A Comparative Study of Morphology of Old & New Urban Contexture Based on Fractal Model (Case Study: Selected Old & New Neighborhoods of Zanjan)

Cities are complex phenomena. During the last two decades, one of the efficient tools in identifying morphological urban complexity mentioned and discussed in books and various publications is fractal model. The model, which was presented by Benoit Mandelbrot, is an effective tool in the study of urban morphology. This article both introduces this model and deals with its role in comparative study of the old and new contextures of the city of Zanjan. To this end, two software programs were used. Excel software was used in calculating the fractal dimension and ArcMAP software was used in generating the fractal maps. The research method is analytical and comparative. The collected data is provided through documenting methods and Zanjan detailed plan maps. Research findings indicate that the fractal model is a real and accurate tool for understanding urban morphology. The results also showed that the old contexture of Zanjan in comparison with the new one is more fractal.