Architecture and Urban Development (IJAUD)

The beginning of the Pahlavi period marked the onset of rapid changes. Architects, alongside the ruling power in the new conditions, sought to create a new Iran that aligned with global thought, while simultaneously preserving identity and occasionally fostering a sense of nationalism. Both the building and the educational system changed in response to shifting times and political developments. The traditional educational system evolved into the modern educational system. The research method is historical-analytical, drawing on both field surveys and library studies. This article aims to explain the principles and components of architectural design, presenting spaces that align with the structure of contemporary life, thereby enabling continuity and connection between the past and the present. For this purpose, the present study selected valuable examples from the Pahlavi period to present the components of Tehran high schools and analyzed the data using SPSS software and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Then, the sign test was used to examine the status of the research variables, and the non-parametric sign test was employed to investigate the relationship between the facade and plan characteristics of the Pahlavi and modern periods. Finally, it was concluded that a significant number of Pahlavi-era buildings were influenced by the structures of the modernist era, according to experts. These buildings, of course, possess identity and cultural value and can be introduced as valuable examples.

Today, the necessity and importance of paying attention to climatic conditions in architecture as an effective factor on the environmental quality of buildings is not hidden from architects. In the country of Iran, the cold climate zone requires special attention in the climatic design of buildings due to its difficulties and considerable extent. Semi-open spaces have been a crucial element in architecture, significantly influencing the spatial arrangement of vernacular buildings in Iranian architecture. However, in contemporary housing, these spaces lack the necessary efficiency, and one of the factors contributing to this, especially in cold climates, is the failure to consider climatic conditions. Modeling climatic design solutions for these spaces in vernacular architecture and applying them in contemporary housing design will enhance the efficiency of these spaces. Intending to investigate the effect of mesoclimate on the structure of semi-open spaces in Qajar-era houses in cold climates, this article examined and compared the climatic conditions in the two cold cities of Ardabil and Tabriz. It identified the physical characteristics of semi-open spaces in the case studies and analyzed the impact of mesoclimatic conditions on the differences in the features of semi-open spaces between the two cities. This research is applied and has a qualitative nature, utilizing the grounded theory method. Comparing the physical attributes of the semi-open spaces in the vernacular houses of the two cities and matching them with the differences in climatic conditions reveals significant differences based on the influence of the mesoclimate on the physical structure of the semi-open spaces.

The architecture of the first Pahlavi period is considered a turning point in the evolution of Iranian architecture and urban planning, which dates back to the Qajar period and the familiarity of the Shah and his courtiers with European architecture. These changes reached a more tangible level in the first Pahlavi period, marking the beginning of modern Iranian architecture. The present study examines the architecture of schools from this period, focusing on a comparison between schools in East Azerbaijan and other modern schools in Iran, to provide a model for the design of today's schools. This study aims to analyze qualitative findings including: physical, spatial, and functional organization used in schools of the first Pahlavi period, such as appropriate access, spatial connections, hierarchy, arrangement of spaces, combination of full and empty space, open and semi-open spaces, introversion and extroversion, geometry and pattern, ., to arrive at solutions for the development of school architecture. The methodology of this research is historical-interpretive and case study (study of 6 schools from the Qajar and Pahlavi periods in East Azerbaijan province). The research method employed is qualitative, involving interviews with experts. In this study, 10 people were interviewed. In accordance with the principles of grounded theory, data collection and analysis were conducted following the first interview. This study also conducted a comparative analysis of the architecture of East Azerbaijan schools between 1304 and 1320, examining six landmark works in this province. Using the comparative method and structural approach, the spatial organization of schools from the Pahlavi period was analyzed, categorized, and coded. The results showed that the highest salience in the functional component was associated with extroversion, with a value of 28, and the lowest was associated with introversion, with a value of 7. The results indicate a decrease in Iranian-Islamic identity in Pahlavi-period schools. These changes include the shift from traditional architecture to new styles, the transformation of interior to exterior space, the reduction of hierarchy and proportions, the decline of decorative elements, and the elimination of green spaces.

The role of smart technologies, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT), has been recognized as a promising tool in achieving urban sustainable development goals and advancing toward smart cities. The present study aims to investigate the role of IoT technology in realizing urban smart housing in District 6 of Tehran. The research employs a descriptive-analytical method, examining indicators of IoT technology and smart housing. First, the dimensions and components of the research were identified, and the results were analyzed using statistical tests. The collected data were analyzed using Amos software, and the final research model was developed. The findings indicate that achieving an urban economy is the primary requirement for smart housing in District 6, followed by the adoption of a smart lifestyle. Interviews with experts and urban managers revealed that current policies for implementing urban smart housing are not in a favorable state, and policy changes are necessary to move toward Smartization. Therefore, there is a consensus between citizens and urban managers regarding the state of policies, suggesting that urban management should strive to improve the level and quality of life for residents, based on their demands and the existing indicators in District 6 of Tehran, by implementing the principles and components of smart housing.

A considerable share of dysfunctions in the social, economic, physical–functional, and decision-making systems of deteriorated urban fabrics in many countries, including Iran, originates from the absence, weakness, or inadequacy of laws and regulations. These instruments, designed to guide legislators and urban decision-makers in controlling development, promoting social justice, and ensuring a safe and livable environment, often fail to achieve their intended goals due to shortcomings, contradictions, or conflicting objectives. Qazvin, chosen as the case study for this research, is one of Iran’s historic cities and a pioneer in urban planning. Nevertheless, its deteriorated urban fabric is of particular importance given its scale, proximity to heritage assets and valuable urban spaces, and the severity of its physical and social challenges. This study examines the existing laws and regulations, their impacts on physical–functional, socio-cultural, economic, decision-making, and environmental–natural systems, and evaluates their influence on the regeneration of Qazvin’s deteriorated urban fabric. The research pursues two main objectives: (1) to address or mitigate problems arising from the enactment or implementation of relevant laws and regulations, and (2) to identify potential solutions to enhance their effectiveness. To achieve this, impact analysis techniques were employed alongside the Delphi method to propose strategies for improvement. Findings highlight the crucial role of laws and regulations in urban regeneration. Drafting such frameworks requires a comprehensive, multidimensional approach grounded in the needs of residents. Success depends on active community participation, the application of appropriate analytical tools, and collective decision-making to address the intertwined physical, social, economic, and environmental dysfunctions of deteriorated areas.

Rapid urbanization has accelerated recently, bringing environmental and equity challenges, particularly in solar and daylight access. In Yousefabad (District 6, Tehran), rapid densification under current height codes threatens residents' daylight access. Accordingly, this study addresses these challenges by evaluating solar access and developing morphology-based height regulations that safeguard residents' right to sunlight, focusing on efficiency, equity, and the trade-offs between them in solar performance. This study adopts an applied, quantitative approach to evaluate solar radiation (SR), sunlight duration (S_H), and sky view factor (SVF) across three spatial scales—macro (neighborhood), meso (urban block), and micro (building) —to derive an optimized height. The workflow combines GIS-based analysis, parametric modeling in Rhinoceros, and environmental simulations in Ladybug and Honeybee, while a genetic algorithm optimizes design scenarios and Gini coefficients (G_SR, G_SH, G_SVF) quantify equity in solar access. Results indicate that current height codes restrict daylight and solar access compared to the optimized scenario. Based on the equity indicator and Gini coefficients, the optimized scenario reduced G_SR, G_SH, and G_SVF by roughly 16%, 20%, and 11%, while increasing mean SR, sunlight hours, and SVF by about 15–20%. These outcomes defined block-specific height bands and guidelines to help planners and policymakers enhance solar equity in dense areas. The main innovation lies in a unified analytical–optimization framework linking neighborhood, block, and building-scale evaluations. The proposed framework links urban form to solar equity, demonstrating that balanced height and density improve solar access in dense cities.

Le Corbusier's Domino system, introduced in the early 20th century, marked a turning point in modern architecture by proposing a modular framework based on slender columns and reinforced concrete slabs. This structural innovation facilitated standardization, industrialization, and rapid construction, influencing landmark projects such as Villa Savoye and the Pessac housing complex, as well as later mass housing developments. Despite these advantages, limited research has critically examined the relevance of the Domino system in light of contemporary architectural and environmental standards. This study aims to evaluate the strengths and limitations of the Domino system within its historical context while exploring its potential adaptability to present-day needs. The research employs a descriptive approach to explain the system's conceptual features, an analytical approach to assess selected case studies, and a comparative approach to measure its performance against current architectural criteria. Data sources include scholarly literature, visual and graphical documentation, and environmental records, enabling both historical and technical analysis. Findings reveal that the Domino system significantly contributed to the rationalization of building processes and provided a foundation for prefabrication and modular construction. However, its emphasis on structural regularity often resulted in spatial monotony and insufficient responsiveness to cultural, climatic, and ecological factors. The study highlights the importance of integrating adaptive strategies, sustainable materials, and advanced technologies. Contemporary tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), parametric design, and modular prefabrication can reinterpret the Domino framework, ensuring flexibility, contextual sensitivity, and ecological performance. By bridging historical innovation with modern requirements, the Domino system demonstrates enduring relevance when reimagined through contemporary architectural practices.

Safavid Isfahan (1501–1736) has long been celebrated for its monumental mosques, palaces, and gardens, yet scholarship has often privileged domes, façades, and ornament while neglecting the interstitial spaces that mediate between them. This study addresses that gap by examining the formative role of thresholds, corridors, galleries, gardens, and terraces in structuring experience and constructing architectural identity. A qualitative methodology was adopted, combining a systematic literature review, semi-structured interviews with eight leading scholars of Iranian and Islamic architecture, and detailed case analyses of the Imam Mosque, ʿAlī Qāpū Palace, and the Chahār-Bāgh School. Thematic coding of expert testimonies, triangulated with architectural evidence, revealed six interdependent domains of interstitial design: geometric order, spatial hierarchy, environmental intelligence, socio-cultural practice, sensory–spiritual orchestration, and political–aesthetic representation. The findings demonstrate that in Safavid architecture, interstitial spaces were not residual connectors but polyvalent instruments that simultaneously organized movement, moderated climate, encoded hierarchy, and materialized cosmological and ideological meanings. These results reframe Safavid design as a grammar of thresholds in which form, function, and symbolism are fused. Beyond historical insight, the study underscores the continuing relevance of interstitial design as a model for integrating climate, community, and cosmology in contemporary architectural practice.