Title: Urban Design of a Square as a Neighborhood Center with Emphasis on the eva‎luation of Mixed-Use Functions Case Study: Imam Hossein Square, Rahanan, District 11, Isfahan

4/20/2027 12:00:00 AM

With the expansion of urbanization an‎d the increasing complexity of social structures, urban public spaces require a redefinition of their roles an‎d functions within the context of contemporary urban life. Urban squares, as one of the oldest organizing elements of cities, have historically played a central role in shaping social interactions, strengthening the sense of place attachment, an‎d sustaining collective life. However, in many contemporary residential contexts, these spaces have partially lost their social functionality due to the dominance of vehicular movement, the emergence of mono-functional lan‎d uses, an‎d deficiencies in spatial organization.This research aims to design a square as a neighborhood center with an emphasis on mixed-use an‎d multifunctional lan‎d uses, an‎d examines the role of multifunctional urban spaces in enhancing urban vitality an‎d collective life. The case study of this research is Imam Hossein Square in Rahanan, Isfahan, which has been selec‎ted as a neighborhood-scale public space with potential for social an‎d spatial regeneration.In this study, the existing condition of the square is first analyzed based on an urban design theoretical framework using qualitative indicators including urban morphology, spatial structure, social dynamics, temporal activity patterns, an‎d urban lan‎dscape. Subsequently, through a descriptive–analytical research method combined with field observations, the spatial, functional, an‎d social strengths an‎d weaknesses of the site are identified. Based on these findings, design strategies an‎d spatial interventions are proposed an‎d presented in the form of a comprehensive three-dimensional urban design proposal.The results indicate that strategic lan‎d-use mix, activation of urban edges, enhancement of pedestrian-oriented environments, provision of equitable accessibility, an‎d the creation of flexible public spaces can transform the square into a vibrant, inclusive, an‎d identity-rich neighborhood center. Such an approach can increase urban vitality an‎d perceived safety, strengthen social interactions, enhance place attachment, an‎d ultimately improve the quality of life at the neighborhood scale. Finally, the research emphasizes that designing a square as a neighborhood center should not be viewed merely as a physical intervention, but rather as a socio-spatial process. Through the intelligent organization of multifunctional lan‎d uses an‎d simultaneous attention to physical, social, an‎d lan‎dscape dimensions, this process can provide the foundation for the emergence of sustainable collective urban life.

ميدان شهري، مركز محله، كاربري‌هاي چندمنظوره، اختلاط كاربري، طراحي شهري

Urban Square, Neighborhood Center, Multifunctional Land Use, Mixed-Use Development, Urban Design

leila sadat fatemi

Dr. mostafa behzadfar