Shiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621The role of pedestrianization in the quality of nightlife in urban spaces; Case study: Bu Ali Pedestrian Walkway, HamadanThe role of pedestrianization in the quality of nightlife in urban spaces; Case study: Bu Ali Pedestrian Walkway, Hamadan534852810.22099/iuds.2026.54999.1091FASaraGhodrat SamaniM.Sc. Student, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.HassanSajadzadehFull Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran0000-0002-3989-9389Journal Article20251126Night-time urban life, as a key component of urban quality of life—particularly within pedestrian-oriented public spaces—depends on factors that enhance citizens’ experience of presence at night. This study evaluates the role of walkability in improving night-time urban life along Bu-Ali Pedestrian Street in Hamedan. A descriptive–analytical mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected via a questionnaire (n = 400) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, factor analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Qualitative data were obtained through 40 semi-structured interviews and targeted field observations during peak nighttime activity (19:00–24:00), and analyzed thematically. The quantitative results showed that walkability indicators explained a substantial share of variance in night-time urban life quality (R² = 0.64). “Safety and security” (β = 0.22), “lighting quality” (β = 0.20), and “comfort” (β = 0.18) had the strongest effects. Qualitative findings yielded three overarching themes—environmental, functional, and managerial factors—with “lighting and visibility” as the most frequent category. Inadequate lighting, limited surveillance, insufficient nighttime amenities, and poor cleanliness and waste management were identified as major challenges. Overall, night-time urban life in historic pedestrian corridors depends less on activity presence and more on the quality of nighttime conditions and service-related prerequisites. Thus, improving Bu-Ali Street requires an integrated approach combining enhanced lighting, strengthened surveillance, improved amenities, and systematic cultural–tourism programming, providing a basis for interventions in similar historic contexts.Night-time urban life, as a key component of urban quality of life—particularly within pedestrian-oriented public spaces—depends on factors that enhance citizens’ experience of presence at night. This study evaluates the role of walkability in improving night-time urban life along Bu-Ali Pedestrian Street in Hamedan. A descriptive–analytical mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected via a questionnaire (n = 400) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, factor analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Qualitative data were obtained through 40 semi-structured interviews and targeted field observations during peak nighttime activity (19:00–24:00), and analyzed thematically. The quantitative results showed that walkability indicators explained a substantial share of variance in night-time urban life quality (R² = 0.64). “Safety and security” (β = 0.22), “lighting quality” (β = 0.20), and “comfort” (β = 0.18) had the strongest effects. Qualitative findings yielded three overarching themes—environmental, functional, and managerial factors—with “lighting and visibility” as the most frequent category. Inadequate lighting, limited surveillance, insufficient nighttime amenities, and poor cleanliness and waste management were identified as major challenges. Overall, night-time urban life in historic pedestrian corridors depends less on activity presence and more on the quality of nighttime conditions and service-related prerequisites. Thus, improving Bu-Ali Street requires an integrated approach combining enhanced lighting, strengthened surveillance, improved amenities, and systematic cultural–tourism programming, providing a basis for interventions in similar historic contexts.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8528_5749fb371cd968603056ff82569e7317.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Application of Urban Design in Aging in Place in Zargandeh Neighborhood, TehranApplication of Urban Design in Aging in Place in Zargandeh Neighborhood, Tehran3558856210.22099/iuds.2026.55166.1115FAArminKiamarsiMaster’s Student in Urban Design, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.AzadehLakAssociate Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Design, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20251211The rapid growth of the elderly population in urban societies has increasingly highlighted the need to improve the quality of life for this group. In this context, the Aging in Place approach, which aims to enable older adults to continue living with an acceptable quality of life within their own neighborhoods, provides an appropriate framework for evaluating and improving urban environments. Despite its importance, the concept of Aging in Place has been addressed less directly and systematically in Iranian research.<br />This study aims to promote Aging in Place through the application of urban design in the Zargandeh neighborhood of Tehran. To this end, a library-based review was conducted to develop a conceptual model, and a set of relevant criteria and indicators was extracted from international and national academic sources. These indicators were then transformed into spatial layers within a GIS environment and analyzed. By integrating and overlaying these layers, the neighborhood’s condition in terms of elderly quality of life, based on the Aging in Place approach, was assessed and suitable and unsuitable areas were identified.<br />The results show that some parts of the neighborhood are challenging for older adults due to fine-grained urban fabric, steep slopes, proximity to highways, lack of accessible green spaces, and unequal access to urban services. These conditions require physical interventions to create a more supportive environment for the elderly. Accordingly, a set of design recommendations at both micro and neighborhood scales is proposed. The findings suggest that combining objective and perceptual analyses with spatial tools provides an effective framework for evaluating and enhancing Aging in Place at the neighborhood level.The rapid growth of the elderly population in urban societies has increasingly highlighted the need to improve the quality of life for this group. In this context, the Aging in Place approach, which aims to enable older adults to continue living with an acceptable quality of life within their own neighborhoods, provides an appropriate framework for evaluating and improving urban environments. Despite its importance, the concept of Aging in Place has been addressed less directly and systematically in Iranian research.<br />This study aims to promote Aging in Place through the application of urban design in the Zargandeh neighborhood of Tehran. To this end, a library-based review was conducted to develop a conceptual model, and a set of relevant criteria and indicators was extracted from international and national academic sources. These indicators were then transformed into spatial layers within a GIS environment and analyzed. By integrating and overlaying these layers, the neighborhood’s condition in terms of elderly quality of life, based on the Aging in Place approach, was assessed and suitable and unsuitable areas were identified.<br />The results show that some parts of the neighborhood are challenging for older adults due to fine-grained urban fabric, steep slopes, proximity to highways, lack of accessible green spaces, and unequal access to urban services. These conditions require physical interventions to create a more supportive environment for the elderly. Accordingly, a set of design recommendations at both micro and neighborhood scales is proposed. The findings suggest that combining objective and perceptual analyses with spatial tools provides an effective framework for evaluating and enhancing Aging in Place at the neighborhood level.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8562_98e738c17c2ec014bee5c3d755ab711c.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621The Role of Risk Management in the Performance of Public Transportation Construction Projects for Enhancing the Quality of Access to Urban Public Spaces: A Case Study of Karaj CityThe Role of Risk Management in the Performance of Public Transportation Construction Projects for Enhancing the Quality of Access to Urban Public Spaces: A Case Study of Karaj City5982855210.22099/iuds.2026.55175.1118FAEhsanAlvaniDepartment of Civil Engineering, Qa .c., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, IranSeyed Amir HosseinHashemiDepartment of Civil Engineering, Qa .c., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, IranRezaFarokhzad1- Department of Civil Engineering, Qa .c., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, IranJournal Article20251214The results indicate that financial risks have the greatest negative impact on the performance of public transport projects, and factors related to financial constraints, bidding costs, and inaccurate cost estimation are considered the main challenges. Technical risks also have a significant negative effect on project performance, but their intensity is lower than that of financial risks. The findings further showed that the performance of public transport projects has a positive and very strong effect on the quality of access to public spaces, with the performance of the urban bus network having the highest influence. Moreover, it was revealed that the three categories of risks cannot directly explain the quality of access, but through reducing project performance, they exert an indirect yet fully significant effect on it. These results indicate that the performance of public transport projects is a critical mediating link in the relationship between risks and access quality, and effective risk management can play a decisive role in improving citizens’ access to public spaces.The results indicate that financial risks have the greatest negative impact on the performance of public transport projects, and factors related to financial constraints, bidding costs, and inaccurate cost estimation are considered the main challenges. Technical risks also have a significant negative effect on project performance, but their intensity is lower than that of financial risks. The findings further showed that the performance of public transport projects has a positive and very strong effect on the quality of access to public spaces, with the performance of the urban bus network having the highest influence. Moreover, it was revealed that the three categories of risks cannot directly explain the quality of access, but through reducing project performance, they exert an indirect yet fully significant effect on it. These results indicate that the performance of public transport projects is a critical mediating link in the relationship between risks and access quality, and effective risk management can play a decisive role in improving citizens’ access to public spaces.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8552_bbcfc26ca1980a09b8c62feaeed889de.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621An Analysis of Auditory Rhythms in Urban Markets: A Case Study of the Grand Bazaar of RashtAn Analysis of Auditory Rhythms in Urban Markets: A Case Study of the Grand Bazaar of Rasht83108858410.22099/iuds.2026.55178.1116FASoroushArabani NezhadM.Sc. in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Guilan, Rasht, IranMaryamSejodiPostdoctoral Researcher in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Guilan, Rasht, IranJournal Article20251212Traditional markets, as living and multisensory spaces, manifest part of their spatio-temporal organization through recurring and variable patterns of sound. Despite the expansion of soundscape studies, a systematic analysis of temporality and the rhythmic structure of sounds in relation to daily activity cycles in Iran’s historic markets remains largely overlooked. Drawing on Lefebvre’s rhythmanalysis within the soundscape framework, this study analyzes the auditory rhythms of the Grand Bazaar of Rasht across the daily cycle and demonstrates their structural differences in the morning, noon, and evening periods.<br />The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach and was conducted through soundwalks and field recordings along two main corridors of the bazaar. The data were comparatively analyzed using Sonic Visualiser software based on the complementary indicators of RMS (background texture) and Peaks (salient events).<br />The findings indicate that in the morning the market exists in a state of “pre-density,” where salient peaks emerge at wider temporal intervals and with relative dispersion. At noon, with the intensification of activities, the sequence of salient peaks becomes more compressed, and the market’s rhythm shifts toward a dense linear pattern. In the evening, the rhythmic structure acquires spatial differentiation, as the density of salient events is not uniform across the two corridors.<br />The principal contribution of this study is the formulation of a measurable framework for “auditory rhythms” as the temporal organization of sounds emerging from the interaction between cyclical and linear rhythms, extractable and comparable through the two indicators of RMS and Peaks. This framework provides an analytical tool for identifying focal points for reinforcing auditory rhythms and safeguarding the sonic identity of historic markets within urban planning processes.Traditional markets, as living and multisensory spaces, manifest part of their spatio-temporal organization through recurring and variable patterns of sound. Despite the expansion of soundscape studies, a systematic analysis of temporality and the rhythmic structure of sounds in relation to daily activity cycles in Iran’s historic markets remains largely overlooked. Drawing on Lefebvre’s rhythmanalysis within the soundscape framework, this study analyzes the auditory rhythms of the Grand Bazaar of Rasht across the daily cycle and demonstrates their structural differences in the morning, noon, and evening periods.<br />The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach and was conducted through soundwalks and field recordings along two main corridors of the bazaar. The data were comparatively analyzed using Sonic Visualiser software based on the complementary indicators of RMS (background texture) and Peaks (salient events).<br />The findings indicate that in the morning the market exists in a state of “pre-density,” where salient peaks emerge at wider temporal intervals and with relative dispersion. At noon, with the intensification of activities, the sequence of salient peaks becomes more compressed, and the market’s rhythm shifts toward a dense linear pattern. In the evening, the rhythmic structure acquires spatial differentiation, as the density of salient events is not uniform across the two corridors.<br />The principal contribution of this study is the formulation of a measurable framework for “auditory rhythms” as the temporal organization of sounds emerging from the interaction between cyclical and linear rhythms, extractable and comparable through the two indicators of RMS and Peaks. This framework provides an analytical tool for identifying focal points for reinforcing auditory rhythms and safeguarding the sonic identity of historic markets within urban planning processes.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8584_b3c480274e798c5db595783c57adad87.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Analysis of Possible Nightlife Scenarios in Urban Public Spaces: A Case Study of the Historical Fabric of TehranAnalysis of Possible Nightlife Scenarios in Urban Public Spaces: A Case Study of the Historical Fabric of Tehran109138854910.22099/iuds.2026.55230.1121FAMahsaGhanePhD in Urban Planning, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Iran.HosseinKhosraviAssistant Professor, Urban Design Department, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Art, Iran,Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20251217Nightlife, as one of the important components of urban quality of life, cultural vitality, and the socio-economic function of cities, has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. However, the realization of nightlife in public spaces, especially in historic contexts, faces multiple physical, managerial, and social challenges, and most existing studies lack a forward-looking approach. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying and analyzing potential scenarios of nightlife in selected public spaces of Tehran’s historic fabric, employing a futures studies approach. The research method was qualitative–analytical and based on cross-impact analysis of indicators. In the first step, using the Delphi technique and the opinions of 15 experts, six key indicators were identified: noise control regulations, diversity of nighttime land uses, police presence and supervision, urban lighting and furnishings, organization of events, and nighttime public transport. Subsequently, the different states of each indicator were defined, and potential future combinations were examined using scenario development and cross-impact matrix analysis. The results indicate that nightlife is a multidimensional phenomenon, dependent on the simultaneous interaction of managerial, social, and physical components. Three potential scenarios were extracted: two scenarios with relatively high internal coherence and full consistency, and one unfavorable and unstable scenario. The relatively favorable scenario emphasizes effective regulation, diversity of land uses, active police presence, improvement of the physical environment, and full access to nighttime transport, creating conditions for enhanced safety and social vibrancy at night. In contrast, the unfavorable scenario shows a simultaneous decline in these components, leading to the deterioration of nightlife. The main finding of the study suggests that the sustainability of nightlife in Tehran’s historic fabric requires, more than mere expansion of activities, intelligent regulation, institutional coordination, and integrated, forward-looking planning. These results can serve as an analytical basis for policy-making and planning of nightlife in urban public spaces, especially in historic contexts.Nightlife, as one of the important components of urban quality of life, cultural vitality, and the socio-economic function of cities, has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. However, the realization of nightlife in public spaces, especially in historic contexts, faces multiple physical, managerial, and social challenges, and most existing studies lack a forward-looking approach. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying and analyzing potential scenarios of nightlife in selected public spaces of Tehran’s historic fabric, employing a futures studies approach. The research method was qualitative–analytical and based on cross-impact analysis of indicators. In the first step, using the Delphi technique and the opinions of 15 experts, six key indicators were identified: noise control regulations, diversity of nighttime land uses, police presence and supervision, urban lighting and furnishings, organization of events, and nighttime public transport. Subsequently, the different states of each indicator were defined, and potential future combinations were examined using scenario development and cross-impact matrix analysis. The results indicate that nightlife is a multidimensional phenomenon, dependent on the simultaneous interaction of managerial, social, and physical components. Three potential scenarios were extracted: two scenarios with relatively high internal coherence and full consistency, and one unfavorable and unstable scenario. The relatively favorable scenario emphasizes effective regulation, diversity of land uses, active police presence, improvement of the physical environment, and full access to nighttime transport, creating conditions for enhanced safety and social vibrancy at night. In contrast, the unfavorable scenario shows a simultaneous decline in these components, leading to the deterioration of nightlife. The main finding of the study suggests that the sustainability of nightlife in Tehran’s historic fabric requires, more than mere expansion of activities, intelligent regulation, institutional coordination, and integrated, forward-looking planning. These results can serve as an analytical basis for policy-making and planning of nightlife in urban public spaces, especially in historic contexts.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8549_138a4b19d66856d685d638b481429ce1.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Enhancing Context-Asset-Based Satisfaction and Its Impact on User Behavior;An Ethnographic Analysis of the Khajeh Abed Passage in the Sangtarashan Quarter of IsfahanEnhancing Context-Asset-Based Satisfaction and Its Impact on User Behavior;An Ethnographic Analysis of the Khajeh Abed Passage in the Sangtarashan Quarter of Isfahan139168857010.22099/iuds.2026.55141.1114FARamtinMortahebDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University, Isfahan, IranArezooZaerinMaster of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University, Isfahan, IranJournal Article20251208Old neighborhoods situated within historical contexts serve as manifestations of neighborhood social structures and their profound impacts on the behavioral, perceptual, and functional patterns of residents in neighborhood centers. Dissatisfaction with the urban environment stems from a mismatch between behavioral needs and the triple characteristics of space: physical, perceptual, and functional. This research aims to identify factors influencing the satisfaction of residents in the Sangtarashan neighborhood and to promote this vital element, so that the valuable assets present in historical fabrics can be linked, as enduring and authentic models, with the principled development of new cities. The main objectives of the study include identifying the triple criteria (physical, perceptual, and functional) in the Khajeh Abed Passage, discovering the causes of residents’ dissatisfaction based on current behavioral patterns, and proposing effective factors for enhancing resident satisfaction in this neighborhood center. The methodology of this study is qualitative, based on analytical-field ethnography with an interpretive approach. Data collection was conducted through field techniques, including participant observation, photography, non-intrusive videography, unstructured interviews, and note-taking, after which the data were evaluated through content analysis. The findings emphasize the necessity of attending to the broad and diverse dimensions of existing structures in historical cities, going beyond conventional approaches that are often limited to purely physical aspects. This research ultimately leads to asset-based strategies aimed at creating a platform for integrating the new urban development system with the assets present in historical contexts. These assets, in addition to physical aspects, also include perceptual and functional dimensions, which appear essential for preserving and enhancing the historical and cultural identity of cities.Old neighborhoods situated within historical contexts serve as manifestations of neighborhood social structures and their profound impacts on the behavioral, perceptual, and functional patterns of residents in neighborhood centers. Dissatisfaction with the urban environment stems from a mismatch between behavioral needs and the triple characteristics of space: physical, perceptual, and functional. This research aims to identify factors influencing the satisfaction of residents in the Sangtarashan neighborhood and to promote this vital element, so that the valuable assets present in historical fabrics can be linked, as enduring and authentic models, with the principled development of new cities. The main objectives of the study include identifying the triple criteria (physical, perceptual, and functional) in the Khajeh Abed Passage, discovering the causes of residents’ dissatisfaction based on current behavioral patterns, and proposing effective factors for enhancing resident satisfaction in this neighborhood center. The methodology of this study is qualitative, based on analytical-field ethnography with an interpretive approach. Data collection was conducted through field techniques, including participant observation, photography, non-intrusive videography, unstructured interviews, and note-taking, after which the data were evaluated through content analysis. The findings emphasize the necessity of attending to the broad and diverse dimensions of existing structures in historical cities, going beyond conventional approaches that are often limited to purely physical aspects. This research ultimately leads to asset-based strategies aimed at creating a platform for integrating the new urban development system with the assets present in historical contexts. These assets, in addition to physical aspects, also include perceptual and functional dimensions, which appear essential for preserving and enhancing the historical and cultural identity of cities.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8570_599fc529dd4216ac33fa36459d734389.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Analyzing the Role of Urban Morphology in Thermal Comfort of Urban Open Spaces during the Hot Season; Case Study: Dehkadeh Olympic and Zibadasht Neighborhoods, District 22, TehranAnalyzing the Role of Urban Morphology in Thermal Comfort of Urban Open Spaces during the Hot Season; Case Study: Dehkadeh Olympic and Zibadasht Neighborhoods, District 22, Tehran169194860110.22099/iuds.2026.55532.1139FASaeedeAlikaeiAssistant Professor, Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranMahdiyehRahaeiMaster's student, Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.MehrnooshArabzadeh KarbalaMaster's student, Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20260126With the intensification of climate change and the growing thermal stress, analyzing the role of urban morphology in shaping microclimatic conditions and outdoor thermal comfort has become a fundamental challenge of urban planning and design. The aim of research is to elucidate the active and dynamic role of urban morphological characteristics in generating microclimatic patterns and to examine the causal and simultaneous relationships between three-dimensional morphological indices, microclimatic variables, and users’ thermal comfort at the neighborhood scale. The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach within a hierarchical conceptual–analytical framework. To this end, numerical microclimate simulations using ENVI-met software were combined with quantitative spatial analyses. Two urban fabrics with distinct morphologies in District 22 of Tehran (Dehkadeh Olympic and Zibadasht), which exhibit significant differences in geometric configuration, building density, and vegetation cover, were selected as case studies. The findings indicate that urban morphology plays a decisive role in shaping microclimatic conditions and users’ thermal experience through the simultaneous control of solar radiation, natural ventilation, and heat and moisture exchange. The low-density, low-rise fabric of Dehkadeh Olympic, due to a higher sky view factor, spatial continuity, and the presence of vegetation, provides a more uniform temperature distribution, more stable ventilation, and a balanced humidity regime. In contrast, the dense, high-rise fabric of Zibadasht, despite localized shading, is prone to thermal heterogeneity and the accumulation of heat and moisture due to airflow obstruction and spatial enclosure. The results emphasize that thermal comfort in urban open spaces is the outcome of a multi-level, non-linear causal chain rooted in the spatial and physical logic of the city. This underscores the necessity of establishing a dynamic balance among density, building height, street geometry, and strategic vegetation placement, and highlights microclimatic simulation as an effective tool for supporting urban design decisions in response to thermal stress.With the intensification of climate change and the growing thermal stress, analyzing the role of urban morphology in shaping microclimatic conditions and outdoor thermal comfort has become a fundamental challenge of urban planning and design. The aim of research is to elucidate the active and dynamic role of urban morphological characteristics in generating microclimatic patterns and to examine the causal and simultaneous relationships between three-dimensional morphological indices, microclimatic variables, and users’ thermal comfort at the neighborhood scale. The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach within a hierarchical conceptual–analytical framework. To this end, numerical microclimate simulations using ENVI-met software were combined with quantitative spatial analyses. Two urban fabrics with distinct morphologies in District 22 of Tehran (Dehkadeh Olympic and Zibadasht), which exhibit significant differences in geometric configuration, building density, and vegetation cover, were selected as case studies. The findings indicate that urban morphology plays a decisive role in shaping microclimatic conditions and users’ thermal experience through the simultaneous control of solar radiation, natural ventilation, and heat and moisture exchange. The low-density, low-rise fabric of Dehkadeh Olympic, due to a higher sky view factor, spatial continuity, and the presence of vegetation, provides a more uniform temperature distribution, more stable ventilation, and a balanced humidity regime. In contrast, the dense, high-rise fabric of Zibadasht, despite localized shading, is prone to thermal heterogeneity and the accumulation of heat and moisture due to airflow obstruction and spatial enclosure. The results emphasize that thermal comfort in urban open spaces is the outcome of a multi-level, non-linear causal chain rooted in the spatial and physical logic of the city. This underscores the necessity of establishing a dynamic balance among density, building height, street geometry, and strategic vegetation placement, and highlights microclimatic simulation as an effective tool for supporting urban design decisions in response to thermal stress.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8601_0f741319bb6cb333078566533fc69961.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Applying Critical Thinking to Urban Design Methodology: Clarifying Theoretical and Practical ChallengesApplying Critical Thinking to Urban Design Methodology: Clarifying Theoretical and Practical Challenges195218865610.22099/iuds.2026.55720.1148FASalmaHaeriPhD student in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Kish International Campus, Kish, Iran.SaeedHaghirAssociate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20260221Urban design, as a complex and multidimensional field, requires the application of advanced cognitive and analytical approaches to address contemporary social, spatial, and institutional challenges. The systematic application of critical thinking theories within urban design methodology faces challenges such as the gap between theory and practice, as well as institutional and professional constraints. Within the literature review, the role of critical thinking in explaining and mitigating theoretical and practical challenges has been less developed as an integrated and coherent framework.<br />This study aims to elucidate the role of critical thinking in urban design methodology and to analyze its capacity to address theoretical and practical challenges. The research methodology adopts a qualitative approach grounded in an interpretive paradigm. Through conceptual analysis and a systematic review of the literature, data were collected via documentary analysis and examined using thematic and comparative analysis to identify key components and themes.<br />The findings reveal three principal themes- “reconsideration of design assumptions,” “strengthening analytical logical reasoning and decision-making transparency,” and “management of institutional and social complexity”- as central to the application of critical thinking in urban design. The results suggest that the systematic integration of critical thinking into methodological processes can strengthen the connection between theory and practice and improve the quality of design decisions.<br />This study positions critical thinking as the cognitive foundation of urban design methodology, offering an effective framework for analyzing complex issues and enhancing decision-making processes. From an applied perspective, strengthening critical thinking education skills and institutionalizing analytical approaches within urban management organizations are proposed as strategies to increase the effectiveness of urban interventions. Future research may employ empirical methods and case studies to evaluate the practical impacts of applying critical thinking models in urban design implementation and to develop more precise operational frameworks.Urban design, as a complex and multidimensional field, requires the application of advanced cognitive and analytical approaches to address contemporary social, spatial, and institutional challenges. The systematic application of critical thinking theories within urban design methodology faces challenges such as the gap between theory and practice, as well as institutional and professional constraints. Within the literature review, the role of critical thinking in explaining and mitigating theoretical and practical challenges has been less developed as an integrated and coherent framework.<br />This study aims to elucidate the role of critical thinking in urban design methodology and to analyze its capacity to address theoretical and practical challenges. The research methodology adopts a qualitative approach grounded in an interpretive paradigm. Through conceptual analysis and a systematic review of the literature, data were collected via documentary analysis and examined using thematic and comparative analysis to identify key components and themes.<br />The findings reveal three principal themes- “reconsideration of design assumptions,” “strengthening analytical logical reasoning and decision-making transparency,” and “management of institutional and social complexity”- as central to the application of critical thinking in urban design. The results suggest that the systematic integration of critical thinking into methodological processes can strengthen the connection between theory and practice and improve the quality of design decisions.<br />This study positions critical thinking as the cognitive foundation of urban design methodology, offering an effective framework for analyzing complex issues and enhancing decision-making processes. From an applied perspective, strengthening critical thinking education skills and institutionalizing analytical approaches within urban management organizations are proposed as strategies to increase the effectiveness of urban interventions. Future research may employ empirical methods and case studies to evaluate the practical impacts of applying critical thinking models in urban design implementation and to develop more precise operational frameworks.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8656_6510f9bd3dd463092bf52c325427f699.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Towards Critical Mobilinguistics: Conceptual Metaphors and Discursive Mechanisms Shaping Urban Cycling Futures in TehranTowards Critical Mobilinguistics: Conceptual Metaphors and Discursive Mechanisms Shaping Urban Cycling Futures in Tehran219246863410.22099/iuds.2026.55840.1181FAMohammadNazarpoorPhD Researcher in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran- PhD Fellow at Urban Cycling Institute, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.0009-0005-7997-1049Journal Article20260314Movement in the city is not merely a functional activity aimed at traveling from point A to point B, as conceived within transportation engineering. Rather, it is a fluid, multidimensional, and entangled practice that acquires meaning through its embeddedness in environmental, cultural, social, economic, and political contexts within the fabric of everyday life and through individuals’ lived mobile experiences.<br />In urban studies and urban design, research exploring individuals’ lived experiences of mobility in the city is an emerging field situated at the intersection of urbanism, anthropology, phenomenology, and mobility studies. From this perspective, inquiries into the lived experience of urban cycling address a fundamental question: how do individuals experience cycling in different urban contexts and spaces?<br />Within this framework, the present study seeks to understand and describe the role of the body in the lived experience of urban cycling in a specific urban context, continuing a line of inquiry in the phenomenology of movement and the phenomenology of the body. Using mobile autoethnography, the study examines the first author’s embodied experience of cycling in Amsterdam, a bicycle-friendly city, across different temporal and spatial conditions.<br />The findings reveal seven interrelated themes that, through autoethnographic description and analysis, illuminate the entanglement of the body, the bicycle, and the urban environment in lived experience. These themes demonstrate that the body, as the medium of experience, plays an active and constitutive role in shaping one’s interaction with space, self, and others. Such relations are mediated by environmental and climatic characteristics, mobility systems and planning policies, cultural dimensions, and both formal and informal norms, producing diverse lived experiences of urban cycling across different urban contexts. In the final section, this research provides recommendations for future Iranian urban design studies.Movement in the city is not merely a functional activity aimed at traveling from point A to point B, as conceived within transportation engineering. Rather, it is a fluid, multidimensional, and entangled practice that acquires meaning through its embeddedness in environmental, cultural, social, economic, and political contexts within the fabric of everyday life and through individuals’ lived mobile experiences.<br />In urban studies and urban design, research exploring individuals’ lived experiences of mobility in the city is an emerging field situated at the intersection of urbanism, anthropology, phenomenology, and mobility studies. From this perspective, inquiries into the lived experience of urban cycling address a fundamental question: how do individuals experience cycling in different urban contexts and spaces?<br />Within this framework, the present study seeks to understand and describe the role of the body in the lived experience of urban cycling in a specific urban context, continuing a line of inquiry in the phenomenology of movement and the phenomenology of the body. Using mobile autoethnography, the study examines the first author’s embodied experience of cycling in Amsterdam, a bicycle-friendly city, across different temporal and spatial conditions.<br />The findings reveal seven interrelated themes that, through autoethnographic description and analysis, illuminate the entanglement of the body, the bicycle, and the urban environment in lived experience. These themes demonstrate that the body, as the medium of experience, plays an active and constitutive role in shaping one’s interaction with space, self, and others. Such relations are mediated by environmental and climatic characteristics, mobility systems and planning policies, cultural dimensions, and both formal and informal norms, producing diverse lived experiences of urban cycling across different urban contexts. In the final section, this research provides recommendations for future Iranian urban design studies.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8634_9313c739a4c193141234c74bea0c05d4.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Eco-friendly Landscape Design of an Urban Riverfront, Case study: Darakeh Riverfront in TehranEco-friendly Landscape Design of an Urban Riverfront, Case study: Darakeh Riverfront in Tehran247274852710.22099/iuds.2026.54853.1077FANiloofarShirvaniMSc. Urban Design, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology, Iran, TehranHamedKhaledianMSc. Student of Urban Planning, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tehran University of Art, Iran, TehranMehdiSaidiAssistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.MehdiKhakzandAssociate Professor, Department of Architecture (Landscape), Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.0000-0001-9390-3433Journal Article20251113<strong> </strong>In recent years, the degradation of urban aquatic ecosystems like Tehran's Darakeh River has become a critical issue, driven by rapid urbanization, pollution, and inadequate environmental oversight. This has resulted in the loss of native vegetation, removal of old trees, and significant disruption to the natural habitat in the Evin neighborhood. Responding to this urgency, this study proposes a nature-based and eco-friendly design approach for the ecological rehabilitation of the Darakeh riverfront. The research adopts an applied, multi-step methodology. It begins with a comprehensive literature review to identify general landscape design indicators for riverfronts. These are integrated with specific ecological and eco-friendly design principles relevant to the Iranian context. The synthesis forms a site-specific, ecologically-oriented design framework organized into four key dimensions: socio-economic, functional, form and visual character, and environmental. To objectively prioritize the proposed indicators within this framework, the study employs the SWARA (Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) method, a recognized multi-criteria decision-making tool.The resulting design model establishes several interconnected strategic goals. Ecologically, it focuses on restoring integrity by reviving native plant species and natural habitats. Functionally, it aims to enhance responsible accessibility and transportation infrastructure around the river. Culturally, it seeks to strengthen local identity by incorporating vernacular materials and design elements. Socially, the model promotes community interaction through carefully planned public spaces. Economically, it supports sustainable tourism development to revitalize the local economy through environmentally conscious planning. Ultimately, by merging ecological restoration with cultural and social revitalization, this study provides a replicable framework for urban riverfront rehabilitation. It highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary strategies to address complex urban environmental challenges and demonstrates the potential of nature-based solutions to create resilient, inclusive, and sustainable landscapes that harmonize ecological health with human well-being and economic vitality.<strong> </strong>In recent years, the degradation of urban aquatic ecosystems like Tehran's Darakeh River has become a critical issue, driven by rapid urbanization, pollution, and inadequate environmental oversight. This has resulted in the loss of native vegetation, removal of old trees, and significant disruption to the natural habitat in the Evin neighborhood. Responding to this urgency, this study proposes a nature-based and eco-friendly design approach for the ecological rehabilitation of the Darakeh riverfront. The research adopts an applied, multi-step methodology. It begins with a comprehensive literature review to identify general landscape design indicators for riverfronts. These are integrated with specific ecological and eco-friendly design principles relevant to the Iranian context. The synthesis forms a site-specific, ecologically-oriented design framework organized into four key dimensions: socio-economic, functional, form and visual character, and environmental. To objectively prioritize the proposed indicators within this framework, the study employs the SWARA (Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) method, a recognized multi-criteria decision-making tool.The resulting design model establishes several interconnected strategic goals. Ecologically, it focuses on restoring integrity by reviving native plant species and natural habitats. Functionally, it aims to enhance responsible accessibility and transportation infrastructure around the river. Culturally, it seeks to strengthen local identity by incorporating vernacular materials and design elements. Socially, the model promotes community interaction through carefully planned public spaces. Economically, it supports sustainable tourism development to revitalize the local economy through environmentally conscious planning. Ultimately, by merging ecological restoration with cultural and social revitalization, this study provides a replicable framework for urban riverfront rehabilitation. It highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary strategies to address complex urban environmental challenges and demonstrates the potential of nature-based solutions to create resilient, inclusive, and sustainable landscapes that harmonize ecological health with human well-being and economic vitality.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8527_79453034bca94beba33e0e9c73c10198.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Elucidating a Healthy- Smart Urban Design Model at the Scale of Public Urban Spaces: A Case Study of Municipality Square, RashtElucidating a Healthy- Smart Urban Design Model at the Scale of Public Urban Spaces: A Case Study of Municipality Square, Rasht275314867410.22099/iuds.2026.55859.1192FAAnahitaTabaeianPh.D. Candidate in Urban Planning. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Engineering, NT., C.,
Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.Seyed AliNouriAssistant Professor. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Engineering,NT., C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.MostafaBehzadfarProfessor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, IranAhmadKhaliliAssistant Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20260322In recent decades, the rapid expansion of smart technologies, together with socio-spatial transformations in cities, has underscored the need to redefine the concepts of the “healthy city” and the “smart city” at the scale of urban public spaces. Although theoretical frameworks in this field have been widely developed, their translation into practical urban design and empirical validation remains limited. This study aims to conceptualize and empirically validate a healthy- smart urban design model at the urban space scale.<br />In the first stage, an initial conceptual framework was developed through a comprehensive literature review and refinement of indicators, resulting in 38 indicators operationalized in a field survey. Data were collected via a questionnaire from 129 respondents in Municipality Square, Rasht. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) yielded nine factors and 35 final indicators, explaining 63% of the total variance.<br />To further validate the model and examine the influence of extracted factors on the dependent variable, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. The results indicate that the model has an acceptable fit (Adjusted R² = 0.419). Among the identified factors, land-use and activity diversity exerts the strongest effect (β = 0.472) on achieving a healthy- smart urban space.<br />The findings highlight that such spaces are shaped by the multidimensional interaction of factors including land-use and activity diversity, visual attractiveness, place quality, accessibility, and welfare services. Additionally, key determinants include social and ethnic diversity, access to seating and resting areas, access to green spaces, and acoustic comfort.<br />The proposed framework provides a practical basis for prioritizing urban design interventions and policy-making, while offering an operational model for integrating healthy- smart city principles at the scale of urban public spaces.In recent decades, the rapid expansion of smart technologies, together with socio-spatial transformations in cities, has underscored the need to redefine the concepts of the “healthy city” and the “smart city” at the scale of urban public spaces. Although theoretical frameworks in this field have been widely developed, their translation into practical urban design and empirical validation remains limited. This study aims to conceptualize and empirically validate a healthy- smart urban design model at the urban space scale.<br />In the first stage, an initial conceptual framework was developed through a comprehensive literature review and refinement of indicators, resulting in 38 indicators operationalized in a field survey. Data were collected via a questionnaire from 129 respondents in Municipality Square, Rasht. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) yielded nine factors and 35 final indicators, explaining 63% of the total variance.<br />To further validate the model and examine the influence of extracted factors on the dependent variable, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. The results indicate that the model has an acceptable fit (Adjusted R² = 0.419). Among the identified factors, land-use and activity diversity exerts the strongest effect (β = 0.472) on achieving a healthy- smart urban space.<br />The findings highlight that such spaces are shaped by the multidimensional interaction of factors including land-use and activity diversity, visual attractiveness, place quality, accessibility, and welfare services. Additionally, key determinants include social and ethnic diversity, access to seating and resting areas, access to green spaces, and acoustic comfort.<br />The proposed framework provides a practical basis for prioritizing urban design interventions and policy-making, while offering an operational model for integrating healthy- smart city principles at the scale of urban public spaces.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8674_207dc0940a3294b620aa668c768d0642.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Colorscape Analysis with an Emphasis on the Visual Relationship in Historic Urban Landscape; Case Study: The Zandieh Complex in ShirazColorscape Analysis with an Emphasis on the Visual Relationship in Historic Urban Landscape; Case Study: The Zandieh Complex in Shiraz315340875310.22099/iuds.2026.55911.1194FAHamidrezaSheibaniM.Sc. Student of Urban Heritage Conservation and Restoration,Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.MahsaSholehAssociate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.SahandLotfiProfessor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.KhalilHajipoorAssociate Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.0000-0002-8018-7842Journal Article20260411Color is a fundamental component of the visual identity of historic urban landscapes and plays a critical role in urban readability, aesthetic coherence, and heritage continuity. Despite its importance, systematic quantitative analysis of urban color systems remains limited in many historic cities. This study aims to analyze the colorscape of the Zandieh historic complex in Shiraz, Iran, with particular emphasis on its contribution to visual cohesion within the framework of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach.<br />The research adopts a descriptive–analytical methodology based on field sampling of authentic façade colors. Approximately 600 images of historic urban facades were collected, from which 100 representative samples of brick and tile surfaces were selected after filtering altered or non-original elements. Color values were extracted from the images and processed in MATLAB. The data were converted from RGB to the perceptually uniform CIELAB color space and analyzed using the K-Means clustering algorithm to identify dominant color groups. The optimal number of clusters was determined using the Elbow method.<br />The findings reveal that the color structure of the Zandieh complex is characterized by a dominant palette of warm earthy tones derived primarily from brick materials. These colors exhibit moderate lightness and limited chromatic variation, forming a cohesive visual background across urban facades. In contrast, tile decorations present a broader chromatic range with higher perceptual differences, functioning as visual accents within the overall composition. Distance analysis using ΔE values demonstrates that brick colors maintain relatively small perceptual differences, reinforcing visual continuity, whereas tile colors introduce controlled contrast and spatial emphasis.<br />The study concludes that the visual cohesion of the Zandieh historic landscape emerges from a structured relationship between homogeneous background tones and selective color contrasts. The extracted palette provides a scientific basis for developing color guidelines for restoration and urban design interventions in historic areas. The proposed approach demonstrates how quantitative color analysis can support heritage conservation strategies within the HUL framework.Color is a fundamental component of the visual identity of historic urban landscapes and plays a critical role in urban readability, aesthetic coherence, and heritage continuity. Despite its importance, systematic quantitative analysis of urban color systems remains limited in many historic cities. This study aims to analyze the colorscape of the Zandieh historic complex in Shiraz, Iran, with particular emphasis on its contribution to visual cohesion within the framework of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach.<br />The research adopts a descriptive–analytical methodology based on field sampling of authentic façade colors. Approximately 600 images of historic urban facades were collected, from which 100 representative samples of brick and tile surfaces were selected after filtering altered or non-original elements. Color values were extracted from the images and processed in MATLAB. The data were converted from RGB to the perceptually uniform CIELAB color space and analyzed using the K-Means clustering algorithm to identify dominant color groups. The optimal number of clusters was determined using the Elbow method.<br />The findings reveal that the color structure of the Zandieh complex is characterized by a dominant palette of warm earthy tones derived primarily from brick materials. These colors exhibit moderate lightness and limited chromatic variation, forming a cohesive visual background across urban facades. In contrast, tile decorations present a broader chromatic range with higher perceptual differences, functioning as visual accents within the overall composition. Distance analysis using ΔE values demonstrates that brick colors maintain relatively small perceptual differences, reinforcing visual continuity, whereas tile colors introduce controlled contrast and spatial emphasis.<br />The study concludes that the visual cohesion of the Zandieh historic landscape emerges from a structured relationship between homogeneous background tones and selective color contrasts. The extracted palette provides a scientific basis for developing color guidelines for restoration and urban design interventions in historic areas. The proposed approach demonstrates how quantitative color analysis can support heritage conservation strategies within the HUL framework.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8753_f18b2bbbd99950c44f5733a99073e025.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621The Evolution of Soundscape Research (2000–2025): Identifying Theoretical and Methodological Gaps Through a Systematic ReviewThe Evolution of Soundscape Research (2000–2025): Identifying Theoretical and Methodological Gaps Through a Systematic Review341364861010.22099/iuds.2026.55581.1144FANinaKhalighiAssistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran.MohammadMirzaei KootenaeiMusic instructor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran.Journal Article20260203Over the past 25 years, the field of soundscape studies has undergone a fundamental transformation, evolving from a collection of fragmented research efforts into a structured interdisciplinary domain. Despite the remarkable growth in scientific publications, the existing literature continues to face three major gaps: (1) the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the conceptual and methodological evolution of soundscape research; (2) the predominance of Western-centric perspectives in previous review studies; and (3) a significant disconnect between research findings and practical applications.
The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review in order to (1) map the evolutionary trajectory of soundscape research across theoretical, methodological, and applied dimensions; (2) analyze the geographical distribution and cultural diversity of studies; (3) examine the influence of the ISO 12913 standards on the convergence or divergence of research methods; and (4) develop a theoretical model to explain patterns of evolution and existing gaps.
Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across six databases. From an initial set of 265 records, 50 studies were selected for final analysis. The findings identify five evolutionary phases and a four-layer model of soundscape evolution, revealing that while the theoretical and methodological layers have reached relative maturity, the contextual–cultural and applied layers remain underdeveloped—a phenomenon referred to in this study as the “paradox of uneven maturity.Over the past 25 years, the field of soundscape studies has undergone a fundamental transformation, evolving from a collection of fragmented research efforts into a structured interdisciplinary domain. Despite the remarkable growth in scientific publications, the existing literature continues to face three major gaps: (1) the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the conceptual and methodological evolution of soundscape research; (2) the predominance of Western-centric perspectives in previous review studies; and (3) a significant disconnect between research findings and practical applications.
The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review in order to (1) map the evolutionary trajectory of soundscape research across theoretical, methodological, and applied dimensions; (2) analyze the geographical distribution and cultural diversity of studies; (3) examine the influence of the ISO 12913 standards on the convergence or divergence of research methods; and (4) develop a theoretical model to explain patterns of evolution and existing gaps.
Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across six databases. From an initial set of 265 records, 50 studies were selected for final analysis. The findings identify five evolutionary phases and a four-layer model of soundscape evolution, revealing that while the theoretical and methodological layers have reached relative maturity, the contextual–cultural and applied layers remain underdeveloped—a phenomenon referred to in this study as the “paradox of uneven maturity.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8610_21b5b63d1a40621c25c969fa1cd6a9be.pdfShiraz UniversityIranian Urban Design Studies3060-82603120260621Regeneration of the Historic Naqareh Khaneh Square; Revitalization of Shiraz’s Zandieh ArchitectureRegeneration of the Historic Naqareh Khaneh Square; Revitalization of Shiraz’s Zandieh Architecture365386882610.22099/iuds.2026.56953.1251FAMohamadhasanAsadiMayor of Shiraz0009-0008-7016-8489Journal Article20260414The Zandieh complex in Shiraz, as a masterpiece of urbanism from the Karim Khan era, was historically an integrated constellation of governmental, economic, and civic functions. With the hasty introduction of modernity and destructive physical interventions, this spatial coherence underwent fragmentation, and dynamic spaces such as “Naqqareh-khaneh Square” were degraded into passive realms dominated by traffic. The objective of this research is to present an operational framework for the urban regeneration of Naqqareh-khaneh Square as the spatial node connecting the Citadel and the Bazaar, functioning as the beating heart of Shiraz’s urban life. This study is grounded in the principles of Iranian-Islamic architecture and contemporary approaches to contextual urban regeneration. The research findings reveal that to extract this complex from its spatial isolation, measures such as the removal of incompatible physical barriers to achieve visual connectivity, the expansion of pedestrianization and reduction of automobile dominance, the revitalization of historical passages, the utilization of economic catalysts, and the resuscitation of intangible heritage (such as the Naqqareh-playing ritual) were deemed essential. Consequently, by transcending a strictly restorative perspective and adopting participatory management, the Comprehensive Urban Regeneration Plan of the Zandieh Complex provided a framework for Naqqareh-khaneh Square to reclaim its historical role, transforming it once again into a vibrant space of collective memory and civic interaction within the contemporary life of Shiraz.The Zandieh complex in Shiraz, as a masterpiece of urbanism from the Karim Khan era, was historically an integrated constellation of governmental, economic, and civic functions. With the hasty introduction of modernity and destructive physical interventions, this spatial coherence underwent fragmentation, and dynamic spaces such as “Naqqareh-khaneh Square” were degraded into passive realms dominated by traffic. The objective of this research is to present an operational framework for the urban regeneration of Naqqareh-khaneh Square as the spatial node connecting the Citadel and the Bazaar, functioning as the beating heart of Shiraz’s urban life. This study is grounded in the principles of Iranian-Islamic architecture and contemporary approaches to contextual urban regeneration. The research findings reveal that to extract this complex from its spatial isolation, measures such as the removal of incompatible physical barriers to achieve visual connectivity, the expansion of pedestrianization and reduction of automobile dominance, the revitalization of historical passages, the utilization of economic catalysts, and the resuscitation of intangible heritage (such as the Naqqareh-playing ritual) were deemed essential. Consequently, by transcending a strictly restorative perspective and adopting participatory management, the Comprehensive Urban Regeneration Plan of the Zandieh Complex provided a framework for Naqqareh-khaneh Square to reclaim its historical role, transforming it once again into a vibrant space of collective memory and civic interaction within the contemporary life of Shiraz.https://iuds.shirazu.ac.ir/article_8826_9057bfed32aac64022b48f773a2d9cd2.pdf