The Significance of “Landmarks” in Analysis of the Components of “Identity” and “Culture” in the Image of Iranian City (Case Study: Image of Shiraz City)

A City with culture-oriented pattern can’t be implemented anywhere in the field. Identity is an important factor that shapes the townscape. A townscape is a collection of natural and man-made factors that have been formed under the influence of special natural, cultural, social and economic characteristics of that given town and it's the place of materialization of the special characteristics of that town. On the other hand, urban spaces can reminde people of the symbolic aspects of culture and history. In facing with the appearance of modern towns, one sees a crisis caused by the disproportion of spaces to their current functions, composition of inconsistent uses, uniformity and lack of dynamism in urban spaces. This paper describes the concept of identity and culture. In terms of that cultural identity can affect the townscape and the face of the city. Objective of reasearch is to know these following questions, What factors play a role in physical identity of Iranian historical cities? How can the component culture influence on the physical identity of Iranian cities? And Can the cultural identity components of cities be proposed as the landmarks and signs in the historical cities? This research has two hypothesis, firstly Cities’ cultural identity components can be presented as symbols in historical cities. And secondly Attention to the culture concept in the form and sense of today Iranian cities can be controlled cities’ image identity crisis effectively. The method explored in components of the physical identity of Shiraz city is a descriptive – analytical and field method to gather information and documents are available. Results of this study shows that the towns have an appearance in which uniformity of the urban fabrics, inconsistency between the apparent form of the space and its meaning, inattention to the notion of form and meaning in our culture is observable and consequently, there are forms that have no meaning. In addition, research suggests that the consequences of belonging to a place in the Iranian city of proving spatial identity. So, the components of cultural identity of the city can be considered as signs or landmarks of the historical cities. Urban semiotics are considered as a valuable tool for the representation of the cultural identity components in urban areas. According to the results, the following suggestions can be considered in the cultural sphere of urban design. Recreating and revival Iranian historical cities with respect to the cities’ natural, synthetic and human identity components; Strengthening of historical cities’ textures interoperability with the approach of regeneration of cultural identity components of cities; Locating of urban landmarks and elements of town squares as a contiguous cognitive and perceptual map for strengthening the cities’ cultural components; Taking advantage of peoples’ memories and appropriate concepts to design of signs, landmarks and elements; Creating the cultural spaces with the appropriate functioning of the cultural dynamics of neighborhoods and cities and Highlight the urban elements and landmarks form with the proper use of materials and colors appropriate to the climate and the cultural identity of each city.