Revitalization of the Bazaar neighborhood in Tehran

Moinzadeh, Pardis

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/50481 Copy

Description

Title

Revitalization of the Bazaar neighborhood in Tehran

Author(s)

Moinzadeh, Pardis

Issue Date

2014-09-16

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Ruggles, D. Fairchild

Department of Study

Landscape Architecture

Discipline

Landscape Architecture

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.L.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

Tehran Bazaar

Abstract

The word “bazaar” refers to an ancient Persian word “wazaar” meaning market. This word has been transferred and used in other countries such as Turkey, Arabic countries, India and even China during economic interactions and exchanges between Iran and these countries. Bazaars are historic market places that provide trade services as well as other functions. Their historic buildings are renowned for their architectural aesthetics, and in old cities such as Tehran (Iran) they are considered the centerpiece of activities with architectural, cultural, historical, religious, and commercial values. However, during the past 400 years, they have undergone social and environmental changes. The neighborhood of the Tehran Bazaar has in recent decades become degraded, which has consequently decreased the social value of the historic Bazaar. The ruined urban condition makes it impossible for contemporary visitors to have a pleasurable experience while visiting the Bazaar, although that was historically their experience. As Tehran began to grow, much of the trade and finance in the city has moved to the newly developed section of the city, diminishing the importance of the bazaars. Today, shoppers and residents living in the Bazaar neighborhood inhabit dilapidated buildings, while customers and tourists—when they go there at all—experience a neighborhood that lacks even the most basic urban amenities such as sidewalks, drainage, benches, trees and lighting. This design study required a number of investigations. It was essential to know whether there is appropriate access to the neighborhood in general and to the Bazaar specifically, and whether or not these access routes provide pedestrians a safe and healthy experience. Additionally, I looked at social context and sense of community, commercial viability, traffic, and urban hygiene. I interviewed many of the shop owners, customers, and residents in the neighborhood in order to learn their needs. This thesis addresses the issues that threaten the values of the Bazaar. These issues can be seen in unaesthetic looks in both building scale and urban scale. It analyzes the existing conditions, cultural and historic context and develops a plan to resolve the threats. The proposed program introduces methods for developing a workable contemporary layer that responds to the needs of the neighborhood. This response proposes standards such as compatibility with the historic fabric. It also addresses how to create green spaces and resolve traffic issues with minimum intervention, while preserving the old and historic character. With this theory, the bazaar neighborhood hopefully will perform again as a meaningful residential, commercial, social, and religious hub in Tehran, creating a tight vibrant urban fabric.

Graduation Semester

2014-08

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50481

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2014 Pardis Moinzadeh

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