Effective variables in physical and structural transformation of the city of Bam with special emphasis on relationship between the city and nature

Bam, which is located in the south eastern part of Iran, east of Kerman province, is a desert city with its special natural and cultural landscapes, which is different in many ways from all other desert cities in Iran. There has always been a balance between cultural and natural elements in Bam. One of the unique natural elements of Bam is its rich underground water reservoirs, which originates from the special formation of the waterways of this region. Two of the most valuable cultural dimensions of Bam are Qantas and palm groves. The main purpose of this article is to recognize natural and cultural textures, how they coincide and connect, and causes of disorders in the balance of this relationship over the course of time. After a review was made of written and pictorial descriptions of Bam before and after the quake and additionally, field work and map analysis were done, and the relevant data was put together with the natural parameters, including hydrology (surface and underground), geomorphology, and plant cover, and also cultural parameters, including the structure of gardens and the city a recognition was made possible of the natural and cultural textures and how they connect over time. In this way, suitable patterns for improvement and restoring a balance between the two textures were identified. Also by preparing and presenting maps from before and after the quake, layering and superimposing these layers, the decreasing balance between natural and cultural textures and the cause of their disorder have been recognized. Finally this article tries to show solutions for restoring a balance between natural and cultural textures and also maintaining this balance over time. Methods used here can be generalized as methods for other desert cities which are an inseparable and coordinated part of their natural texture.