Soffeh
Year:2003 | Volume:12 | Issue:35|Papers Count:10

The global transformation of the urban form, sometimes leading to physical conflicts in the cities, has been the subject of much debate particularly on how to integrate diverse urban elements to form a clearly unified whole. The article surveys different approaches to integrated urban forms in terms of terminology, theoretical assumptions, design process and practices, namely Holism, Structuralism, Contextualism, and Aesthetics. The research explores different aspects of the approaches in an effort to reach a synthesis to avoid ambiguity and present criteria for judgment of integration in the built urban form. The research methodology is 'based on meta- analysis of urban planning texts as the primary subject instead of built examples. It leads to a new definition for integration as an organizing process of diverse relevant urban elements in which spatial interrelationships are built according to a unified, legible and meaningful whole.

There are two methods for defining the properties of Utopia, Le. the ideal city: firstly through the works of those who have directly treated the ideal living environment; and secondly through examining the works that define principles for a prosperous human life. The implications of such principles and their impact on the living environment is another way to interpret Utopia. Founded on the belief that issues such as social relationships, the interaction of man and environment and the spatial human activities could not have been neglected in the Islamic thought, this article tries to present an introduction to the characteristics of the Islamic Utopia. After a brief historical review of the quest for Utopia, the characteristics of the Islamic Utopia are treated under the following headings: ontological justice, Islamic justice, and urban justice.

Urbanization has often been an unsustainable process in developing countries. It has contributed to continuous environmental degradation, aridity, and desertification. Apparently the arid and semi- arid climate which persists throughout central Iran cannot respond to the present process of rapid urbanization. It is thus necessary to consider the environmental requirements of urban design in sustainable urban settlements. The research addresses some properties of small desert cities of Iran, which has made them sustainable settlemel1ts throughout their long history in a relatively harsh environment of scarcity. These include a physical structure related to population and economy; the vernacular, self- sufficient modus operandi employed in an urban village; adopting a micro- climatic approach to architectural design; and sustainable water management and recycling procedures

Regional Planning in border zones should seriously consider the cross-border relationship with the neighboring country, which complicates the situation, especially when the two countries are not at the same level of development. According to international experience, regional development in border zones is also closely linked to establishment of a safe, secure and stable environment. The problem is best demonstrated in the case of Nehbandan County. Located between three Iranian provinces and sharing some 90 kilometers of frontier with Afghanistan, the county is an underdeveloped zone suffering from its remote location, geographical isolation and border problems such as immigrants and epidemic diseases. The situation is aggravated by a mobile nomadic population, traffic, and hostile warlords influenced by political interests across the border. The peculiarities of the problem demand an integrated approach to development and security measures in regional planning.

Dynamic and transforming, yet closely linked to its traditional context, contemporary Japanese art and architecture is not only attractive to western society, but also serves as an example to those eastern societies which are experiencing cultural gaps. About a thousand years younger than Persian civilization, Japan has experienced a long history of isolation because of its archipealago geography and its remote location. The situation which has inevitably contributed to its cultural continuity and integrity, IS in sharp contrast to Persian civilization which is formed in a process of cultural exchange and ethnic conflicts. The secret of cultural continuity in Japan can be traced back to its cultural structure which allows the acceptance of modernity while keeping links with tradition. This is characteristic of all Japanese art, which has been subject of much debate among art experts. In order to explain the situation this article adopts an epistemological approach different to contemporary scientific treatment. It starts with the definition of art in Japanese tradition which leads to a hermeneutic introduction to terms such as civilization, culture, tradition, mythology, the occult, and art. It then explains the relationship of art and culture to realize Japanese art in its cultural context. The role of Zen in this art is then treated in order to give a more thorough explanation.

Space Syntax is an influential theory which has been successfully applied to various disciplines such as archeaology and architecture to analyze spatial relationships. It has been defined as a method for representation and quantification of spatial patterns. Instrumental in this method is the definition of space as a two- dimensional convex structure. The method examines circulation in or through any space. The spaces that connect more spaces are thus defined as more integrated, while those with little circulation are considered to be segregated. Using the same method the central courtyard in a Persian house, for example, is highly integrated, while the talar and orosi rooms are segregated, although these are the most important summer and winter residential spaces, respectively. There are other spatial characteristics that are not considered in the application of the method: size, shape, function, atc. The paper tries to introduce and analyze the method and highlight its advantages and disadvantages.

Built in the early 14 th century, the Jame Mosque of Yazd was developed and extended through the ages. Its famous entrance portal was built in the 16 th century to act not only as its prominent architectural feature, but also as a city landmark. Its bold elongated proportions which are not without mystical meaning have an everlasting impact on the visitor. The Pound bury tower, Dorchester, England was designed by the well- known architect, Leon Krier towards the end of 1980s. The monumental structure bears outstanding resemblance to the portal of the Jame Mosque, as though the tower design was almost completely inspired by the mosque portal. The article analyzes the similarities of the two structures in terms of their geometry, proportions and formal features such as arches, buttresses, and openings.

The 'Ali- qoli 'Aqa neighborhood center is one of the biggest centers of Bidabad Quarter on the north of Isfahan city. Named after its patron, 'Ali- qoli 'Aqa who was a eunuch at the royal court of two Safavid kings, Shah Suleyman and Shah Sultan Hossein, the complex was built around 1125 A.H. (circa 1715 A.D.). It includes a mosque, bazaar, and a public bath, all of which are under waqf dedication. The article examines the waqf deeds paralleled with physical analyses of the complex so as to develop a framework for upgrading and conservation projects. The rereading of waqf deeds reveals interesting facts such as financing procedures, allocation of sustainable resources, organization of functions, and management of human resources for a constant operation and maintenance of the complex. The second part is a chronicle of the physical evolution of the complex on the basis of historic documents and field surveys.