An Evaluation of Missing Spaces and Recommending Some Strategies for Development of Creative Spaces (Case Study: Ali-Qapu Square in Ardabil)

The urban public space is of the most important elements in spatial construction of a city and is a ground for various cultural, economic, social and religious activities. The public space in a city, as the historical center, retells its story. The Urban planning and actions in the past have negligently provided the scene for diminishing these values and destructing the history. And by doing so, they have caused the square to lose its original meaning and assume a minor role. As a matter of fact, by the rise of modernity and, as its consequence, mechanism , through undermining the foundations of social life, the presence of pedestrians faded in the urban spaces and a background was provided for the increased presence of cars, in the squares, especially, those squares that were a place for gathering people in the past (urban identity). Therefore, major urban nodes were created in the form of junctions, while sacrificing squares for such changes. This study adopted a descriptive- analytical approach based on the definition and the concepts of square with emphasis on the Iranian patterns, recognition of the nature of squares, the necessity of detection and recognition of the missing spaces, the factors affecting changes in the squares in the current situation,, and the expectations about the case square. The main objective in this study was using the principles for improving the space of Ali-Qapu square. Data collection was done by library method (Documentary), field observations, and using questionnaires with a sample size of 50 people who were chosen randomly. Subsequently, Swot table was employed to analyze the variables under study and make conclusion about the current and past states of Ali-Qapu. Then, the final coefficient was obtained from the questionnaire items which were rated based on the Likert's scale. According to the results, the strategies applied to Ali-Qapu Square approached the aggressive strategies. Thereupon, it is suggested that the authorities, by employing the suggested strategies, take advantage of the strengths and opportunities and overcome the weaknesses, so that a sustainable and creative space may be accomplished.