The study of the evolution of squares in 3 periods of Safavid, Qajar and Pahlavi with historical – evolutionary and form approach (Isfahan and Tehran styles) case study of Naqshe Jahan square in Isfahan, Ganjalikhan square in Kerman, Sabze Meydan and Toop

Abstract

Unfortunately, with the development of cities and arrival of modernism, the past function of spaces like urban squares has changed and lost its real concept. The arrival of modernism to Iran has influenced the spatial organization of Tehran since the late Qajar era. To clarify these changes, the present study aims to compare Isfahan style and Tehran style to show the evolution of squares from the Safavid to the first Pahlavi era. This study was performed in an interpretativehistorical method and focused on squares in two styles of Isfahan and Tehran. In this study, Inductive and comparative approaches and the case studies of each style were used for interpretations and conclusions. The main features of each style after extraction were examined with the study of squares in that style. Each square is evaluated in terms of four components of time, architectural style, spatial features and user. Spatial features include: type and accessibility, connection of streets to square, type of geometry, the placement of square in the texture (morphology) and user of square includes surrounding and internal performances of square. The case study is the important squares in Tehran style and Isfahan style to the first Pahlavi era. The case study was analyzed and included Sabze Meydan, Toopkhaneh square, Naqshe Jahan and Ganjalikhan square in Kerman. Finally, conclusion was expressed in the form of a table.

Keywords: square; Tehran style; Isfahan style; evolution of squares.