Architecture and Urban Development (IJAUD)

The practice of architecture worldwide is one of the most regulated. To become an Architect, one must undergo a rigorous process, first at an architecture school and then in real-life practice. This paper critically examines the architect registration process in Uganda, highlighting its highs and lows, and recommends what must be done to improve the process. Using the mixed-methods approach consisting of surveys, thematic analysis, and document reviews, the study assesses the individual experiences of graduate architects who have undergone this process. To ensure the validity and reliability of research tools, the questionnaire was reviewed by five experts with in-depth knowledge of the architectural registration process. The study acknowledges that compulsory placement of graduates under a registered architect is useful as it exposes the graduates to practical skills, which include management of projects, office management, communication, supervision skills, and legal compliance, which cannot be easily provided in architecture schools. However, the registration procedure is considered very rigid and outdated due to its long registration timelines, lack of communication, and failure to accommodate the views of the new specialties in the course. In conclusion, it is acknowledged that reform is necessary in the registration process, which will include digitizing the documentation and feedback process, as well as introducing a modular assessment method. It also calls for flexible mentorship models that are tailored to meet professional requirements.

The accelerated pace of urbanization in Iranian metropolises has underscored the need to reevaluate the role of public spaces in promoting public health. This study investigates the influence of urban public spaces on enhancing the physical and mental well-being of citizens in the metropolis of Tabriz. Adopting a quantitative and analytical method, data were collected through a purposive documentary review and field studies. The statistical sample consisted of visitors and users, with an average of 5,000 individuals per public space. Using Cochran's formula and a 10% margin of error, 96 questionnaires were collected for each space. Considering the existence of eight urban spaces—including Sa'at Square, Maqbarat-ol-Sho'ara, Shahid Beheshti Square, El-Goli Park, Golestan Park, Tarbiat Pedestrian Path, Valiasr Park, and Laleh Park Commercial-Recreational Complex—the total number of questionnaires required for this study was 752. Documentary data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, while field data were examined using descriptive statistical techniques. The findings demonstrate that accessibility, safety, environmental design quality, social vitality, and opportunities for physical activity are critical factors contributing to public health improvement. These urban public spaces, beyond their recreational and social roles, function as strategic infrastructures for health promotion in large cities. The results suggest that integrating a health-oriented approach into the design and governance of public spaces can substantially enhance the quality of life in Iran's metropolitan contexts.

Global challenges, including climate change and rising energy consumption, necessitate sustainable architectural solutions. Optimizing architectural design for passive natural ventilation enhances energy efficiency and reduces reliance on mechanical systems. An investigation was conducted to examine how channel dimensions impact thermal comfort in connected, enclosed atria in Yazd and Tabriz. The objective is to determine channel configurations that maximize year-round thermal comfort while minimizing mechanical heating and cooling. With Rhino software and Honeybee and Ladybug plugins, simulation models were developed. A variety of channel dimensions were tested to determine the optimum PMV values throughout seasonal changes. A variety of channel widths were evaluated for thermal comfort. The atrium and adjoining spaces were improved by enhancing airflow and temperature regulation. In both cities, a 1-meter channel width consistently provided optimal thermal comfort. During winter, PMV should be -3.43, in autumn -0.66, in summer 2.41, and in spring 0.0041. As in Tabriz, the winter PMV is -4.94, the autumn PMV is -0.62, the summer PMV is 0.72, and the spring PMV is -1.13. One-meter channel widths maintain comfort through seasonal temperature variations and environmental conditions, eliminating the need for supplemental heating or cooling. The study highlights the importance of climate-responsive design and optimizing passive ventilation systems to enhance building energy efficiency. As a result, buildings can be designed for both hot and cold climates. Energy-efficient and comfortable architectural solutions are supported. A focus on channel dimensions for optimal natural ventilation is recommended for future building designs in similar climates.

The oil industry in the modern era has played a pivotal role in population growth, industrialization, and the formation of modern cities, particularly in Iran's Khuzestan province. Beyond their industrial function, oil wells have had a profound impact on urbanization, architecture, and lifestyles in Masjid I Sulaiman, serving as significant symbols. The physical development of this city accelerated with the construction of residential complexes for oil industry workers and industrial infrastructure, leading to a redefinition of Masjid I Sulaiman's urban identity at the intersection of tradition and modernity—an identity that distinguishes the city. This study examines the impact of British colonial presence and oil industry activities on the development of villa-style housing in Masjid I Sulaiman, intending to analyze the formation of this housing type under these influences. Previous studies have focused on the economic and social impacts of the oil industry; however, the effects of oil wells on spatial and architectural patterns in oil cities, such as Masjid I Sulaiman, have been underexplored. This research analyzes the role of industrial elements in shaping residential patterns by examining spatial and architectural aspects. Employing a qualitative approach, the study uses hermeneutic phenomenology and space syntax to analyze the cultural and spatial dimensions of villa-style housing. The space syntax analysis reveals that the courtyards of Bagh-e Melli and G-Type, with high integration, enhance social interactions, while Scotch Crescent, with greater spatial depth, indicates class segregation. The hermeneutic analysis portrays bungalows as multilayered texts that represent social, cultural, and economic meanings, highlighting their architectural heritage.

Today, places play a significant role in shaping individuals' identities. However, due to phenomena such as urbanization and urban development, places are often under threat and may lose their true meaning. The role of neighborhoods as elements that strengthen and preserve the sense of place identity among citizens is undeniable. As such, this study aims to explore the perceptions of residents and tourists regarding urban heritage identity and the old neighborhoods of Tehran to determine whether these neighborhoods still successfully create a sense of place identity among their inhabitants. The purpose of this research is to identify the aspects of continuity in urban heritage identity in Tehran's old neighborhoods, with an emphasis on the perceptions of tourists and residents. This research is practical and descriptive-analytical. Data and information were collected using library resources, field studies, and questionnaires. The study population includes tourism and cultural heritage experts, tourism officials, as well as residents and tourists who have visited the old fabric of Tehran. To test the hypotheses, a 21-item questionnaire was prepared and distributed among 188 residents and 245 tourists of the neighborhoods, selected through convenience sampling. The findings revealed six components—familiarity and attachment, nostalgia and memories, architecture, security, values, and vibrancy—that can be considered as the components of continuity in urban heritage identity. Furthermore, the findings indicated that residents and tourists have a relatively favorable perception of the components of continuity in urban heritage identity in the studied areas.

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of residential floor plans from three pivotal periods in Iranian history: the Zand (1751–1794 CE), Qajar (1789–1925 CE), and Pahlavi (1925–1979 CE) eras. By examining prominent residential buildings from each period, the study investigates the transformation of circulation features, namely courtyards, iwans, corridors, and vestibules (hashtis). Findings reveal a progressive reduction in courtyard centrality and hierarchical access systems during the Zand and Qajar eras, shifting toward linear, corridor-based, and Western-influenced layouts in the Pahlavi period. This change decreased reliance on introverted, multi-courtyard configurations for privacy and climate control, favoring open-plan structures with direct entrances and reduced spatial segregation. This evolution reflects changing approaches to spatial organization, privacy, and formal access in response to modernization and shifting cultural paradigms. The study contributes to understanding the dynamic interplay between architecture and historical context in Iran, highlighting the significance of residential spaces as cultural artifacts. Through a focused architectural lens, this analysis provides insight into the broader historical shifts embedded in built environments.

Narrative inquiry has emerged as a pivotal approach for analyzing human processes and experiences in urban planning. This study employs a systematic review methodology based on the PRISMA framework to explore the role and positioning of narrative and narrative inquiry in addressing contemporary urban challenges. From an initial pool of 327 English-language sources, a refined process involving rigorous inclusion/exclusion criteria, screening, and citation chaining identified 27 key references (85% journal articles, 15% books; mean publication year: 2017). Findings, supported by quantitative trends (e.g., 75% growth in narrative studies post-2016, 48% focusing on participation, Table 3), reveal that narratives—categorized as for, in, and of planning (Ameel, 2017, 2020, 2022)—enhance stakeholder dynamics, place identity, and social decision-making, aligning with Clandinin and Rosiek’s (2007) polyphonic narratives and Sandercock’s (2003) transformative typologies. The integration of these narratives fosters interdisciplinary linkages across urban studies, architecture, and sociology, yet gaps persist in inclusivity (33% addressing identity/heritage, Table 3) and technological adoption (15%, Table 6). Thematic analysis using NVivo 12 (r = 0.65 interconnectivity) highlights the need for justice-oriented and context-sensitive approaches. Narrative inquiry facilitates interdisciplinary planning methodologies, forging robust linkages among urban studies, architecture, and sociology, while identifying critical gaps, such as inclusivity and technological integration.

The transformation of urban living patterns and the decline of social interactions in contemporary urban spaces have heightened the urgent need to reassess the role of formal structure in creating meaning and strengthening place identity. This study aims to explore how the components of formal structure contribute to enhancing the significance of social interactions that stem from place identity. The importance of this research lies in recognizing that formal structure, beyond its physical dimension, holds perceptual, cultural, and behavior-oriented potentials for generating meaning, shared experiences, and collective memory. Employing a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative) with a descriptive-analytical framework, data were collected through field studies, technical surveys, and analyzed statistically using SPSS software. The historic Qazvin Bazaar, with its rich historical and social identity, was selected as the representative case study. The findings reveal that seven dimensions of formal structure—centrality, functionality, movement, visual and sightlines, physical form, spatial connections, and spirituality—significantly influence social interactions and the overall sense of belonging to place. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the interrelation between physical form, spatial legibility, and perceptual experience provides a fertile and dynamic ground for the reproduction of collective memory. In this respect, historic spaces such as the Qazvin Bazaar are capable of sustaining cultural values while simultaneously playing a more active role in strengthening and revitalizing social interactions. Consequently, attention to the qualitative and multidimensional aspects of formal structure should be regarded as a fundamental strategy for future urban planning and design, positioning it as a key factor in enhancing place identity and ensuring the long-term sustainability and vitality of urban life.