Uploaded on 2017-08-12 by Mahnaz Izadi

1.Which are your top livability criteria? I really can not narrow it down to only 5 factors, but if I could take Climate and Culture as subsets of Environment, I may be able to pick 5 factors that are most important for me in terms of livability. Those factors are: a. Environment (Including Climate and Culture) b. Housing c. Infrastructure (Including Transportation also) d. Safety e. Recreation Possibilities 2.Why do we live where we live? I live in Karaj, a city adjacent to Tehran, the capital of Iran. Within this city, I live in the 4th phase of Mehrshar, which is a district located at the south west borders of Karaj. I live with my parents and my father has built the house we are currently living in, so we didn’t have much of a choice to choose our living place. But, I am going to rank the pros of our neighborhood any ways. a. It is affordable. b. It is located in Mehrshahr with a great natural context, especially in its first to third phases, compared to the rest of our city. c. It is near the subway and other forms of public transportation like Taxi stations. d. It is calm, yet it is near to markets and public services. e. Most of its occupants are well educated people from middle-class of our society, just like us. 3.To what extend does your own place of residence fulfill your ideal livability criteria? Livability scale of my area: -Environment (Including Climate and Culture): 60 -Housing: 70 -Infrastructure (Including Transportation also): 70 -Safety: 80 -Recreation Possibilities: 30 Livability scale of my city: -Environment (Including Climate and Culture): 40 -Housing: 60 -Infrastructure (Including Transportation also): 40 -Safety: 60 -Recreation Possibilities: 40 4. What would you change? The first measure I would take would be providing more public spaces and recreation opportunities. Although my area is located within a natural context, it is disconnected from phases 1 to 3, and I would connect them with a pedestrian access along the apple orchard that is located between phase 4 and phase 1. I would also stop consuming every piece of land for residential or commercial buildings and dedicate them to community spaces with a special focus on landscaped areas. I would really take into account the benefit of such great natural context. 5. Why do we move? First Choice: First to third phases of Mehrshahr Reasons: a. Great environment, including a pleasant micro climate due to its rich natural context b. High quality housing c. Good infrastructures d. Well educated, cultured people e. Safe and calm Second Choice: Azimiyeh, a district located at the foothills of Alborz at the North of Karaj Reasons: a. High quality housing b. Well educated, cultured people c. Near the city center d. Calm and safe e. Nostalgic (I was born there) Third Choice: Jahanshahr, a district at the heart of Karaj a. Natural context with many old orchards b. High quality housing c. Good infrastructure d. Lots cafés and public spaces like parks e. Near the city center