Regeneration of the Historic Naqareh Khaneh Square; Revitalization of Shiraz’s Zandieh Architecture

Document Type : Technical Report

Author

Mayor of Shiraz

Abstract

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.

Highlights

  • By moving beyond piecemeal restoration, the Comprehensive Urban Regeneration Plan of the Zandieh Complex presents an integrated approach to resolve the spatial fragmentation caused by past incompatible interventions.
  • The core focus of this plan is the transformation of the historical Naqqareh-khaneh Square from a vehicular traffic node into an integrated, human-centric “urban mega-space”.
  • Spatial barriers, such as the National Bank courtyard, are removed, and historical passages and axes like Nasser Khosrow Street are reclaimed in favor of pedestrianization.
  • by introducing economic catalysts such as boutique hotels and creative spaces, civic and economic vitality is restored to the deteriorated areas.
  • integrating Iranian-Islamic architectural principles with the revitalization of intangible cultural heritage, such as the Naqqareh-zani ritual, revives the identity and collective memory of this historical complex.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 April 2026
  • Revise Date: 10 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 29 May 2026
  • First Publish Date: 21 June 2026
  • Publish Date: 21 June 2026

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