نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 شهرسازی، هنر و معماری، دانشگاه کردستان، سنندج، ایران.
2 شهرسازی، هنر و معماری، دانشگاه کردستان، سنندج، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
This study systematically examines the urban evolution of Iranian cities from the 3rd to 12th centuries AH through a comparative analysis of 14 historical travelogues (7 Eastern and 7 Western sources). Addressing critical gaps in existing scholarship regarding period fragmentation and East-West representational differences, the research employs rigorous qualitative content analysis methodology to investigate five key dimensions: physical structures, economic systems, socio-cultural practices, political organization, and environmental factors.
The findings reveal three distinct developmental phases. During the foundational period (3rd-6th centuries AH), Iranian cities established their characteristic urban morphology centered on the mosque-market-defensive complex configuration, with contemporary accounts documenting both thriving commercial activities and significant environmental constraints, particularly water management challenges. The transitional phase (7th-9th centuries AH) witnessed comprehensive urban transformations following the Mongol invasions, characterized by reconstruction efforts that prioritized religious institutions alongside emerging sectarian tensions that reshaped urban social dynamics. The Safavid era (10th-12th centuries AH) represented the zenith of urban development, with Western sources meticulously recording architectural achievements while noting emerging urban challenges that contrasted with Eastern accounts' spiritual and communal focus.
The comparative analytical framework demonstrates how these complementary perspectives - Eastern narratives emphasizing lived experience versus Western accounts prioritizing structural analysis - collectively enrich our understanding of urban historiography when examined through critical theoretical lenses. Methodologically, the study establishes an innovative approach for systematic historical text analysis in urban studies. The findings particularly highlight the remarkable resilience of Iranian cities in maintaining core spatial and cultural configurations through periods of transformation, with the persistent mosque-bazaar nexus serving as a paradigmatic example of how physical urban forms can sustain cultural continuity across centuries. These insights carry significant implications for both academic research in urban history and contemporary practices in heritage conservation and urban planning, ultimately presenting cities as dynamic cultural palimpsests where historical layers coexist with enduring spatial patterns.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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