Analyzing The Impact Of Adaptive Reuse On The Spatial Identity Of Traditional Houses And Its Reflections In Urban Design Strategies (Case Study: Tabriz Metropolis)

Subject Areas :

Mohammad Dabdabeh ^{1 *} , Arash S aghafi Asl ² , Mir Mohammad Javad Pourhadi Hosseini ³ , Mahdieh Shahparvari ⁴

1 - PhD Graduate, Architecture & Urban Planning Department, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
2 - Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
3 - Department of Art and Architecture, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
4 - Department of Architecture, UAE.C., Islamic Azad University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Received: 2025-04-20 Accepted : 2025-05-22 Published : 2025-06-15

Keywords: Traditional Houses, Iranian Architecture, Adaptive Reuse, Spatial Identity, Urban Design, Tabriz Metropolis.,

Abstract :

Traditional Iranian houses, as one of the most significant manifestations of identity-oriented Iranian architecture, undergo profound transformations in physical, spatial, and symbolic layers during the process of adaptive reuse. This study aims to analyze the impact of adaptive reuse on three structural perspectives: spatial identity in architecture, transformations induced by functional change, and the reflection of these patterns in urban design, focusing on Tabriz Metropolis. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach (qualitative→quantitative). In the qualitative section, data were collected through content analysis of historical documents and semi-structured interviews with 18 experts, and analyzed using three-stage coding. In the quantitative section, a questionnaire with acceptable reliability—based on Cronbach’s alpha scores of 0.79 for "physical patterns and adaptive reuse effects" and 0.83 for "relational and perceptual dimensions of spatial identity"—was distributed among 384 citizens, architects, and local residents. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and a one-sample t-test. The findings revealed that non-contextual adaptive reuse significantly (Sig<0.05), reduces visual coherence (t=8.143), weakens physical identity (t=-3.261), and disrupts compatibility with urban design (t=-2.824). Additionally, analysis of spatial identity indicators showed a decline in sense of place (t=4.332), and historical continuity (t=2.396), in reused spaces. Qualitative results also highlighted the fragmentation of spatial structures and disorder in urban design patterns. Accordingly, it is recommended that urban design strategies be redefined with a focus on preserving architectural authenticity (t=-1.210), and appropriate secondary use of buildings (t=2.280), to prevent the erosion of collective memory and local identity.

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