Compiling a Framework for Measuring Historical Spaces Obsolescence Emphasizing the Structural-Functional Qualities (Case Study: Darb Sheikh Square, Shiraz)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 MA Student, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22124/upk.2024.24799.1872

Abstract

Introduction: Unstoppable urban development alongside natural and human ecological factors have accelerated ‎transformations in historical contexts and ancient structures, including heritage buildings and old ‎urban spaces. This inevitable metamorphosis often results in qualitative degradation and physical ‎deterioration, diminishing the sense of belonging to rich cultural and historical values. Such ‎degradation contradicts the fact that historical contexts are irreplaceable treasures, filled with the ‎culture and history of our ancestors and featuring valuable pieces of architecture and urban ‎heritage. Consequently, this research aims to compile a checklist of urban space obsolescence ‎indicators and their evaluation criteria to improve the quality of these spaces in terms of physical ‎and cultural features. The concept of various types of obsolescence in the Adaptive Reuse ‎Potential (ARP) model is adjusted, and indicators of blight and urban decay in historical contexts ‎are discussed. A model is provided to evaluate the deterioration of urban open spaces based on ‎the principles of the Place model. To apply the derived indicators and assess the decline in a ‎sample urban space, the old Darb-Sheikh squareSquare, in front of Sheikh Rouzbahan's tomb, has been ‎selected as an example of a neighborhood open space.
Methodology: This applied research employs a descriptive-analytical approach. The literature review was ‎conducted using the library research method, while historical documents were analyzed to ‎understand the metamorphosis of the physical qualities and form of the studied urban space. To ‎investigate the rate of decline in Darb-Sheikh Square, ten experts identified through the snowball ‎method visited the area and filled out a questionnaire based on a 5-option Likert scale.‎
Results: The evaluation results by experts provide scores for all indicators of deterioration for Darb-Sheikh ‎Square. According to the findings, there is less decline in the comfort and image index compared ‎to other indices, followed by sociability. Conversely, the access and connectivity index, followed by ‎the activity and land use index, has declined the most.
Discussion:  Despite its historical interests, specific uses, and local businesses as primary income generators, as ‎well as a relatively well-distributed population density and high adaptability of buildings, Darb-Sheikh Square lacks dynamism and vitality. This is due to the unwillingness of users and the ‎private sector to invest in this area, and the absence of recreational and entertaining services, local ‎events, green and open spaces, and the presence of abandoned structures. Additionally, visual ‎disturbances, poor hygiene, and cleanliness, lack of security, low safety of architectural elements, ‎non-compliance of buildings with standards, deficient urban infrastructure, and poor quality of ‎existing building materials and structures have caused dissatisfaction among users and residents, ‎rendering the urban space inappropriate in terms of visual and comfort qualities. Although the ‎historicity of this space and its proximity to Sheikh Rouzbahan’s tomb foster a sense of belonging, ‎issues such as mismanagement, lack of day and night activities, and insufficient inclusive services ‎prevent the square from being a space for social interactions and friendly meetings. Consequently, ‎it is not positively perceived by citizens. Despite some factors facilitating accessibility to Darb-Sheikh Square, such as its location on a legible path, proximity to trading centers and urban ‎markets, and adequate access to public parking, various unattractive features render it an ‎undesirable and almost deserted urban space.
Conclusion: This research ‎successfully tested the fitting of obsolescence indicators from the literature related to the adaptive ‎reuse of buildings to the qualitative assessment of urban spaces. The goal was to determine which ‎indicators can estimate the quality or deterioration of an urban area and what strategies should be ‎used to overcome any manifestation of obsolescence. The indicators derived from this research ‎can be used to develop various improvement interventions in the design and management of ‎urban spaces in historical and heritage contexts.

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Main Subjects

References

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Urban Planning Knowledge
Volume 8, Issue 1
March 2024
Pages 1-21

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  • Receive Date: 27 June 2023
  • Revise Date: 30 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 01 June 2024

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