رضا شاکر اردکانی

Examining the planning of cemeteries in the urbanism system of Iran does not show a good condition. In fact, cemeteries in the most Persian cities have become large-scale open spaces outside the city. This could cause irreparable damage to the cities because of the partial and/or improper use of the capacity of urban lands. Along with this, historical cemeteries within the cities have been abandoned. However, it seems that urban space with function of the cemetery has a specific sociocultural potential. Cemeteries can be very effective elements in the symbolic network of the city. As a result, it is also an essential element which must be associated with the structure and organisation of the city and the neighbourhoods, not as a waste and marginal element. In addition, exامینing this symbolic space achieve a symbolic dialogue which will result in exploring the beliefs, emotions, dreams, and imaginations of ancestors which means these urban areas need a specific attention. This paper, by using descriptive-analytical research method, attempts to explain sociocultural functions of cemeteries as an urban space, and to scrutinise its pathology through reviewing its position in the urban plans in Iran. In the following, via an emphasis on the sociocultural role of the cemetery, a series of strategies will be expressed for promoting its position within cities.

One of the results of urban renovation is population displacement. If these renovations lead to live prosperous social classes, it is called gentrification. In this regard one of the urban renovation strategies is gentrification that is equal in "the acceptability of texture in public opinion" and is known as a synonym of "improving the quality of living environment for residents and citizens". In Iran despite interventions that take place in inner-cities these interventions are not the examples of gentrification; accordingly, it must be understood that what factors influence these interventions and whether renovation of Iranian inner-cities can be occurred in the framework of gentrification? This article tries to review the Navvab Project, by using a descriptive – analytical approach and documentary – library survey. Therefore, while reviewing mentioned project, gentrification obstacles of this project and its generalizations to Iranian inner-cities, hypotheses in three levels, Macroscopic, Mesoscopic and Microscopic scales, have been explained and strategies for preparation of this process provided.

Spatial planning in border areas in Iran because of long borders and settling more than half of the provinces in the country's international borders with neighbouring countries play particular role in the planning system. This article aims to clarify the position of border areas spatial planning in the country planning system, identifying its elements, elucidating how these elements relate to other elements, as well as explaining the importance and urgency of addressing border areas planning. Southeast region of Iran, particularly Konarak to Guater Gulf, which due to underdevelopment and drugs issues urgently needs to spatial planning, review as the case study. According to the importance of this district in soil and water boundaries of Iran, passive defence approach is exامینed in spatial planning. This paper tries to explain spatial planning in mentioned border area in the framework of passive defence strategy by using descriptive – analytical research method. On this basis, according to the features and potentials of the study area and with emphasis on the growth poles strategy, plans with increasing the development capacity and promoting the area's security(passive defence) In four dimension economic, cultural, management and physical.

One of the fundamental notions of realization of sustainable city within the framework of the theory of sustainable development is what affects the urban green spaces as well as the influence they may have. As the upshot of years’ worth of experiences in the ideology of Iranian urban design, Iranian garden is of magnificently high position which possesses the potentials to act as the green space with a variety of functions to serve the promotion of sustainability in today’s cities. Closely studying Dolat Abad garden as one example of the exquisite Iranian garden architecture in a comparative analysis, this study exامینes the role of gardens in the achievement of today’s cities to sustainability within the frameworks of the theory of sustainable city. It will also attempt to prove the hypothesis regarding that Dolat Abad garden and the Taj Mahal have established themselves as sustainable elements in the two contemporary cities of Yazd and Agra, and will accordingly continue to remain so.