The Role of Water System in Forming Urban Structures: A Case Study on Urmia City

In Iranian urban planning and architecture, almost all elements and spaces of architecture and urban planning, including houses, mosques, bazaars and even passages have had a relationship with water in some ways. Moreover, several architectural and urban elements have been created for the storage, distribution and consumption of water, the most important of which are mills, aqueducts, baths, neighborhoods, mosques and gardens. Therefore, studying the role of water in the formation of urban spaces in Iranian cities is an undeniable necessity. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the irrigation system and water supply in the city of Urmia as a case study. The present study has used analytical, survey and historical methods taking a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) in two parts to investigate the role of water system in forming the urban structures in Urmia. The first part includes documentary studies about the city of Urmia and water, and the second part includes field studies.  The geographical area of ​​the present study is the city of Urmia, the capital of West Azerbaijan Province. The findings of the present research prove that due to the importance of water and for all people to benefit from it, extensive and precise roles and social relations have been created through cultural mechanisms, which in turn affect some parts of the culture of the people of Urmia. The results of the present study show the circulation and distribution of water through aqueducts, overpasses, baths and mosques as well as the development and formation of the city of Urmia, including the establishment of its neighborhoods, houses and other public buildings. These findings are consistent with the components forming the circulation and distribution of water. As a result, the formation and development of Urmia depends on the irrigation and water systems.