Revival of Social Interactions in Pandemic Conditions (COVID19) in Urban Squares, with a Look at Naghsh Jahan Square in Isfahan

Abstract

One of the factors in strengthening relationships between people is the creation of social interactions, and this is one of the most important and fundamental concerns of human beings throughout life. In the event of a pandemic, people are very afraid and anxious to meet each other in crowded environments, because the possibility of endangering their health is very high. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of creating lost social interactions in pandemic conditions in Naghsh Jahan Square in Isfahan. The method of the present study was based on the nature, quality and purpose, application and development. In order to study how to revive spaces with social interactions and identify spatial criteria in order to achieve this goal, specialized space syntax software has been used. The results show that the space in front of the entrance of Caesarea has more navigation and it is better for people not to be present in this space when they are in Naghsh Jahan Square in a pandemic situation. Also, in terms of spatial communication, the open space of the square in front of Aali Qapo mansion has a high spatial connection. As a result, the amount of communication and contact of people in this section is high. In the event of an epidemic, the best place for Naghsh Jahan Square to create social interactions is the central zone of Naghsh Jahan Square, which according to the extracted data, when people are present in the square, their health is more secure.

Keywords

• social interactions
• pandemic
• naghsh jahan square
• isfahan