An analysis of urban spaces based on the principle of Balance in Islamic Thought with a Consideration on role of land use in responding to human needs(Case Study: The city of Mashhad)

Principle of balance is one of the most principles in Islamic city. In Islamic thought, principle of balance was considered to respond to proportional and balanced human needs in different realms. The goal of this paper is to study principle of balance in Islamic city. A few studies can be found that be addressed in micro scale. This study is trying to achieve the quality of balance through the land use in adifferent realms of human life. Actually the role of land use to respond to human needs in different realms is not studied. Physiological, mental and spiritual needs are considered as different realms of human life. In this research, we want to shed light on how land use can respond to human needs in different realm of life. In conceptual model of research 6 criteria and 13 sub criteria were considered. Also with same functions in land use, four case studies from different periods of physical development in Mashhad for instance “Sarshhor Bazaar” and “Khosravi street” from Central part of Mashhad, ”Daneshgah street” from middle part of the city and “Rahnamaie street” from Recent developments were chosen. This is a descriptive-analytical research study. The data collection method is survey. Questionnaires were compiled in order to gather information on human needs in different realm of life. Data were analyzed with some statistical methods. The finding in this study showed that in all four case studies, in opinion’s respondents , indicator of mean is level of average in Physiological realm of human needs. Indicator of mean are lower of level of average in mental and spiritual realms of human needs and weakness in these 2 human realms are showed. Also, women considered urban spaces better than men in supplying dimensions of human needs.