The Spatial Representation of Power Tolerance in Isfahan City during the Safavid Era(Case study: Allahverdikhan Bridge)

Problem statement:

 By the beginning of the Safavid rule, a new era of civilization and progress started to initiate in the city of Isfahan. Economic and political stability, along with a balanced establishing of social, religious and governmental powers, prepared a fundamental change in the urban structure and the social and urban relations of Isfahan city.Therefore, the city moved toward a new kind of urban formation and the required basement for a dynamic social life in the form of public events with diverse perceptions was created, that all resulted in the foundation of a considerable range of public spaces in various type, including urban bridges. Accordingly, “Allahverdikhan Bridge”, with its functional and physical development, become a place of public gathering, recreation and urban interaction, which has played an important role in power balance in the target city.

The aim of this study is to examine the Safavid government relation with people, religion and city, and to study their effect on the formation of public spaces in Isfahan, especially Allahverdikhan Bridge. Based on this, the central position of this bridge in the Safavid power’s relation can be explained in accordance with the other components in the city.

A qualitative research study was adopted to analyze the concepts of research objectives through an interpretive-historical method and by addressing the library resources.

The results show that the special role of Safavid reign was to legitimize the power structure (reinforcing the religious and public base) in the process of social relations’ development and the formation of public spaces, especially in Allahverdikhan Bridge. The interaction and tolerance of the government system as the major base of power, in relation to ‘religion, society and city’, led to the formation of a connected space between the state and people (public spaces) and the balanced establishment between them. In this regard, Allahverdikhan Bridge as a public space, and considering its position and role in the urban structure of Isfahan in the Safavid era, become the center of power tolerance and social balance.