An Evaluation of the Behavior Settings in the Territory of Sacred PlacesCase Study: The Peripheral Territory of Hazrat Masoumeh’s Holy Shrine

In the pilgrimage hierarchy to the holy shrines, pilgrims are objectively and subjectively influenced by the environment-behavior system when passing through behavior circuits and this overshadows their behavioral patterns. The principle of synomorphy and congruence of physical structures with behavioral patterns in the milieu-behavior form or behavior settings, which play a key role in enhancing the quality of spiritual territories with the role of pilgrimage, has been less discussed.

This present study aims to identify and measure the synomorphy of behavior settings in the territory of sacred places by examining the areas specified for the pedestrianized pilgrimage to Hazrat Masoumeh’s holy shrine as a case study.

The present study is the mixed-method research (quantitative-qualitative) carried out using a descriptive-analytical research method. For data collection, library and field methods were used at five intervals in six months. The data were collected through direct observations by a trained observer, behavioral mapping and tracking, photography, and questionnaires. Then the data were analyzed using deductive-inductive reasoning.

The research findings indicate that the behavior settings of this territory with various programs and functions present a range of both compatible and incompatible behaviors with the context. In recent years, the policy of creating pedestrianized areas has promoted the synomorphy of the fabric by establishing religious rituals in this territory as the most important standing pattern of behaviors in this religious setting. However, the weakness of the physical structure in responding to some static behavioral patterns in usual and specific days, indicates that the physical structure of these behavior settings is not sufficiently compatible with all the needs and activities of the pilgrims. So, the redefinition of these behavior settings as pilgrimage areas requires more design considerations according to the principle of milieu-behavior synomorphy and considering the pilgrimage culture of this territory.