Urmia University Geography and Regional Future Studies 2981-118X 3 4 2026 02 20 Re-examining the transformation of urban public spaces in post-Islamic Iran (From the Safavid Era to the Present) Re-examining the transformation of urban public spaces in post-Islamic Iran (From the Safavid Era to the Present) 20 39 121809 10.30466/grfs.2025.56148.1113 FA Fatemeh Aghnaei Alanjagh Ph.D. Candidate in Islamic Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran. 0000-0001-9142-042X Mohammad Taghi Pirbabaei Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran. 0000-0002-6305-9611 Journal Article 2025 04 29 The city reflects the culture, values, and social structures of its inhabitants, and public spaces- as fundamental urban elements- play a critical role in shaping social relations, urban identity, and spatial justice. These spaces foster human interaction and reinforce a sense of social cohesion. Since cities are shaped and given meaning by their human creators, they are inherently connected to the cultural and religious characteristics of a society. This study, using a descriptive-analytical approach and comparative analysis, investigates the historical transformation of public spaces in Iran after the advent of Islam. Data collection was conducted through documentary research. The analysis focuses on four historical periods- the Safavid, Qajar, Pahlavi, and post-Islamic Revolution- and examines key public spaces from an Islamic perspective in terms of their physical, functional, and semantic transformations. The findings reveal that Islamic teachings emphasize the social nature of public space and consider accessibility for all as a key criterion of desirability. Spaces such as Tekyehs, Hosseiniehs, and Mosallas are among the manifestations of the Islamic worldview in Iran, reflecting the growing religious expression of society. The study concludes that the Safavid era shows the highest alignment with Islamic public space principles— such as universal access, ritual integration, and participatory function— while the Pahlavi period, influenced by modernist models, witnessed a decline in the social and cultural functions of public spaces. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the need to revitalize public spaces based on Islamic-Iranian identity, address contemporary urban needs, and thoughtfully integrate indigenous principles with global urban transformations. The city reflects the culture, values, and social structures of its inhabitants, and public spaces- as fundamental urban elements- play a critical role in shaping social relations, urban identity, and spatial justice. These spaces foster human interaction and reinforce a sense of social cohesion. Since cities are shaped and given meaning by their human creators, they are inherently connected to the cultural and religious characteristics of a society. This study, using a descriptive-analytical approach and comparative analysis, investigates the historical transformation of public spaces in Iran after the advent of Islam. Data collection was conducted through documentary research. The analysis focuses on four historical periods- the Safavid, Qajar, Pahlavi, and post-Islamic Revolution- and examines key public spaces from an Islamic perspective in terms of their physical, functional, and semantic transformations. The findings reveal that Islamic teachings emphasize the social nature of public space and consider accessibility for all as a key criterion of desirability. Spaces such as Tekyehs, Hosseiniehs, and Mosallas are among the manifestations of the Islamic worldview in Iran, reflecting the growing religious expression of society. The study concludes that the Safavid era shows the highest alignment with Islamic public space principles— such as universal access, ritual integration, and participatory function— while the Pahlavi period, influenced by modernist models, witnessed a decline in the social and cultural functions of public spaces. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the need to revitalize public spaces based on Islamic-Iranian identity, address contemporary urban needs, and thoughtfully integrate indigenous principles with global urban transformations.

https://grfs.urmia.ac.ir/article_121809_f9c7f68350ba64aa0c4fa5145cf224b7.pdf