Kashan Shenasi

Kashan Shenasi

A Comparative Analysis of Natural Ecological Substrate Characteristics versus Trade-Communication Routes in Shaping the Historical Street Network of Kashan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sarah Ghasemiyeh 1
Behnam Pedram 2
Hamidreza Jayhani 3
Kianoush Suzanchi 4
1 PhD Candidate, Department of Conservation of Historical Monuments, Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Art university of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Conservation of Historical Monuments, Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. (Corresponding Author).
3 Associate Professor, Center for Documentation, Architectural Studies, and Conservation, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
4 Assistan Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares Univetsity, Tehran, Iran
10.22052/kashan.2026.258527.1164
Abstract
The street network of the historical city of Kashan exhibits a complex and organic order that has evolved gradually in response to the characteristics of its ecological setting. In addition, the internal street system of each city is influenced by intercity, regional, and international routes of communication. This study asks to what extent the structure and organization of Kashan’s historical streets have developed in adaptation to the natural characteristics of their setting, and to what extent they have been influenced by major communication and trade routes in Iran and the wider region. This research aims to compare the role of the site’s natural characteristics with the influence of communication routes on the organization of Kashan’s historical street network. The study area comprises the historical core enclosed by Kashan’s defensive city wall, along with the neighborhoods of Posht-e Mashhad, which were selected as the geographical context of the study. The research adopts a historical-interpretive approach based on field observations, maps and aerial photographs, historical documents and texts, as well as archaeological studies. At one level, the early urban nuclei of Kashan and their evolutionary processes are examined, and the structure of the historical street network is analyzed in relation to the natural characteristics of the site. At another level, Kashan’s location in relation to major trade and communication routes is investigated. The findings indicated that the development of Kashan’s urban nuclei and the structure of its historical street network were influenced primarily by the land slope and the direction of groundwater flow from southwest to northeast—from the foothills toward the lower-lying plains and desert areas. The second most significant factor was Kashan’s location along major communication routes.
Keywords
historical core of Kashan
historical streets
major trade routes
communication network
ecological adaptation
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