Contemporization of Traditional Neighborhoods in Downtowns using Traditional Neighborhoods Development (TND) Aproach(Case Study: Golapa Neighborhood in Hamedan)

Urban neighborhoods have historically been the ground for social relationships at various levels. One of the most significant problems in many cities of Iran is the lack of habitable neighborhoods, and most of the spaces in such cities lack appropriate conditions regarding citizens’ healthy life. Thus, the social relations of residets, which have been part of a healthy urban life for centuries, have minimized. Traditional neighborhoods, especially in the cities of developing countries, confront an imbalance between the container (old texture) and the contents (inhabitants). TND is an approach that originates from the neo-urban movement and attempts to respond positively to the neighborhood’s necessities and its residents. This approach increases social interactions by reinforcing and improving the physical space of neighborhoods to achieve a sense of belonging, economic self-reliance, and the promotion of social capital. Analyzing new urban planning patterns and having the least amount of physical intervention, the study aimed at taking steps to organize and improve Golapa - the traditional neighborhood in the city of Hamedan. The study is used a descriptive-analytical method. Observation, interview and questionnaire were ued to gather the data. The results demonstrate that the revitalization and contemorization of neighborhoods can be achieved applying an incentive development approach and preserving historical and physical values in order to turn the neighborhoods into a living place in accordance with their historical identities and modern lives.