ایرج اعتصام

Middle of squares, one of the components of physical aspect is considered as an appropriate indicator in designing successful urban squares, which consequently promotes visual quality. The present study aims to determine how the above mentioned aspect was presented in the Middle-Ages and Renaissance within Italian squares. Considering the aim of the investigation, library studies as well as visual documentations, with a historical-descriptive approach were applied in studying Italian community-oriented squares, Campo located in Siena, Del Campidoglio in Rome and San Marco in Venice. Results showed that, urban designers have employed some indicators, including physical aspect and its factors such as proportions, shape, surface design, materials, colors and topography in order to promote aesthetic-visual qualities, as well as human scale and unity of space to successfully design attractive middles in squares. These all, efficiently influence users’ presence, pause, movement type and trend, direction, speed and even their behavior. Accordingly, considering the mentioned aspect is of great importance in designing future squares.

The 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran is considered as a turning point in the contemporary architecture of the nation. There have been apexes to the eye catching architectural improvements in the three forthcoming decades after the revolution. One of the most effective isorganizing the contests in architectural that affairs has not only removed the recession in the field but has also discarded the professional monotonicity. It may enhance the possibility of the best selections and invite the younger generation to experience the existing trends of the profession. But, the inconsistency of the competition organizers in fulfilling their commitment to either pay cash prizes or signing contracts with the winning competitors and failure in judging the designs decrease the positive effects. Exامینing the competitions throughout the three decades after the Revolution suggests that the continuity of such competitions, and revising their structure, can be considered as a suitable and useful approach in developing the contemporary architecture of Iran.

Human is a compatible creature with the ability to grow the modern knowledge and new patterns of activity. Social pressures and cultural norms could affect formation of behavioral patterns and attitudes of urban planners. However, the framework is not static and could be changed over the time and the urban planners are responsible for controlling, conducting and evaluating the reflection of these changes and playing role in their formation. It should be noted that with such speed of changes in the current cities, realization of a degree of flexibility if required and the future prospects could clear flexible and creative cities as the contexts for economic, social and cultural development of societies and urban spaces could be important sites to meet needs of citizens and formation of social activities. Now in this study, which is a descriptive-analytical research in terms of nature, the main objective is to recognize required components in formation of flexible urban space in Iran and to measure the perceptions and expectations of flexible urban spaces in Iran. It should be mentioned that achievement of these spaces with flexibility capabilities needs firstly some preconditions including accessibility, diversity and readability. In this regard, at the first, qualitative data are collected using library method and the literature is reviewed to identify the most important components involved in formation of flexible urban space and then, the data are measured in frame of Delphi Method. Then, to clear the differences between expectations and perceptions, a questionnaire is used for paired mean comparison of components. Due to the difference between the existing and expected conditions, this issue was confirmed. Finally, for better understanding of the difference and using the gap scatter plot, relevant factors of physical system and energy were placed in the part of balanced and fixed factors, factors related to spatial and functional system and meeting needs of citizens as the problem and relevant factors of formation process and role of citizens in growth balance were observed.