The Naghsh-E Jahan Square Open Space; Values and Issues*

Vol.13/No.44/ Feb 2017 Received 2016/05/01 Accepted 2016/07/03 The Naghsh-e Jahan Square Open Space; Values and Issues* Ali Shahabinejad** Reza Abuei*** Mahmoud Ghalenoei**** Abstract Naghsh-e Jahan square is one of the most important historical squares of Iran and the world that has changed a lot in its long history. Most of these changes include the open space of the square and its surrounding monuments are nearly the same as the past. In this paper, in addition of representation of open space characteristics in the square of Safavid period and analyzing its spatial values, the process of historical changes through time emphasizing present time was evaluated. Research approach is historical-analytical based on documents, transcripts, oral tradition and historical images related to the Naghsh-e Jahan square. For current situation, most of the data has been gathered through field work. The aim of this research is representing the original condition of the square and documenting its historical changes particularly the current situation. This work provides a kind of comparative studies about the spatial values of the square in the current and past situations. The article has also analyzed the existing issues of the square open space and has offered a number of suggestions for improving the current condition. The results indicate that the previous situation of the square open space in Safavid period had caused the desirable condition and qualities such as climatic comfort, vitality and pleasant landscape that some of these qualities have been weakened because of changes during the past centuries. However, it is possible to increase spatial qualities to make the square more similar to its original situation by revitalizing the square open space. Keywords Naghsh-e Jahan Square, Safavid period, Current Condition, Values, Issues. *. This paper is extracted from Ali shahabinejad’s Ph. D. thesis entitled “Urban Space Values of Naghshe Jahan Square” which is prepared under supervision of Dr. Reza Abouei and Dr. Mahmoud Ghalenoei. at Art University of Isfahan. **. Ph. D. in Conseravarion of Historical fabrics, Department oF Conservation, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. Corresponding author. [email protected]. ***. Ph. D. in Conseravarion of Historical fabrics. Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. [email protected] ****. Ph. D. in Urbanism. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. [email protected] .......................................57.. .. ........... ........ ....... .......... The Scientific Journal of NAZAR research center (Nrc) for Art, Architecture & Urbanism Ali Shahabinejad, Reza Abuei, Mahmoud Ghalenoei/ Bagh- e Nazar, 13 (44):57-70 Introduction the entrance landscape of Naghshe Jahan square from Urban spaces are the most important field for the the view of Gheisarie in the Safavid and current time formation of social relations and urban activities in and have studied the qualities and aesthetic values cities1. If urban spaces include more qualities and of this landscape in these periods. Shahabinejad and space values, could attract more people and become others (2014) in an article entitled “human scale in a place for social life and establishing Pleasant Naghshe Jahan square”, have analyzed the square memories and mental images in the minds of people. from the perspective of the quality of human scale Naghshe Jahan square is one of the successful and answered this main question that how this square examples of urban spaces of Iran in Safavid period, by its vast areas and its superhuman scale present which through its high level of space values could such qualities that regularly are expected from the become a thriving and glorious place so that many spaces with human scale. Dahhar has analyzed the people who visited it, praised and admired it and total proportion of the Naghshe Jahahn square in spoke about its beautiful landscape, its lively and relation to the location of Sheikh Lotfollah mosque thriving areas and environmental welfare in different and finded out some golden proportion and hidden parts of it. However, the historical developments geometry in this connection. Naghshe Jahan Square during the past few centuries have changed the based on user-space perspective. Zand Vosoughi square a lot, so that the current situation of the (2014) in his doctoral dissertation examined the role square is completely different from the past. This of social interactions in the Naghshe Jahan square article describes the issue that has been addressed. and has analyzed the valuable features of the square In this paper, the outdoor situation of the square in this communication in different historical periods. of the Safavid period would be described and its The major difference of this study from previous spatial values would be analyzed. Then history and studies is that the study doesn’t focus on a particular alteration process of the open space of the square environmental quality, but it focuses on the most in the later periods would be described and finally significant environmental qualities and spatial values the current situation of the open space of the square of the square in the Safavid period and analyzes the and some of the issues relating to its environmental quality changes in later periods especially in the values and qualities would be analyzed and propose current time. some suggestion for solving the problems. At last the conclusion will be presented. Open space of the square in Safavid period The open space in Safavid period had a useful Research background composition and the historical documents and Although numerous studies have been done related tourist descriptions confirm this well. The analysis to the Naghshe Jahan Square, but these studies are of historical documents shows a few favorable generally more associated with four main buildings properties related with open space of the square at of the square and its total history. Some of these that age, which can be generally described in three studies that can be pointed out are; Pope (2009), subjects of climatic comfort, landscape, and finally Godard (1989), Tavassoli (1997), Galdieri (1983), Liveliness and Variety of functions. Each one of McChesney (2006), Pournaderi (2006), Abouei these properties will be described as follows: ........... (2008). Generally fewer studies have been done about • Climatic comfort the open space of the square and its values. However, Based on left historical photo evidences and tourist .......... a few studies related to this issue can be pointed out descriptions such as Sharden (1983: 62), Della Valle ........ that have been done in recent years. Shahabinejad (1991: 36-37), Olearious (2000: 606), and Kaempfer ....... and Aminzadeh (2012), have analyzed the quality of (1971: 194), there was a stream around the square ...... ............................ ............................................................. 58 ... The Scientific Journal of NAZAR research center (Nrc) for Art, Architecture & Urbanism .... Ali Shahabinejad, Reza Abuei, Mahmoud Ghalenoei/ Bagh- e Nazar, 13 (44):57-70 in Safavid period, and around the river, there were being more recognized the fancy architecture and high and thick trees which had made the shadows its environment such as Abbasi Mosque, Sheikh (Fig. 1) like an umbrella on the open space of the Lotfollah Mosque, Alighapou palace, Ghesariyeh square, so Sharden says that always there was a place Entrance and body of the square. in the square that the shadow can be found2. Besides, Related to the trees around the square, Shardin there were not any green areas around these trees also says because of the thoughtful arrangement in except the tree trunks which penetrated into the soil. finding the position for planting trees and avoidance On the other hand, the minimum of the square open of planting on some parts, these trees had not caused space had made as a green area, in spite of the trees to conceal the body of the square (Shardin, 1983: 62). efficiency of shadows and the quality of climatic Besides, these trees had had broad leaves and comfort and also improving the landscape of the crumbled when there had been no needs of their square. In images 2 the plan of the square which shadows in winters so the all views around the square shows the trees and square positions and it’s based could have been seen and there had been an attractive on historical evidences studies, can be seen. variety of the landscape in spring and summer. • Favorable View The night view had been also noticed and especially In Safaviyeh age, except the stony river around on anniversaries and special feasts that would have the square which had running water and the beside been performed in the square, it had been decorated trees, the other parts of the square open space with lights in a way that Shardin has mentioned fifty was in sandy and pressed soil, and except some thousand lights (Shardin, 1983: 61). efficient elements such as polo gates and Ghopogh • Liveliness and variety of functions beam or the fences in front of the Alighapou which In spite of being a government square3, and it has had cleared the palace’s borders, and also some been built for showing the power of the government symbolic elements like the military canons which and Safaviyeh spread power and interchange with are plundered in Hormoz war and had been placed in other countries, the open area of Naghshe Jahan front of Alighapou Palace, there were not any other Square in Safavid period, because of its vastness and stable environmental elements. This composition of harmony, had provided a useful space for all kinds of the square open space elements had caused the area civil activities such as fancy ceremonies of kingdom had been a simple and integrated region, which in rituals, common people gatherings, and purchase combination with the body of the square had caused and sales. In general, the square activities fields in ..........

Load more