Spatial Structure and Visual Pollution in Urban Landscapes: Insights from Tajrish Square

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

University of Tehran

10.22059/poll.2025.387167.2703

Abstract

Over the 20th and 21st centuries, rapid urban development has significantly altered urban landscape, often resulting in unfavorable changes. These changes have altered user perceptions of visual quality. While prior studies have examined urban aesthetics, few have explored how spatial structure directly shapes visual pollution, particularly in dynamic and rapidly urbanizing contexts. This research addresses the visual quality of urban landscape by asking: How does spatial structure influence visual pollution? A mixed-methods approach was employed, using Tajrish Square as a case study. The findings from the questionnaire surveys and visual graph analysis, categorized into four types: form, function, furniture and infrastructure, highlighted the critical role of spatial structure components in contributing to visual pollution of the urban landscape. Key factors include poor urban composition, substandard access networks, inconsistent facades, excessive advertisements, litter, insufficient green spaces, and suspended cables. The studies also showed that visual pollution in the Tajrish area focuses more on urban form factors such as land use patterns, the placement of urban elements—including public transport stations and religious sites— traffic network, congestion nodes, in addition to pedestrian network’s geometric continuity and accessibility. The research highlights how poor landmark access and spatial design amplify visual pollution, reducing urban coherence and quality. These findings provide actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of integrating spatial structure considerations into urban planning to enhance visual coherence and mitigate pollution in similar urban landscapes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Pollution

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 March 2025

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