منظر (Dec 2023)
Exploring Functional Features of Landscape Approach in Regeneration of Historical Fabrics (Case Study: Takht-e Gonbad Neighborhood, Isfahan)
Abstract
The sustainability of historical fabrics poses a challenging issue for architects, conservators, and other professionals and stakeholders in this field. Numerous articles, research papers, and projects have been proposed and implemented, which can be broadly categorized into two approaches. The first approach focuses on the physical aspects and the built environment of historical fabrics, addressing the issues related to structures and their physical connections. The second approach presents behavioral, socio-cultural, and symbolic studies regarding historical fabrics. Neither of these two approaches, which provide a discrete and tangible understanding of these valuable places, has been able to be effectively implemented on its own. Therefore, the primary concern of this research is how to employ landscape-oriented approaches in preserving and revitalizing the values of historical fabrics and strengthening the collective memory as an influential factor in their sustainability within the reconstruction and revitalization programs. In this study, after defining the landscape and its relationship with place and the significant factors that enhance this relationship, the landscape and spatial characteristics of historical fabrics are analyzed. Furthermore, various opinions of experts in this field are examined and classified. The aim is to identify the landscape values and their impact on the identity of historical fabrics, formulating a general roadmap for their sustainable regeneration and revitalization. Various approaches and strategies have been proposed to conserve, restore, and revitalize historical fabrics in cities. However, in most cases, the role of landscape and landscape-oriented approaches as influential factors in reviving and retrieving their identities must be adequately emphasized. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper is to identify and utilize the landscape values and collective memories to develop a model for the sustainable revival and revitalization of historical fabrics that can effectively contribute to the interpretation and perception of the narratives of these places in interaction with the landscape. This study is an analytical-descriptive research methodology employing a case study approach. Data were collected through library and field research. It explores the relevant literature on the landscape, landscape-oriented approaches, place identity, sense of place, and their different dimensions. The landscape-oriented perspective, as a novel approach to the conservation and revitalization of historical fabrics (as places), can assist in protecting their tangible and intangible values and ensuring their sustainability. Moreover, on a larger scale, it can contribute to preserving the historical narrative of cities. This aspect can significantly impact enhancing the sense of belonging among citizens, which is an influential factor in the continuity and sustainability of a place. Historical fabrics inherently possess a wealthy textual content; any intervention, alteration, or interaction without understanding and perceiving the related narrative would be incomplete. In this regard, employing a landscape-oriented approach by strengthening the connection with the place is essential and valuable. Integrating landscape-oriented approaches in revitalizing and restoring historical fabrics can enable a correct interpretation of the landscape narrative and the historical narrative of the place within historical fabrics and contribute to their sustainable stability.
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