نشریه پژوهش های معماری اسلامی
سال دوازدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 45، زمستان 1403)

The right to the city is one of the concepts that has no clear dimensions and the papers written about it are mostly in architecture, urban planning, and social sciences. This concept is ambiguous even in the legal texts of Western countries, and jurists have not been able to express a clear opinion about its dimensions. Accordingly, this study seeks to answer the question that what is the concept, nature, and examples of the right to the city in Islamic jurisprudence. The nature of this right is a mixture of the rights of the first to the fourth generation and accordingly, it contains numerous and sometimes conflicting examples. It is noteworthy that this right has been considered in international documents, but because other rights do not have the support and guarantee of legal implementation, and as a result, it is included in the list of rights that are known as positive rights and seeks to impose duties and obligations on governments that Naturally, it has not been welcomed by them either. Ambiguity in the concept, content, and examples of this right along with the lack of guarantee of proper implementation shows that simply proposing multiple rights cannot help humanity to achieve its rights and as a result, mankind is still struggling in the abyss of chaos and injustice. This ambiguity in the laws of Western countries and the ambiguity of its concept in the laws of Iran makes it mandatory to refer to jurisprudential sources to understand its concept. We can see that this right has no background in classical and modern jurisprudence texts by referring to Imami jurisprudence. So, to understand its meaning, you should look for dictionaries. By checking the dictionaries, three words Misr, Medina, and Balad can be considered synonyms of Farsi city. Based on this, to justify the right to the city from among different methods, the method of lawful expression (the language of reason) was taken into consideration and these three words were searched in the Holy Quran and hadiths, and in total several verses such as verses 61 and 126 of Al-Baqarah, 35 of Ibrahim, 2 Balad and 87 Yunus and several narrations were found in this context, all of which in some ways have been able to prove the legitimacy of the right to the city and some of its examples, such as the possession of material and spiritual facilities and the existence of social life in the city. Regarding other examples of this right, one can also refer to the general or special custom and obtain numerous examples.

The mosque has historically served as a cornerstone of urban design in Iranian cities, seamlessly integrating with the evolving needs of urban life. However, declining mosque attendance and a lack of emphasis on sustainable architecture in recent decades have raised critical concerns, forming the central focus of this study. This research aims to identify the key factors that enhance mosque accessibility for diverse social groups while proposing sustainable architectural solutions tailored to contemporary user expectations. Combining analytical-descriptive methods with field studies (questionnaire-based), the study engaged Kashan residents from various socioeconomic backgrounds, alongside architecture students and professors, as its statistical population. The study addresses two primary questions: (1) How can traditional mosque architecture, refined over centuries, be innovatively adapted to align with sustainable principles while preserving Kashan’s architectural identity? (2) Can functional diversification of mosques—such as integrating public amenities—increase community engagement without undermining their spiritual essence? A questionnaire evaluating design parameters was distributed to 384 participants, with collected data systematically analyzed. Findings reveal that sustainability, alongside physical, functional, and psychological components, significantly influences mosque attendance. Contextual design strategies rooted in Kashan’s architectural heritage emerged as a sustainable pathway, while multifunctional spaces proved effective in attracting broader demographics without compromising the mosque’s spiritual core. These insights offer practical guidelines for designing mosques that balance cultural preservation, sustainability, and societal relevance.

This study investigates how two Iranian martyrs’ memorials architecturally encode cultural memory and national identity. Analyzing the memorials at Imam Hossein University and Pounak Research Science University through semiotic methodology, we examine five design systems: environmental context, structural composition, circulation patterns, functionality, and landscape. The Imam Hossein memorial’s minimalist “white box” geometry evokes spiritual transcendence, while Pounak’s traditional techniques connect to Iran’s architectural heritage. Both successfully translate martyrdom concepts into spatial experiences through Islamic proportions, symbolic materials, and carefully designed pathways that guide commemorative rituals. Three key design syntheses emerge: blending historical principles with contemporary needs, materializing cultural values, and mediating between individual and collective memory. Findings reveal these memorials function as three-dimensional narratives where every architectural element carries layered meanings. They transform visitation into collective memory journeys while balancing spirituality with physical design. The study demonstrates how traditional Islamic design principles can address modern commemorative needs through innovative spatial storytelling. While limited to two case studies, the research provides architects with a framework evaluating the physical and cultural dimensions of memorial design. It shows how architecture can preserve complex historical narratives across generations through a culturally grounded spatial composition that resonates with contemporary audiences. The memorials’ success lies in their ability to maintain profound semantic depth while meeting modern functional requirements - offering valuable insights for designing meaningful commemorative spaces in culturally specific contexts worldwide. This work contributes to architectural theory by highlighting design strategies that sustain cultural continuity while innovatively addressing present-day commemorative needs. It positions architecture as a powerful medium for transmitting collective memory through carefully crafted spatial experiences rooted in, yet not constrained by, tradition.

The phenomenal world and matter derive their validity and quality from the inner world and spirituality (and meaning). The question of what spirituality and meaning are and how to realize them in architectural spaces, and as a result, improve the quality of human living spaces, is an essential concern in architecture. The main goal of this article is to understand how to discover and embody spirituality in the architectural design process. For this purpose, this paper has proposed a framework for understanding the issue of “spirituality and meaning” in architectural design. The framework is presented in the form of features in a table. In continuation the origin of spirituality in architectural design has been discussed; then, the ways of realizing spirituality and methodological approaches have been addressed, and after that, the methods, techniques, and tools that paving the way for the manifestation of spirituality and meaning Have been expressed. The findings show that- after the primary origin of spirituality and meaning, which is the essence of Almighty God, and in a longitudinal relationship with it, we can point to secondary origins for spirituality and meaning. The first group, which is general spirituality independent of the design situation, arises from the designer’s knowledge and definitions in the areas of humans, existence, and values; as well as the designer’s way of thinking as a system (the designer’s intellectual system); And the second group, which are partial and situation-based spirituality, arise from the characteristics of the problem and the context of the design (design situation). These partial spirituality and meanings are also perceived under the general spirituality and meanings. In this process of the quest for spirituality, it is the designer’s thought that plays the most effective role. “inquest of spirituality (and meaning)”, “framing” and “manifestation” have been proposed as methodological approaches. The manifestation of spirituality and meanings has levels and aspects and is relative. The overall approach in conducting this research is qualitative, and a logical reasoning strategy has been used to understand the relationship between concepts and data analysis. Paying attention to the different levels of the quest for spirituality and meaning and explaining the connections between these levels created a stronger basis for moving from the theoretical to the practical realm, and logical inferences enabled the formation of a holistic and integrated conceptual model of the quest to the spirituality and meaning in the architectural design process.

This study examines the consequences of high-density urban development within Iran’s urban planning system, addressing a critical gap in domestic research on population density impacts. The research employs qualitative analysis and documentary studies, utilizing fishbone diagrams and inductive content analysis to investigate how capitalist-driven high-density growth has surpassed optimal thresholds, creating multifaceted challenges. Findings reveal 27 primary factors and 111 sub-factors of harm across seven key dimensions: economic-functional, spatial-physical, socio-cultural, political-institutional, perceptual-psychological, visual, and environmental. The socio-cultural dimension emerges as the most significant, containing the highest concentration of identified issues, followed by spatial-physical and environmental concerns. These problems manifest as infrastructure deficiencies, lifestyle disruptions, and erosion of cultural values, particularly threatening the preservation of Islamic-Iranian urban identity. The analysis demonstrates how unregulated density intensifies systemic pressures, creating compound effects where physical overcrowding exacerbates social tensions and environmental degradation. The study highlights the urgent need for localized density frameworks that respect Iran’s climatic diversity and cultural specificities. Current approaches, often imported without adaptation, fail to address the unique interaction between environmental capacities and socio-cultural norms in Iranian cities. The research proposes context-sensitive strategies for redefining density standards, emphasizing place-based solutions that balance development needs with cultural preservation. Key recommendations include: (1) developing regional density thresholds based on environmental carrying capacity, (2) integrating cultural impact assessments into density planning, and (3) establishing multi-stakeholder governance frameworks involving policymakers, urban planners, and community representatives. The findings underscore the necessity for coordinated action across management levels to prevent further erosion of tangible and intangible urban values while accommodating population growth. This research contributes a systematic analysis of density-related harms specific to the Iranian context, providing a foundation for culturally-grounded urban planning strategies that could inform similar developing contexts facing rapid urbanization pressures.

The building envelope serves as a critical protective barrier that significantly influences energy performance, making façade design a crucial consideration in architectural planning. This study addresses the limitations of conventional optimization approaches by developing a practical methodology for early-stage design decision-making. Focusing on both opaque and transparent components of building exteriors, the research investigates key parameters affecting thermal behavior and energy efficiency. The methodology combines a systematic literature review with empirical analysis of District 15’s building stock, utilizing GIS mapping and field surveys to identify prevalent façade typologies. A comprehensive evaluation of wall composition, insulation properties, and window-to-wall ratios reveals their collective impact on heating and cooling demands. Simulation results, validated through field measurements, demonstrate a clear correlation between wall thermal conductivity and energy consumption. Comparative analysis shows optimal façade configurations can achieve substantial energy savings - reducing heating demand by 38.43 kWh/m² and cooling load by 1.48 kWh/m² compared to inefficient designs. These findings are particularly significant for cooling-dominated climates, where electricity savings directly translate to operational cost reductions. The study provides architects with evidence-based design guidelines for optimizing building envelopes during conceptual phases, bridging the gap between theoretical energy modeling and practical application. By quantifying the energy implications of various façade strategies, this research contributes to more sustainable building practices while establishing a replicable framework for performance-driven façade design in urban contexts.

A suitable and effective research methodology is a primary guide for humankind in understanding and uncovering the nature of existence, the truths of “the world and humanity,” and their interconnections, ultimately facilitating humanity’s journey toward higher purpose and ensuring their lasting well-being and eternity. Unfortunately, in recent centuries, Western culture, having distanced itself from “divine doctrines” and adopting a strictly materialistic approach to “the world and humanity” that views human beings through an animalistic lens, has established a “particularist” research method—rooted in “sensory, empirical, instinctual, and statistical” approaches—within educational and research institutions globally. This methodology excels in identifying the “material and formal” causes of natural phenomena, enabling the Industrial Revolution and fostering “power and wealth” for Western countries, often at the cost of “exploitation, colonization, and enslavement of other nations.” However, these advancements have simultaneously led to “alienation and dehumanization of people worldwide,” creating environmental crises, class conflicts, depression, hopelessness, and rising suicide rates, among other issues. In contrast, the Almighty, through the mission of all His prophets, has highlighted the unique “rational and spiritual” attributes of humans that distinguish them from animals. By providing infallible sources and foundations—namely, the “Quran and the traditions of the infallible”—He has introduced a research approach that emphasizes the “holistic and all-encompassing Islamic” methodology, which is primarily oriented toward explaining humanity’s “elevated and eternal journey” and the achievement of a virtuous life. This article evaluates, compares, and contextualizes the above two methods by employing “logical reasoning and interpretive” techniques based on the infallible Islamic sources of the “Quran and authentic traditions.” Reforming research methodology courses in universities is a critical and essential step toward the Islamization of universities, aligning with the Supreme Leader’s strategic vision of “establishing a new Islamic civilization with an Islamic-Iranian identity” and avoiding the “translation and imitation” of Western culture, which is incomplete, deviant, anti-humanistic, and counter-evolutionary.