Dimensional analysis as a method in research on Islamic city

The applicability of the qualitative research system and its specific strategies namely grounded theory is worth considering for contributing to the knowledge with the valid scientific theories and doctrines in order to raise the level of awareness and to help predict and solve the existing problems of the urbanity and urban planning particularly in Islamic contexts. Grounded theory as one of the strategies of qualitative method has been developed with various readings in recent decades. Dimensional analysis as one of the readings of the grounded theory, being devised by Schutzman has been applied in various scientific disciplines; however, this method has been less used in urban research. This paper demonstrates the capabilities of this method for research in general and Islamic city research in particular. Accordingly, two questions are asked: What is the process and capability of the dimensional analysis method? To what extent is this method applicable to Islamic city research? The paper is organized into two main sections. In the first section, the background, philosophical foundations and theoretical underpinnings and steps of the dimensional analysis method are discussed taking into consideration the possibilities and capabilities of this method for research. In the second part of the paper, this method is used for a sample study in Islamic urban context. In this section, the concept of Islamic city has been studied by various scholars scrutinizing the various dimensions and methods used to construct this concept and provide an explanatory framework in this regard. The results of this section come up with six distinct models of Islamic city in related texts and narratives, including Islamic habitat (not city) model; timeless city model; physical model; Muslims’ city model; Islamic civilization model; and city-in-Muslims’ territory model. The findings of this study not only emphasize the advantages and usefulness of dimensional analysis for urban research, but it also implies that any use of this method –such as any other quantitative and qualitative methods – requires its own related ontological and epistemological considerations and adaptation in line with the research details particularly its aim/s and question/s.