Spatial Patterns of Neighborhoods in the Historic City of Yazd; Determinants, Architectural Solutions and Principles of Neighborhood Architecture

The communities in the historical cities of Iran commonly benefited from having neighborhoods and neighborly interactions which has faded away from the modern urban life and has caused serious social hazards. This paper is concerned with how the spatial arrangement of neighborhood complexes in historical cities, in contrast to modern cities, provided a basis for establishing close relations among neighbors.

This article aims to define the neighborhood zones and analyze them in order to categorize the neighborhood spatial patterns as well as to clarify their architectural determinants and principles, and hence prevail this social behavior in the historic district of Yazd.

To reach this objective, the Grounded Theory methodology is used. After identification and field investigation of various neighborhood zones in Yazd historic district, they were interpreted and analyzed through a theoretical sampling procedure. Most of the analytical approach was adopted through taking frequent photographs, drawing spatial diagrams and schematic plans, making graphic and written notes and then using sequential coding.

The research results showed that with architectural solutions such as changing materials used for floors and walls (baseboards), covering spaces by putting roofs over them, creating split-level floors, opening up a possibility to sit temporarily, differing proportions, ornamenting and changing light and shadow, the three basic neighborhood patterns including entrance-, darband- and sabat-axis patterns have been formed in the semi-public spaces of this historic district. Such patterns with applying two principles of “physical proximity” and “spatial attributes” together with architectural determinants such as human-conformity, climatic comfort, privacy, territory and functional comfort and security in passageways by increasing public presence had a chief influence on establishing neighborly relations.