

hardening of standards Adding specific paths for high-occupancy

vehicles Access to safe drinking water and

protect high quality of water resources Protection of watershed areas by land-use planning measures (zoning for protection

of water resources) and activities for protection of water resources

48 Fazilat Tahari *


Urban Solid Wastes A city with minimum wastes production and

maximum wastes recycling

Reducing adverse environmental impacts

of production of municipal, hospital and

industrial wastes on urban environment

Improvement of municipal solid wastes collection, disposal and

recycling system and environmentally-friendly recycling

Increasing the volume of collected solid wastes, increasing the proportion of recycled wastes and pricing disposal

based on volume of wastes Launch wastes recycling in landfill by

composting Reducing production of toxic and

hazardous wastes hardening of standards and restrictions on production of toxic and hazardous wastes

by industries and hospitals Reducing adverse environmental

impacts of wastes incineration GIS analysis of potential landfill sites in

the city and its surroundings Equipping incinerators with pollution

control equipments and regular monitoring of emissions

Urban Infrastructures

A city with efficient municipal

infrastructures

Improvement of urban and environmental

structures

Increasing urban parks Ensuring fulfillment of per capita of parks and create interconnected network of

green spaces and corridors Improvement of waste waters

discharge system and surface waters drainage system

Impose higher standards on the physical and functional quality of waste waters collection system and surface waters

drainage system Planning for exploitation of surface water

resources Improvement of industrial wastes collection and disposal system and

preventing the entry of municipal and industrial waste waters into rivers

Requiring industry to install sewage collection and disposal facilities

Natural Disasters and Climatic

Characteristics

A city consistent with climatic changes and mitigation of climatic

effects

Reducing adverse consequences of natural disasters and climatic characteristics on the

city

-* Supervision on construction sites about compliance with regulations and

standards Use of overlapping areas zoning for

protection of land features that are prone to hazards

Use of financial incentives like transfer of development rights and reducing

development within the hazardous areas Destruction of

Natural Environment A city that uses natural resources in a rational

and sustainable manner

Protection of natural resources, ecosystems and natural habitats

Protection of farmlands, forests and gardens around the city

Determining the boundaries, marking, definition and declaring protected natural

areas Hardening of standards and restrictions on violating the boundaries of protected areas and natural resources degradation

Use of overlapping areas zoning for protection of environmentally sensitive

areas Protection of wildlife habitats and

biodiversity Budget for purchasing plant and animal habitat areas and preservation easement

Creating partnerships with nonprofit groups to keep important habitat areas Creating protective open space system

around the rivers and watercourses Comfort of Living A city with high

Quality of life for urban residents

Increasing the comfort of living in urban

environment

Reducing urban density and traffic congestion

Enactment of mixed-use zoning Promote use of traffic mitigation devices

in residential neighborhoods Energy Achieving

environmentally-friendly urban

structures due to the efficient use of energy

Energy production in an environmentally

friendly mode and efficient use of energy

supply of various, renewable and sustainable energy systems

Incentives to use of clean energy sources in industries

Serious restrictions on use of fossil fuels Reviewing local building codes to require

those materials and designs that are energy saving

Urban Management Achieving environmental policies

focused on the implementation

Achieving efficient development and implementation of

environmental plans

Enhance functional efficiency of urban management and

environmental planning system

Enhancing efficiency of rules enforcement and monitoring system

Implementation of standards and regulations to ensure protection of

environment Granting executive authority to

municipalities by superior authorities for implementation of legal regulations

Enhancing functional efficiency of environmental management system to develop and implement environmental

plans

Identifying and analyzing environmental problems and preparing a report about the

environmental status of the city and its surroundings

Developing environmental plan Optimal allocation of funds to specific

fields Allocate special funds to environmental

programs according to the thematic areas in the city and its surrounding

Citizen Participation Citizens who are aware and willing to

participate in environmental

protection measures

Creating interaction between urban

management with citizens and industries

Strengthening role of citizens as the core of environmental planning

process in Rasht Achieving social equality in access to

high-quality natural and built environment

Promoting environmental awareness of citizens about environmental laws and

regulations, precious natural environment and necessity of its protection

* There is no purpose mentioned about this issue.



6. Discussion and Conclusion What distinguishes this research from other studies conducted in this field can be summarized in three important and key areas: First: Distinction of the developed problem-finding-problem-solving method from other similar methods, that on the one hand, through a dual path of a) applying documentary method of research and determining problems which can be found from the analysis of planning documents and b) using descriptive method of research, preparing and completing questionnaires and analyzing them to detect problems based on citizens’s views, the correct, radical and purposeful identification of problems can be possible. On the other hand, with considering three types of questions to identify environmental problems, this method addresses assessing the importance of environmental problems and tracing their causes based on opinions of citizens, assessing citizen satisfaction from urban management measures and practices in dealing with environmental problems, assessing willingness of citizens to participate in dealing with these problems. Therefor an effective framework was provided for identifying environmental problems not only in Rasht and its surroundings but also in other urban areas of Iran and even in the world. Second: applying environmental planning approach as a manner distinct from traditional approaches of urban planning which have already not been considered and applied by other urban areas in Iran that have natural characteristics and environmental challenges similar to Rasht. Therefore as a result of continuing, exacerbating and redeveloping environmental problems and degradation, pollution or destruction of natural and built environment of the city of Rasht and its surroundings, applying new approach of environmental planning have been considered. Third: Combining creative problem-solving techniques and environmental planning approach to identify and analysis problems that have environmental nature and using results of creative problem-solving techniques in environmental planning to solve environmental problems of the city of Rasht and its surroundings that have already not been considered by other urban areas in Iran that have natural characteristics and environmental challenges similar to Rasht. As mentioned in theoretical frameworks of this research, environmental plans are focused on the environmental challenges that face the community. Therefore by achieving new insights about environmental problems and determining their main causes, vision, goals, objectives and strategies of Rasht’s environmental plan can be problem-oriented and can be directed towards environmental challenges and solving them. For the first time in the city of Rasht and its surroundings, the present study was conducted with the aim of identifying and solving environmental problems. Consequences and results of this research can be used as a basis for planners, researchers and decision-makers in cities with natural characteristics and environmental challenges similar to Rasht. Since urban planning and management mechanisms in many communities with adapting traditional land-use planning approaches, although with the claim of comprehensive review, not only ignore environmental problems (in surrounding environment of cities), but also continue to neglect urban problems (inter-urban problems). Therefore, it is recommended in addition to doing widespread researches about problem-finding and developing problem-oriented urban plans, researchers, planners, decision-makers and urban planning and management mechanisms should consider using new approaches of urban planning to solve urban problems and adapting problem-finding-problem-solving methods and techniques.

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Environmental Planning for Identifying, Analyzing and Solving Environmental Problems of the City of Rasht Based on Applying Creative Problem-solving Techniques