A Research on Adaptation of Historic Urban Landscapes ; The Case of The Historical City of Tehran

Ref.: 14
Key theme: 01 Physical integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 15/11/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

BEHROOZ, Samira * (Iran (Islamic Republic of)) - Tehran Historical City Office
KARAMPOUR, Katayoun (Iran (Islamic Republic of)) - Tehran Historical City Office

ABSTRACT

Nowadays the challenge between contemporary architecture and historic urban landscape is one of the controversial issues in cities with historic background and it is doubtfully possible to reach equilibrium on this subject.
It shouldn't be forgotten that modern human has his own needs and demands and as everyone know a city is like a living creature that needs to continue and survive. So it is not wise to completely eliminate renovation in historic areas of the city, because we shouldn't obstruct the contemporary innovations and it's deserved to respect the "new" which is continue of the "old", and by itself shows evolutionary process.
So, just having conservative viewpoint to historical fabrics can end up destruction and even death of that.
This essay is seeking how the contemporary activities can be provided in historic context and how "current life" can be present in historic urban landscape without detriment.
In response to this, the experiences in Tehran historic city and different interventions in it have been considered.
Tehran which was no more than a village in north of the district of Ray is now a metropolis with a population density of more than 13 million. Tehran was selected as the capital of Iran in the late 18th century by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar (the founder of the Qajar dynasty) and since then has been the political, cultural, economical and commercial center of the country.
Tehran is also considered as an ancient city; the archeological investigations and excavations in different parts of the city (Cheshme Ali, Qeytarieh, Kahrizak and etc.) demonstrate that the human settlement of this region dates from Neolithic times, far back as 6000 BC.
Today, Tehran is full of memories presented through its historic urban landscapes. With modernization and expansion of Tehran, the city is changing everyday to be modern. The important thing is how to create the harmony between social-urban development and the historic context to reach sustainable development.
The historical - cultural structure of Tehran includes natural, cultural and historical heritage which faced development and modernism. To protect tangible and intangible heritage of the city, especially its architectural and natural values, a supportive management system is needed.
The present study deals with theoretical subjects, related to historic urban landscape, regeneration and adaptation. Also introduce Tehran's Historic Urban Landscape through reviewing Tehran's historical, natural, social and urban changes and define the historical-cultural structure of Tehran. Finally, this article mentions about the rehabilitation experiences in this structure (e.g. Mashgh square) and presents a proposal for adaptation of the cultural landscape of the city through the regeneration of the area with consideration of the authenticity and integrity of the historical city.

REFERENCES

1. Abd ol Ghafar (Najmolmolk), Abd ol Ghafar Tehran map (sahab, 1970).
2. Shahryar Adl and Bernard Hourcade, Tehran 2oo Years Capital (Technical & Engineering organization of Tehran city , 1970 )
3. Bagher Ayatollah Zadeh Shirazi, "Rehabilitation of udlajan district", Asar Journal,2 (1980)
4. Marshall Berman, All that is Solid Melts in to Air: The Experience of modernity, ( Tarhe No (New Design), 2000 )
5. Documentation Centre of Tehran Geographic Information Center (TGIS)
6. Documentation Centre of ICTHO.
7. Documentation Centre of National Cartographic Center (NCC)
8. Documentation Centre of Bavand Consulting Company
9. Naser Fakohi, "Urban anthropology ", Nashre Nei , (2004), e.g.61-72
10. Mohsen Habibi, Skeleton's of Tehran city, (Publications of technical & Engineering organization of Tehran city, 1997).
11. Mohsen Habibi, From Shar to city, (Tehran University Press, 2001).
12. Mohsen Habibi, "Tehran and State1925- 1941", Ecology journal, 15(1989).
13. Mohsen Habibi and Maliheh Maghsodi, Urban Renovation,(Tehran University Press, 2002).
14. Lewis Holloway and Phil Hubbard, (2001) People and Place,( Pearson education, England, 2001), .
15. Hossein Kariman, Tehran in past and present, (Shahid Beheshti University Press, 1976), .
16. M.A Kershish, Map of Naseri state, (Sahab, 1970).
17. Farokh Mohammad Zadeh Mehr, Topkhane sq. of Tehran, ( Payam sima, 2003).
18. Eskandar Mokhtari, "developments of Urban face at Jelo Khan sq. of Shams ol Emareh ", Asar Journal, 25(1995).
19. Sirus Saadvandian and Mansoureh Etehadieh, Statistics of Tehran state, Documents from Social History of Tehran in Qajar Period, ( Naghshe Jahan Press, 1989).
20. M.Hosein Semsar, Tehran city, Review the Urbanization and urban Development in Iran, (Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Press, 1986).
21. Hosein Soltanzadeh, "City spaces, identity and culture", Architect and culture Journal, 24(2006).
22. M.Motamedi, "Historical geography of Tehran city", (University Center Press, 2002).
23. Naser Takmil Homayon, "Social and Cultural history of Tehran", (Office of Cultural researches, 2000).
24. Bernard Tschumi, (1994) "spaces and events", Malcolm Miles, Hall, London and New York, Routledge, (1994): 154.
25. whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-48- 1.pdf; "Declaration on the Conservation of Historic Urban Landscapes".
26. whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-48- 3.doc; "World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture ­ Managing a Historic Urban Landscape. The Cologne Case".
27. www.ceci- br.org/novo/revista/rst/viewarticle.php?id=113; "Towards New International Guidelines For The Conservation Of Historic Urban Landscapes (HUL)" .
28. www.en.wikipedia. Org
29. www.icomos.fi/initial_brief.pdf; "Conserving Historic Urban Landscapes".
30. www.saia.org.za/documents/HERITAGE-Jerusalem%20Declaration.pdf; "Statement of the Workshop of New Approaches to Urban Conservation held in Jerusalem, June 4 ­ 6, 2006"
31. Yahya Zoka, History of Buildings in Royal Arg (Acropol) and Golestan Palace, (ICTHO, 1970).
32. Yahya Zoka and Mohammad Semsar, Tehran in Vision, (Sorosh press, 1989).