چكيده به لاتين
Baq-e Khan complex (Khan Garden) was established in Shushtar during the Qajar dynasty by Mirza Asadullah Khan Mar'ashi. Today, the garden consists of several sections, including the Lower Khan Garden (Baq-e Khan Paeen), Upper Khan Garden (Baq-e Khan Bala), entrance gate (Sabat), remnants of a Zourkhaneh (traditional gymnasium), bathhouse, and prayer hall. In its overall form, planting style, and internal pathways, Khan Garden represents a type of informal garden with an irregular and non-geometric structure. The main lines of the garden are formed by the adjacent Gargar River and cliffs, while tall palm trees, fig trees, orange and citrus fruit trees, bananas, various flowers, and diverse plants demonstrate an interactive harmony with the climatic and natural conditions. Thus, the natural elements of the garden and their needs for optimal land use and perpetual productivity have been essential factors in the garden's survival throughout history. This interaction with nature, both in terms of shaping the garden and economically benefiting from the tree's fruits, is evident in the collective memory of Shushtar's people and historical photographs. Additionally, the Shushtar Khan Garden benefits from the water supply system of Shushtar, including its historical background and the river canals. These canals convey water from the waterfall area and, after passing through the historical fabric of the city, reach the Khan Garden. Moreover, the presence of architectural historical monuments in the upper part of the Khan Garden and the open water channels towards the Gargar River are among the significant features of this area. Among the historical gardens of Iran, this complex stands out with its various characteristics such as an informal garden layout, a two-story Sabat Gate with multiple uses, the creation of architecture within the rock, unique wall architecture along the Gargar Valley, a specialized water supply system, old and fruitful trees, inherent adaptation to the climate, and technological details of the garden and structures. Recognizing the constituent systems of the garden and presenting a conservation and restoration plan for this complex, emphasizing the preservation of heritage values and minimizing interventions while considering the garden's original nature, organization, addressing the needs of the site, and preserving its historical integrity are the objectives of this thesis. Due to limited written resources about the physical conditions of the garden in various eras, aerial photographs from 1335, 1343, 1357, 1380, and 1402 were used, along with documentation, to identify the main lines of the garden, pathways, and changes in the surrounding fabric. After conducting the research and documentation, and examining relevant written sources on the preservation of historical gardens, taking into account Iranian researchers' views and the experiences of the United Kingdom in preserving historical gardens, the process of identification and preservation of the Khan Garden and its constituent elements, their heritage values, and their relationships with each other became evident. This thesis focuses on the theoretical foundations specific to the preservation of historical gardens, understanding, damage assessment, treatment, and conservation and restoration plans presented in the form of maps and technical solutions based on an intervention approach aimed at preserving historical integrity. The conservation approach presented in this thesis aims to organize and preserve the historical spirit of the garden, protect its architectural landscape features, address water supply needs, reinforce the historical walls of the upper architectural works, and the fabric and decorations. Proper integration and functioning of these elements require various expertise and strategies that, without extensive interventions and with necessary sensitivities, meet the garden's basic and vital needs and focus on its continued existence and care before any changes in form or disharmonious reuse are implemented.
