Identifying and explaining the key drivers affecting the landscape quality in urban historical fabric (case study: Sang-e-Siah neighborhood of Shiraz)

Historical fabric is an architectural and cultural masterpiece, forming a valuable part of urban identity and history. Preservation and maintenance of this fabric and the quality of its landscape are essential but currently neglected due to economic and socio-cultural reasons. This study aimed to identify and explain the key drivers affecting the landscape quality of the Sang-e-Siah neighborhood historical fabric in Shiraz. The research was applied concerning purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature and research methodology. Library-documentary and field studies were used, along with the distribution of questionnaires, to collect the required data, which were then analyzed using MicMac software and the Delphi technique. The results indicate that 7 out of 22 main influential factors affect the landscape of the historical fabric of the Sang-e-Siah neighborhood in Shiraz. These key factors have the most significant impact and are the least influenced by other factors affecting the landscape quality of the historical fabric of the Sang-e-Siah neighborhood in Shiraz and include spatial unity (coordination of elements) (V4), color and materials (V16), sidewalk space (V19), security and peace (V14), green space (V20), urban furniture (V12), and lighting (V15). The results of the research indicate that a desirable urban landscape has numerous impacts on the quality of life for citizens and increases their satisfaction with municipal management performance, which, in turn, will lead to greater citizen participation in urban development projects. Achieving a desirable urban landscape requires the identification of influential factors and planning for the improvement of their conditions because due to the internal relationships among these landscape elements, a change in one factor leads to changes in others. Intervening in the historical urban fabric is highly sensitive due to the value of these historical areas.