Capacity Development Assessment of Brownfield Areas in CBD of Qazvin (On the Basis of Infill Development Approach)

By increasing the population, articles and activities in cities, different and sometimes contradictory
solutions are expressed for urban development, in a way that usage of these solutions causes the
appearance of suburbs, country sides and vast immigration of villagers to cities etc. especially in the late
20th century. Continuation of this process not only causes urban sprawl and immethodical growth of city
in their surrounded lands and environment but also it induces the stunt of central district of traditional
cities and destroys the natural environment. But by appearance of new approaches of urban development
as a new urbanism literature like infill development, sustainable development and reusing of existing
facilities being considered. Therefore brown fields, vacant and abandoned lands especially in the middle
parts of cities or in the historical context - the fields that in spite of their location within the city, having
installation, under and up ground facilities and appropriate access to CBD, etc. hindered from
development and be vacant, abounded or useless - in recent years because of their high potentials are
considered by dealers and developers more than before. Some benefits of the mentioned approach is
absorbing growth in existing communities, reducing growth pressure on rural areas, providing efficient
use of lands, infrastructures, and services, and improving the quality of life in older communities. Infill
approach enhances the character, viability, and function of existing communities. Maintains or restores
spatial continuity to streetscapes, strengthens neighborhoods, respects historic preservation, and introduces
compatible uses that complement existing community attributes and needs. However, infill development
projects facing with Physical, Social, Regulatory, Economic infill projects that make their, uncertain and
expensive. In the face of these limitations, most developers avoid infill projects in favor of developments
that contribute to sprawl. Therefore in this paper, the capacity development of Brownfields, abandoned
areas and non-used ones in CBD of Qazvin will be assessed by hierarchical analyses (AHP), on the basis
of the standards and indices of infill development- as the research approach- that have been retrieved from
obtained methodology of global case studies. These indices that are prioritized according to their
importance include: readiness of land for development, the zoning regulation, economic factors, and
access to supporting services, access to communication networks and physical condition. Finally 23
identified lots were classified in 5 categories on the basis of their development capacity and it was
determined that the various social, economical, physical, management and environmental functions such
as downturn, loss of social tendency to development the properties by the owners and investors,
management challenges, loss of regional criteria, especial characteristics of some properties because of
their heritage property and etc., have caused formation of such spaces in CBD of city. Therefore by
examining the reasons of formation of these fields in the center of Qazvin, it will be cleared that the
highest development abilities are related to the limitations that have the most physical, economical, social
and environmental functions problems; and the largest development abilities are related to the lots that
have suitable condition in zoning regulation.