Suggesting Several Strategies for Organizing and Restoring Madies of Old Fabric of Isfahan

One of the unique features of urban texture of Isfahan is “madies”. Nets of madies in Isfahan can be considered as a part of this city’s identity. Not far ago, madies were especially important in agricultural affairs, collecting surface water and city development and were counted as one of the beautiful and pleasing visual effects of the city. But recent urban development and the increas in the density of activities, structures and skeletal elements around the city and loss of gardens and urban farms cause this identity-giving element to be forgotten and disappeared.Therefore, in this paper, in addition to explain the value and importance of such an element, the author tries to suggest a number of strategies to conserve and restore the old fabric of Isfahan’s madies. To achieve such a goal, this research seeks to answer several questions such as which factors are associated with organizing the madies and what are the effects of this matter on the places in the neighbourhood of madies? Due to the nature of this research, the analytical method is used. Accordingly, for gathering information, in addition to library studies and checking the maps, field studies are done as well. For the analysis of information the technique of SWOT is used. The result of this study shows that madies have potential which can lead to positive and desired results by correct and targeted planning of them. Achieving this matter is not only in accordance with spatial-physical principles of traditional Iranian urban planning according to which the old fabric of the city has been shaped, but also accords with principles of the modern and sustainable urban planning in which human being and his needs and cultural-social values are considered and respected.