Integrated Analysis of Urban Landscape Fragmentation (Case Study: Historical-Religious City of Ray)

Landscape fragmentation has threatened the landscape continuity of Ray which was maintained from prehistoric times until recent decades. From 19th century that Tehran sprawl growth affected Ray's landscape as a satellite city of Tehran, Ray experienced rapid landscape fragmentation and underwent many changes. In order to cope with the threat, the process of changes from landscape fragmentation should be studied. For this purpose, integrated approach was applied to assess landscape fragmentation. Landscape fragmentation is analyzed based on physical and quantitative evaluation using landscape metrics and perceptual and quantitative evaluation through an in-depth interview with natives. The results have cleared an image of the structural changes and also great change of people's perception during the time. Based on the results, Ray's landscape is structurally fragmented, but native do not perceive it. This is while people perceive landscape functional fragmentation. This inconsistent perception of landscape has caused the native's dissatisfaction about their living place. With the prepared image of landscape fragmentation in the City of Ray, city managers, designers, and planners will be able to deal with rapid changes and preserve landscape continuity of Ray.