Analysis of social interactions in the historical Bazaar of Tabriz with an emphasis on the physical aspect of space (Case Study: Saray-e Amir and Saray-e Dodari)

Balalye Oskui, Azita; Jafari, Parastoo

doi:10.34785/J011.2022.403

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran

10.34785/J011.2022.403

Abstract

Highlights
- Social interactions, among other things, affect peoples’ attraction to public spaces.
- Permeability, flexibility, and accessibility are the spatial structural factors that directly impact social interactions in public spaces.
- The main goal of the formation of the Space Syntax Theory is to describe the social rationale behind the basic layers of spatial configuration.
- The spatial plan has a direct impact on interactions in the space.

Introduction
Man is intrinsically a social being whose surrounding space constitutes his social relations. The extent to which the environment affects man’s performance has always been a major concern for environmental designers. Marketplaces are highly important in this regard as thriving, bustling public places. The urban space combines social relations and the structural context, which meets man’s collective functions and conveys a semantic load. It is not made simply for being seen and walked through, as it also helps form social relations among various people in the community. The urban space involves the pleasure and enjoyment of various social groups and their active, continued social presence therein. The marketplace structure has served as the heart of Islamic-era cities in the attempt to meet man’s basic needs, including economic, religious, social, and tourism-pilgrimage needs. It provides a good example for investigation of the reasons for high social interaction and how these interactions are affected by the architectural context. This article seeks to answer the following questions:
How does structure impact the social interactions in the historical bazaar of the city of Tabriz, Iran?
How does the bazaar structure contribute to the improvement of social interactions in Saray-e-Amir?
How does the bazaar structure reduce social interactions in Saray-e-Dodari?
Theoretical Framework
This research aims to identify the structural components affecting the interactions in the marketplace and investigate the role of Tabriz’s bazaar as a living, dynamic example of traditional Iranian marketplaces in the interactions occurring there. A review of the literature indicates that Space Syntax can help examine these issues, and an investigation of the components obtained from previous research may serve to help investigate the relevant factors. The components include permeability, flexibility, accessibility in the space syntax, flooring, furniture, spaces for stopping and sitting, visibility, etc. These are structural factors affecting social interactions, which can be investigated with various spatial techniques. As suggested in the literature, the term syntax bears contextual meanings; in other words, it is defined in association with relevant terms. If a building is considered as an object composed of a spatial-communication system, this system will be represented by a plan that manifests the function of syntax in the architectural space.
Methodology
This research uses both descriptive-analytical and survey methods to investigate social interactions and the effects of structure thereon. Upon specification of the components of the marketplace space syntax and social interactions, the study investigates the impacts of the marketplace on the interactions. It provides a comparative examination of various activities of a set using particular space syntax (depth map) software to select and control the three components of permeability, accessibility, and flexibility in the form of integration. Then, the study uses a questionnaire to examine the effects of the structure on the interactions in the marketplace. In this method, each of the components extracted from previous research is investigated separately in the two bazaar spaces using a valid, reliable questionnaire. As mentioned above, the bazaars include Saray-e-Amir and Saray-e-Dodari, which differ in terms of function and geometric characteristics, and experience different interactions.
Results and Discussion
Research findings on space syntax suggest that the extent of each selection, integration, and relationship component in Saray-e-Dodari covers a broader spectrum than those in Saray-e-Amir, demonstrating the greater relationship between the former bazaar and other parts of the marketplace. This relationship is poorer in the latter bazaar. This is because Saray-e-Amir is situated at the beginning of the marketplace, while Saray-e-Dodari is located in the middle between various parts. It is demonstrated that the higher the rates of relationship, selection, and interaction in Saray-e-Dodari, the greater the spatial accessibility, permeability, and flexibility. The questionnaire results based on the space users’ views also indicate higher social interaction rates in Saray-e-Amir than in Saray-e-Dodari.
Conclusion
It is concluded based on the results that the three components of relationship, interaction, and control, which constitute factors improving social interactions from a space syntax perspective, directly impact accessibility, permeability, and flexibility. An investigation of all the three main components of space syntax suggests that centralized spaces and entrances impact the improvement of traffic, concentration of the users, centrality of these two in the decrease in user attraction, and creation of reclusive spaces for social interactions. Furthermore, a review of the structural factors indicates the positive effects of appropriate flooring, visibility, readability, and use of natural elements on the extent of social interactions, as the components of appropriate furniture, accessibility, and pause space differ in the two bazaars, which indicates the changing level of interaction there.

Keywords

References

Abbaszadegan, M. (2002). Ravesh-e chideman-e faza dar farayand-e tarrahi shahri ba negahi be shahr-e Yazd. Urban Management(9), 64- 75. [in Persian]

Akbari Riyahi, M., & Amir Az'adi, H. (2019). rahkarha-ye tarahy-e fazaha-ye omoumi ba hadaf-e shkel giri-e ta'amolat ejtema'e dar mahale-ye gonbad-e kazeroun. Journal of urban design studies and urban research, 2(6), 1-16 [in Persian].

Alimardani, M., Mehdinejad, J., & Afhami, T. (2015). The Qualitative Growth of Urban Space to Enhance Social Interaction (Case study: Ahmad Abad, Street, Mashhad). Journal of applied arts, 4(7), 5-14. (Semnan University) [in Persian]

Askarizad, R., & Safari, H. (2020). The influence of social interactions on the behavioral patterns of the people in urban spaces (case study: The pedestrian zone of Rasht Municipality Square, Iran). Cities, 101, 102687.

Bafna, S. (2003). SPACE SYNTAX A Brief Introduction to Its Logic and Analytical Techniques 1. ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR, 35, 17-29.

Bahrini, F., Bell, S., & Mokhtarzadeh, S. (2017). The relationship between the distribution and use patterns of parks and their. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 27, 332- 342.

Benedikt, M. L. (1979). To take hold of space : isovists and isovist fields. Environment and Planning B, 6, 47-65.

Bentley, I. (1985). Responsive Environments: A Manual for Designers. Architectural Press.

Carr, S., Francis, M., Rivlin, L. G., & Stone, A. M. (1992). Public space. Cambridge University Press.

Daneshpour, S. A., & Charkhchian, M. (2007). Public Spaces And Effective Features On Public Life. Bagh-e Nazar, 3(7), 28 - 19. [in Persian]

Davis, L. S., & Benedikt, M. L. (1979). Computational Models of Space: Isovists and Isovist Fields. COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND IMAGE PROCESSING, 72, 49-72.

Dorraniarab, A., Ghalehnoee, M., Zamani, B., & Moazezi Mehr Tehran, A. M. (2016). Baznegari bar paye-ha-ye moshtarak-e nazariye-ha-ye manasek-e taamol va nahv-e faza. Pazhouhesh dar honar va oloum-e ensani, 1(1), 1- 8. [in Persian]

Dursun, P. (2007). Space syntax in architectural design 056. International Space Syntax Symposium, İstanbul.

Fallah, M., Masoud, M., Naser, B., & Ghalehnoee, M. (2019). Tabeen-e shakhes-ha-ye faza-ye shahri-e en'etaf pazir dar shahr-ha-ye saheli ba bahre giri az model-e delfi (motale-e moredi: shahr-ha-ye ramsar va babolsar). Quarterly of New Attitudes in Human Geography, 12(1), 741- 763. [in Persian]

Ferdous, F. (2012). The spatial analysis and morphological evolution of the ‘ Bazaar Streets ’ and urban structure of Dhaka city. 17, 206-220.

Foltête, J. C., & Piombini, A. (2007). Urban layout, landscape features and pedestrian usage. Landscape and Urban Planning, 81, 225-234.

Gehl, J. (1987). Life between Buildings, translated by Jo Koch. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Gehl, J., & Svarre, B. (2013). Jan Gehl & Birgitte Svarre.

Ghalambor Dezfuly, M., & Naghizadeh, M. (2014). Urban Design The Context Of Social Interaction Enhancement (Case Study: Street Between Neighborhoods). Hoviat-e Shahr, 8(17), 15-24. [in Persian]

Ghorbani, K. (2003). Restoration and Revitalization of commercial/ traditional spaces- case study- Bazar of Tabriz Tarbiat Modarres University. [in Persian]

Ghorrab, N.-e.-d. (2001). Ta'sirat-e mohit-e shahri dar az khod biganegi-e ensan. Urban Management(8), 84- 93. [in Persian]

Giles-Corti, B., & Donovan, R. J. (2002). The relative influence of individual, social and physical environment determinants of physical activity. Social science & medicine, 54, 1793-1812.

Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2005). Architectural Research Methods (A. Einifar, Trans.; 3 ed.). Tehran University Publication.

Habib, F., Naderi, S. M., Jahanshahlo, L., & Forouzangohar, H. (2013). A Research On Delivering The Analysis Framework Of Social Capital In Urban Structure, Focusing On Public Urban Spaces Role The Case Of Tehran City. Hoviateshahr, 6(12), 5-14. [in Persian]

Habibi, S. M. (2000). City: Centre Of Cufture. Honar-ha-ye-ziba(7), 21- 33. [in Persian]

Haghparast, F., & Esmaili Sangari, H. (2018). Manage The World Heritage Sites In Tabriz, Relying On Popular Participation. Urban Management, 17(50), 145- 162. [in Persian]

Hamedani Golshan, H. (2015). Space Syntax, A Brief Review On Its Origins And Methods In Architecture And Urban Design Case Study: Brojerdiha Mansion, Kashan, Iran. Honar-ha-ye Ziba, 20(2), 85-92. [in Persian]

Hanson, J., & Hillier, B. (1987). The Architecture of Community : Some New Proposals on the Social consiquences of Architectural and Planning Decisions. Arch. & Comport Arch, 3, 251-273.

Heidari, A. A., Peyvastehgar, A., & Kiaee, M. (2016). Arzyabi-ye Naghsh-e Hayat dar ertegh'e randeman-e amalkardi-e "Khaneh". Soffeh, 26(73), -. (Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University. [in Persian]

Hillier, B. (1996). Cities as movement economies. URBAN DESIGN International, 1, 41- 60.

Hillier, B. (2007). Space is the machine. UCL.

Hillier, B., & Hanson, J. (1984). The Social Logic of Space. Cambridge University Press.

Jacobs, J. (1992). The Death and Life of Great American Cities (LATER PRIN ed.). Vintage.

Jiang, B., Claramunt, C., & Klarqvist, B. (2000). Integration of space syntax into GIS for modelling urban spaces. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 2, 161-171.

Kamalipour, H., Memarian, G. H., Faizi, M., & Mousavian, M. F. (2012). Formal Classification & Spatial Configuration In Vernacular Housing: A Comparative Study On The Zoning Of The Reception Area In Traditional Houses Of Kerman Province. Housing and Rural Environment, 31(138), 3- 16. [in Persian]

Khamachi, B. (1996). Bazaar-e Tabriz dar gozar-e zaman. Tabriz Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines & Agriculture. [in Persian]

Khamachi, B. (2007). Shahr-e man Tabriz. Neda-ye shams. [in Persian]

Kiaee, M., Soltanzadeh, H., & Heidari, A. a. (2019). Measure the flexibility of the spatial system using space syntax (case study: Houses in Qazvin). Bagh-e Nazar, 16(71), 61-76. [in Persian]

Klarqvist, B. (1993). A Space Syntax Glossary. Nor disk Arkitektur for skining, 2, 11- 12.

Koohsari, M. J., Sugiyama, T., Mavoa, S., Villanueva, K., Badland, H., Giles-Corti, B., & Owen, N. (2016). Street network measures and adults' walking for transport: Application of space syntax. Health & place, 38, 89-95.

Lang, J. T. (2007). Urban Design: A Typology of Procedures and Products (A. Einifar, Trans.). Tehran University Publication.

Lennard, S. H. C., & Lennard, H. L. (1984). Public Life in Urban Places: Social and Architectural Characteristics Conducive to Public Life in European Cities. Gondolier Press.

Li, Y., Xiao, L., Ye, Y., Xu, W., & Law, A. (2016). Understanding tourist space at a historic site through space syntax analysis : The case of Gulangyu , China. Tourism Management, 52, 30-43.

Likert, R. (1961). New patterns of management. McGraw-Hill.

Lima, J. J. (2001). Socio-spatial segregation and urban form : Bel em at the end of the 1990s. Geoforum, 32, 493-507.

Lynch, K. (1984). Good City Form. MIT Press.

Mahdinezhad, J., & Najjari Nabi, R. (2020). Evaluation Of The Transition Of The Physical Structure In The Traditional Bazaar Based On The Urban Space, Case Study: Tabriz Bazaar. Journal of Architectural Thought, 3(6), 144- 159. 1 [in Persian]

Majedi, H., Mansoori, E., & Haji Ahmadi, A. (2011). Redefinition Of Urban Space, Case Study: Between Vali Asr Square And Char Rah Vali Asr. Urban Management, 9(27), 263- 283. [in Persian]

Mansouryar, Z., & Jalalian, S. (2017). Afzayesh-e Ta'amol paziri-e danesh amouzan az tarigh-e ertegha-e keyfiyat-e fazaee va kalbadi dar madares-e fanni va herfei (motale'e moredi: honarestan-e shahid sadlaji da shahrestan-e Kabotar Ahang). Haft hesar journal of environmental studies, 6(20), 67-80. [in Persian]

Marsousi, N., & Khani, M. B. (2011). Tahlil-e karkard-ha-ye eghtesadi-e bazaar Tabriz va hoze-ye nofoz-e aan. Human Geography Research(75), 133-152. [in Persian]

Memarian, G. H. (2003). Space Syntax. Soffeh, 12(35), 75- 83. [in Persian]

Mollazadeh, A., Barani Pesyan, V., & Khosrowzadeh, M. (2012). The Application Of The Space Syntax Of The Valiasr St Basht City. Urban Management, 10(29), 81- 90. [in Persian]

Montello, D. R. (2007). The contribution of space syntax to a comprehensive theory of environmental psychology. International Space Syntax Symposium, İstanbul.

Mousavi, M. S., & Zahedian, E. (2013). An Analytical Study Of Factors Affecting Social Interactions Of Women In Urban Spaces (Case Study: Shahryar Pedestrian Street, Tabriz). Woman & Study of Family, 6(21), 145-166. [in Persian]

Najjari Nabi, R., & Mehdinezhad, J. (2020). Evaluating The Role Of Physical And Functional Factors In The Socialization Of Traditional Iranian Markets Using Space Syntax Technique (Case Study: Tabriz Bazaar). Bagh-e Nazar, 17(85), 67-82. [in Persian]

Nejad Ebrahimi, A., & Sami, Z. (2018). Olgo Shenasi-e Tazeenat-e Mogharnas dar memari-e abniye-e bazaar-e tarikhi-e Tabriz. Motale'at-e Shahr-e Irani Eslami, 8(31), 5- 17. [in Persian]

Organization, N. G. (2002). Farhang-e Joghrafiyaee-e Shahrestan-ha-ye keshvar: Tabriz. National Geographical Organization. [in Persian]

Penn, A. (2003). SPACE SYNTAX AND SPATIAL COGNITION Or Why the Axial Line? ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR, 35, 30- 65.

Peyvastehgar, A., Heidari, A. A., Kiaee, M., & Kiaee, M. (2017). Wayfinding process analysis using space syntax in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Hoviat-e Shahr, 11(30), 45- 101. [in Persian]

Porta, S., & Renne, J. L. (2005). Linking urban design to sustainability: Formal indicators of social urban sustainability field research in Perth, Western Australia. Urban Design International, 10, 51-64.

Pourjafar, M. R., Molaee, A., & Pourjafar, A. (2016). Iranian Islamic urban design features of tabriz case study: Great bazaar of the city. Firooze Islam- Journal of research on Islamic Architecture and Urbanism, 2, 87- 107. [in Persian]

Rashid, M., & Bindajam, A. A. A. (2014). Space , movement and heritage planning of the historic cities in Islamic societies : Learning from the Old City of Jeddah , Saudi Arabia. URBAN DESIGN International, 20, 107-129. [in Persian]

Rismanchian, O., & Bell, S. (2010). The application of space Syntax in studying the structure of the cities. Honar-ha-ye Ziba, 2(43), 49-56. [in Persian]

Safari, H., & Moridani, F. F. (2017). Syntactical analysis of the accessibility and sociability of a square in the Kuala Lumpur City Center. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 6, 456-468. [in Persian]

Samani, g., & Jafarpour, m. R. (2012). Barresi-e shakhes-ha-ye tose'e paydar dar tarrahi-e bazaar-e sonnati-e Tabriz. Journal of Geography and environmental studies, 1(2), 41- 54 [in Persian].

Shojaee, D., & Partovi, P. (2015). Analysis Of Factors Affecting The Creation And Promotion Of Sociability In Public Spaces In Different Scales Of Tehran City (Case Studies: Two Neighborhoods And An Area In District 7 Tehran). Bagh-e Nazar, 12(34), 93- 108. [in Persian]

Sinafar, A., Partovi, P., & Shokouhi, M. (2015). Investigating The Role Of Permeability To Promote The Quality Of Neighborhood Environment Unit (Case Study: Tehran-Narmak). Hoviat-e Shahr, 9(21), 91-100. [in Persian]

Soheili, J., & Rasouli, N. (2016). Comparative Study Of The Architectural Space Syntaxof Caravansaries Qajar Era (Case Study: Caravansaries Qazvin And Kashan). Hoviate Shahr, 10(26), 47-60. [in Persian]

Taghipour, M., & Soltanzadeh, H. (2016). Investigating the Role of environment Organization in residents Social Interaction in Residential Complexes of Shiraz. Journal of spatial planning, 6, 79- 102. [in Persian]

Tsou, K. W., Hung, Y. T., & Chang, Y. L. (2005). An accessibility-based integrated measure of relative spatial equity in urban public facilities. Cities, 22, 424-435.

Turner, A. (2004). Depthmap 4: A Researcher’s Handbook.

Turner, A., Doxa, M., Sullivan, D. O., & Penn, A. (2001). From isovists to visibility graphs : a methodology for the analysis of architectural space. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 28, 103-121.

Vaughan, L. (2007). The spatial syntax of urban segregation The city as one thing. Progress in Planning, 67, 205-294.

Violich, F. (1983). Urban reading and the Design of Small Urban Places: The Village of Sutivan. (Vol. 54).

Whyte, W. (1980). social life of small urban space.

Yazdanfar, S. A., Mousavi, M., & Zargar daghigh, H. (2008). Tahlil-e Sakhtar-e fazaee shahr Tabriz dar mahdode-ye Barou ba estefadeh az teknik-e space syntax. Rah-o-sakhteman(67), 58-69. [in Persian]

Zerouati, W., & Bellal, T. (2019). Evaluating the impact of mass housings' in-between spaces' spatial configuration on users' social interaction. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 9, 34-53. [in Persian]

Motaleate Shahri

Analysis of social interactions in the historical Bazaar of Tabriz with an emphasis on the physical aspect of space (Case Study: Saray-e Amir and Saray-e Dodari)

References

References

Volume 11, Issue 42 - Serial Number 42
May 2022
Pages 87-102

Analysis of social interactions in the historical Bazaar of Tabriz with an emphasis on the physical aspect of space (Case Study: Saray-e Amir and Saray-e Dodari)

References

References

Volume 11, Issue 42 - Serial Number 42May 2022Pages 87-102

Volume 11, Issue 42 - Serial Number 42
May 2022
Pages 87-102