Recognition of the Physical Structure and Characteristics of Islamic City

Abstract

Cities and habitations are among the most prominent and tangible effects of human culture, which express many mental and subjective components affected by and resulting from it, by providing objective and perceivable spaces. Islamic cities also were not (and are not) an exception. Islamic cities represent a special concept of city. In this concept, Islamic values and attitudes are manifested. Such values and attitudes are evident in construction of urban elements. The results indicate that formation of design principles of Islamic city mainly depend on Islamic values and cultural beliefs rooted in nature of Islamic rules, which also affect various aspects of lives the Muslims, including construction of habitations. In this study, it is tried to investigate the characteristics and physical structure of Islamic city in various periods by a combined library and analytical-descriptive method. Finally, it is concluded that such factors as economic development and social characteristics influenced (and influence) the physical structure of Islamic cities in addition to the attitude of the rulers of each period and the ideology resulting therefrom.