An Examination of Urban Planning and Architectural Attribues in the Mahdavi Utopia
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University,Hamedan, Iran.
2
Fourth Grade Graduate and Researcher of Hamdan Center of Theological Education for Women
Abstract
Aspirations toward utopia across various fields invigorate humanity and illuminate promising pathways. The quest for either discovering or creating a city conducive to healthy living is a pivotal element of these aspirations. Achieving a systematic urban environment that embodies architectural solutions catering to the material and spiritual needs of individuals is contingent upon profound understanding and the engagement of skilled and adept administrators. The present study aims to clarify the parameters and domains of urban planning and architecture during the Mahdavi (Occultation) period situated within the utopian governance framework of the Mahdi. To this end, the investigation is organized according to a descriptive-analytic method and relies on religious sources and selected non-canonical literature pertinent to the architecture and associated aspects of urban management. The findings indicate that in the virtuous city of the Occultation era, it is indeed feasible to develop an urban setting that embodies all ideal traits and is devoid of shortcomings. These features can be categorized and examined within two key areas:
First section: the visible and tangible aspects of urban planning and architecture, which include: (i) urban growth and development; (ii) eradication of dilapidated structures; (iii) enhancement of water distribution systems; (iv) advancements in road infrastructure.
Second section: The intrinsic identity and prevailing ethos of urban planning and architecture, characterized by a focus on justice and ethics, supplemented by necessary conditions and illustrative examples such as: (i) demolition of houses that encroach upon neighboring properties; (ii) elimination of protruding balconies and eaves; (iii) reformation of property ownership systems; (iv) implementation of traffic regulations aligned with road enhancement."
First section: the visible and tangible aspects of urban planning and architecture, which include: (i) urban growth and development; (ii) eradication of dilapidated structures; (iii) enhancement of water distribution systems; (iv) advancements in road infrastructure.
Second section: The intrinsic identity and prevailing ethos of urban planning and architecture, characterized by a focus on justice and ethics, supplemented by necessary conditions and illustrative examples such as: (i) demolition of houses that encroach upon neighboring properties; (ii) elimination of protruding balconies and eaves; (iii) reformation of property ownership systems; (iv) implementation of traffic regulations aligned with road enhancement."
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