A Critique of Modern Shohada Square Based on the Principels of Islamic Iranian Urbanism

Abstract

Squares as urban spaces are the arena for people formed by physical proportions and variety of<br />functions such as religious, commercial, cultural, etc. Shohada square as a focal point in Mashhad , is one of the<br />main arteries of access to Holly shrine of Imam Reza and makes access to utilities and major axes . According to<br />the former urban pattern and its position in the traditional context of surrounding neighborhoods, access to the Holy<br />shrine plays the memorial and historical role, that presents a very important position of the square. This paper clearly<br />states that Esfahan school characteristics such as unity, diversity and balance, are an appropriate pattern for design<br />and evaluation of urban spaces that can be used for reconstruction of old squares on historical context. The results<br />showed that this pattern does not comply fully with Shohada square and modern architecture is visible in it. Also,<br />serious damage has struck to the identity of the Shohada square by physical transformation with absolutely modern<br />pattern after neglect of strong position of relation between Razavi shrine and Shohada square and religious traditional<br />context and history. Egregious physical duality of new