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Volume 37, Issue 2 (2022)
GeoRes 2022, 37(2): 277-283 |
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Received: 2022/01/23 | Accepted: 2022/04/11 | Published: 2022/06/20
Received: 2022/01/23 | Accepted: 2022/04/11 | Published: 2022/06/20
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Farahnaki M, Balali Oskoui A, Shahbazi Y, Molaei A. Evaluation of Physical-Spatial Cohesion of the Old City Texture of the Iranian-Islamic city based on Space Syntax Method (Case Study: Old Texture of Sonqor). GeoRes 2022; 37 (2) :277-283
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1- Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran
2- Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran
3- Department of Architectural Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art university, Tabriz, Iran
2- Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran
3- Department of Architectural Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art university, Tabriz, Iran
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Introduction
Cities undergo various phases throughout their lifespan and, in response to the realities of their time and in order to sustain their existence, experience transformation and change [Zaali et al., 2016]. Among the most significant changes and damages observed in contemporary cities is the loss of physical–spatial cohesion, a phenomenon that primarily occurs within the historic cores of modern cities [Bahrainy & Foroughifar, 2017]. This transformation is the result of changes in the form of Iranian cities following modernization in the 1960s, driven by shifts in economic, social, and political structures and, consequently, changes in lifestyle. As a result, contemporary cities have come to exhibit fragmented and disjointed urban fabrics rather than cohesive physical structures.
Achieving cohesion is important from two perspectives. First, attaining a coherent and integrated image of the overall living environment depends on the physical cohesion of the urban form. Second, physical cohesion is necessary to establish connections and interactions among different components of the city; when these relationships are disrupted and urban elements become isolated from one another, the integrity of the city as a whole is threatened [Bahrainy & Foroughifar, 2017]. In the past, part of individuals’ identities was defined by the city in which they lived; however, today, due to the fragmentation of urban fabrics, cities first experience a loss of overall cohesion and integrity, followed by a weakening of urban identity and, ultimately, the erosion and forgetting of aspects of human identity [Sharghi et al., 2017].
Cohesion holds a special position in the Iranian–Islamic city. From the Iranian–Islamic unifying perspective, the city possesses a harmonious and consistent order and gives rise to geometric forms that are interconnected within a supra-conscious geometry reflected in natural patterns [Hakimian & Lak, 2019]. Neglecting balance and cohesion in the urban structure and historic fabric in the not-so-distant past has resulted in duality within urban fabrics [Safaeipour & Modano Joibari, 2016]. In this context, Iranian–Islamic cities, influenced by global transformations, have experienced similar or even more severe challenges. Although the physical characteristics, history, culture, and traditional lifestyles of Iranian–Islamic cities were originally founded on specific principles, the influence of Western culture and capitalism has transformed them, leading to the emergence of cities that have easily lost their historical heritage and unique characteristics and have neglected the fundamental principles of Islamic life [Tavakolinia et al., 2016].
One of the key approaches to understanding a city and the manner of its formation is the study of its historic fabric [Mohamadi & Doosti Irani, 2010]. Due to their historical and cultural values, these urban fabrics require preservation, respect, and regeneration, as deteriorated and inefficient historic fabrics represent the identity and embodiment of a city’s culture [Kiani et al., 2009]. However, the incompatibility of many old and deteriorated fabrics with the requirements of contemporary life has led to a decline in quality of life and a reduction in residents’ place attachment in these neighborhoods [Sadrian et al., 2014]. With the emergence of various problems and their impacts on different domains, attention to old and deteriorated fabrics and addressing their instability has become a serious and central issue in cities. Among the intervention programs in deteriorated urban fabrics are rehabilitation and renewal plans [Poorahmad et al., 2010].
Among the theories and methods used to study the structure and configuration of urban space is Space Syntax theory [McCahil & Garrick, 2008]. The Space Syntax method was developed based on the studies of Christopher Alexander and Philip Steadman and was formally founded in 1984 by Hillier and Hanson [Mohamadi & Husseini, 2017]. This theory posits that urban spaces are the products of social relations and that the connections among urban spaces pursue social objectives [Sadek & Shepley, 2016]. In this technique, by transforming the spatial structure of the built environment into graphical patterns, the relationships among different spaces are represented as mathematical data, allowing researchers to identify the reciprocal relationships between the physical environment and user behavior through data analysis [Zangeneh et al., 2020]. One advantage of Space Syntax theory is that it does not leave researchers and designers without solutions; rather, it provides them with an analytical tool to enhance understanding [Miralami & Safari, 2020]. According to Hillier’s theory of natural movement, movement in space is influenced more than any other factor by the configuration of spaces in relation to one another [Hillier et al., 1993]. Hillier argues that movement generated by spatial configuration has significant potential in shaping socio-economic qualities, and attention to this aspect can spatially reconnect isolated fabrics with other urban areas [Hillier & Vaughan, 2007].
Based on the theoretical foundations of Space Syntax, several parameters are defined, each of which analyzes space from a specific perspective. The functional characteristics of these parameters are briefly described as follows:
The evaluation and efforts to revive the past vitality of cities are closely linked to the issue of physical–spatial cohesion in historic urban fabrics. If the old and new fabrics of a city are not cohesive and the relationships between them are disrupted or eliminated, the overall integrity of the city is lost and its vitality is endangered. The historic fabric of Sonqor city, which once served as the original core of the city and was formerly the most suitable residential area, has not been immune to these issues. Today, due to various social, cultural, economic, and physical problems, it has lost its attractiveness, has become spatially separated from other parts of Sonqor, and has turned into a settlement area for social groups with differing social status and standing. Therefore, the present study examines the transformation and cohesion of the physical–spatial structure of the Iranian–Islamic city by analyzing the historic fabric of Sonqor as a case study, using the Space Syntax method across three temporal stages: the historic fabric in 1951 (1330), the current condition, and the proposed regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric. Additionally, the impacts of the approved rehabilitation and renewal plan on the level of physical–spatial cohesion of the studied fabric are assessed.
Methodology
In terms of purpose, this research is applied, and in terms of nature, it is descriptive–analytical. The research method is comparative–analytical and was conducted in 2021 in two phases. In the first phase, data related to the theoretical foundations and research background were collected and organized through library studies and primary documents (using note-taking tools, maps, and sketches), as well as field methods (observation). Relevant content related to the research topic was identified and selected, and content analysis was employed to develop a framework focused on the physical cohesion of the historic fabric.
In the second phase, using the mathematical relationships of Space Syntax and by drawing the required maps in Depthmap 10 software through the axial method, the values of the studied parameters were calculated. To this end, maps of street centerlines within the study area for the selected time periods were first drawn, imported into the software, and analyzed. The analytical parameters including integration, depth, control, and connectivity were then calculated. Furthermore, using SPSS 22 software and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the relationships among the parameters and indices of integration, depth, control, and connectivity were examined. Finally, a comparative analysis was conducted among the obtained results. Based on the analysis of software-generated data, a comparative assessment of the historic fabric of Sonqor in 1951, the current condition, and the proposed regeneration plan was carried out in accordance with the derived framework and through map analysis.
Sonqor is a city with a long historical background, and many of its villages, based on their names, date back to the Median period and have a history of several thousand years. Sonqor itself was previously a village that began to flourish after the Mongol invasion and the destruction of Dinavar. During the Safavid period, Asadabad County, then known :as char:doli, along with several other areas, was part of Sonqor and Kolyai County, which served as a regional administrative center. According to historical records and encyclopedias, this county functioned as a center for supplying manpower to the government and played a significant role in providing forces to confront foreign invasions. The historic fabric of Sonqor city, selected as the case study of this research, once served as the original core of the city and was formerly the most suitable residential area. However, like many historic fabrics, it has not been immune to related problems and has today lost its attractiveness due to various social, cultural, economic, and physical challenges, becoming spatially separated from other parts of Sonqor and a settlement area for social groups with different social status and standing [Shamai et al., 2014].
Findings
In accordance with the research methodology, the physical–spatial structure of the historic fabric of Sonqor was analyzed and compared across three periods (1951), the current condition, and the proposed regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric, through configurational representation. Based on the Space Syntax approach, analyzing the physical–spatial structure requires the preparation of axial maps of urban open spaces. The axial map consists of a structured set of urban open spaces generated according to the longest lines of sight and access. For each period under study, the axial lines were drawn and analyzed using the Depthmap software. The findings are presented through configurational analysis and the calculation of spatial parameters for each period. Accordingly, in the structural analysis, the lines that play the most significant role in connecting urban spaces are identified with darker tones, indicating their centrality and their role as the core structure of the city.
The analyses reveal the conditions of integration, connectivity, control, and depth for the three studied periods. Axes represented with colors in the green-to-yellow-to-red spectrum exhibit higher values of the respective Space Syntax indices and appear to function as the primary structural framework of the area.
Furthermore, to examine the presence or absence of relationships among the Space Syntax indices across the studied periods, Pearson’s correlation test was applied to assess the correlations between integration, depth, control, and connectivity.
Discussion
According to the analyses conducted for the 1951 map, the mean value of the spatial integration parameter for the historic fabric of Sonqor was 1.59. A notable finding in this analysis was the high level of integration observed along the intersecting streets in the central part of the study area, which were constructed during the period of modernization. The traditional bazaar is also located around these streets and exhibits a higher level of integration compared to other streets in the area. Accordingly, the bazaar and the central streets, with an integration value of 5.05, displayed the highest degree of spatial integration. This characteristic underscores the physical–spatial role of the bazaar in linking other urban elements. Analysis of the other parameters indicated that the mean spatial depth during this period was 1.43. In general, spatial depth showed an inverse relationship with integration in urban space. In addition, the mean connectivity value during this period was 2.54, while the control parameter was 0.38. As indicated by the analytical results, the levels of integration, control, connectivity, and depth decreased from the center of the area toward the periphery. Furthermore, based on the correlation coefficients, no statistically significant relationship was found between integration and the depth and connectivity indices in 1951; however, a significant relationship between integration and control was confirmed at the 95% confidence level.
In the current condition of the historic fabric, axial line analysis indicated notable changes in spatial parameters. The analysis of the spatial structure in this period showed that the construction of new streets and the outward expansion of the city toward the periphery of the historic fabric reduced the level of integration within the old core. According to the results, the mean integration value declined to 1.20, while the mean spatial depth increased to 1.55. Given that an increase in depth reflected urban expansion and a rise in the number of intermediary spaces required to reach a given area, this outcome was consistent with the physical transformations and the development of the street network from 1951 to the present. The findings indicated that the central part of the historic fabric, which was formerly among the most integrated areas of the city, has lost a considerable degree of integration and cohesion. Instead, sections of Beheshti Street and Imam Khomeini Street, located adjacent to the old bazaar, were identified as highly integrated spaces, with an integration value of 3.02. Accordingly, the mean connectivity value decreased to 2.05, while the mean control parameter increased to 0.40 and the depth parameter rose to 1.55. Moreover, no statistically significant relationship was observed between integration and the depth and control indices in the current condition of the historic fabric; however, a significant relationship between integration and connectivity was confirmed at the 99% confidence level. The results of the present study are not consistent with the findings of Soltani Fard et al. [2015] and Bahrainy and Foroughifar [2017], as they present different outcomes, but they are in line with the findings of Hakimian and Lak [2019].
Another aspect examined in this research is the approved regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric of Sonqor, focusing on the potential impacts of implementing its proposals and regulations on the historic fabric based on Space Syntax parameters. The results indicate that, under the proposed plan, the mean integration value increases to 1.43, and the mean connectivity parameter rises to 2.33, while the depth and control parameters decrease to 1.39 and 0.40, respectively. These findings suggest that by implementing the proposals and regulations of the regeneration plan, accessibility and permeability within the historic fabric would improve, and the main streets of the study area would gain greater potential for movement and circulation. Furthermore, their competitive capacity relative to new developments would increase, along with the overall integration of the urban fabric. Ultimately, based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric of Sonqor has produced positive outcomes and has contributed to increased integration, enhanced cohesion and legibility, and, ultimately, greater vitality of the historic fabric.
Finally, in order to further enhance cohesion and efficiency, the following recommendations are proposed:
Conclusion
The results of the parameter analyses and the comparison of the historic fabric of Sonqor in 1951, the current condition, and the approved regeneration plan indicate an increase in the indices of integration and depth, along with a decrease in the control index. These changes reflect the extent to which physical transformations have influenced the spatial cohesion of the historic fabric of Sonqor. Furthermore, the analytical results regarding the proposals of the regeneration plan show that its implementation would lead to increases in integration, depth, and connectivity, while resulting in a reduction in the control index. Overall, it can be concluded that the regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric of Sonqor has yielded positive outcomes, contributing to greater integration and enhanced spatial cohesion of the historic fabric, while simultaneously preventing its further isolation within the urban structure.
Acknowledgments: There is nothing to report.
Ethical Permission: There is nothing to report.
Conflict of Interest: The first author is a PhD student in Islamic Urban Planning at Tabriz Islamic Art University, while the second and third authors are Associate Professors and the fourth author is an Assistant Professor at the same university. This article is derived from the doctoral dissertation of the first author, conducted under the supervision of the second and third authors and with consultation from the fourth author.
Author Contributions: Farahnaki M (First Author), Introduction Writer/Discussion Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher (50%); Balali Oskoui A (Second Author), Introduction Writer/Discussion Writer (20%); Shahbazi Y (Third Author), Statistical Analyst (15%); Molaei A (Fourth Author), Methodologist (15%)
Funding: There is nothing to report.
Cities undergo various phases throughout their lifespan and, in response to the realities of their time and in order to sustain their existence, experience transformation and change [Zaali et al., 2016]. Among the most significant changes and damages observed in contemporary cities is the loss of physical–spatial cohesion, a phenomenon that primarily occurs within the historic cores of modern cities [Bahrainy & Foroughifar, 2017]. This transformation is the result of changes in the form of Iranian cities following modernization in the 1960s, driven by shifts in economic, social, and political structures and, consequently, changes in lifestyle. As a result, contemporary cities have come to exhibit fragmented and disjointed urban fabrics rather than cohesive physical structures.
Achieving cohesion is important from two perspectives. First, attaining a coherent and integrated image of the overall living environment depends on the physical cohesion of the urban form. Second, physical cohesion is necessary to establish connections and interactions among different components of the city; when these relationships are disrupted and urban elements become isolated from one another, the integrity of the city as a whole is threatened [Bahrainy & Foroughifar, 2017]. In the past, part of individuals’ identities was defined by the city in which they lived; however, today, due to the fragmentation of urban fabrics, cities first experience a loss of overall cohesion and integrity, followed by a weakening of urban identity and, ultimately, the erosion and forgetting of aspects of human identity [Sharghi et al., 2017].
Cohesion holds a special position in the Iranian–Islamic city. From the Iranian–Islamic unifying perspective, the city possesses a harmonious and consistent order and gives rise to geometric forms that are interconnected within a supra-conscious geometry reflected in natural patterns [Hakimian & Lak, 2019]. Neglecting balance and cohesion in the urban structure and historic fabric in the not-so-distant past has resulted in duality within urban fabrics [Safaeipour & Modano Joibari, 2016]. In this context, Iranian–Islamic cities, influenced by global transformations, have experienced similar or even more severe challenges. Although the physical characteristics, history, culture, and traditional lifestyles of Iranian–Islamic cities were originally founded on specific principles, the influence of Western culture and capitalism has transformed them, leading to the emergence of cities that have easily lost their historical heritage and unique characteristics and have neglected the fundamental principles of Islamic life [Tavakolinia et al., 2016].
One of the key approaches to understanding a city and the manner of its formation is the study of its historic fabric [Mohamadi & Doosti Irani, 2010]. Due to their historical and cultural values, these urban fabrics require preservation, respect, and regeneration, as deteriorated and inefficient historic fabrics represent the identity and embodiment of a city’s culture [Kiani et al., 2009]. However, the incompatibility of many old and deteriorated fabrics with the requirements of contemporary life has led to a decline in quality of life and a reduction in residents’ place attachment in these neighborhoods [Sadrian et al., 2014]. With the emergence of various problems and their impacts on different domains, attention to old and deteriorated fabrics and addressing their instability has become a serious and central issue in cities. Among the intervention programs in deteriorated urban fabrics are rehabilitation and renewal plans [Poorahmad et al., 2010].
Among the theories and methods used to study the structure and configuration of urban space is Space Syntax theory [McCahil & Garrick, 2008]. The Space Syntax method was developed based on the studies of Christopher Alexander and Philip Steadman and was formally founded in 1984 by Hillier and Hanson [Mohamadi & Husseini, 2017]. This theory posits that urban spaces are the products of social relations and that the connections among urban spaces pursue social objectives [Sadek & Shepley, 2016]. In this technique, by transforming the spatial structure of the built environment into graphical patterns, the relationships among different spaces are represented as mathematical data, allowing researchers to identify the reciprocal relationships between the physical environment and user behavior through data analysis [Zangeneh et al., 2020]. One advantage of Space Syntax theory is that it does not leave researchers and designers without solutions; rather, it provides them with an analytical tool to enhance understanding [Miralami & Safari, 2020]. According to Hillier’s theory of natural movement, movement in space is influenced more than any other factor by the configuration of spaces in relation to one another [Hillier et al., 1993]. Hillier argues that movement generated by spatial configuration has significant potential in shaping socio-economic qualities, and attention to this aspect can spatially reconnect isolated fabrics with other urban areas [Hillier & Vaughan, 2007].
Based on the theoretical foundations of Space Syntax, several parameters are defined, each of which analyzes space from a specific perspective. The functional characteristics of these parameters are briefly described as follows:
- Integration: The most fundamental concept of spatial configuration. Integration can be defined as the average number of intermediary lines (or spaces) required to reach all other spaces in the city from a given line (space) [Raford Ragland, 2004; Penn, 2003]. Point integration indicates the degree to which a point is connected to or separated from the overall system or a lower-level (second-order) system [Karbalaei Hossini Ghiyasvand & Soheili, 2019].
- Connectivity: Defined as the number of points that are directly connected to a given point.
- Control: A parameter that indicates the degree of control a point exerts over the points to which it is connected.
- Mean Depth: The formation of depth is based on the number of steps required to move from one point to other points. A point is considered deep if multiple steps exist between it and other points.
The evaluation and efforts to revive the past vitality of cities are closely linked to the issue of physical–spatial cohesion in historic urban fabrics. If the old and new fabrics of a city are not cohesive and the relationships between them are disrupted or eliminated, the overall integrity of the city is lost and its vitality is endangered. The historic fabric of Sonqor city, which once served as the original core of the city and was formerly the most suitable residential area, has not been immune to these issues. Today, due to various social, cultural, economic, and physical problems, it has lost its attractiveness, has become spatially separated from other parts of Sonqor, and has turned into a settlement area for social groups with differing social status and standing. Therefore, the present study examines the transformation and cohesion of the physical–spatial structure of the Iranian–Islamic city by analyzing the historic fabric of Sonqor as a case study, using the Space Syntax method across three temporal stages: the historic fabric in 1951 (1330), the current condition, and the proposed regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric. Additionally, the impacts of the approved rehabilitation and renewal plan on the level of physical–spatial cohesion of the studied fabric are assessed.
Methodology
In terms of purpose, this research is applied, and in terms of nature, it is descriptive–analytical. The research method is comparative–analytical and was conducted in 2021 in two phases. In the first phase, data related to the theoretical foundations and research background were collected and organized through library studies and primary documents (using note-taking tools, maps, and sketches), as well as field methods (observation). Relevant content related to the research topic was identified and selected, and content analysis was employed to develop a framework focused on the physical cohesion of the historic fabric.
In the second phase, using the mathematical relationships of Space Syntax and by drawing the required maps in Depthmap 10 software through the axial method, the values of the studied parameters were calculated. To this end, maps of street centerlines within the study area for the selected time periods were first drawn, imported into the software, and analyzed. The analytical parameters including integration, depth, control, and connectivity were then calculated. Furthermore, using SPSS 22 software and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the relationships among the parameters and indices of integration, depth, control, and connectivity were examined. Finally, a comparative analysis was conducted among the obtained results. Based on the analysis of software-generated data, a comparative assessment of the historic fabric of Sonqor in 1951, the current condition, and the proposed regeneration plan was carried out in accordance with the derived framework and through map analysis.
Sonqor is a city with a long historical background, and many of its villages, based on their names, date back to the Median period and have a history of several thousand years. Sonqor itself was previously a village that began to flourish after the Mongol invasion and the destruction of Dinavar. During the Safavid period, Asadabad County, then known :as char:doli, along with several other areas, was part of Sonqor and Kolyai County, which served as a regional administrative center. According to historical records and encyclopedias, this county functioned as a center for supplying manpower to the government and played a significant role in providing forces to confront foreign invasions. The historic fabric of Sonqor city, selected as the case study of this research, once served as the original core of the city and was formerly the most suitable residential area. However, like many historic fabrics, it has not been immune to related problems and has today lost its attractiveness due to various social, cultural, economic, and physical challenges, becoming spatially separated from other parts of Sonqor and a settlement area for social groups with different social status and standing [Shamai et al., 2014].
Findings
In accordance with the research methodology, the physical–spatial structure of the historic fabric of Sonqor was analyzed and compared across three periods (1951), the current condition, and the proposed regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric, through configurational representation. Based on the Space Syntax approach, analyzing the physical–spatial structure requires the preparation of axial maps of urban open spaces. The axial map consists of a structured set of urban open spaces generated according to the longest lines of sight and access. For each period under study, the axial lines were drawn and analyzed using the Depthmap software. The findings are presented through configurational analysis and the calculation of spatial parameters for each period. Accordingly, in the structural analysis, the lines that play the most significant role in connecting urban spaces are identified with darker tones, indicating their centrality and their role as the core structure of the city.
The analyses reveal the conditions of integration, connectivity, control, and depth for the three studied periods. Axes represented with colors in the green-to-yellow-to-red spectrum exhibit higher values of the respective Space Syntax indices and appear to function as the primary structural framework of the area.
Furthermore, to examine the presence or absence of relationships among the Space Syntax indices across the studied periods, Pearson’s correlation test was applied to assess the correlations between integration, depth, control, and connectivity.
Discussion
According to the analyses conducted for the 1951 map, the mean value of the spatial integration parameter for the historic fabric of Sonqor was 1.59. A notable finding in this analysis was the high level of integration observed along the intersecting streets in the central part of the study area, which were constructed during the period of modernization. The traditional bazaar is also located around these streets and exhibits a higher level of integration compared to other streets in the area. Accordingly, the bazaar and the central streets, with an integration value of 5.05, displayed the highest degree of spatial integration. This characteristic underscores the physical–spatial role of the bazaar in linking other urban elements. Analysis of the other parameters indicated that the mean spatial depth during this period was 1.43. In general, spatial depth showed an inverse relationship with integration in urban space. In addition, the mean connectivity value during this period was 2.54, while the control parameter was 0.38. As indicated by the analytical results, the levels of integration, control, connectivity, and depth decreased from the center of the area toward the periphery. Furthermore, based on the correlation coefficients, no statistically significant relationship was found between integration and the depth and connectivity indices in 1951; however, a significant relationship between integration and control was confirmed at the 95% confidence level.
In the current condition of the historic fabric, axial line analysis indicated notable changes in spatial parameters. The analysis of the spatial structure in this period showed that the construction of new streets and the outward expansion of the city toward the periphery of the historic fabric reduced the level of integration within the old core. According to the results, the mean integration value declined to 1.20, while the mean spatial depth increased to 1.55. Given that an increase in depth reflected urban expansion and a rise in the number of intermediary spaces required to reach a given area, this outcome was consistent with the physical transformations and the development of the street network from 1951 to the present. The findings indicated that the central part of the historic fabric, which was formerly among the most integrated areas of the city, has lost a considerable degree of integration and cohesion. Instead, sections of Beheshti Street and Imam Khomeini Street, located adjacent to the old bazaar, were identified as highly integrated spaces, with an integration value of 3.02. Accordingly, the mean connectivity value decreased to 2.05, while the mean control parameter increased to 0.40 and the depth parameter rose to 1.55. Moreover, no statistically significant relationship was observed between integration and the depth and control indices in the current condition of the historic fabric; however, a significant relationship between integration and connectivity was confirmed at the 99% confidence level. The results of the present study are not consistent with the findings of Soltani Fard et al. [2015] and Bahrainy and Foroughifar [2017], as they present different outcomes, but they are in line with the findings of Hakimian and Lak [2019].
Another aspect examined in this research is the approved regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric of Sonqor, focusing on the potential impacts of implementing its proposals and regulations on the historic fabric based on Space Syntax parameters. The results indicate that, under the proposed plan, the mean integration value increases to 1.43, and the mean connectivity parameter rises to 2.33, while the depth and control parameters decrease to 1.39 and 0.40, respectively. These findings suggest that by implementing the proposals and regulations of the regeneration plan, accessibility and permeability within the historic fabric would improve, and the main streets of the study area would gain greater potential for movement and circulation. Furthermore, their competitive capacity relative to new developments would increase, along with the overall integration of the urban fabric. Ultimately, based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric of Sonqor has produced positive outcomes and has contributed to increased integration, enhanced cohesion and legibility, and, ultimately, greater vitality of the historic fabric.
Finally, in order to further enhance cohesion and efficiency, the following recommendations are proposed:
- Preserving the organic order of the historic fabric in a manner that responds to the needs of residents;
- Increasing public participation and strengthening residents’ sense of responsibility in planning for historic and deteriorated urban fabrics;
- Paying special attention to the social, historical, and cultural context, as well as patterns derived from Islamic beliefs, in the process of rehabilitating and regenerating historic and deteriorated fabrics;
- Encouraging construction and development within the historic fabric through the provision of various incentives and facilities;
- Conducting physical planning and formulating regulations for different types of urban plans based on religious texts and principles.
Conclusion
The results of the parameter analyses and the comparison of the historic fabric of Sonqor in 1951, the current condition, and the approved regeneration plan indicate an increase in the indices of integration and depth, along with a decrease in the control index. These changes reflect the extent to which physical transformations have influenced the spatial cohesion of the historic fabric of Sonqor. Furthermore, the analytical results regarding the proposals of the regeneration plan show that its implementation would lead to increases in integration, depth, and connectivity, while resulting in a reduction in the control index. Overall, it can be concluded that the regeneration plan for the deteriorated fabric of Sonqor has yielded positive outcomes, contributing to greater integration and enhanced spatial cohesion of the historic fabric, while simultaneously preventing its further isolation within the urban structure.
Acknowledgments: There is nothing to report.
Ethical Permission: There is nothing to report.
Conflict of Interest: The first author is a PhD student in Islamic Urban Planning at Tabriz Islamic Art University, while the second and third authors are Associate Professors and the fourth author is an Assistant Professor at the same university. This article is derived from the doctoral dissertation of the first author, conducted under the supervision of the second and third authors and with consultation from the fourth author.
Author Contributions: Farahnaki M (First Author), Introduction Writer/Discussion Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher (50%); Balali Oskoui A (Second Author), Introduction Writer/Discussion Writer (20%); Shahbazi Y (Third Author), Statistical Analyst (15%); Molaei A (Fourth Author), Methodologist (15%)
Funding: There is nothing to report.
Keywords:
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