Proposed «Mohallah» with Centrality of Mosque And Public Spaces in Persian-Islamic City

In this paper the design principles of «Mohallahs» (Traditional Persian-Islamic Neighborhood) in the Islamic cities since the beginning of Islam، are examined briefly. Then the role of mosque as one of the important factors that defines the physical dimensions and also meet the needs of the social، political، cultural and residential sectors of the city، was determined. This research has been done through descriptive and analytical method by analyzing mentioned principles of «Mohallahs» design، compared with the planning and design principles of neighborhood units that first of all offered by American planners in 1911. Conclusion of this research has shown superiority of design principles of «Mohallahs» in Persian-Islamic cities with having Mosque، «Hoseiniah»، «Tekyeh» and other religious buildings as their centers and hub of their socio/cultural activities. Studying of «Mohallahs» in the old Persian-Islamic cities of Iran proves the sustainability، durability and significant role of mosque for quality dimensions of city designing and social issues in compare with neighborhood unit in the west. The study of Persian-Islamic advices also indicates Islam as a religion has many advices as for as neighborhood design is concerned. Finally on the bases of Quranic verses and «Hadiths»، especially the valid statement by Imam Ali (AS) and conclusion derived from study of existing traditional Persian-Islamic «Mohallahs»، a new modal has been proposed for Persian-Islamic «Mohallah». A central car free square with respect to social dimensions with all required، land uses and activities all around it was also proposed. The mosque and other religious and socio/cultural buildings are the focal points of this «Mohallah». The central urban space of the «Mohallah» has walkable accessibility from farther points all around it. The functional radius of the purposed «Mohallah» on the bases of the mentioned «Hadiths» is about 400 to 500 meters and its population can be about 3500 to 4000 persons. This model can be used for designing of contemporary residential «Mohallah» in new towns and extension areas of existing cities in future.