Comparative Study of Spatial Patterns and Cognitive Characteristics of the Iranian Bazar Using the Theories of "Space Syntax" and "Gestalt" (Case Study: Qazvin)

In addition to their objective, overt aspects, different spaces have subjective, covert dimensions, which cannot be inferred simply through analysis of their physical structures. These features, which are classified as cognitive features of space, are largely influenced by the space users’ types and methods of perception of space. You receive part of the environment information via presence in the space and with the help of your sensory abilities. Depending on your needs and motivations, some of the information is perceived by your mental system, and recognition is ultimately achieved through analysis of the perceived information and their registration in mind. Thus, mental or cognitive maps are formed for you, which in turn result from transformation of an objective entity into a subjective one, on which basis your mental image of an environment takes shape. These cognitive maps are largely dependent on the values, beliefs, memories, aspirations, etc. of people who use an environment. Therefore, it can be argued that people have different types of perception of the environment. Therefore, the quality of the objective and subjective features is effective in space users’ cognition and perception of the environment, and they utilize one or both of these perceptions to evaluate the environment. Moreover, the physical quality of the space is effective on its recognition, which turns recognition of the structural features effective in identification of space into another aspect of the significance of this research. Therefore, the present research sought to investigate the cognitive and perceptual aspects of a traditional market as a case study by evaluating the perceptual quality of the environment using Gestalt psychology and analyzing the system of spatial configuration using space syntax and to analyze the space users’ spatial-cognitive behavior in the relatively complex environment. After the factors required by both theories were introduced, the process of analysis began. On the syntactic analysis side, the market map was loaded in the software environment, and the market was analyzed using the values of factors such as the cone of vision, spatial depth and integrity, and spatial accessibility and quality. On the cognitive analysis side, the method of drawing cognitive maps was used for extraction of the Gestalt factors. Therefore, the research population was asked to enter the market through a specific entrance and draw their mental images of its structure in the croquis format after traveling around the market for thirty minutes. After data were collected using both methods, the obtained findings were analyzed and compared. The results of the research indicated that several objective and subjective factors are effective, either at the same time or with some prioritization with respect to each other, in proper wayfinding in spaces, particularly unfamiliar and less familiar ones. Moreover, the results obtained from the syntactic analysis of an environment are in some cases consistent with those of its cognitive analysis, and they contrast in other cases, depending to a great extent on the spatial features of the environment and the elements used in it. Accordingly, a traditional market in Iran was selected for a case study, and people’s spatial behavior in the urban space with a relatively complex structure and their perception thereof was analyzed. Therefore, the questions of the research are as follows. Which configuration features of a market are perceived and considered more closely by users? How do different people—particularly those who are unfamiliar or less familiar with the space—find or, in other words, choose the ways to their destinations in the market?