Modeling the Consequences of Garden Cities Development by Using Grounded Theory (Case study: Zanjan City)

Abstract

The subject of garden city from the beginning of its emergence up to now has been faced with a great deal of agree and disagree ideas. The purpose of this study was to analyze the consequences of the garden cities and solutions to improve this project in Zanjan. Grounded theory methodology was used in this study. Information in this study were collected by using semi-structured interviews with a sample of 32 members of academic staff in University of Zanjan and experts of Agricultural Jihad Organization of Zanjan. Content analysis of interviews showed, 101 phrases in connection with the development of garden cities were extracted. List of these phrases regard to concept affinity and hierarchy coding in grounded theory grouped in 23 concepts and three categories as follows: positive consequences, negative consequences, and strategies for improvement that each one shows an aspect of development of the city gardens' subject. The results showed that positive consequences of garden cities’ development often affect on the owners of Garden cities, while the negative consequences of the project will cover the entire of the community. Based on the results, strategies to improve garden city projects in Zanjan were classified in seven categories including: Focus on the water crisis in the licensing and using method, implying accurate management to prevent the illegal establishment and development, scientific supervision before permission to create a garden city, Citizens demand reduction for garden cities, promotion of production based along with recreation, using capabilities of agricultural graduates and integration of tourism and training in management of garden cities.

Keywords

• garden city
• sustainable development
• agriculture
• environment