An Investigation on Elements Creating Sense of Place in Historical Site of Babol

Subject Areas : Urban Design

Zahra Poursoleiman ¹ , Mojgan khakpur ²

1 - Architecture student, Islamic Azad University, Nour, Mazandaran, Iran
2 - Art and Architecture Lecturer of Guilan University, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Architecture ,Tarbiat Modaress University ,Tehran, Iran

Received: 2012-04-09 Accepted : 2012-05-16 Published : 2012-07-01

Keywords: Sense of place, Symbolic Elements, PanjshanbeBazaar, Babol,

Abstract :

The body of residential complexes is affected by social interactions between residents over time. Of the mostimportant places for social communications are bazaars as the backbone of Iranian cities. Ancient bazaar of Babol in north ofIran contains natural features which makes a special sense of place. This essay tries to answer to how concept of sense of placeis presented and what are factors affecting on sense of place; in historical site of Babol. Theoretical study of essay is based onInterpretive and qualitative approach through written documentaries. In this way first; the concept of sense of place is reviewed.After an explanation about the bazaar and the city, important features defining the site and their relations are analyzed throughphenomenological approach. Then symbolic elements are identified and classified in fixed, semi-fixed and non-fixed featureelements, and their role on creating a Sense of Place is investigated. Any of fixed feature elements of the studied area like doors,columns, roofs, windows and doorways, transfer significant architectural qualities. Semi-fixed feature elements containingwooden elements, roofs, furniture, symbolic inscriptions, hung lights and plants; make a sense of dependency and safety. Nonfixedfeature elements containing peddlers, voices, odors and climatic conditions depend on activities in place, prove the existenceof human and modify a personal territory or place-behavior .Existence of these elements in the environment not only gives us anexperience of sociality and public activity; but they also create a sense of presence and dependency or sense of place.