A historical analysis and the identification of driving forces behind the evolution of the urban macro skyline of Shiraz, Iran
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 10 June 2020
Issue publication date: 16 October 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The historic city of Shiraz, in the south of Iran, is renowned for its monuments and its remarkable macro skyline, which has been destructively affected by the rapid urban development. This research proposes a systematic historical analysis, which can discover the driving forces behind the evolution of the macro skyline of Shiraz, in the past as well as contemporary times.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed general framework of the methodology is constituted of systematic historical mapping and documentation, which is based on a desk study and field research. Moreover, by means of this methodology, different layers and driving forces of shaping the urban macro skyline are extracted.
Findings
The outcome demonstrates 12 driving forces or contributing factors behind the evolution of the urban macro skyline. Based on the results, it is concluded that there was a shift in the subject and content of driving forces during the last century that has contributed to the destructive effects on the silhouette of Shiraz in turn.
Practical implications
It is suggested that the proposed comprehensive method, which is based on the historical analysis and the field survey, can be applied as a documentation platform. It is believed that the analysis and the extraction of driving forces can facilitate future urban landscape management plans as well as possible impact assessments.
Originality/value
Many studies rely on the analysis of historical data in landscape assessment. Nevertheless, this research develops an innovative historical analysis, which identifies the driving forces behind the evolution of the urban macro skyline over time.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The research is a part of PhD thesis supported by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Moreover, we would like to announce our deep appreciation for insightful feedback and comments from Ms Solmaz Yadollahi on the manuscript. Moreover, we want to express our special gratitude to Ms Fariba Kian for her voluntary support in providing us with information on some historic monuments of Shiraz, while our access to those data was limited, due to geographical distance from the case study.
Citation
Mohseni, F., Weidner, S. and Kloos, M. (2020), "A historical analysis and the identification of driving forces behind the evolution of the urban macro skyline of Shiraz, Iran", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 413-427. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-09-2019-0110
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited