نشریه معماری و شهرسازی آرمان شهر
پیاپی 9 (پاییز و زمستان 1391)

Scientific advancements in different disciplines have resulted in effective and considerable changes in the way the higher education institutions deal with scientific outcome through structural، developmental and practical research. Moreover، they help the transfer of this scientific knowledge through qualifying education and learning، and finally، increasing the students’ abilities in using this knowledge in order to respond to the needs and requirements of the people. Planning and elaborating on future goals and programs in different time spans، is، undoubtedly، a better strategy for achieving a desirable future، allowing the schools of architecture to cope with foreseeable changes. The School of Architecture of the University College of Fine Arts of University of Tehran، which is regarded as the leading university and the symbol of higher education in Iran، can guide and inspire other institutions of higher education in the country، by emphasizing appropriate models of architectural education in different levels by promoting better approaches towards architectural pedagogy. Moreover، considering the widespread interest in developing academic and scientific endeavors، it seems necessary to conduct a review of the role and responsibilities of UT’s School of Architecture in national and regional levels. Furthermore، it is vital to harmonize the school’s executive and educational plans for architectural pedagogy with the macro policies and economical laws that are received from above (as general guiding principles). The use of a proposal based on planning and programming is very important، so that the school of architecture can adjust its goals and better prepare the school for the future changes and transformations. This paper is taken from the first section of a comprehensive research carried out for the School of Architecture of the University of Tehran. It is divided into three principal sections: 1. evaluating the current condition with a look into the past in order to determine the positive and negative aspects; 2. dissecting the current conditions in the country، comparing and evaluating the influence of the school of architecture of the University of Tehran on the other schools of architecture and vice versa; and 3. using the previous two sections. This paper proposes various ideas to the College of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran and other policy making bodies which are relevant to the topic at hand. In this research، prepared for the University of Tehran، while acknowledging the five goals: 1. ultimate targets and external goals taken from the ultimate targets، internal objectives and prioritized objectives known as Strategies and practical strategies known as policies; three-part planning: grand strategies، intermediate plans and practical programs and projects; four-part management: interactivity، pre-activists، non-activists، and reactivists، the authors have tried to use leadership، management، planning and programming، with respect to the five parts of the education، i. e. tutor، student، education system، educational facilities and educational circumstances. They have done this in order to prepare a road map in which it would be possible to regulate the relationship between the school of architecture and its context in such a way as to achieve the best possible results. This paper، which is taken from the first section of the aforementioned comprehensive research project، considers the past conditions and looks at the current condition، in order to draw and model a sustainable future for higher architectural education. In this process، the paper identifies the strong and the weak elements of the pedagogical system. Moreover، the opportunities and the threats of the current condition are pointed out، for example، social، political، economic and cultural. This is done to offer planning and programming proposals and to suggest network models with a stable structure، which are specifically designed for the schools of architecture. The chosen methodology in this paper is “simulative” based on the division of educational approaches. This consists of organizing information (in general) and conceptual modeling in three stages of past، present and future. In addition to placing emphasis on the actualized development theories، fact-based and past-oriented philosophies، this paper، also، utilizes theories that explicate the current condition in order to foresee the possible futures. Aiming for a comprehensive plan، this paper addresses the four stages of management، i. e. mentioning the topics which existed in the past and possessed considerable value، improving the current conditions، advancing and accelerating development for the near future، and finally، qualifying development in order to achieve the ideal conditions in a distant future.

Essence of unity in the Islamic architecture of Iran is the result of dynamism and flourishing of a special elixir that is the source of all the things. Unity is the first principle of the Islamicarchitecture and the most important base of Islam. A Muslim architect believes this، especially in formation of a prominent building like a mosque. Of all Muslim institutions، mosque is the most important place for the public expression of Islamic beliefs and communal identity. A mosque is a physical manifestation of the public presence of Muslims and serves as a point of convergence for Islamic social and intellectual activities. Arabic word for mosque is ‘masjid’، which means a “place of prostration” of God، a holy space which is the place for Muslims to worship God and revitalize their beliefs toward God. Here is where the importance of unity shows itself. In this regard، a question arises، “how does it change into a tangible factor?” Establishing centralization in a building is one of the solutions to bringing unity into architecture. One of the effective factors influenced by the concept of unity، in different ages، is the dome. A dome is an element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures، made of various materials، have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory. This element، which has a prominent role in the conceptual and symbolic centralizing of the mosque، shows it can play its role correctly. The spiritual importance of the vacuum space in the dome is one of the consequences of the deep and exact relationship between spiritualism and the metaphysical basis of Islam and the Islamic architecture. Unity in Islamic architecture is not only determined by the engineering frequency pivot، but also by the vacuum at a particular point such as the Kaaba or the fountain in the mosque’s nave. For the Islamic architecture (although it is not the only consequence of unity principle) vacuum is a symbol or sign that shows the superiority and presence of God in objects in unison. With regard to significance of this subject، it should be noted that if we don’t consider the unity and centralism factor، in other words، if we build a space without considering the faith indicators، there would be no differences between a Muslim and a non-Muslim individual. It means that both kinds of architecture just follow the same principles and rules. The subject coming up in Islam is that all of the elements should be associated with the reminiscent of God. Therefore، architecture should also play this role. If not، the architectural values would be under question. In this study، based upon the importance of unity in Islam، achieving and understanding the quality and conditional effect of this fact is the main objective of the Islamic architecture، for example، the role of the dome in forming the centralization in mosques. Thus، in order to conduct the study، descriptive-analytical method was used as the research method. Moreover، archival and surveying methods were used as the means of collecting data and analyzing the subject. Most of the study is done by visual observations. In fact، the present study is conducted through a logical method using an analytical technique to achieve the aims of the research. Besides studying the unity’s role in the Islamic architecture as one of the pronounced indicators in Muslim works، the role of dome architecture in forming the centralization of a mosque is investigated in practice (SheykhLotf-Allah mosque). Moreover، the indicators considered for the dome of this mosque are studied، and finally، all the tabulated indicators are evaluated for some other mosques. Through the defined frequencies، the principle role of the indicator in mosques’ building centralization was determined. The achievements of the present study show that unity is effective in building’s architecture، especially in mosques. This is the unity that gathers all of the architectural works together in a collection، in spite of the external and internal differences. Moreover، some features of the dome-like introversion such as، circle، point symmetry، vertical axis and spherical shape were studied، and by evaluating them in a few mosques، it was found out that each one of these features somehow play a role in the centrality of the dome (symbolic or conceptual factors). Therefore، it can be said that dome plays an effective role in centralizing the architecture of mosques.

Architecture of Safavid era in Isfahan has attracted the attention of many researchers and has motivated discovery of temperamental evidences. People like Steiren and Corbin have tried to interpretively decipher its codes. However، it seems that understanding the Safavid Era’s position in history is a necessity for understanding the architecture of that time. The atmosphere of the society was Shia-Iranian and all the philosophers believed in independent rational forms and “Plato-like ideas”. Wisdom of Islamic-Shia art in “Safavid era” was realized because of the tendencies to illumination، dreams، philosophy of singleness of mind and world of spirits and angles. The limbo world is between the”delivery” and the “temporal” world، possesses a special conscience place in “Shia’s Ideology. “Corbin” in his investigation of “Shia” states that the world of idea in “Shia “has is the origin of formation of a science called “mraya science” and it is the manifestation of a symbol which Corbin calls “the mirror”. Indeed، a “Shia” artist refers to the image of the heaven as the ultimate desire of a human beings and resorts to limbo as an interface between the Earthly world and the afterlife and by using the knowledge of heaven gained through the “Quranic” verses and “Hadayeth”، he reflects this image in his designs. Afterwards، he uses decoding geometry and images، which expresses his discovery and intuition in the world of ideas. So، the “world of idea” which based on the spiritual and “Platonic Idea”، has passed to the Safavid Era and manifested itself in the society. Thus، this paper seeks to prove the hypothesis that Safavid architects attempted to portray the “idea’s universe” in their masterpieces. To this end، they، first، attempted to express this ideology in depth، from Plato’s view to Molla Sadra’s and Shia’s beliefs. Then، it explores and expresses the scope of their effects on the structures of the Safavid Era by studying the decorations of the Imam Mosque of Isfahan. The first philosopher، in Iran، who has seriously elaborated on the Idea world، was Suhrawardi. His point of view، In addition to Khosravani wisdom، was influenced by the Greek philosophers، particularly Plato’s. After Suhrawardi، the Islamic philosophers in the Safavid Erasuch as Molla Sadra have expressed their opinion on this issue in more detail. Henry Corbin Believes that Shia’s teachings call for prophetic reception of Platonic wisdom. Prophet’s mission is to create convergence between earth and sky. But this convergence is figurative and is based on the Idea world. These opinions consistent with those of Sadra and Suhrawardi. In general، the principals of Idea World in Molla Sadra’s view، includes the following: Limbo is between the intellect and physical worlds. It draws form from the intellectual essence and gets matter from the physical essence. It is the intuition world. This world exists in the physical world both in the descending arc and the climbing arc. This paper explores how these beliefs are manifested in the architecture a decorations. Essentially، the religious art، especially in the Islamic mosques discussed in this article have one factor in common، their symbolic aspect. Inallof them، the world isashadow of the truth. Designs used in the decoration of mosques، is no exception. This motif is logical thinking of the Iranian artists. Through simple shapes، they have used a set of icons and symbols to express specific concepts. The mosque’s decoration is represented in four ways: Motifs flora، fauna (rare)، lines، and geometric designs Decorating Techniques which were been used are Stucco، brickwork and tiling. Tiling is seen more than the other techniques. Therefore، this paper mainly concentrates on the tile-work’s designs. Part ofthe tile-work is Arabesque (Eslimi). The tiles’ decoration is، sometimes، in line form. Right from its inception، this sacred art was a tool for religious expression، Hadith، different names of God and، most importantly، verses of Quran. Another important issue in tiling is that secret codes are embedded in the colors used. Turquoise and azureblueare the symbolic colors of the sky. In sayings of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) emeraldcoloris associated with the afterlife. Moreover، as it is believed by the Muslims، God created heaven white and white is the most popular of all colors before God. Finally، the Imam Mosque of Isfahan’s decoration indicates the following: a) Herbal designs a figurative motif of life tree given is seen in the holy Quran as a harbinger. The frequency of these motifs reveals the embodiment of the artist Msalyn that the Shia believes that the holy Quranis portrayed in the Bible. The frequency of these motifs reveals the artist purpose to embody the idea world in the Shia’s belief and the holy Quran. b) Numbers and colors used in، according to the verses and narrations، are attributed to the Heaven. c) Making earthly paradise was the common wisdom of the era’s dominant the oretical belief، because philosophy، creed and religion were united in this period. Finally، the Idea world in Shia’s belief is embodied in his doing. that is in climbing and descending in creation. So، it makes the terrestrial paradise through reference to the verses and had it has the sources. The idea world is an interface between this world and the heaven، the afterlife.

Neighborhood satisfaction or residents’ overall evaluation of their neighborhood environment has long been a major research topic in sociology، planning، and the related disciplines. Research suggests that it has a multidimensional basis relating to both the actual and the perceived environment. Research has identified aesthetics as one of the most important factors in neighborhood satisfaction. Moreover، naturalness (vegetation) is found to be a principal component of neighborhood attachment and a factor affecting use of space، sense of safety، adjustment، and informal social contact among neighbors. Research has also found openness، vistas with open views and the lack of spatial enclosure، to be a key factor associated with evaluative appraisals، such as neighborhood satisfaction. While many studies on residential satisfaction have focused on the overall residential satisfaction، some have focused on satisfaction with a particular residential realm، such as the housing itself the neighborhood or the community itself. In this article، satisfaction of the residents of a high density residential district، Narmak، an important part of the 8th district in Tehran، is selected as the case study. Narmak is a neighborhood that from its first steps of design and development has been designed to provide open spaces and public amenities. Whereas، the aim of the other districts of Tehran was dividing the land into segments to build residential units and install access roads. In this district، one and two-story private houses which used to be seen 10 years ago have been converted to four to five-story apartment buildings to accommodate the growing population. In other words، the land used by one family is now allocated to house four or five families. Meanwhile، no changes have been made in the open spaces of the district; leading to the residents’ dissatisfaction. This research aimed to find out the level of satisfaction among Narmak’s residents، the reasons for not using the squares، places designed as open spaces in Narmak، and the roots of the problems causing dissatisfaction with the open spaces. It helps to find solutions needed for such cases، both those which have been built before and are facing problems now، and the new projects which are in the design process. As the public open spaces in residential neighborhoods play a very important role، such a case study is needed to make the designed open space lively and useful for as long as the residents live there. The first step of the research methodology was undertaking an intensive search for the pertinent literature. A confined amount of primary research was then carried out. This paper made use of both secondary and primary data. The primary data was obtained from a sample of 50 households. The questionnaire was administered to each sampled household. Pre-survey was conducted to gain insight to the study area، test the household questionnaire and refine the research instruments. The secondary data was collected from a sample of 40 households. The questionnaires were scored، analyzed and interpreted. Findings from the observations، and information gathered were considered when the overall interpretations and conclusions were made. The results showed that the residents usually use the squares for taking a walk. They also defined the main roots of their neighborhood problems as shortage of parking space، high number of the residents and many buildings being reconstructed around Narmak. Neighborhood relations and overall neighborhood satisfaction were also found to be moderate. The results provided a manual for solving some of the problems the residents face. Some of them can be defined as below: The number of the stories clients are allowed to build should be the same as the number of parking spaces they are allowed to have; The recreation and sport facilities should be installed in all the squares in order to make them lively and useful for the residents، especially the youth; Local commercials help the open spaces become more and useful.

In the past few years،the housing market has been one of the most fluctuating economicsectors of the country and has experienced several stagnant and revivification periods. Setting up a holistic program for controllingthe housing crisis needs a complete diagnosis and in-depth analysis of the effective dimensions of housing price in crescent and their degree of influence. One of the most economical indexes used for evaluating the housing situation in different countries، is the index of housing cost portion in a family expenditure basket which can be the base of fundamental policy-makings in the housing department. In countries with successful experiences in solving the housing problem of different stratums of the society، housing cost portion in the family expenditure basket is less than 15%، while in our country، IRAN، this portion is reported to be 53%. In other words، a high percentage of family income is used to pay the rent or to the house mortgage. According to the statistics of The Central Bank، the diagram of housing price growth is not synchronized with the diagram of the price inflation growth and its staircase graph is fluctuating around the inflation axis. A few of the most dominant factors in outerfactors’ group are the economical ones such asliquidity، stock market index،interest rate، inflation and the per capita income. Innerfactors also include different classes like physical factors. To have a holistic overview on the factors affecting the housing prices، dynamic systems method is used and the cause-effect loop diagram related to effectiveness mechanism of the mentioned factors in housing prices is delineated. In Dynamic System، after determining the issue، a dynamic theory is shaped which explains the cause of the issue. Then،according to recognition of the relations between factors، a simulation model is designed and tested. Therefore، different policies which can contribute to solving the issue can be tested in this system and optimum solutions can be selected. In this paper، it was attempted to investigate the fundamental causes of housing prices increase and the trend of factors influencing each other and the housing prices by means of proposing a cause-effect diagram. Analyzing the diagram indicates that usage of modern technologies can accelerate construction and reduce the need forconsumption factors. It also shows that increment in the pace of constructing leads to increase in supplying housing and attracting investments to contribute to the construction processes. Transferring part of the liquidity to the efficient part of construction will be the result too. Increment in the consumption factors leads to increase in construction costs. As the result of the finalized price of the housing; the pace of construction will go down. Irregular increment in the consumption factors due to the weakness of housing scheme، reduction in the housing demand، increment in adrift investments and increase in false demand in the housing sector are the other results of the diagram evaluation. As a part of dynamic management needs and flow of dynamic decisions، the focal point of researches in this field must not stand on individual decisions and the decision making policies must be the center of the attention. Therefore، it is realized that most of these factors change the price of the houses due to their effect on the balance between supply and demand. This means that whenever a factor is able to increase the proportion of the demand to the supply، it can increase the housing prices and vice versa. As the result، the approaches which can limit the supply-demand gap by accelerating the residential buildings construction and houses، supplying or preventing the demand increscent are counted as successful policies in reducing the housing price. These policies can be presented in different economical، social and physical classes. In this paper، the target is the physical approaches which can be investigated more from the architectural viewpoint; approaches which can provide the base of increase in supply and decrease in demand in housing marketplace by means of accelerating the construction processes and extending the buildings lifetime. In this case، approaches such as housing development، the usage of new technologies، prefabrication، increasing the beneficial lifetime of residential buildings، repairing the old textures، modular designing and housing schema amendment are proposed and discussed.

It is believed that the relationship between the mankind، the nature and the built environment depends on many different factors. This is a complicated and multidimensional issue. Nevertheless، it is an integral part of any design and decision-making processes of the built environment. Gibson’s theory of Affordance is one of the critical theories in design studies and is based on environmental psychology. Environmental psychology is an area which can play a specific role in the study of the relationship between the mankind and the built environment. Based on this discipline، connection to the place is deep and profound. In intensity and meaning، it goes far beyond what our direct physiological sensors are programmed to reveal. Although the influence of the environment on behavior has long been acknowledged by many environmental psychologists، not many studies have been done in a retailing context. So far، few studies can provide a framework to determine the exact and fixed implications of the relationships between mankind and the environment as this relationship، heavily، depends on the context. Gibson coined in the term “affordance،” meaning the interactive possibilities of a particular object or environment. To Gibson، affordances are relationships. They are a part of the nature: they do not have to be visible، known، or desirable. Some affordances are yet to be discovered and some are dangerous. This concept has been extremely influential in the field of design and ergonomics، as well as the work in the context of the human-built environment interaction. This concept is being referred to، in direct and indirect ways، in environmental studies، but its implications are somehow neglected in various approaches. Although the definition of this concept seems to be very self-explanatory، when considering in design based studies، applying its implications seems difficult. This paper aims to investigate the concept of affordance based on applying a thorough research، reviewing literature related to environmental-behavior studies. Thus the methodology used is a qualitative and interpretive approach، analyzing environmental behavior theories while considering the concept of affordance as a critical issue. In fact، this study takes a qualitative approach to claim that an effective and operational framework for the operational concept of affordance could be established to explicate the relationship between the mankind and the built environment. First، various approaches to environment and the assumed implications of affordance are assessed. The assessment is carried out based on environmental psychology. Then، the evolution of thinking of affordance will be studied and the influences of deep psychological thought on affordance will be derived. In this stage، major theories will be categorizing definitions and various implications. Finally، the conclusion of the research will take in a form of a framework for explicating the concept of affordance referring to relationship between the major elements; Human and environment. This research believes that an effective key definition of this concept can be explored by` means of in-depth analysis and investigation of the related major theories. The findings suggest that although diverse approaches exist and considering the concept of affordance in studies of the built environment constructed based on the Gibson’s theory of affordance، when applied in context of the built environment، a comprehensive approach should be taken. This approach should consider the physical aspects، social issues and the meaning in the built environment. Each aspect of the lived environment could be considered as a level of affordance in the environment. Findings of this paper reveal that the concept of affordance is a deep concept which depends on the context and the environment when considered with an architectural point of view. It can be applied in design process considering the clear and hidden aspects in the built environment. These aspects include natural، physical and socio-cultural features of the environment as the context of design.

According to the communicology theory، the meaning varies based on the codes chosen within the semantic communication process. However، symbols and، even، words، in essence، are only codes. These codes and symbols are the essential elements of a conveyed message which can result in the needed effect on the person who receives the message. If the meanings could have been conveyed directly through the message، there would have been no need for the emblems or symbols in the first place، people could communicate through any language or any other system of codes، and we would all be interpreting and perceiving urban buildings in the same way، but this is not the case. Therefore، it isn’t the meaning but the message which is conveyed in semantic communication. The meaning is up to the person who receives the message، not the message. The most dominant gaps in communication probably happen because of the misassumption that the message contains the meaning and not the receiver. The information we acquire from the outside world are individual information. These information connect meanings to objects in the outside world، for each of us، in our own personal way. These meanings are individual، because they are formed based on our personal choice of interpretations of the outside world. However، there are meanings in the structure of our minds that don’t reflect the differences but are based on shared social and cultural aspects and are used in communication. Some theorists believe that human being، as an individual، cannot make complete sense of the world for himself in his mind and behave or act solely based on that. Therefore، it can be concluded that the meanings associated with the phenomenon and the existences of the outside world are the results of a series of collective cultural mutual agreements. Given this viewpoint، the way a human being perceives his cognitions and interpretations of the world outside his mind، is greatly influenced by the collective culture. Discussing the communication theory in order to cognize the communicative elements and determining their role in shared meanings is such an important and influential approach that changes the concept of semantic communication from “conveying the meaning” to “expressing the meaning”. Since the unity of meanings depends on mankind’s perceptions of the environment، a method is needed through which we can figure out the meanings that a human perceives from the environment and use it as the main source for our analysis. In other words، reading and recognizing the meanings by the user، is the main issue in this research. However in this research، meaning is generally referred to as a qualitative issue which cannot be measured. Therefore، a method is needed for figuring out the inductive meanings of the environment perceived by human. To this end، this research has tried to determine the inductive meanings of architecture and environment. This is done by using a specific method in the theory of schema. According to this theory، the world is observed through spectacles which are the creations of our own minds. This forms the schema. Yet the communal aspects of the mind’s structure necessitate each society to have its own structure of mind on semantic communications، which make it distinguishable from the other societies. In the primary method used in the theory of schema، the stimulus put into practice are only the studied words. Applying this theory to environmental psychology has led to using visual stimulus for cognizing transitive concepts. By using the superseded pattern، in this research، pictures from urban buildings in normal conditions، the way the citizens experience these conditions and their perspective are taken. Through these elements the inductive meanings of the environment is recognized and the concepts perceived by the users of the urban buildings are figured out. By using the comparative analysis method، communal shared meanings fall into three main categories، which are as follows: 1. Sensing or the objective based on recognizing the immediate and simple meanings including form، color، material and functional description2. Cognitive or mental aspect based on implications3. Intuition aspect that is related to the spiritual aspect and inner human forces. It happens when there is a spiritual element in the physical form.

Architecture and music، as the manifestations of some parts of the human soul art، have similar beauty and glory in the scope of representation. Although، music is characterized by hearing phenomenon and architecture is represented by the phenomenon of sight، similar aspects between both of them are abundant. In Iranian garden construction and architecture، these lexical and contextual similarities are represented with music more than other artistic forms. The aim of this research is to investigate the similarities between the principles of Iranian music and garden architecture. Since it is one of the most important examples of the Iranian gardens، Kashan’s Bagheh Fin garden was selected as the case study. Based on the fact that there is a close relationship between architecture and music، it seems necessary to study the different aspects of similarities of these arts in Iranian music and architecture of garden. This is a scope that the art of architecture and landscape architecture are manifested concurrently there. In analysis of the similar cases in Iranian garden construction based on Kashan’s Baghe Fin garden and Iranian music study، twelve principles were investigated. The twelve principles are as follows: hierarchy، sound، symbol، mystics، decorations، order، harmony، centrality، the allegory of heaven، privacy، force or severity and line. Sound: there is no music without sound. The concept of sound and silence is considered in Iranian garden like music. The garden’s space is filled with sounds، the sound of water flowing، wind blowing among the branches and leaves، the sound of birds and human، sudden silence and others. Order: the sound of music is based on regular oscillation، mathematical relations and ratios. Baghe Fin garden of Kashan is rational and regular combination of simply decorated and calculated geometry accompanied by order and fitness. Harmony: harmony in music means fitness of the sounds. In a garden’s architecture، all the physical elements like trees، flowers، water passages، garden monuments and nonphysical elements like sounds، odors and colors are in harmony and fitness. Hierarchy: a system has been considered in Iranian music to replace the music forms and in placing corners rows. This trend has been followed in accordance with the defined hierarchy in Iranian architecture. Centrality: in Iranian music، a sound is placed in center of melody. Center is one the main elements of a garden. The centrality principle is seen in the mansion in Iranian garden more than other elements. Symbol: all proportions، coefficients and values are defined in periodical discipline and systemic form based on the holy figures in Iranian music. The Iranian gardens have been sometimes shaped by four parts structure. Mystics: according to our mystics، hearing the sound of lute is like hearing of love bird in religion. The mystical relationship among Iranians، water، tree and flower indicates that Iranian gardens are holy places. Decorations: in Iranian music، decoration involves: painting، stress، plectrum and etc. In Iranian gardens، in addition to trees، different flowers and plants were used as decorations. Allegory of heaven: heaven is the ultimate goal that our spiritual wisdom and original music seeks. Traditional music is representative of the eternal memory of Iranian Muslims. Thus، combination of Iranian gardens is the allegory of the heaven on earth. Privacy: in our traditional music، the hearer who does not try to reach perfection is not intimate. In Kashan’s Baghe Fin garden’s entrance vestibule hall، there is only a passage from adobe monument opposite to the wall that provides access to the internal space of the garden by truing to both sides. Force or severity: there is falling and rising، force and severity in Iranian music. In Kashan’s Baghe Fin garden، the symmetry in the main passage is obtained by planting trees on the sides، the symmetrical geometry of the mansion، and its color contrast with the green color of the trees. Furthermore، intersections of the main passages of the garden and water ways highlight the symmetry. Line: line in music is sometimes horizontal or vertical، parallel or intersecting، inclined and interwoven. In spatial structure of Kashan’s Baghe Fin garden، the combination of the vertical linear discipline of the trees of the main and secondary passages with water ways’ horizontal linear discipline and water passages and basins create the garden’s structural form. The obtained results show that codes with different meaning and common organizing principles are represented in different expressions in these artistic scopes.

Close relationship between religion and burial architecture and the special respect and reverence of the holy shrines for Muslims were the main reasons for development of burial architecture. Thus، the structure of such constructions has symbolic values and is associated with holiness، religious and political identity of the deceased person. Various types of domes such as rok، nar، and double-shelled have been introduced to the world. Ourchin dome، which has typical characteristics of the tombs in southern part of Iran، has not been studied. Little information about this type of dome is available in the history of Iranian architecture. The existing information، a few names and dates of constructing، is limited to some reports and pictures provided by foreign tourists and unknown writers. Therefore، the origin and the reason for developing such domes as well as their role are still mysterious. Discovering the methods of construction، the design strategies، and identification of different types of dome، as well as their related issues have been of special interest to the Iranian architects. In Achaemenid period، the rich emperors of Iran supplied the structure of their palaces with resistant woods from trees such as cedar from Lebanon or other far away countries. Therefore، due to poor economic conditions، the need to spend a lot of money to provide wood، the absence of good climatic conditions to grow these types of woods in jungles and plains، and the availability of soil، curved arches and domes found their place as continental and structural phenomena in Iranian architecture. In Sassanid period، the construction of domes blossomed and became so prevalent that the structure and construction method of the dome covering has been being used as the general model and instruction until now. The double-shelled vacant، double-shelled completely gaped، nar، rok، the combination of nar and rok، and ourchin domes could be abundantly found in Iranian architecture. Ourchin domes are only found in south-western part of Iran. Even in that part، they are scarce، because this style of constructing the dome is different from that of the northern and central parts. This is exclusive to Iran and only a limited number of this type of dom is found in Iraq. This very point indicates the uniqueness of this style of architecture. On the top parts of the dome، the consistent set-backs of the structure are located beneath. Normally، the height of the ourchin dome is much more than the other types. Consider the vertex of a triangle on Shushtar and its base line drawn from khark to Boroujerd، the places in this triangle feature mozaras domes. Many foreign tourists who have seen mozaras domes called them Pineapple Domes or in French Dome Aveols. This type of dome was only built as a tomb or grave. The methodology of the current study is descriptive and analytical. In different parts of the study، comparative، retrospective، and fieldwork studies have been used. The root of the word، ourchin dome، and its meaning are pointed out. Also، the origin of the Iranian architecture، which dates back to the Seljuqid period، is introduced. Then، the geometric relationships of its sides are examined and different varieties of this dome [star and polygonal] are drawn. Studying the typology of the examples of this dome in Iran and Iraq revealed some remarkable points about their geometric height and shape as well as the number of the floors. It was concluded that that the main reason for developing the general structure of this type of dome was symbolic and not just religious. This dome، on its own or in combination with religious places، has played an effective and functional role over time

In the process of architecture design education in Iran، less attention is paid to socialcultural contexts during site analyses. Hence، the problem oriented approach to design process aims to consider architecture as a more public activity that provides potentials for contemplating many environmental and social attributes in the design process education. Photography could be considered as an efficient communicational method in site analysis that enables students to represent their social knowledge about the urban environment. Nevertheless، photos have so far been used as a descriptive tool in architecture rather than an analytic or critical one. This study points out that photography could be used more thoroughly in the context of site analysis through an interpretive process of ‘reading’ images، a process which fits within a paradigm of visual literacy، but moves beyond a simplistic، semiotic ‘decoding’ of imagery. ‘Reading’، in this context، is considered to be a process of interpretation concerned with complexity، which refers to a process of interpretation and elicitation. The multi-research methods have been used in this paper. Qualitative method was used for the first part of the study to establish a theoretical formwork for the research area. Case studies، in Iran & Turkey، were used for comparison of the two nations with regard to this issue. In this study، 17 students at Shiraz University and 21 students at the Islamic Azad University of Shiraz digitally photographed the built environment of Shiraz، Iran. They went through a process of key-wording and interpretation of their photographs as the 20 Turkish students had done in Toke et al in 2010. Participants were asked to use ‘snapshot’ approach to photography in order to record the direct responses of their engagement with the study area without spending too much time on composition and aesthetic aspects of the photos. Moreover، this approach not only makes it possible to represent the citizens’ natural behavior، which may change as they see themselves in front of the camera، but also brings some unwanted or unseen objects of the Urbanscape to the scene that could be useful for further interpretations. Then، they were asked to choose images from among the set of photographs they had produced during the initial exercise and interpret them in terms of their intentions in taking them and understandings of what they depicted. To facilitate interpretations of the photographs، the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire containing a series of open-ended questions. The open ended questions consisted of three parts: i) ‘Read’ this photo and tell us about it; ii) key-word the photos respectively using five words and iii) Why do you think the photographer chose this photo to present among the other photos? The first question is based on the term ‘reading a photo’ and asking the students to write a paragraph about their interpretations of each photo. The second one is about key-wording which is a selective process notunrelated to the process of choosing particular images to share and discuss. In this sense، key-wording is an akin to a process of framing which is valuable in narrowing down the number of available features in the photo. The final question asked the students about the photographers’ reason for selecting the photo. This question makes it possible to compare as if the shared familiarity of the study area lead to the same interpretations among the photographer and the observers. One of the most interesting aspects of the students’ photographs and interpretations is not so much that they addressed either material، or social/behavioral factors، but that they often addressed these together، uncovering multiple layers of meaning in the sites they referred to. It was found out that unlike the Turkish students، the Iranian students had not placed enough emphasize on the people، social and cultural diversity. Instead، they had concentrated more on the tradition and the conflict between the tradition & the newer productions. Yet، two kinds of challenges were identified in this study. The first emerged from the ‘educational – academic constraints’ which pays less attention to urban spaces، social and behavioral activities in architecture education. It also leads to fewer comments’ from the observers on visual irregularities and diffusions in managing signboards، urban graffiti and façade designs. The second which could be named as ‘cultural constraints’، is derived from the cultural legacies and historical attachments which causes observers to be more sensitive to rehabilitation and revitalization rather than new buildings. This paper suggests that this process could help both the teachers and the students to define the site contents. Moreover، it could provide a tool for assessing the results of design projects using the social- cultural attributes.

One of the issues in theoretical architecture having been considered in recent decades is epistemology and its branches. The changeability of perception is one of the most important issues considered in this field. It is related to subjects such as the role of creativity in architectural work، audience of the architectural work and the process of the perception for understanding the work’s meaning. These subjects are derived from a branch in epistemology which is called “epistemology of texture”. According to the latest theories in this branch، all the perceptions of audiences are affected by their prejudices and their prejudices are influenced by external subjects such as history. Meanwhile، these external subjects are changing constantly. Due to this point of view، all the objects should be presented compatibly with this changeable process. Therefore، in designing architectural works، geometries which are compatible with changeability and relativity of perception should be used. The basic idea in theoretical field which will be specified in this article is considering an architectural work as a texture so that its meaning could be reviewed based on its components such as its signs in a decoding process. Thus، the major issue in this article is derived from the relationship between architecture and epistemology، especially the contemporary epistemology of texture. Considering this، there are some important questions in the theoretical field of architecture such as can a final meaning for an architectural work be assumed or can a certain framework for discussing architectural work، its architect and its audience be presented or not? Different steps for specifying and responding to these questions consists of the following stages: In the first stage، epistemology and its mission in encountering the other fields of knowledge will be defined. In the second stage، contemporary epistemology of texture and one of its most important principles which is called “Perception relativity” will be defined. In this part، major consequences of perception relativity in the field of interpretation and perception of the architectural works are explained. To this end، the claims of some of the most important theorists in this field such as Gadamer، Derrida and Palmer are referred to. In the third stage، the relationship between the contemporary architecture and epistemology of texture will be explained. In this part، the effects of this theoretical field on the designing process of architectural works will be shown. For reaching this target، some of the works of famous architects such as Eisenman and Tschumi will be referred to. In the next stage، the theoretical foundations of epistemology of texture will be evaluated. Finally، based on this evaluation، the findings of this research will be presented to prove that it is necessary to reconstruct the theoretical foundations of the contemporary epistemology to achieve a certain framework for reviewing the meanings of the architectural works more logically. This is due to the fact that the result of performing the recommendations presented by the contemporary epistemology of texture concludes that any framework and fixed principle for evaluating architectural works can’t be accessed. Therefore، according to these recommendations، all of the perceptions are acceptable. It is obvious that such a theory will conclude rejecting any preference among different perceptions. Consequently، it will decrease the value of perception highly. On the other hand، according to the findings of this research، the effects of the contemporary epistemology of texture on contemporary architecture will cause a kind of epistemological anarchism in the process of perceiving the meanings of the architectural works. Consequently، it will lead to rejecting any specific framework for discussing the architect، his work and audience. Therefore، it’s not a reliable theory for applying to the design process of the architectural works. In this article، interpretive-historical research has been utilized to access the cited targets in the first data gathering step. Moreover، logical-argumentative research is used in analysis of the data and drawing conclusion. At the end، it is necessary to consider some different theories in the field of the contemporary epistemology of texture such as philosophic hermeneutic، deconstruction and etc.، but in this article those notes which are common among them are emphasized and verification of the issues which separate them from each other is avoided.

Due to the nature of their functions associated with physical and spiritual health of the human beings and the complexity of these functions، considering the appropriate design requirements is vital in the design of hospitals and healthcare centers. One of these requirements is the correct usage of daylight. So far، many experimental studies have been performed on the beneficial effects of daylight on patients’ health (Ulrich، 2004). By relying on experiences of the experimental and field studies، this article describes the physical and psychological effects of daylight on patients. Then، by using the outcomes of previous researches and surveys in association with the characteristics of proper daylight، considering the specific climatic conditions in each region and the existing valid standards of daylight، an appropriate physical solution is recommended in temperate and humid climates for optimum usage of daylight in hospital bedrooms (Orbit 36 to 38 degrees). Designing appropriate windows for mild-humid climate (orbit 36 to 38 degrees): The main factors in creating healing environments with regard to daylight consist of: sufficient amount of daylight، appropriate shape of windows and control of the unwanted direct sunlight (CABE، 2004). The adequacy of daylight in a room is measured by average daylight (DF). DF should be at least 2 percent، although 3 percent of DF is recommended for most hospital spaces. However، the areas with a DF of more than 5 percent will encounter the problem of discomfort glare (CIBSE، 1999). The average daylight for inpatient hospital rooms can be calculated using the following formula: Equation (1): computing the daylight (CIBSE، 1999) DF=WTӨ/ (A(1-R^2))%In the specific climate of temperate and humid، studied in this paper، considering DF= 3 percent and substituting the other factors in equation (1) in accordance with the standards of the Management and Planning Organization of Iran (3 = (w*0. 90*0. 5) / (1-0. 25) *84. 9)، the size of window for a two-bed hospital room is calculated to be 4 square meters. The shape and dimensions of canopies (to avoid the access of direct sunlight to the inside of bedrooms) in so-called climate in this paper is obtained and equals to 1. 10 m. Modeling bedroom in lighting simulation program (Dialux): To check the accuracy of the computed size of windows in two-bed hospital rooms in temperate-humid climates studied in this paper، the windows in rooms with the direction of latitude and longitude of 36° and 52°، while rotating 15 degrees from the North axis (Appropriate angle for this climate) is modeled in Dialux software. The output of simulation is interpreted through the intensity of luminance or Lux (lx). To be able to turn it into DF، the Emin/Emax is multiplied by 101. For the case of this paper 101*0. 036 is equal to 3. 6 which means the DF is 3. 6%، that is in the range of standards of average daylight (2%-5%). While، there is not much difference with the calculated DF by equation (1) which was 3%. The main critical point about the standard designing system of hospital bed rooms in Iran is the unequal exposure of beds to daylight، with beds closer to the window getting more light than those which are farther from it. In this paper، another arrangement of hospital bedrooms is presented by applying the main standard، as a solution for this problem. Moreover، the standards indicate that the maximum window sizes in temperate and humid climates must be 30% of the windows wall، but in the results of modeling، minimum size is 38% (the ratio of windows area to windows wall is 4/10. 8).

The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between urban land subdivision and urban spaces quality in the urban extensions. Nowadays، most of the new urban development sare formed without any regard to the quality of urban spaces. Subdivision is related to more factors which impact urban spaces; for example، safety in grid pattern is less than the two other patterns، but access in grid pattern is more than the other two. It seems that one of the reasons behind making undesirable urban spaces in urban extensions is partial concept and process of land subdivision، because it is not just impacted byonly one factor. Fundamental factors which impacts urban land subdivision are: physical، cultural، biological، economic، and political factors. Thus، in a new urban extension one should not just consider the physical aspects as land subdivision Research method is survey research and documentary studies are used. Karmandan (grid pattern)، Olompaye (cul-de-sac pattern)، Ansaria (grid-cul de sac pattern) are case studies located inZanjan City. Case studies were selected based on three land subdivision pattern: 1- grid pattern (KarmandanShahrak)، 2- cul de sac pattern (OlompayeShahrak)، and 3- cul de sac- grid pattern (AnsariaShahrak). The reasons for selecting the samples are different breakdown patterns and the same micro-climate. Case studies were compared with one another based on the questionnaire answered by residents. The questionnaires were based on urban spaces quality criteria and urban land subdivision theories and had 33 questions categorized in six groups which consisted of access، physical and spatial quality، safety، transportation، landuse and recognition of neighborhood. It was found that Ansaria’s (cul de sac- grid pattern) is better than Karmandan’s (grid pattern) and Olompaye’s (cul de sac pattern). In grid pattern، pedestrian access conflict with cars is more than cul-de-sac pattern، so land subdivision patterns directly affects quality of urban spaces in the new urban extensions. Land subdivision pattern impacts on the qualitative criteria of urban spaces such as: access، safety، hierarchical open space. Fundamental factors impacts on urban land subdivision are: physical، cultural، biological، economic، and political factors، so in new urban extensions physical aspects should not solely be considered as the basis for land subdivision. Finally، recommendation are represented for increasing urban space quality based on urban land subdivision such as: cohesive open spaces، mixed land use in edges، cul-de-sac access in residential land use، pedestrian access between the blocks، shared semi-public open spaces among the residential blocks، variety of size، form and orientation of the parcels، different gates for each neighborhood for making legibility in new urban extensions، use of hierarchical access network rather than checkered network for incretion of pedestrian safety، use of small cohesive squares rather than large square، use of recreational facilities such as theatres، restaurants، cafes، movie houses، and libraries with late night hours، hotels، and teenage meeting rooms. Moreover، usage of thesquareshould be extended to night-time، Parking should be located closer to destinations in smaller areas، especially in higher density extensions and at local shops، and Parking should preferably be located away from the street at the back of buildings. If parking is provided at the front، a maximum of two rows of parking should be provided. Parking structures should not dominate street frontages and effective separation of pedestrian and vehicular movement should be at a scale which encourages activity and pedestrian comfort. To maintain privacy، a clear distance of at minimum 11 m is needed; otherwise، visual obstructive elements، such a strees، should be provided. Intensive activities and majority of public buildings should be concentrated along the common vehicle and public-transport routes. Locating buildings closer to the street would increase pedestrian activity، reduce resident isolation، and foster pedestrian services such as retail outlets. Creating special public places، as public spaces and public institutions are the focal point of community life. Public furniture should support the desired character of the space، providing physical، visible and perceptual connectivity between cluster and linear open spaces. Hard open space system and soft open space system should be aligned with main public buildings such as community centers and places of worship. Public buildings should be located in relation to formal public spaces and important movement routes. Hard open space should announce the buildings and accommodate informal activities that respond to these buildings and symbolic and/or focal points should be located in the middle of a cluster space or at the termination points of a linear space. Finally، continual special activities that exist in the node should be established within the linkages towards the node.

Linguistic concepts and theories seem to be، both from philosophical and theoretical points of view، a proper base for analyzing various phenomena such as city planning and architecture. Therefore، city as a context that contains signs، meaning، and indicators has a written architecture. This paper aims to clarify the urban space semantics in its cultural and social context so that the process of semantic occurrence in the urban space can be revealed using the linguistic approach. The projection and interpretation of the urban space is applied through semantic principles. As the sense and reference (in linguistic terms) are two important expressions of meaning realization، there are found some interwoven semantic approaches for getting an interpretation of the urban space. Contextual meaning is an issue realized by the syntactic rules and representational concepts (linguistic conceptions) along with references through situational and non-verbal themes. Likewise، simultaneity of three objectives، subjective and social features in the frame of structural features of space، spatial conceptions، experiences and actors’ speech and behavior can lead to the process of meaning occurrence in the urban space. This is followed by this matter that how the human mind operates in understanding of meaning using linguistic (concept) and non-linguistic context. Among these ideas، implication of the inter languages in the frame of syntax rules (linguistic structure) and representational concepts (perceptions of language) refers to the relation between linguistic units (Words and sentences) and (proof) of the outside world. As the words are put together، they achieve certain value. Another part of the implication of inter languages goes back to the cognitive semantic. Cognitive semantic is proposed rather than the outside world، (conceptual structure) and cognition is reflected from human experience in the outside world. In this approach، understanding the meaning association Part of the speech with the situation that this part of speech describes is of importance. Implication of the Extra-linguistics in Non-verbal and situational frameworks، leads to meaning relation between the linguistic units in a language system. According to the viewpoint of most Linguists، it is impossible to understand the meaning of sentences or words without referring to their situational context and the sentences that have proceeded or followed them. On this basis، there are two kinds of semantics. the first kind deals with the structural meaning، and the second kind studies meaning using non-linguistic experiences in the outside world. In other words، a part of understanding meaning of a text is related to the companion rules units، another fundamental building process، such as the conceptual schema. The final part deals with how people apply language in their daily activities. According to this fact and by applying the semantic approach in the urban spaces as a context، process of occurrence of meaning in the urban spaces has been realized by synchronization of three factors، namely، the objective، subjective and the social factors. In the frame of structural spaces، understanding and experiencing spaces and behavior are realized in physical spaces. Each of these factors depends on the other factors. That is، the meaning of the urban space is inspired by the syntactic and structural rules of the space in which the elements and components are interwoven. This causes a total integrity which provides a combination of functions in spatial morphology through the syntagmatic rules of urban elements. Mental images and maps created by citizens are the most important factor which signifies and attributes meaning to the urban space through what appears to be a specific relationship between the elements، signs and the symbols in space with a chain of events in the conception stage. Signs have dependent meanings are understood by the addresser and produce common meanings. Human presence in a space can be accompanied by discovery of message، meaning and new mystery. Behavioral patterns and collective actions are used to regulate the people’s relationship and internalize the semantics of the urban space. Relating to this issue، it could be said that the urban space doesn’t just have a spatial and physical dimension، but rather the society and the people are integrated in different hierarchy with space. Therefore، patterns of social and cultural events cause integration of urban spaces with the addresser and the inhabitant. Based on generalizing the above features and the semantic signifiers، this paper paysattention to the Iranian bazar as an urban space reference. The Iranian Bazar، as an urban space، is the representative of the structural، conceptual and social behavior dimensions in a space. In the Iranian bazar، the syntagmatic of the urban elements around the Bazar axis provides the spatial projection which reflects an artistic representation of the conceptual and mental quality through paving the material and spiritual trend. The behavior frames and space’s nature have helped the bazar to have a semantic significance.

Nowadays, in some urban projects in Iran that are aimed, solely, at improving the quality of the urban spaces, development and growth are seen in which no attention has been paid to the overall state of the city in terms of space, connectivity between the old and the new segments of the city and unity. Moreover, modern interventions such as comprehensive and detailed urban plans, projects for the widening the passages and, the adverse consequences in the scale of the spatial framework and the physical organization of the cities has been accompanied. Some of these consequences are as follows: harming the environmental resources such as destroying the agricultural lands due the weed-like spread of the cities which has been formed in the form of low-density developments. In the past, the most important urban spaces in our country were city entrances. However, today because of the expansion of the city and city life either the entrance of the modern cities are designed and built without any proper planning or by passage of time have been destroyed. Therefore, paying attention to the components of the environmental quality that is expected from the cities entrances and the main intermediate space connecting the city to the area outside the city boundaries and studies that should be done at this level offer ways that can improve this section of the city. Considering the lack of attention of some the urban projects to natural-historic features and potentials of the city in offering designs which result in inefficiencies in urban life, it seems proper to use these potentials for increasing the quality of environment and identity of the city is an essential and vital issue. The old core of the city of Karaj is considered one of the particular zones which natural and epochal identity؛possesses both natural and historical elements. Presence of natural and epochal identity in this zone, gives it a specific uniqueness. Using the expressed potentials optimally can play an important role in the identity of the City of Karaj. In addition the river and the eastern hills, what marks the framework of the city of Karaj is the street of Shahid Beheshti. In the eastern part of the street of Shahid Beheshti, the Karaj River and its banks is considered to be one of the especial natural opportunities for expanding the green open and fun spaces. Moreover, the existence of the historical attractions such as the Shah Abbasi Bridge, Samsam Castle, Shah Abbasi Caravanseray and major cultural- entertainment land uses such as Chamran cinema and old park with a matchless and unique view of the city of Karaj and Commercial land uses of Shahid Beheshti Street represent a major potentials for establishing a good association between these elements and, consequently, improving and enhancing the performance of the east gateway and the framework of the city of Karaj. Therefore, in this study, to enhance the efficiency of the cities’ gateways, Quality Criteria in the interface areas which are located at the old entrance of Karaj city (Beheshti Street and the adjacent path to the Karaj River) are investigated and the results will show the effect of each mentioned spaces in organizing the city entrance. To achieve each ofthese quality Criteria, a set of factors that are useful in environmental design of city’s entrance in terms of physical and social aspect. After considering the mentioned qualities and using the AHP evaluation method, the criteria’s strength and quality were studied. Using the mentioned criteria in Karaj, the quality of Shahid Beheshti Street and the surrounding area were investigated in order to functionally improve the old gateway of the city. Finally, by providing strategies and the presenting integrated design solutions, it is expected to be able to provide a context for strengthening them and their physicalfunctional relationship based on paying attention to the natural-historical structures. Some of the presented general guidelines in the studied zone are as follows: - Conserving and developing the historical values by planning the urban gateway as set with the cultural _ historic functionality in the surrounding Shah Abbasi bridge and Samsam castle and also protecting the natural values such as the rivers and the irrigation channels; - Creating and expanding the walkway network in the entire zone and planning for specific ecotourism axis on the banks of the river along with using the corridors and the networks between the historical elements; - Restricting the use of car and emphasizing on the walkway axis in the major second degree axis and the local streets in this zone. Furthermore, it is recommended to enhance the quality of the expressed zone in the city of Karaj in order to improve the urban design projects on the banks of the Karaj River and to define the Urban Design of the intersection of Imam square in the Karaj City Hall.

Recognition of the main urban elements، especially the holy monuments، has altered the image of the Iranian cities over different architectural as well as urban styles. Facade، height، and the position of the buildings are among the most substantial ways used to make the Iranian cities recognizable in the past. Although there have been a variety of architectural styles in the annals of urbanization in Iran، they can mostly be separated into four groups according to Pirnia’s book: Khorasani، Razi، Azeri، and Isfahani. He also describes each of them in more detail and enumerates their considerable characteristics. In short، embellishments، forms، and plans are the most important defining characteristics of each style in most cities. However، in each period (style)، some of the buildings with specific activities have been distinguished and recognized. In the past، buildings such as mosques، bazaars، monasteries، bathhouses، reservoirs، schools، and citadels were among the defining elements of the Iranian cities. Nowadays، they are displaced by political، administrative، commercial، and sometimes residential as well as religious buildings. In fact، choosing to attach more importance to a specific building is rooted in the beliefs and ideas of the governors or the builders. Among all the urban activities، recognition of the religious buildings has always been in dispute and the subject of heated debates. In this research، it is strived to find the typology of recognition of the main buildings in city centers، especially the religious ones، in order to offer the potential to provide an improved set of recommendations for the contemporaryurban design. In this day and age، identity is the subject of heated debates among the architects and urban planners. Without a doubt، one of the most important and considerable manifestations of human culture is city. However، in Iran، due to the Iranian beliefs، the identity of cities is mainly displayed in public spaces and buildings. Thus، it can be argued that the study of these places –e. g. bazaars، religious buildings and etc. – is of utmost importance. From a different point of view، the lack of richness of the most contemporary cities، which threatens the environmental sustainability، is another matter that necessitates such studies. Duplicating previous architectural and urban patterns per se، nonetheless، cannot secure the success of the urban plans; rather they should be used as the basis for design. This study strives to provide such a framework. To this end، it، initially، tries to distinguish different types of recognition of special elements in the image of the cities using a phenomenological approach from theory to practice. Then، it attempts to assess them by utilizing the theoretical and cultural criteria. Aesthetics، identity، urban morphology، and city signs are among the most important subjects having been reviewed in this article. According to the results of the previous researches، two types of recognition of the urban image can be distinguished. The first type is need-oriented (functionalism). It attaches more importance to the emergence and recognition of buildings in plans and does not pay much attention to the aesthetic preferences. This type of recognition was more common in the earlier periods of the Iranian civilization (Khorasani Style) such as the city center of Naeen. On the other hand، the emphasis of the second type is on theaesthetic recognition of the buildings، especially the religious ones. Cities which belong to this type lasted two periods of conflicting identities. Sufis and different tendencies of Sunnite، in Razi and Azari periods، chiefly emphasized the importance of monasteryoriented and mosque-oriented trends. This evolution in the Safavid period reached the point where the balance between these trends was achieved. However، in the periods of urban aestheticism (Azeri Style) there were several patterns for recognition of cities’ religious elements. In this essay، we study two of them. Regarding the results of this research، since Azeri period، two primary patterns of recognition in images of tomb-towns have been noticeable: the Tomb-oriented pattern in which tomb is the indicator element of cities (e. g. Bastam، Natanz and Rey)، and Mosqueoriented pattern in which the new and clearly recognizable mosques are built next to the ancient tomb (e. g. Mashhad and Qom). The latter is an effort to emphasize the sacred atmosphere of the cities. Because of the importance of Mashhad and Qom، tomb-towns، their pattern is promoted in Iran and some other countries.

Determination of floor area ratio (FAR) without paying attention to the cultural and social issues and just imitation of other patterns can’t be the right solution for housing problems. Therefore، it is essential to identify the factors that influence FAR to find the proper FAR with social and cultural features of the neighborhoods and to improve living conditions through providing optimized FAR. In this study، despite of the knowledge about the multiplicity of factors affecting FAR determination، only the social and cultural criteria were used for determining the FAR of Khaksefid neighborhood located on Tehran’s Metropolitan Fringe (TMF). Then the possible maximum density for each of the neighborhood blocks was calculated using the threshold analysis. Descriptive and analytic methods were used in this study. Moreover، attributive and survey methods for data gathering، Geographic Information System (GIS)، and expert choice software were used for data analysis. To this end، theoretical and practical literature for density determination was reviewed. It pointed out that the most important indicators for considering density analysis are: 1) population density، 2) household size، 3) educational attainment، 4) cultural integration، 5) participation، 6) length of residence، 7) neighbor’s relations، 8) tendency to apartment living، 9) safety and security، and 10) housing tenure. After finding the indicators، two different methods were used for data gathering: first، the attributive method was used by referring to the previous researches، population and housing census in year 2006 for indicators including: 1) population density، 2) household size، 3) educational attainment، and 4) safety and security. Secondly، the survey method was used by filling Questionnaire in accordance with the Neyman’s allocation sampling technique for searching indicators including 1) cultural integration، 2) participation، 3) length of residence، 4) neighbor’s relations، 5) tendency to apartment living، and 6) housing tenure. Based on 1548 housing units in Khaksefid، by using Neyman’s allocation technique with (a = 0. 05)، taking the maximum acceptable error (d)، that is the difference between estimated population proportion (Ph) and the true population proportion، to be 0. 1 and with 90% confidence level، the total sample size was calculated to be 77 households. After finding required sample size in each block، Random sampling technique was applied to find the sample housing units among all the housing units. Likert scale was used to convert the qualitative data (very low، low، medium، high، and very high) into quantitative ones (1، 2، 3، 4، and 5). By doing this، the score for each block in each indicator was determined. Furthermore، overlay analysis by utilizing the geographic information system (GIS) was used to calculate the final score for each block. For this reason and because of variation in the importance of the indicators and the necessity of having comparative framework، the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied. Then، the relative weight for each indicator was expressed in terms of the type and dynamic or stability of the indicators، their effectiveness and importance in reaching the goal by using the Saaty scale for comparison (1-9). At the end، final score for each block was determined by multiplying the relative weight for each indicator by the score which was obtained from the attributive method or Likert scale. The final score was classified in 4 categories (including Villas، housing complexes، apartments، and multi-story buildings) using the Natural breaks method in GIS. The results indicated that the most social and cultural capability to increase the FAR was in block 14، south of Navab Safavi square. High score in population density، length of residence، neighbor’s relations، and tendency to apartment living، despite its low score in safety، security and housing tenure were the contributing factors. On the other hand، the lowest social and cultural capability to increase the FAR was in block 10 in the southern part of the Golshan Park. Low population density، household size، cultural integration، length of residence and tendency to apartment living، were the contributing factors. Furthermore، this paper points out the necessity and importance for considering the social and cultural criteria as the effective ones along the other criteria such as economical and environmental in determining the neighborhood’s optimized FAR. In fact، disregarding the social and cultural criteria in housing provision by increasing the floor area ratio could cause problems and decrease the resident’s quality of life. Besides، although the result of this paper shows the social and cultural capability to increase the FAR in Khaksefid، the theoretical framework of that can be used for determining the optimized FAR in other neighborhoods.

Nowadays، the city parks and gardens are an integral part of the complex biological and public spaces. They play an integral part in taking care of citizens’ social and individual needs. These spaces are a major part of people’s everyday environment، including their own children. These spaces can enhance and enrich personal growth، social interaction، sense of cooperation and even teach children to be effective citizens. Due to the specific nature of children’s health and safety، a part of the functions of urban open spaces such as parks should be dedicated to them. The preparation of the environment for children as citizens and builders of the future is of great importance. In this paper، the necessity and importance of using urban parks to develop children’s creativity is emphasized. Since the objective of architecture design is to organize the environment to fulfill the human needs، one of the positive consequences of consumers’ involvement in this process is guaranteeing fulfillment of these needs so effectively that the environment could be exploited more optimally. Obviously، this approach، in addition to the desire for more children to participate and interact in the environment، can help to develop their physical، mental، and social talents and creativity. Creative ability of the users of the environment and playing are the most important factors in the study of the subject. If the playmaking process between the user and the environment is in a way that the environment affects the user to run the game، the game will، on its own، create the needed changes in children. As it was already mentioned، all psychologists endorse the view that mental phenomena are the result of interactions between organisms and the environment. Changes in the user’s sense of curiosity، in addition to the game، are the user’s manual and the food for the imagination. Imagination plays an important role in the process of playmaking. Some of the changes occur at this level of imagination and some imagination remains to be brought to reality. In other words، imagining leads to real changes in the environment which is the same as embodiment. Transferring imagination to visualize the environment is done through user’s mobility، the process of making a game that is supposed to be the most important change in the user’s environment. There are other changes that affect the user’s curiosity، imagination and visualization. In other words، the environment makes changes in the user and the first step taken towards making these changes takes place in the inner user and sense of curiosity، imagination and embodiment. The next step includes the changes made in the physical user. These changes include creating games in the context of creativity. In Piaget’s view، this fact is expressed as follows: ‘The continuous evolution of the power of the mind and the child’s learning process are the results of the conflict between his mind and the interaction with the environment and balance between the two aspects of the process. However، changes in the users، particularly، curiosity، the curious and the stimulatory effect of the space environment. Sense of curiously is influenced by the curious and motivating environment. A curious environment refers to an environment which possesses a curiosity encouraging environment. Moreover، “instigating environment” mainly refers to the features of the environment that drives a child to search and mobility. On the other hand، mobility of the users is the stimulatory effect of the environment and free activity. Free activity refers to activities that can increase the user’s risk and the role of parental involvement. To this end، what is considered of utmost importance، in this paper، is investigating the attitude of parents، as an important consumer group، towards the contribution of urban parks to developing creativity in their children. Therefore، after designing and validating the research instruments and measuring the sample size by utilizing the survey method، the attitude of 210 parents was elicited based on four factors: game making، capacity of environment to encourage children to active playing، safety، and capacity to stimulate children to play. It is evident that paying attention to these factors in the design process of urban parks plays a great role in providing for an optimal environment for developing and promoting children’s creativity.

According to the universal estimates، elderly population all over the world is increasing due to the reduced birth rate، improved sanitary condition and increased life expectancy، so that its growth rate has surpassed the population growth rate. Statistics in our country also explains the fact. Aging is a period of life where each person had to be faced. The increase in number of elderly people as a proportion of total world population makes it necessary to focus on the problem of aging and gerontology. This period has its own special conditions and characteristics. In this stage people encounter physical and psychological changes and problems. Limitations and special disability occurs in elderly people. This forces them to understand the physical environment in a manner differently from the younger ones. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the innovator of the age Friendly- Cities. It implies that a proper physical environment can promote functionality of elder people and their inability to reach the threshold. Urban spaces are places for social interaction، fun، leisure، and etc. Yet the elderly are the part of the social groups. Due to the age requirements and reduced relative business activities، they have much leisure time and are possible for them to use the urban spaces for optional and social activities much more than the other groups. Furthermore، parks are part of the urban open spaces that elderly people go very much. Research has shown that if the spaces are designed for the elderly، the other groups in the society can use them as well. This study was conducted to answer the following questions: 1- How can the society encourage the elderly to participate in urban spaces? 2- How to design and improve the urban spaces for elderly people? In this paper، after the literature review of the topic، some observation on urban space has been made in the area of Kholdebarin Park. The questionnaire forms were given to 120 users over 65 years of age and older. The results showed that the available urban spaces neither meet the needs of the elderly nor do they meet those of the healthy young people. According to the results of the questionnaires، a large number of users of the urban space belong to the group of young elderly who do not have a special problem or a disease which prevents them from using the urban spaces. The second group is those elderly who are older but can use the urban spaces which appropriate facilities are installed in them. This goes to show that if the proper changes are made in the urban spaces and they are made elderly-friendly، more senior citizens would be able to use them and be present in the social circles. According to the results، elderly people attend the urban spaces when they are sure that those spaces are responsive to their physical and psychological needs. Providing safety and security to the elderly in public spaces، municipal services and facilities and creating a sense of confidence and independence can increase motivation of using urban space among the senior citizens. However، design can’t solve the problem of the elderly by itself. The method of maintenance of spaces and effective urban management are very important as well. Based on the results of the questionnaires، the most important problems which elderly users frequently meet in public open spaces were found to be traffic and high speed، pollution، dirty streets and spaces، and inappropriate directions. Others also have pointed out problems such as lack of pedestrian bridges and green space، farness of the facilities and public accesses، inappropriate furniture، passing motorcycles، the existence juvenile delinquents and unemployed youth، senior citizens’ rights not being respected by others. This shows that the designers and urban management officials also play an important role in creating desirable urban spaces. Consequently، to achieve the appropriate space and environment for elderly، the following topics should be considered: 1. Accurately identifying the needs of the elderly and their problems in urban spaces; 2. Provideing design criteria for urban spaces proportionate to the needs of the elderly; 3. Establishing relevant organization to implement these criteria in urban space; 4. Accurate and comprehensive monitoring of the implementation of the relevant regulations; 5. Holding special training courses for people associated with professional design and space planning; 6. Creating college courses in inclusive design for the related fields; 7. Increasing Public awareness and education about the needs of the elderly people.

Urban design is an interdisciplinary occupation-science and has always been in interaction with other similar disciplines such as architecture and urban planning. Since the introduction of the urban design as an independent major، the subject of this study is indirectly considered in some parts of the theoretical literature of the urban design. For instance، within the studies which urban designers have conducted in order to determine the urban design realm، they have proposed a variety of different viewpoints regarding the position of architecture and the influence of the urban design. In theoretical literature of design which deals with contextual architecture، landmarks and monumental architecture، a number of related issues can be found. Emphasis on the context and architecture`s imitation of the context or attention to it in designing single monuments of architecture in addition to defining the position of the landmark architecture are just examples of it. Although according to many theoreticians، the urban design has been created to fill the gap between architecture and urban planning، as a result of the interaction between these disciplines، their boundaries and domains as well as their occupational areas have always been the subject of arguments. This article has attempted to consider the overlap of the domains of authority between the urban design and architecture. The challenge for architects and urban designers starts when the urban designers try to control the urban spaces and consequently the constructions forming them. Therefore، this article attempts to identify the challenging issues and to provide better solutions in order to minimize such challenges. Such issues as identification of the domain and boundaries of the urban design with regard to controlling architecture of the structures، attention to the context of design، the extents of inflexibility of the tools of urban design control، the scale and level of interference on the part of urban design، and the manifestation of monument and out-ofspace architecture are among the issues which have always been the subjects of arguments in theoretical literature of the urban design. The ineffectiveness of the traditional tools of controlling the urban design in focusing on the fundamental aspects of controlling the context، prescribed and superficial controls that result in lack of a desired level of diversity، and consequently، in repetition of a certain architectural pattern all add to the existing challenges in Iran. In addition، the subjective and equal repetition of control tools in different cities and in different areas of the cities with the aim of establishing urban order، under the title of the urban design، regardless of the local features and studies on the existing contexts in each given area will result in the loss of richness and variety. Itwill also، at the same time، increase the contradictions between the architecture and urban design، both in theory and practice. It seems that the problems of the current approach and lack of alternative solutions are، to a great extent، due to the absence of a congruent theoretical basis which could help to identify the boundaries of the urban design as well as to determine the position of architecture in forming urban spaces، lack of which ends in the emergence of challenges in the fields in question. Therefore، the present study aims to use the related theoretical literature in order to sum up and categorize various theories، and to identify unanimities. Moreover، this article represents and defines the quality issues that need to be regarded in the area of urban spaces in the form of a checklist، and thus provides an assessment and evaluation tool for the endeavors made in the field of urban design. The results of the present study indicate that the most challenging areas are the issues of control and the urban design control tools. Consequently، it could be useful to use and give a role to creative architecture to develop the environmental qualities and direct the field toward diversity while observing the turbulence limits. Regarding the issue of urban design control and its tools، some of the appropriate solutions could be as follows: management of flexibility of the control tools، avoiding whimsical treatment of urban design، use of control tools to revise the urban design in accordance with the guidance document. The domain of the urban design is influenced by the consideration of the urban design’s directive role and keeping away from the conceptual elements of architecture design. Moreover، it is very important to respect the architect`s right، which brings about a serious reconsideration of conventional control tools of the urban design in Iran. The findings are categorized in three classes: the keys to minimize the challenges between the architecture and urban design، urban design control tools، and requirements dictated by Iran`s circumstances.

In the old textures of Iranian cities، aesthetic is not what can be seen، but is what should be perceived by psycho-mental aspects. The present study aims to give a better understanding of restoration of the historical textures of Iran، and by doing so، to enhance its acceptability. This is accomplished through comparing different theories in fields such as behavioral sciences، psychology and urban restoration. Another major goal of this research is to improve the quality of meaning of restoration and to promote the urban fabric quality in the historical cities of Iran. The study tries to revive the concept of restoration process. Thus، the interaction between two factors، namely، the sense of place and attachment، enhancing the authenticity of the restored urban textures، has been considered in the research hypothesis. A qualitative methodology based on Meta-Analysis method، on which the previous literature is based، was used. Also، a comparative model was used to compare the relevant concepts. Naturally، the research reliability relies on the academic validity of the studies’ writings، selection of the relevant theories، extraction of the concepts and analyzed proportions as well as conclusion of the data reanalysis. The study tries to determine the influential elements enhancing the authenticity of the restored urban textures. In addition، it has been tried to provide the necessary criteria by which the authenticity itself may be obtained through considering different theories and visions on restoration. The ways to perpetuate the urban textures through redefines have been examined. This is done by conveying concepts such as the character of the urban textures as well as recognizing their place and value in the process of restoration. The enhancement of the sense of place and attachment eventually lead to promotion of people’s standard of living in a restored space، a fact which is especially considerable from the point of view of the Gestalt psychology. All this may help improve the appreciation of aesthetic aspect of the urban textures. Considering that the historical places and buildings in every urban texture may be looked at through their unique characteristics، restoration of such places and buildings could lead to reinforcing the dignity of the urban texture. Experiencing a place- having an emotional interaction with the place، in a sense- creates a sense of belonging to it. This، however، may be realized if two conditions are met: firstly، such an interaction must enjoy a symbolic language and be based on the beliefs creating that texture. Secondly، the meaning and significance of space and place transferred by the architect should be augmented. Finally، the identity of persons and that of place are associated with metaphysical concepts. In short، the issues related with the urban identity supporting authenticity can be listed as follows: • Taking advantage of the essence of the Gestalt psychology in terms of conveying the sense of belonging. • Reviving the past beliefs and memories of those who appreciated a given urban texture without creating a nostalgic feeling. • Creating a semiotic as well as symbolic language indicating a local identity. In the realm of behavioral science، too، the sense of belonging is the resultant of a pleasant and beautiful space eventually leading not only to an enhanced living standard but also to an increased appreciation of the aesthetic sense of a place. To this end، in order to enrich the concepts of sense of place and sense of belonging to urban textures، the followings items can be considered as the constituents of the research hypothesis: • Keeping the life and reviving the past history of the city. • Creating coherence in spatial qualities and removing unpleasant changes. • Perpetuating the sense of place through preventing intercity migrations. • Encouraging the residents of the developments to effectively engage in social gatherings to augment the sense of companionship. • Cementing as well as reviving collective identity in the neighborhoods through paving the ground for participation in voluntary social activities• Perpetuating a place by means of increasing the neighborhood’s inhabilitabilty. • Simultaneous fulfillment of two key elements: taking advantage of a symbolic language represented in a neighborhood’s texture as well as psychologically increasing the aesthetic criteria in the neighborhood by reviving well-established beliefs، regardless of the fact that whether the passersby are the residents of the neighborhood or not. • Keeping the traditional، structural and behavioral patterns of each neighborhood. To sum it up، the goal of this article is not only context durability that comes from recreating and recuperating authenticity status in context restoration but also achieving urban fabric aesthetic from psychological and behavioral point of view.

Cities are continuously evolving like living organism. The changes demand prethought plans and necessitate the attention to spatial characteristics respecting the citizens’ behavior. Urban systems are highly complex objects that emerge from the interactions between many different actors and agencies، each making decisions which are often contingent on those made by others، and which emerge from the interactions of different social، economic and physical systems، each with their own rules. Gaining a well founded understanding of urban growth and change processes over historical timescales will be vital if we are to secure sustainable pathways for urban development and development control. Cities are complex systems composed of non-linear and multiple scale iterations of spatial and physical heterogeneous components. Despite the complexity، these systems are self-organized and generate socio-spatial patterns resulting from the human activities. The urban form is among the most stable of these patterns that not only structure those human activities، but also sets limits to the future reconfigurations. It can be described by size (scale)، geometrical and topological properties، represented by vector and matrix datasets، and associated to distinct attributes. Recent computing processes، as well as the extended interest on the subject، allowed the emergence of distinct analytical procedures within the context of independent disciplines along with their theoretical and methodological foundations. It has been 50 years since the comprehensive plans have been applied toIranian cities. The formation basis of these plans originated from the modern movement organizing the four-fold performance of accommodation، job، commuting and leisure. Due to implementation of these plans in recent years، the gradual destruction of traditional structures of Iranian cities has been witnessed. The chaos in implementation of these plans has affected the citizens’ behavior to the extent that some bizarre behaviors are seen from citizens. This shows the inattention of the comprehensive plans to people’s mental image. Based on recent advances in software، architecture and urbanization in the formof semantic information، it is tried to use space syntax to analyze the neighborhood space in matrix of features. In this research، at first، 4 parameters were introduced for analyzing the structure of the selected area. These parameters were connectivity، control، choice and integration. Then، the considered area was computed using these parameters. The present research has been carried out in Kababian neighborhood of Hamadan. This city has been settled by different tribes. The city is supposed to have been built by Diuox. The pattern of the city’s texture is composed of radial and ring patterns which are formed in 1928. This spiral texture consists of concentric circles which are connected by six main streets winding up to a central square and belt circles which divide the texture into sectors of a circle. Hamadan consists of about 50 big and small neighborhoods each of which has a certain border. These borders are specified by passages، intersections or certain places. Kababian is one of these neighborhoods which can be called a heritage from the past. This neighborhood dates back to Qajar period and is located between Shariati، Bu Ali and Khajehrashid aldin Blvd. In the next steps، figures that were taken by Depthmap Software (spaxce syntax software) were analyzed. The results obtained by the software shows lack of success in comprehensive plan for citizens’ behavior. It is worth mentioning that the weaknesses of the comprehensive plan outweigh its strengths. In the present research، the present situation and the comprehensive plan in two general sections were compared. In the first section، the Kababian axis، and in the second section، all the neighborhoods were analyzed. In surveying the parameters in Kababian axis، the fading role of connectivity in comprehensive plan in connectivity parameter were observed. Analysis of the whole neighborhood showed that the hierarchy is declining. Identity of an Iranian city is being ruined because of lack of attention to the spatial domains and eligibility for pedestrians. Depth reduction for the whole neighborhood has led to greater vitality. On the other hand، reduction of integrity parameter، due to reduction of connection between the streets، has changed the quality of life and has separated the neighborhood in scattered sections bring about behavioral conflict at the same time. Having done the analyses، a questionnaire، based on Lickert analytical method، was distributed among the residents of the neighborhood to assure getting results with space syntax. This questionnaire focused on the behavioral effect resulted from the implementation of the comprehensive plan in social life. It validates our way of analyzing the master plan of Kababian quarters.

The attention to the worn and old textures and removal of their unsustainability has been a serious issue for those organizations who are concerned with regeneration of these textures. They have announced the necessity of intervention in these textures at different time stages. Intervention in the historic fabric of the cities, in modern terms, dates back to the late nineteenth, especially after the World War II. Gradual industrialization process in the West, the rapid growth of urbanization and overcrowding in cities led to tough living conditions and ecological imbalance. The ecological imbalance in cities, in turn, provided the necessity of interventions in management and restoration of the historic urban planning.Restoration movement, urban recreation and renaissance are the dilemma that the third world countries are facing now. Due to the and underdevelopment and Multiple structuresbelonging to the Colonial Era, the urban centers of the Third World countries possess many structures which are in need of restoration.Approaching recreation, as the new spatial organization production, is based on the new conditions and features which all will be effective in creating new urban relationships and approaches in this field. In this approach, attention to protecting the cultural values and preserving the indigenous and historical wealth, criticizing the construction of an application instead of multiple applications, attention to qualitative as well as quantitative measures, participation of social groups and etc. are considered.Among all Iranian cities, Yazd is one of the most famous cities in the country and the world for having valuable historical artifacts in its ancient context. The area which needs restoration in Yazd is around 2806 ha. Out of this, the historic area covers an area of 743 ha which includes seven major neighborhoods of six ventilationshafts, Doulat Abad, Fahhadan, Gazorgah, Green Dome, Mosalla and 42nd neighborhood.Six ventilation-shaft quarters is one of the urban and central areas of Yazd and is located in the south eastern part of the historic fabric. The problems in this area are: Management, social economical and physical problems. The purpose of this study was to recreate the old texture. The descriptive – analytical methodology was used. To analyze the problems in this neighborhood, SWOT model was used. The rationale for using this approach was being an “effective strategy” which maximized the strengths and opportunities and minimized the weaknesses and the threats. First, his model makes the internal matrix and external factors and evaluates them. This assessment, points to the weaknesses as the internal factors and the opportunities and threats as the external factors, and by using them forms the matrix on the basis of their potential impact on the current status of the neighborhood, a weight of 1 being the most important and 0 having no importance. Then, it rates the factors, each factor, based on importance and location of the current quarter, having a score of 4 (Very) to 1 (poor). This rating showed how each neighborhood replied to the external and the internal factors. Finally, the weighted scores for all the internal and external factors wereseparately summed up to calculate the total weighted score. This score represents how the systems respond to the potential environmental, internal and the external factors. Finally, the obtained scores passed on to a matrix diagram, internal plaid - External.After analyzing the collected data, it was concluded that in the study area, a maintenance strategy is needed to be adopted. In this situation, the Intensive Strategies can be used. With regard to the proposed strategies for urban recreation in this area, it is noteworthy to include:- Paying more attention to protecting the historic environment and preserving thebuildings and the original spaces;- placing more focus on culture, art and entertainment programs in the re-creation and urban renewal;- Emphasizing participation in the community affairs and developmental “approach to community-based” efforts to eliminate corrosion in the city;- Emphasizing on increasing the employment, reducing the poverty and social exclusion, and establishing community and educational programs rather than providing mere physical rehabilitation;- Emphasizing on more interaction and cooperation between the residents and the agencies involved.Efficient recreation requires knowledge, skills and resources of the public, private and the local communities. It also requires movement that criticizes the government’s direct involvement in the development and a move towards good governance. The most successful plan is based on the principles of sustainable development.

Human being needs to follow the principles of sustainable development guideline to eliminate his/her needs. One of the most important indicators of sustainable development is urban identity and authenticity. One could claim that urban identity is going toward sustainable development when it’s comprehensive. Therefore، fair distribution of facilities between generation and within generation is an important issue to help realize this goal. The relationship between man and nature is an essential part of the city’s identity. Furthermore، understanding the needs of urban residents، view analysis، location finding، and noting the importance of artificial identity of the city are very important factors. Green space is one of the most important tools for giving identity to a city. Its fair distribution can meet the needs of all residents and satisfy them. Therefore، recognition and evaluation of urban spatial patterns of green spaces in urban planning and designing is of great importance. In modern approaches to urban planning، not only existence of green spaces is valuable، but its distribution in various regions and the city’s connection with its surrounding nature، play a vital role in stability of the urban spaces. This lack of awareness of its benefits has caused destruction، separation and finally، inefficiency of the green spaces in different areas. In fact، management of the urban green spaces is a very important factor. Having accurate programs and policies and using scientific methods in these researches are vital prerequisites for maintaining and developing urban green spaces. Doing researches and experiments on site selection and development of these spaces، so that the climatic distinction of the area can promote the desired quantity and quality of habitats، seems essential. Different phases of this research involve study of the past historical documents، interviews، collecting information، reviewing role of the natural elements in urban identity، reviews of existing natural resources، preserving and creating green space requirements، exploring the shortcomings and analyzing and providing appropriate solutions. In this study، it is tried to find a fair way for the city’s natural identity to keep pace with its sustainable development. Due to its coherent texture of natural and environmental diversity in the past، Shahrekord was selected as the case study. According To the previous researches on Shahrekord’s urban identity، this city was known as a green city with a pristine nature. Looking through the past status of the city، factors such as water resources، pastures، cultural grounds، forest and arboreal areas have been given more attentions as they make its natural identity structure. In this article، Shahrekord’s previous structures in different periods have been investigated to find outthe role of the identical elements of the city. Having known about the available green spaces of the area by using data which was collected over the past years، referring to the aerial photos of the green spaces and with the help of mental maps of the city’s residents، elements of the city’s identity has been identified. Shahrekord and its surrounding areas’ green spaces have been compared from 1971 to 2011. Many of the fountains، streams and natural water canals، as well as the green canyons and high quality soil grounds which used to be part of its natural elements have been destroyed. This has taken place either because of neglecting the natural structure of the city or losing their main use and being converted to nugatory places with no identity. The process of expanding the city in previous years has reduced its green spaces، both in the city and its surroundings areas. Increased construction is now a real threat for the city’s natural identity. It seems that integrity of urban green areas and observing the location requirements has helped natural perspective of the city. They also have major role in promoting efficient urban spaces and natural identity of Shahrekord. Proper urban planning can be the best way to obtain city’s ecological territory. Therefore، some guidance on maintaining the continuity of green spaces has been presented to promote the city’s natural identity. Finding suitable location for expanding the city in the future، using appropriate models، creating green centers، in or out of the city، constructing natural lakes، permanent or seasonal، constructing rental gardens in the suitable locations، extending suitable walking and jogging tracks، especially in parks and other urban green spaces، are a few of the suggested solutions.

Rapid growth of the cities and their physical development causes a variety of crises such as environmental problems and the drop in the quality of the environment in the urban life. To this end، the necessity of paying attention to the concept of quality، its promotion in the residential environments and attending the problems is more so felt. In recent years، extensive researches in this domain have been carried out. The relationship between the urban planning policies and the environmental quality has been a source of great controversy for a very long time. At one extreme، there exists the view that greater urban development and activity، inevitably، leads to environmental degradation and، ultimately، to possible ecological collapse and reduced environmental quality in the urban residential areas. As Johnson et al (1997) argue، environmental quality is a set of properties and characteristics of the environment، either generalized or local، as that impinge on human beings and other organisms. In urban planning، filed environmental quality is a general term which can refer to various characteristics of the mankind and the natural phenomena. It is a measure of the condition of an environment relative to the requirements of one or more species and or any human need or purpose. Several recent studies have identified inverted-U relationships between residential satisfaction and the environmental quality. In Iran، due to the increase in city living and high speed of changes in the urban contexts، the quality of environment in urban areas has considerably declined. The urbanization trend in Iran during the last decades has been accelerated by high rate of rural-urban migration along with rapid socio-economic and political changes which has lead to unbalanced urban expansion. During the last 50 years، population of Iran has experienced a three-fold increase (from 19 to 75 million) while the population of the cities has undergone a six-fold growth (from 6 million to 43 million). The number of the cities with over one million in population has risen from 2 to 10 from 1966 to 2006. One of the important issues، when looking at this trend، is increasing urban environmental quality. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate quality of the environment، rank the methods using the Exposure-based Approach for promoting the environmental value in Qom city. The quality of the environment was evaluated by making an experimental model of the quality assessment (value tree) using the top-down method and yardstick investigation in 4 levels of the tree value. Data analysis has been also conducted using HMR. The results of Exploratory Factor Analysis show that Exposure-based Approach of quality assessment was the most suitable model in evaluating quality. Data analysis، (multi vibrant regression، road analysis، Pierson experiment and…)، show with 99 percent certainty that there is a meaningful relationship between the dependent and the independent variables. The analysis results express environmental quality، in view of the users of the Hazrat-e Masoumeh’s Shrine، was lower than the mid-level (1<2. 73<5 with visionary mid 3).

Nowadays، sustainable urban development has become a major concern in residential neighborhood planning. To this end، smart growth theory، as a theory of urban planning، has defined against the urban sprawl and growth of suburban houses and neighborhoods. In fact، Smart Growth focuses on compact development and defines new policies in urban planning to reconstruct central zone of the cities. The city of Yazd has faced remarkable urban sprawl in recent decades. This problem is one of the main factors to destruct gardens and the surrounding farmlands. Moreover، it decreases the quality of the residential environment in the city center. According to the importance of protecting green spaces، especially in the desert cities، and the need to preserve and restore the historic district of Yazd، residential planning can prepare sustainable development in this district. The aim of this study purpose is site selection for residential complexes in the central zone of Yazd which is based on sustainable development criteria. Hypothesis of the research is: “brown fields and unused spaces in the historical zone، which are in vicinity of main streets، have more potential to develop sustainable residential complexes”. Research of the study is based on analytical and explorative methods for site selection using ANP technique. Accordingly، this paper، at first، surveys the history and importance of locating in urban planning، then، explains the features of sustainable housing planning considering the available practices and theories. Site selection process is an action that analyzes potential of adequate land for specific applications in a region or district. Indicators used in site selection are different in various positions، but all have a certain range. Most site selection theories try to define the influencing factors on deployment of space activities in urban spaces by using different techniques. The point that should be noted about the site selection theory and structure of the city is that all are based on the principles of market mechanisms. There are two main factors in determining any kind of site selection، or any type of urban land uses، social and economic welfare. On the basis of these factors، six criteria، compatibility، comfort، performance، utility، health and safety standards، urban land use is defined. On a global scale، in terms of theory and practice، the principles and criteria for sustainable urban development can be discussed and analyzed within the scale of neighborhoods and residential environment. Findings of this study show that، there are generally four major factors for site selection of sustainable residential complex in cities، social and cultural، environmentalphysical، public services and economical-Legal. These factors are divided into several sub-criteria under certain conditions. Social-cultural factor is divided into four criteria of “social activities and playing areas for children”، “accessibility to CBD and public spaces in the city”، “safety، security and tranquility of neighborhood،” and” social compatible neighborhoods”. Environmental-physical factor is also considered in four sub-criteria: “necessary spaces for crisis management”، “providing green space،” “beautiful landscape” and “appropriate space for parking”. Furthermore، public services factor is classified into three groups (sub-criteria): “access to essential and major shopping centers”، “access to educational and cultural center” and “access to street”. Finally، legal–economical factor is divided into two sub-criteria: “affordable land and housing” and “legal condition of the land”. Findings of the study also show that the biggest problem affecting un-sustainability of housing and inhabitants is inadequate access to services in central zone of Yazd (public services factor). Other factors in the order of priority are social-cultural، environmental– physical- and legal–economical. It shows that this factor must be considered as the most important factor in site selection and ensuring sustainability of housing in this area. The surveys show (based on the interviews) that “accessibility to street” criterion among other sub criteria of public services is the most important problem of the residents in central and historical zone of Yazd. Other problems can be mentioned such as: absence or scarcity of public space (especially open space for children’s entertainment and playing)، lack of security، safety and tranquility in the neighborhoods of the historical zone and shortage of green space. The final findings of the investigation prove validity of the proposed hypothesis. Calculations، based on the ANP method، show that، even though there are 13 factors for site selection of sustainable residential complexes، only five factors are more important. These factors are “proximity to city center and public spaces،” “access to a roadway”، “access to major shopping centers”، “affordable land”، and “lack or low land rights “. Finally، among the 18 suitable lands selected for development purpose، an appropriate location was chosen using the ANP method. This space، in accordance with the hypothesis، has less economic and legal problems، in comparison with the rest، because of proximity to the main street service center.

In the settlement plan، which was designed for the people who were displaced as the result of the Karoon3 Dam Project، participatory planning was used. The first phase of the overall plan was implemented. However، it did not last long. This paper aimed to; in the first place، document the experience of the applied participation، and in the second place، to answer the two following questions: what role does participation play in the phenomena of relocation? And، what possible role could participation have played in the discontinuation of the relocation plan? To this end، the article: First، considered the impoverishment، a new and and unprecedented approach in Iran –، due to relocation. It was made indigenous and was given the title of “the relocation and reemployment”. At first، it was necessary to make assumptions on the feasibility of this approach on the location. New understanding - perhaps for the first time - of participation was reached. Thus، the participatory work was done as a particular step in the planning process. This was done for the purpose of speculating the fact that whether the selected approach for planning، in the target area is a feasible and proper one or not. Second، public participation، direct involvement of the citizens in the preparing process of the development programs، has an impact on their lives. The effectiveness of participation depends on two aspects. The first aspect is the methods and the techniques used for the specified purpose. The second aspect is the political conditions of the people`s involvement in the planning and decision-making system. Required participation in relocation schemes meant understanding the complexities in formulation of coexistence strategies of the tribal families in a new location. In other words، figuring out how to situate all the displaced families who came from different backgrounds properly in the new settlement location so that the existing sense of community would survive in them. Furthermore، finding a job، which was the same or at least compatible with their occupation in the old location، was another dilemma. Therefore، participation was carried out aiming to inform the public and get information from them in the fields of ascertaining settling styles in the manner acceptable to the people، finding places for resettlement، recognition of the desired conditions for living harmoniously side by side، and finding employment in the local area for the displaced. The participants consisted of two groups: a group of stakeholders on which the methods of public and formal meetings، brainstorming، talks، and interviews with officials were implementing. The next group was the group of displaced persons. On this group، public participation was implemented in three stages. Each stage had specific aims، responsive methods and techniques. These were carried out using two questionnaires and a declaration. The final summary of the process paved the way for the relocation and reemployment pre programs، that - if continued، these pre programs would have become the procedure for the executive phase. Conclusions on participation for relocation resulted in، first، the classification of the coexisting groups and how and where to place each group. The second result was the spatial planning of the relocation، and third was the resettlement methods and the proposed spatial planning for each method. In the case of the re-employment، to identify the new and the traditional local employment possibilities for the displaced، it led to their reemployment. In other words، those who had become unemployed due to the relocation، all became employed in the new settlement. The third point is that public participation would fully take place and be implemented، if an institutionalized mandate comes from the top brass and is executed by the people in the lower echelon. In the absence of such a legal institution، maximum performance of a participatory movement، which would hold in the process of the plan preparation، will not be possible، because it only will be planner’s initiative، and thus، will not be able to withstand the challenges of the known socio-political barriers face by such movements.

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become a major development axis of the third millennium. A city changes due to the evolution of the urban space and emergence of the underlying concept of the new ICT. Important achievements of this era are more than its means (Internet، GPS and…). E-City provides the possibility of combining reality and cyberspace and makes being present beyond the time and space possible. Therefore، the city space which depends on physical and non-physical space and culture will change because of the new technology. Hence، realizing the necessity of the effect of E-City could be clearly seen in Iran as a new and efficient topic in urban areas. “Electronic City” is a term that still has no clear definition. Many local، municipal and central governments around the world، after being introduced to the discussions of the “information society summit”، are holding “regional summit. They have started moving toward the realization of E-City with the guidance and support of the “United Nations”. Each country implementing parts of it has on its agenda to finally realize the global determination to achieve “E-City”، “Information City” and the “Information society”. The term “E-City” has been around for less than a decade. The leading countries in ICT speak of the concept of new electronic services and optimum use of computer and internet. Of course، experts say that such concept appeared during the late 70’s when the theory of “intelligent systems” was introduced for the first time. It became more formal with the advent of electronic services in the late 80’s. But the reality is that using computer services is not the only key for improving E-Cities. Today، urban science theorists have concluded that the new definition for “city” must be provided، i. e.، city can’t be called a city without having communication technology and information standards. Urban theorists believe that if science wants to talk about this theory today، it should new criterion collection indices which separate the city from the other units such as village that certainly has an added element called “communication”. Mastery of computer in our lives today is associated with the information and communication technology. This is changing a major part of the basic human beliefs about the urban life. On one hand، ICT offers a new solution for the permanent conflict existing between the mankind’s need to “be together and create a society” and “the need to have privacy of undertaking various activities” using different spaces and places” on the other hand. Today، ICT is an inevitable reality affecting all areas of human life، especially in the urban communities. Fast exchange of information، communication and access to digital resources has added a new dimension to the collective and individual human life. This has led to the emergence of concepts like globalization and the global village which used to be a part of the human spatial limitation and could now be deleted in the framework of a “cyber space”. Experiences of developed countries regarding the effects of teleworking on city and work in urban life show that the amount of official working hours in countries is reducing. Increased hope of life is the direct result of these changes. Furthermore، new opportunities for choosing alternate lifestyles are provided. Development of these opportunities has led to formation of demand for a different mold in the city. Such that people’s longevity and lifespan increasing and less of their time is spent working. Thus the extra free time can be devoted to leisure، cultural development and continuing education. In other words، most of the free time is spent outside the home (spatial interpretation of this change is more need for places allocated to recreational، cultural، educational، artistic and sport activities in city). Furthermore، the houses should be more compatible with the changing needs of the people who have free time to spend at home. At first، homes should be equipped with the latest communication facilities. Secondly، since most of the family activities will be carried out within the home، it is necessary for the form and content of the homes be more diverse and have more quality. Hence، yards and private green spaces are found to be important in the design of the houses. This Research studies the first steps in this way، and tries to introduce a way to further study this category. Furthermore، it considers the status by analyzing the expert opinions on Fardis where a comprehensive plan which provides E-City services is achieved.

Playing has significant psychological and Physical effects on children. Today، spaces in cities do not respond to needs of this daily activity in children، because in modern cities، private spaces، semiprivate spaces and public places are insufficient and not safe enough for children to play freely. In some cases، these play areas are located in places that have harsh effects on children’s play as far as safety، consistency of applications، area، distance and some other features are concerned. These play areas sometimes interfere with parallel applications. Therefore، planning and quartering of specific spaces for children’s play indoor space allocations is necessary. Using intelligent soft wares in localization is effective in improving the accuracy and speed of this process. The objective of this research is planning and selection of the most appropriate places for allocation to play areas for children. Furthermore، it aims to investigate and introduce influential measures in quartering. To this end، a mixture of GIS، AHP، and determination of the spatial and non-spatial measures is used for allocation of space to play areas in neighborhood of the forth area of Isfahan. According to the municipality of Isfahan، KerdAbad neighborhood is one of the two deteriorated textures of this area. Considering the hypothesis of this study، it seems that consistency of applications is more important than other measures، and not counting the existing one، two other play areas will be sufficient at this location. In the space analysis GIS or screening step، weighting the measures was done using views of the experts and the Expert Choice software. Then، in the evaluation of the extracted choices step، better choices were selected. The selection was made from among eleven selected lane play area choices using the AHP method. Suggested maps، considering appropriate radial access and the most convenient sites are provided. Effective measures in screening step included: the present population، the price of the place، legitimate applications، consistency of applications and access. Each of these criteria has sub criteria. Furthermore، effective measures in evaluation step included: site legible effects in allocation، the role of the site as the center of crisis management، the effects of sit’s added value، lack of distraction and contaminant at the work places، slope and site inundation for aquifer، easy access to population، microclimatic effects، and the possibility of implementation. Among the measures، due to supervision step، the application of the present situation and access weigh heavier than the other measures. The best sites، number 2، 6 and 3 and allocation sites number 1 and 2 are offered in different suggested and mixed maps. They are considered to have appropriate radial access and maximum coverage surface. The research method used was descriptive-imaginative. The instruments used were attributive studies، surveys، questionnaire and observation. Results showed that dividing the measures into two types of spatial and non-spatial and mixing the two methods، the impairments of both are removed، because the measures are not always the same. Finally، some patterns are suggested for selecting allocation and lane play areas. Welfare of the children and the inhabitants are considered in the selection process. According to the area of the allocation and the appropriate suggested radial access in the study (200-350 meters for play area in the lane and 400-800 meters in the allocation)، 1 square meter capitation is allocated for each person. Therefore، a play area of 5000 square meters and two to three lane play areas which equals to 1000 square-meters was suggested for the allocation with 7000 people in Kerd Abad. According to findings of this study and different scenarios، it is suggested that number 1 allocation site and number 2، 3 and 8 lane sites to be given priority over the others. These sites are safe، appropriate and available places. They، also، are consistent with other applications and their implementation is feasible under the best conditions. By using this pattern، it is possible to select appropriate play spaces in space planning for other lanes and allocations. Play spaces in allocations not only increase interest of the inhabitants، especially children، to their allocation but also causes dynamism، especially in deteriorated textures. It is necessary to mention that in various climates and circumstances of Isfahan (tropical to temperate) some criteria should be revised. Some suggested future studies include: investigation of quartering of zones in sites، planning of creative play areas، planning of play zones، investigation of fundamentals of designing play zones، planning of the safety of play areas، quartering of play areas and play sites using other methods and models.