Abstract

The present paper is based on library documents and studies. The aim of this study is to investigate the Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanization and compare it with the principles of sustainable urban development in order to determine that Iran-Islamic architecture and urbanization are consistent with sustainable urban development. Therefore, the main question of the research is whether Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanization meet the criteria for sustainable urban development? In order to answer the research question, the following hypothesis is considered: Iranian-Islamic architecture and urban architecture seem to fit with the criteria for sustainable urban development. The method used in this research is of a qualitative type. By studying library resources and studying the views of experts in relation to the concept of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanization and sustainable development, we attempt to describe the characteristics of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism with the criteria of sustained development to analyze the relationship between them. The results of the research show that Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism, and the principles and criteria that govern it are consistent with the characteristics of sustainable urban development, and its sustainability is more than the modern architecture and urbanization that has dominated Iran's cities nowadays. Therefore, the research hypothesis on the compatibility of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism is confirmed by the criteria of sustainable urban development.

1. Introduction

One of the most important achievements of intellectual, philosophical, artistic, synthetic and productive civilizations and human societies of the city, which has both relative survival, is the manifestation of the cultural beliefs and values of society, and also affects human behavior and, in addition, it represents the identity of society in the views of the world and history ¹. Cities are the main source of human social activity. It is in this place that the conflict between man and nature reaches its limit. In the meantime, the goal of urbanization should be to establish a good and sustainable relationship between the people of the community and the natural environment and their artifacts. In the past, when the process of urban change and development slowed down and the possibilities and variety of materials, construction materials, technology and tastes were limited, the customary and culturally common system worked well and produced those cities with balanced shapes which were consistent [ ², p. 52]. Creating an environment through the history is one of the main forms of cultural expression that simultaneously reflects the technical ways of shelter, artistic sensibilities, aesthetic values and religious beliefs ³. Nevertheless, religion, based on the inhabitants of the country, can also indicate its involvement in the space and that Islam has also shown itself in the form of Islamic cities. The existence of the city for the Islamic State is considered as a necessity, since, in the city, the duties and aspirations of the Islamic State are crystallized, and the possibility of fulfilling the orders and implementation of the regulations issued by the Islamic State is provided [ ⁴, p. 41].

Nowadays, one of the most important issues in science circles is sustainable development, which cover most of the conferences at the local, national and international levels, and is an integral part of development at every level and aspect. Sustainable development is a process that aims at improving economic, social, cultural, and technological conditions for social justice and not contaminating ecosystems or degrading natural resources. In this regard, urban planning in general and the planning of sustainable urban development in particular, are intended to regulate urban spaces in terms of access to urban amenities, services and the proper distribution of urban utilities. In other words, they seek to provide the best living conditions and appropriate relationships between different uses for urban residents. Reducing poverty and inequality and relying on the principles of social justice and geographical equality is one of the basic measures for sustainable urban development [ ⁵, p. 85]. The concept of sustainable development means the provision of solutions to traditional, physical, social, and economic patterns of development that can address issues such as the destruction of natural resources, the destruction of the system, the pollution, the increase of the unbridled population, the prevalence of injustice, and preventing the degradation of humans’ life quality [ ⁶, p. 146-153]. Considering the concept of justice, some considered sustainable development as a new concept of economic growth that brings justice and living facilities to the whole world, not to a small number of elected people, and also this growth would be possible without any malicious consequences and the world's limited resources ⁷. In the theory of the development of lands, more attention is paid to cultural dimensions, because the goal of development is the creation of a fruitful life defined by culture. Therefore, concentrating on culture and human values ​​is a factor in bringing the society towards social justice as much as possible and provide the great human equality in the society. Equities do not deny intellectual and spiritual talents and consider those to be worthy of human talents and endeavors because raising the talents and meritocracy in the community leads to the continuous improvement of the whole society and the social system and provides a better and more humane life for the population ⁸.

Although sustainable development is a term that has been raised in recent decades and has not been mentioned in the past, but by comparing and analyzing its indices with the Iranian-Islamic architectural and urban characteristics in the past, a controversial review can be made by adapting the characteristics of sustainable development and conclude that whether the Iranian-Islamic architecture and urban consistency are adaptable or not. The purpose of this study is to investigate the stability of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism and compare it with the principles of sustainable urban development. Therefore, the main question of the research is whether Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanization meet the criteria for sustainable urban development? In order to answer the research question, the following hypothesis is proposed:

Research hypothesis: Iranian-Islamic architecture and urban architecture seem to be consistent with sustainable urban development criteria.

2. Materials and Methods of Research

The method used in this research is of a qualitative type. By studying library resources and studying the views of experts in relation to the concept of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanization and sustainable development, this study attempts to describe the characteristics of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism by considering sustained development to analyze the relationship between them.

3. Sustainable Development

The increasing growth of development programs, both conscious and self-evident, led to environmental, economic, and social warnings in the 1970s. In response to the issues and crises caused by the above-mentioned events, new concepts and approaches for future developments were introduced that could include sustainable development, environmental justice, new urbanization, and, more recently, intelligent development ⁹. The term sustainable development was first introduced in 1972 by Donella Madoz and Edward Goldsmith ¹⁰. Sustainable development is a process in which economic, financial, commercial, energy, agricultural, industrial and other policies are designed in a way that is sustainable, economically, socially, and ecologically which means that there is enough investment in education, health, population, and energy, so that social debt does not exist for future generations ¹¹. Some others by considering the concept of justice, have defined sustainable development as a new concept of economic growth that brings justice and livelihoods to the whole world and not to a small number of people. It also boasts this growth without destructive consequences and without overusing the limited resources of the world ⁷. In a more general definition, sustainable development as a process requires improvement and progress is the basis for the improvement of the situation and eliminates socio-cultural deficits of societies. Sustainable development has also been the driving force behind the balanced, proportionate, and coordinated economic, social, and cultural development of all the developing countries ¹². In a wider sense, sustainable development means the proper and efficient operation and management of basic, natural, financial and human resources which are essential for achieving the optimal consumption pattern through the use of appropriate facilities that can be continually and satisfactorily meet the needs of today's and future generations ¹³. The experts argue for sustainable development on four main pillars:

1: minimizing non-renewable resources (such as fossil fuels and sufficient resources).

2: Stability of non-renewable resources (such as groundwater, soil and plants).

3: keeping the limit of waste generation and pollution in the capacity of local and global capacity (such as greenhouse gases, ozone depleting chemicals and toxic waste).

4: providing basic and social basic needs (such as access to livelihood tools, the right to choose, participate in determining social destinies, and access to a healthy environment and basic services) [ ¹³, p. 374].

4. Sustainable Urban Development

Since the 1990s, sustainable urban development, which includes a wide range of goals, has been a special and privileged position in urban and regional planning [ ⁹, p. 37]. The holding of the International Conference of the United Nations Human Habitat Center in Istanbul, Turkey in 1995, is a turning point in the context of the comprehensive approach to sustainable urban development ¹⁴.

Peterhall writes about the meaning and concept of the sustainable urban development as a form of modern development that can ensure the sustainable development of cities and urban communities of future generations [ ¹⁵, p. 16]. The European Commission in 2006, also, defines sustainable urban development as a challenge to solve the cities’ and city-related problems ¹⁶. In this regard, ecologists declare the most important ecological principles governing sustainable urban development namely:

- Consistency of urban activities to natural conditions

- The balance of the city with natural resources

- Minimal interference and violation of the natural conditions

- Considering the city as a closed system as much as possible

Finally, the concept of sustainable urban development is a process aimed at creating a sustainable city in accordance with the needs of citizens and, a suitable place for the life of present and future generations in terms of performance. Sustainable urban development requires success in achieving the objectives of urban quality, as long as the present and future generations are provided with equal conditions. Also, the assets of natural resources of the city and the region should not be used beyond the power of its reproduction in the city ¹⁴.

5. Islamic Architecture and Urbanization

The Islamic city is, first and foremost, a fort of faith and politically and lawfully governed by the rules of the Sharia, and hence the religious role of the city is given priority to the military-economic objectives of the government in that city. The urban community in the Islamic State is in complete harmony with the two rural and Islamic communities [ ⁴, p. 41].

However, the main characteristics of architecture and urban planning are as follows:

- In Islamic architecture and urban planning, there are usually four determinants: climate conditions, local materials, traditional forms, lifestyle and Islamic and social values.

- One of the indicators of the holy place is the hierarchy of justice and equality that is observed in Islamic urbanism. The hierarchy is interpreted in terms of presence and confidentiality. Equity and justice also denies the superiority of one point to the other ³.

- About the architecture of Islamic homes, one can observe the veiling and concealment of Muslim homes, dividing the house into exterior and interior, embedding two types of bell in order to distinguish between male and female guests and the use of fine and colored glasses.

- About the passageways and their role and function, it can be said that in Islamic urbanization, alleys are long and curved, creating shadows on the profile of houses and preventing the influence of hot winds and intruders in the streets.

- Iranian pre-modern Islamic cities had special features such as the walls where cities were enclosed and only cemeteries were built outside those walls. The mosque and market are two urban elements and the mosque was the highest building in the city ¹⁷.

- The existence of inner-city residential neighborhoods with proper separation and coordination with social, ethnic, religious, etc. population of the city.

- The existence of military-defense installations such as fence, tower, barrow, gates, and neighborhood guards.

- Other specific specifications, such as Cemeteries and Periodical Markets outside the City Bar (the same).

- In the Islamic city, the exploitative relations between the city and the village during the Sassanian era were destroyed.

- Islamic guilds were one of the main features of Islamic cities until the present century. The prominence of the role and the connection is especially characteristic of the Islamic trade associations that distinguishes them from the medieval European trade associations ¹⁸.

- The foundations of urban life in the Islamic period are divided into titles: the way of management of the city affairs, religious and educational centers, city trade associations and city neighborhoods.

6. Iranian-Islamic Architecture and Urbanism

According to the type of Islamic-Iranian architecture, Islamic architecture is one of the most influential architectures in the world; as Prof. Hillenbrand, a professor of Islamic art at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, said: “The architecture of Iran and Egypt is the main source of inspiration throughout the world and the Islamic world”. The Iranian-Islamic city is the result of the interactions and influences of various factors of endogenous and extraterrestrial cities, which in the course of historical evolution are the geographical basis of the territory of these cities ¹⁹. Having an applied logic for all elements, spaces, assemblies, and avoidance of futility; multiplicity in application; aesthetic goals; innovation, initiative and no-imitation of non-Muslims; different valuations for urban spaces; observation of individual and family privacy; opposing of neighboring units; preventing any kind of interference with neighbors; adhering to the appropriate height for residential units; avoiding squandering, making frivolous and luxurious elements; the consistency of the bodies with the geometry of the spaces and the roads, streets, and streams, etc.; identifying homes by making beautiful halls and shadows and decorating them; the need to create enough light and brightness in homes and their proper climatic orientation; the need for human and nature communication in homes; creating calm and tranquility against other urban spaces that are busy; paying attention to the principle of unity in plurality in the construction of city and urbane spaces; belonging to a collective and stable identity, and opposing individualism; respect for neighboring rights; the use of ancient methods construction and structural Islamic elements and etc. ²⁰. Islamic cities, like other cities, are subordinated to their culture, tradition, and religion, and have displayed this culture in their own towns and cities. Many Western and Eastern historians consider progress in agricultural economics to be the main factor behind the emergence of the first cities, which is accepted by those who have studied Islamic cities ¹⁹.

7. Four Principles of Iranian-Islamic Arts

Pirnia considers the four principles of Iranian-Islamic arts which is an Islamic criterion of art in his opinion, as follows:

- Diplomacy is human-scale observance in a desirable manner based on the needs of humans.

- Self-sufficiency in the sense of maximizing the use of available facilities and indigenous materials.

- Avoiding futility means avoiding unnecessary addictions.

- The introspection and intrigue of the Iranian architects towards the yards and the place of washing and pit, gardens, penthouses and hats, which surrounds the nesting houses and creates intrusive environments, has long been part of the Iranian architectures’ logic ²¹.

8. Research Findings

Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism have a functional logic in terms of content and culture, in which the imitation and the principles of foreign architecture and urban planning have played a very minor role. Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism are in a way that is in harmony with nature and have been used for the construction of indigenous materials. One of the elements of Iranian authentic architecture, based on climatic needs, is a dome arched vault designed to fit the local climate and is suitable for warm and dry areas. Another feature of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanization is the establishment of social justice. Social justice is a prerequisite for sustainable development, and urban development will be sustainable when social justice is realized. This feature is also evident in the city and village relations.

The findings of the research indicate that functionalism and having an applied logic for all elements, spaces, assemblies, and avoidance of futility; multiplicity in application; aesthetic goals; innovation, initiative and no-imitation of non-Muslims; different valuations for urban spaces; observation of individual and family privacy; opposing of neighboring units; preventing any kind of interference with neighbors; adhering to the appropriate height for residential units; avoiding squandering, making frivolous and luxurious elements; the consistency of the bodies with the geometry of the spaces and the roads, streets, and streams, etc.; identifying houses by creating beautiful and shady doors and adorn them; the need to create enough light and brightness in homes and their proper climatic orientation; the need for human and nature communication in homes; creating calm and tranquility against other urban spaces that are busy; paying attention to the principle of unity in plurality in the construction of city and urbane spaces; belonging to a collective and stable identity, and opposing individualism; respect for neighboring rights; the use of ancient methods construction and structural Islamic elements and etc. ²⁰; are the hallmarks of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism, which all meet the criteria and principles of sustainable urban development and guide the city for sustainability. Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanization have significant differences with today's modern architecture and urban development, which the table below depicts the characteristics of these two types of architecture (Table 1).

9. Conclusion

The genuine Persian-Islamic architecture and urbanism were formed on the basis of individual needs, creativity and technology, providing of the space, and the emergence of the form. The results of the research show that Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism, and the principles and criteria that govern it, are consistent with the characteristics of sustainable urban development, and its sustainability is more than the modern architecture and urbanization that has dominated Iran's cities nowadays. Therefore, the research hypothesis on the compatibility of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism is confirmed by the criteria of sustainable urban development.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Farshad Ghasemi for his editorial assistance.

References