The Measurement of Livability of Historical and Modern Commercial Spaces In the city of Tabriz (Case Study: Tabriz Historic Bazaar and Crystal Tower)

Livability is a feature that has been neglected in study, research and development of urban spaces in Iran. Nowadays, livability and exhilaration especially Modern commercial spaces become one of the main concerns in urban management and planning, especially in developed countries. Public spaces are not formed on the basis of human social needs and their role is reduced merely to the link between destinations. Purely economic view to urban public environments especially the markets (Bazaar) reflects the negative effects of superficial developments of modernism in contemporary architecture. Because of unpleasant developments of recent changes, it requires attention and a review of Iranian traditional spaces in architectural and urban design. This study focuses on the following questions: What criteria are effective in livability of urban space? How is the amount and criteria of livability in Tabriz historic bazaar and crystal tower? Aims of research is providing criteria for measurement and comparison of livability between historical and modern commercial spaces (historic bazaar and the modern crystal tower) both located in Tabriz and offer solutions to enhance the livability of modern commercial spaces. Thus study assumes that the amount of livability in urban space of historic bazaar of Tabriz, because of its location, socialization and integration of activities, is better than modern commercial urban spaces, like crystal tower (borjeh blour). A total of 170 patients (calculated with Cochran) who were selected by simple random sampling method that after explaining the objectives of the study by interviewer participate for answering the research questions. The method for this research is descriptive-deductive in which using theoretical foundations and deductive approach as well as gathering information through questionnaires, the hypothesis is evaluated. For statistical analysis of data, The Means test and the One-Sample TTest are used. The means of the factor of legibility is the highest scores and the means of the factor of flexibility and socio-cultural and economic criteria is the lowest one in the crystal tower but the means of the factor of legibility and the socio-cultural and economic criteria is the highest scores and the means of the factor of comfort is the lowest one in the historic Bazaar. The results show that the historic bazaar as a social life and multi-functional space has better livability and social communication comparing to the crystal tower. But the position (The interference mounted and dismounted) and lack of attention to social, cultural and economic norms as well as flexibility, reduced vitality in the crystal tower. Therefore, one of the conditions required to create a lively environment is the continued presence and activities of people in the urban space and livability is an effective factor in marketing growth and providing opportunities for social and cultural exchanges. The results of this research also indicates the importance of giving attention to restoring the concept of the bazaar as a social life, economic and cultural needs of citizens in designing modern commercial spaces by planners. Moreover, one of the factors affecting the livability of spaces is constructing safe environments and footpaths for increasing the citizen's presence.