The Significance of Connection between Historical Landscapes and Modern Protection Tools (Case study: Old city of Isfahan)

“Connection” is an inherent necessity of city and one of the main components of development and evolution of landscapes in the old cities as time passes. The “connection” in urban-historical landscapes of Isfahan implies an identity constituted during a long period of history, life and activity of generations after generations and, in this way, it has been exposed to various changes and transformations when it was the Safavid capital. The speed and vastness of contemporary urban expansions threat severely the identity of such cities by creating deep ruptures in the historical urban landscapes. Vanishing of “connection” in urban landscapes, incorrect understanding of its traditional meaning and the emergence of incongruent urban landscapes in modern designs are the consequences of such an expansion which itself is the biggest issue in urban protection. This study aims to show that ‘connection” is a key factor in understanding the integral totality of old cities and makes possible the reading of different physical-historical and symbolic layers for various generations. By proper understanding of the meaning and significance of “connection” in historical urban landscapes and the effectiveness of promoted protection approaches, regaining and more precise valuing of cultural capitals can be achieved. The basis of historical urban landscape approach is the preservation of “connection” and respect for the past cultural-historical values in the process of development and change. The city of Isfahan which is the epitome of “connection” and a source of historical urban landscapes has been selected as the case study and the interpretation of “connection” in its landscapes has been done via qualitative method and holistic approach.