Factors of Identity Persistence in the City of Khorramabad with Emphasis on Falak Al-Aflak Castle

A city is a comprehensive concept comprised of various cultural, social, economic, historical and environmental aspects. These interconnected dimensions give specific attributes and identities to cities, which is the key to identifying urban areas. The city of Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan province, has a unique distinctiveness bestowing a rich historical and cultural background and a host of favorable environmental factors and conditions. Located in the North-South funnel-shaped valleys at the heart of the Zagros Mountains (inscribed between the highlands) and among the rich water resources (rivers and springs), this city has distinct features, specifically its central range. A look at the natural geography of the city of Khorramabad indicates that security plays an important role in its formation and that the core of the city is organically formed in the vicinity of the Falak-al-Aflak castle. These features, along with the communication status of the city (located on the north-south route), have had a significant impact on the direction of its physical expansion. Thus, the genesis and development of the city was largely influenced by its natural, historical, and strategic features.