The Influence of Endowment in Formation of Urban Spaces in Rey City during Qajar Era

Religious ethics are considered as the most influential factors in configuration and development of urban spaces during Islamic era. Thereby, waqf [endowment] tradition as a sublime religious ethic has led to creation of different spaces varying in function in the context of Iranian cities during this period.
This paper tries to investigate the role of endowed buildings in formation and growth of urban spaces in Rey city during Qajar era. Considering the key role of endowed units in formation of Rey city, it is assumed that removal of these units will lead to rupture of historical fabric. In order to answer the research questions, Qajar endowed buildings in the historical fabric of Rey city were studied and the role of endowment in formation and growth of this city and the architectural connection of these buildings was evaluated by documentation and recording (submission) of information
Having compiled the obtained information from written sources with the data achieved by field investigations, it is undoubtedly confirmed that endowment tradition has been influential in space formation and city structural growth of Rey city. It was also found that the most prominent endowed buildings in this city were the organized commercial buildings. Their role in the spatial organization of the city is to the extent that the removal of endowed units can lead to complete rupture of historical fabric structure.