Exploration of Physical Integration of Historical Bazaar in Iranian CitiesA Comparative Study of Historical Bazaars in Kerman and Shiraz

Bazaar in historical Iranian city has a function as a living urban structure weaving the urban elements and residential neighborhoods while maintaining its own existence and integrity, and providing functional and cultural services to the city. Due to the impacts of physical, social and economic urban transformations, and despite its all unique characteristics, the historical bazaar in todays’ Iranian city has been neglected and uninhibited, losing its fundamental role as an integrated whole and functioning only as a historical monument of the urban form. This paper aims to deeply investigate the principles of physical integration of the historical bazaar through its physical characteristics and qualities. The research method is developed in two phases: (1) desk study was used to explore the basic and current literature of urban form related to physical integration and for the text analysis; qualitative content analysis was applied developing a conceptual framework; and (2) physical integration of two important historical bazaars of Iranian cities (Kerman and Shiraz) was investigated according to the proposed conceptual framework through updated maps and historical documents of two bazaars using observation technique. The results indicate that the physical integration of the historical bazaar has three dimensions as follow: (1) morphological integration comprising of element-whole inter-dependence, linkage of positive urban spaces, gradual growth through hierarchical organization, and permeability; (2) visual-aesthetic integration consists of visual qualities of Iranian architecture and urban form, and space heterogeneity; and (3) functional integration comprising of hierarchical movement systems, respecting the context and mixed uses and hybridity. The analysis of the physical integration in Kerman and Shiraz bazaars indicates that Kerman bazaar is in better situation in terms of morphological and visual-aesthetic integration than Shiraz bazaar. However the functional integration of two bazaars has vanished and their roles as an economic-social structure of the traditional city have been lost. Both Bazaars can’t afford to adapt new needs and lifestyle of the citizens, leading to downturn, abandonment, or even demolition of their buildings. Now, Kerman and Shiraz bazaars offer only few local goods and handicrafts, as well as being heritage buildings and structures that are historical-cultural tourist destinations, and function only as historical monuments of the urban form. As a result, the physical integration in Kerman historical bazaar has been maintained in some parts due to the preservation of morphological and aesthetic characteristics of bazaar and its elements, resulting in its perception as an integrated organism. Taking all into account, this research concludes that physical integration has multiple dimensions which should be maintained and preserved simultaneously through conservation and improvement of physical characteristics and qualities of the built environment in order to reach the physical integrity of the historical bazaar as a whole. The research findings have implications for urban regeneration programs and plans in the historical fabric of Iranian cities. The spatial-structural role of the historical bazaar should be stated in these programs and plans in the format of design guidelines and principles.