Studying and recognizing the structural system and the formation pattern of Khan Garden of Shushtar; A distinct type of Iranian gardening

Gardening tradition in the geographical area of Iran has included valuable types of gardens such as fruit garden, river garden, organic garden etc over past centuries. However, despite having unique features, because of the lack of compliance to the prevalent pattern of the Iranian Garden, these gardens have been relatively less studied and recognized. Khan garden in Shushtar, adjacent to the historic water canal of Gargar, is a remarkable example of such types of Iranian gardening since its unique context contains considerable features of gardening that are very unusual among other types of Iranian gardens. Accordingly, this research will try to study and recognize constructive components and elements of Khan garden through a qualitative approach and using the descriptive-analytical research method. In order to recognize and document information related to Khan garden like natural, historical and morphological data, the research applies the cataloguing technique. The required data are primarily collected through biblio sources such as historical accounts, archival documents, maps, aerial images. Also, field survey and oral interviews in the process of data collecting are employed. Based on research findings, the Khan garden should be perceived as a river garden and structurally could be classified as a uni-axial garden. However, since the specific context of the garden’s position, that axe has been placed on an indirect extension that affects constructive systems of the garden and provides an irregular and organic structure for that. Furthermore, according to other findings, agricultural activities, cultural influences of Qajar time, and surrounding characteristics have been the most significant factors in shaping the structural pattern of the Khan garden.