Criteria for Determining the Boundaries of Isfahan's Historical Neighborhoods (Case Study: District 9 of Isfahan City)

Today, for various reasons, new criteria are used for the division of neighborhoods, which are significantly different from the historical divisions of these neighborhoods. In the meantime, it seems necessary to know the factors and elements that distinguish and determine these urban boundaries. In order to achieve the desired urban neighborhoods, it is necessary to observe the quantitative points of urban planning, but it is also important to observe the opinion of the people regarding their neighborhood and the boundaries of that. Historical neighborhoods in the past had specific boundaries, but these boundaries were not defined by physical barriers and modern fences; rather, various natural factors or passages, alley have shown its local signs. On the other hand, the awareness of the residents and their belonging to the neighborhood along with other social and environmental factors, not only formed the identity of the neighborhood; rather, it also determined its scope. The purpose of writing this article is to know the indicators and criteria for the division of historical neighborhoods in the city of Isfahan and to determine the influencing factors on the division ofneighborhoods using documents and the statements of local residents. The results of face-to-face interviews with nineteen knowledgeable residents present in the neighborhoods led to the formulation of two general categories of natural and artificial factors (which were separated into environmental and social types); which will be explained in this article by mentioning a case example for each factor.