نشریه بنیان های حکمی - فلسفی هنر ایرانی
پیاپی 2 (زمستان 1401)

The era of Turkman and Timurid rule stands as one of the most illustrious periods of Islamic civilization, characterized by a flourishing of art and architecture. A prominent feature of Timurid-Turkman architecture is the extensive use of geometry, which manifests in the grandeur and verticality of the buildings from this era. Additionally, the employment of geometric patterns experienced significant growth during this period. This scientific approach found applications in architecture, art, and even in the construction of buildings and related industries like carpet weaving. The Timurid-Turkman period can be regarded as the final epoch in which strong, intricate knots and geometric patterns were prevalent. In subsequent periods, the presence of geometric patterns in architectural decorations diminished. Based on this premise, the present research aims to analyze the presence of geometry and identify pattern similarities between the designs of Timurid-Turkman carpets and the architectural structures of that era. This analysis will be conducted using a historical-analytical-descriptive approach, relying on historical and library sources. The article seeks to examine the geometric patterns employed in the buildings and carpets of the Timurid-Turkman period. The central claim of this article is to demonstrate that the architecture and industries of this era drew inspiration from geometry and geometric patterns. This claim is closely tied to the underlying assumption that not only the carpets from the Timurid-Turkman period but also other types of designs can be found in illustrated manuscripts and workshop records. Geometric designs can be traced back to various dates throughout the century, encompassing the courts of the Timurid-Turkman rulers.

The concept of urban form encounters numerous uncertainties. It finds applications in various discussions within architecture, urbanism, and environmental design. However, its meaning is often assumed rather than clearly defined. Urban studies are typically divided into two main categories: architectural and urban historians, and geographers. Yet, these groups often fail to explain the reasons for changes in urban form. Understanding the factors that shape urban form requires a new theoretical framework. The philosophy of science can assess and categorize existing studies while offering a fresh definition. This article aims to classify urban studies through content analysis and library research. The paper demonstrates that previous studies have predominantly embraced a "positivistic" and "critical rationalism" approach, which tends to reduce the ontological nature of urban form to its epistemology. Critical realism can illuminate the hidden mechanisms underlying the urban form, leading to the introduction of the term "influential forces" to represent these concealed mechanisms. In other words, focusing solely on the dimensions of form presents a limited perspective; attention should be given to causal factors in urban form studies. These influential forces can provide insights into causality.

Carpet weaving is one of the main productions of the Iranian people, passed down from generation to generation. Some of the hand-woven carpets exhibited in museums serve as evidence of this rich heritage. Understanding the structure of these carpets opens the door to unraveling the intricacies of their creation. This article aims to explore the physical and conceptual aspects of Afshan carpets, delving into their symbolic meanings. Through applied research and a structural approach, this study contributes to documenting and preserving the fundamental principles underlying Afshan carpets. Using both quantitative and qualitative strategies, along with library and field methods, this research employs descriptive, analytical, adaptive, and inductive reasoning methods to elucidate the philosophical depth and significance of the motifs present in Afshan carpets. To achieve this, a case study approach was adopted, focusing on seven carpets with Afshan designs from the Malek Museum. These carpets were selected based on design homogeneity and the period of their production. The structure and design serve as the two key elements shaping the texture of a carpet. The design principles and rules are influenced by the culture, customs, and religious teachings of the society, manifesting content in symbolic forms. These themes encompass various elements, including plant motifs symbolizing life, imaginary forms prevalent in mystical traditions, and mapping forms found in visual dimensions like the Islimi designs, which represent the concept of unity in diversity and the mystical symbol of monotheism. These elements play a crucial role in shaping the motifs found in Afshan carpets.

Architecture and urban spaces undoubtedly bear the influence of religious and national beliefs within a country. This paper aims to investigate the impact of national and religious beliefs as principal factors in shaping religious buildings during the Safavid era. While some insights can be gleaned from historical sources, there is a lack of comparative analysis regarding the influence of different religions on architectural design. To address this gap, the study focuses on two religious buildings from the same period but representing distinct religious beliefs: the Bethlehem Church and the Hakim Mosque in Esfahan. By utilizing existing resources such as books, articles, and personal site observations, the study examines the role of "color," "ornamentation," and "light" as significant factors within the context of the "Esfahan School." Furthermore, it investigates the spatial positioning and hierarchy in these two comparative case studies. The objective of this paper is to explore how popular beliefs influence these architectural elements and investigate them through a comparative approach. Ultimately, the study aims to identify commonalities and differences in the underlying mental foundations of the creators behind these buildings, emphasizing the impressionability of architectural features resulting from national and religious beliefs.

During the post-Islamic periods, Iran's tomb buildings gained popularity through the construction of magnificent tombs above the graves of religious saints, as well as kings and famous individuals. Iran, having been a part of ancient civilizations for a significant period, has had a profound influence on the architectural styles of neighboring countries in different historical eras. This particular research aims to explore the characteristics of Zoroastrian motifs found in the tomb buildings of the Republic of Azerbaijan during the Ilkhanid period. The objective of this study is to introduce the decorative elements present in the tombs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and elucidate their respective meanings. The research question guiding this investigation is as follows: What Zoroastrian motifs and concepts are employed in the tomb architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan? The research approach adopted for this study is historical-interpretive, with information collection primarily relying on library research and on-site investigations of tomb structures within the region. The findings of this study reveal the presence of various Zoroastrian decorative elements in the tombs of this area, including geometric patterns, plant motifs, animal representations, and more.

Research plays a significant role in the advancement of societies, technological and methodological maturity, and the economic development of nations and states. Among various community practices, it is considered one of the most influential factors. Several key factors contribute to the findings of research studies, including needs assessment and research prioritization, close collaboration between researchers and implementers, evaluation of the extent of needs assessment, and the benefits of research results. To improve the quality of urban management, it is crucial to make informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of existing realities. This necessitates conducting practical and precise studies. Municipalities hold great importance as organizations responsible for city administration and development. Therefore, it is essential to consider their actions and initiatives in enhancing and constructing cities. The present study focuses on the needs assessment in urban management and examines the recurring patterns of research needs assessment in the municipality of Isfahan. The research commenced by identifying relevant subjects such as needs, research needs, and research needs assessment. Following that, the municipality of Isfahan was selected as the case study, and the content of the interviews was analyzed and coded. Additionally, experts and specialists provided further insights through questionnaires. Upon analyzing the questionnaire responses, the study highlights the main reasons for research failures and the impracticality of many studies. One of the contributing factors is the general lack of interest in research, particularly in needs assessment. Two primary factors stand out: the inadequate recognition and definition of research at different levels of the municipality, and the absence of a well-defined and executable phase in research. Furthermore, the research procedure in projects conducted by the municipality of Isfahan revealed existing problems, primarily stemming from weaknesses in the needs assessment. The study also identified flaws in the comprehensive database of research studies, as well as the need for adaptability to changing needs and future perspectives. In summary, research holds immense value in societal advancements, technology, and economic development. Effective needs assessment, collaboration between researchers and implementers, and evaluation of research results are crucial factors in conducting meaningful studies. For urban management to improve, decision-making must be based on practical and precise research. The study specifically examines the needs assessment in the municipality of Isfahan, emphasizing the importance of defining research, designing executable phases, and addressing existing issues in research procedures and data management.