The Morphology of Qom; The Study on Spatial Configuration Changes of The City (1956-2021)

The present study attempts to investigate the relationship between spatial configuration changes of Qom and the central core in the last half century. The main objective of this study is to review the Spatial form of Qom, and analyze the effect of changes in Urban configuration on the central core of the city and the main axes of urban activities during 1946 to 2011 and ultimately, Forecast the future status of the city based on the extensive changes being conducted on the configuration of this religious metropolis in the time horizon of 2021. The findings of this study on the alignment of decisions made with regard to the Qom structure and the Holy Shrine of Fatima Masumeh (AS) as the Central core of the city in the last half century have identified two time periods. The first, Decisions adopted on developmental changes during 1946 to 2011, which weakened the Qom spatial Configuration Values. Second, Future developmental changes during 2011 to 2021 that are expected to lead to improvements in Spatial Configuration Values. Based on Qom morphological analysis in the last half century, this study concludes if the Qom roadmap foreseen for the time horizon of 2021, including construction of ceremonial axis of Prophet (PBUH) boulevard, inner ring roads and completion of urban ring roads happens, then the improvement of global integration, synergy, intelligibility and Choice values in the Central core and other parts of the city are expected.