The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Recognition of Functionality of Ritual-Centric Axis as a Driver for Culture-Based Urban Regeneration (A Case Study of the Zeynabieh and Hosseinieh Azam to Imamzadeh Seyed Ebrahim Axis in Zanjan City)

https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2024.431283.5520
Volume 21, Issue 137
November 2024
Pages 51-60
The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Seyede Sara Mortazavi 1
Alireza Andalib 2
Reza Ahmadian 3
Morteza Talachian 4

1 Ph.D. Student of Urban Planning, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Art, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Art, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Technology, Engineering and Basic Sciences, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Art, Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract
Problem statement: In the strategies for culture-based urban regeneration, the cultural-social and economic impacts of activities and events, as well as the physical-spatial characteristics of the host spaces, are of great importance. Ritual-hosting spaces encompass a range of environments that must possess specific physical, cultural, social, economic, and managerial attributes. Urban regeneration through ritual functionalities can challenge the conditions of spaces, facilitating the formation of social space, fostering solidarity, enhancing the sense of place, and increasing citizen participation. Zanjan city is renowned for its ritual functions, especially during the religious and national ceremonies in the month of Muharram. Therefore, it is expected that the spaces manifesting these religious ceremonies align with their ritual functions and that the deterioration, decay, and decline of these ritual axes would significantly impact the quantity and quality of solidarity, sense of belonging, identity, and more.
Research objective: This study aims to identify the role of ritual-centric axes as drivers of regeneration along the Zeynabieh and Hosseinieh Azam to Imamzadeh Seyed Ebrahim (PBUH) axis in Zanjan city.
Research method: The study employs explanatory methods based on novel future study techniques. The factors were evaluated by 30 urban planning experts using environmental scanning and cross-impact/structural analysis. The specialized future studies’ software, MICMAC, was used to identify the functionality of the ritual axis as a driver for urban regeneration.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the dispersion of the influential variables suggests system instability. Out of 29 factors analyzed, 10 key factors were identified as critical influencers on the ritual-centric axis, consistently appearing in both direct and indirect methods. These key factors—alignment with historical context, sense of place, dynamism and sustainability, physical continuity, mental role creation, environmental signification, organization derived from religion and culture, physical-social continuity, adaptability, and spatial dynamism—are crucial in the regeneration of the Zeynabieh and Hosseinieh Azam to Imamzadeh Seyed Ebrahim axis in Zanjan. Enhancing the quality of these key factors will significantly improve the quality of interactions and solidarity among individuals with the environment.

Keywords

Urban Regeneration
Driver
Ritual-Centric Functionality
Culture-Based
Zanjan City
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