Ecocity and its Effects on Sustainable Development of Coastal Cities: (A Case Study: Coastal City of Babolsar)

The present article aimed at studing the effects of ecocity approach on coastal city development. To illustrate the issue, we first tried to deal with the problems of city development in the coastal areas, the damages caused by the lack of attention of city builders to delicate and fragile coastal areas and the coditions governing the interaction of land and sea areas.
We then reviewed the most common approaches in building new cities. Our findings showed that ecocity can have positive effects and influences on the development of coastal cities, because in ecocity building, the special local conditions are taken into account.
The evidence and experiences of successful cities in the world imply the importance of ecocity approach in planning and designing of coastal cities.
There fore some of the factors that are influential in the optimal development of the coastal city of Babolsar were tested.
The results showed that by employing factors such as the reduction of ecological footprint around the river of Babolrood, diversification of activities in city areas, vertical development in old parts of the city and its suburbs and raising the socio – economic status of the citizens, the ongoing problems of the city of Babolsar can be resolved.