Theoretical Investigation of Housing Architecture of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Reviewing the Related Administrative Documents According to it (Comparative Example: Mehr House)
Sayyed Mohammad Hosein Alipour Yazdi1 * and Mohsen Vafamehr2
http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.10.Special-Issue1.68
As we know, one of the most important parts of the art, but the from most important part of human life, that after the Islamic Revolution of Iran has been neglected by segments of society, is the architecture and urbanism based on the ideology of the Islamic Revolution. We see that there is a huge gap between the ideas of the Islamic Revolution and the utopian architectural architecture realized in the context of the body. Now the question arises that this gap is due to the weaknesses and deficiencies in the upstream documentation or implementation patterns are short? This article is a library-descriptive one, and the authors want to deal with the subject using the functional analysis of the upstream laws and the conversion of them into measuring regulations for pathology of the subject. During the study, at first the map is determined via investigating implicit and objective theories of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and some scholars constituting the theoretical basis of this intellectual movement and then the upstream document review and comparison with the roadmap, the shortcomings are specified, finally, a review of the administrative rules of the Supreme Council for Planning and architecture and its implementation with upstream documents, the implementation of laws and chain of connection between them is explored. This paper also investigates the physical factors of residential complexes of Mehr House Plan according to the upstream and administrative patterns. Reply to the housing needs of low-income people in developing programs in various policies have been considered and the right of land use policies that eliminate the cost of building of the total cost has been considered; This action is surely helpful if the positive results of it in all aspects are considered and has good impact on the market adjustment. However, cases such as discrepancy between production capacity and demand for residential housing, project locating of the Mehr house, lack of attention to the construction sites and cultural climate, lack of attention to the costs of construction, efficiency of the housing cooperative to run the housing project, uniform pattern, and lack of attention to the different conditions of applicants, rush and in the absence of adequate supervision and quality control and the importance of technology cannot be denied
At the end of this point is discussed that although the upstream document writing is with defects, but the main problem is the lack of coordination between law enforcement and the upstream documentation and correct implementation of these laws. Therefore, more attention needs to implement the symptoms and signs of "Iranian Islamic Revolution" by upstream documents in public architecture, that to do so we require to explanation of cultural engineering and planning at first and attempt at creating harmony between theoretical principles, upstream laws and regulations and monitoring their implementation. The most important way to achieve the goal of providing housing for low-income urban groups is activities interlock between the public and private sectors in society, that each seeking their goals and interests. This coherence and coordination, particularly in the housing sector, need to be planned. Keywords: Islamic-Iranian patterns of Revolution, upstream documentation, housing architecture, urbanism and architecture council, Mehr House.
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Yazdi S. M. H. A, Vafamehr M. Theoretical Investigation of Housing Architecture of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Reviewing the Related Administrative Documents According to it (Comparative Example: Mehr House). Special Issue of Curr World Environ 2015;10(Special Issue May 2015). DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.10.Special-Issue1.68
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Yazdi S. M. H. A, Vafamehr M. Theoretical Investigation of Housing Architecture of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Reviewing the Related Administrative Documents According to it (Comparative Example: Mehr House). Special Issue of Curr World Environ 2015;10(Special Issue May 2015). Available from:http://cwejournal.org?p=647/
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Introduction
Starting talking with a word of the Revolution Supreme Leader: "the a concept that can accumulate the Islamic system in it to a large extent and show it to us is the notion of progress...If the overall progress is in the sense of a new Islamic civilization-building, finally there is a objective and external example for progress with Islamic concept; Let's say in this way that the purpose of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Revolution, is creating a new Islamic civilization; this is the correct calculation." (15.10.2012). Of the expressions we find that one of the concerns of the Islamic Republic of Iran is advancing integrated means to create a new Islamic civilization; a road map for achieving the ultimate goal of having several dimensions. We then find that this new civilization has two "tools" and "real and substantial". Both should be considered. In meeting the instrument needs, significant advances have been made in the country, advances in the fields of science, invention, industry, politics, economics, political and military power, and so on. But there is also a more fundamental requirement of Islamic Civilization which has been neglected. The most important requirement is the need for lifestyle (spiritual practice) is based on the Islamic world. In fact, the actual text of the things that makes our lives; that is the same lifestyle and this is the real part of civilization; as in the case of housing and urban architecture, and others. The life-style is the software part of civilization and lack of progress makes it an instrument of society alone cannot lead to success. Iran has no remarkable progress in this sector and elites should have discourse in the social environment which serves to fix the damage lifestyle at all levels. It is important that to make this part of a new Islamic civilization, should strictly avoid duplication. It is contrary to what we see in today's society. It seems that today's architecture, architectural approach to imitation of Western society. It will continue to consider the etiology of this disorder?
Research Question
With over 35 years of the Islamic Republic of Iran, what is the reason of unpleasantness of architecture and urbanism in the today Islamic Republic of Iran? Are the applicable laws of the Supreme Council for Planning and architecture running properly or there is some failure of self-regulation?
The Importance and Need for Research
Architecture as an essential part in the formation of a new Islamic civilization nowadays is the most important needs of the country that since the revolution has not had its proper place. Islamic-Iranian architecture that originated from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic cities need it today. The authors have to deal with the theoretical analysis of the Revolution architecture as well as the upstream documents such as notices and general policies and applicable laws of the Supreme Council for Planning and Architecture of Iran.
Purpose of research
The aim of the research in the first place is examining implicit and objective theories of the government of the Islamic Republic and its impact on the upstream documentation and executable code. Additionally, this article at second step, after the initial survey and analysis of indicators of the roadmap, has dealt with the comparative samples in Mehr Housing architecture.
Methodology
The present study is a descriptive - analytical one and the materials and tools used in the study are on the basis of library method and analysis of written documents. So by using this library and review written documents, referring to existing sources, introducing upstream documents and administrative rules and analysis of them, we have tried to consider all of the aspects.
Literature Review
Although much of the time is passing from the glorious Islamic Revolution of Iran, and thirty-five years of the Islamic Republic - Iran is going, at the architecture of the building that is the most important tool of civilization we're seeing kind of ignorance and weakness. However, in recent years a few books and articles and pictures about Islamic architecture and the architecture of the Islamic Revolution have been prepared but the flaws and shortcomings in the way the map are presented and explained. Although a number of different theories about Islamic architecture and the architecture of the Islamic Revolution took place, but on the issue of the research and the relationship between Islamic architecture and Islamic revolution architecture and role in modern civilization, emphasizing the point of view of the Supreme Leader, there is little information in this regard, the innovative aspect of this paper is the same thing. In the context of this issue it can be addressed some books and articles, some of them on the table (1):
Table 1: literature (Source: Based on the review and processing of the author's research.)
| Year | Name of researcher | Name of the work and publisher | Main discussion |
| 2014 | R. Ghorbani,R. Velayati | An introduction for the most important issues of civilization Fiqh principles, Shia Heritage Institute | Impact of Fiqh on Islamic architecture |
| 2011 | A.H. Noghrekar et al. | Pathology of the Iranian housing system, based on analyzing the cognitive sign of the layers of the house context (Beautiful Arts Magazine ) | House impact on Islamic architecture |
| 2009 | A.H. Noghrekar et al. | An introduction to Islamic identity in architecture and urbanism of Department of Housing and Urban Development | Impact of architecture on Islamic civilization |
| 2011 | Q.H Memarian | Iranian housing architecture (Soroush-e-Danesh) | House impact on Islamic architecture |
| 2004 | Simon Ayvazian | Keeping the traditional architecture values in contemporary architecture of Iran, (Beautiful Arts Magazine ) | Clearing the concept of Islamic architecture |
| 2013 | A.H Noghrekar,M. Manan Reisi | Realizing of Islamic identity in architectural works | Architecture impact on Islamic civilization |
| 2009 | A.H Noghrekar,M. Hamze-nejad | National research on “ways to realize the Islamic architecture in the modern architecture and urbanism” | Architecture impact on Islamic civilization |
Theoretical Principles
The beliefs and ideologies are meant that should be achieved. Then, according to it, the rules and laws of the research are examined and good results are obtained. About this present issue, (The role of architecture in modern Islamic civilization) and in particular form (the review the rules and regulations of Urban Development according to Imam Khomeini and the Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran and the upstream documentation of Iran), the researcher should show the regulations in general. Naturally, when we talk about the architecture or urban Islamic Revolution and Islamic Civilization with the Islamic framework and regulations, the mental geometry of the Supreme Leader has a special importance in presenting these regulations. In this section, with respect to this geometry of thought, we try to present the desirable framework and then we examine the issue of Mehr House.
Firstly it should be said that today's development model for the elite and agents, is Western model and development means Westernization that is very dangerous according to the Leader. In this development, the benefit axis is power and wealth. But in Islamic-Iranian pattern, we face a progress that in which human is a free creature that with use of wisdom uses the world as a tool to achieve the hereafter. A progress in which the governments will achieve the justice at all material and spiritual realms and the economy is not limited to material affairs. "A progress that its axis is human and the human that has spiritual dimension and use the science and wealth and the activities as a tool for spiritual improvement, this progress is different with the other one" (Leader's statement on 15.5.2007). Based on this, when we talk about the Islamic-Iranian pattern, the content of this pattern is Islam. ((Iran)) points to the capacity and potential of Iranian human talent that can realize this concept nationwide and worldwide. In other words, progress is done by Islamic-Iranian pattern, because it is based on the theoretical and philosophical principles of Islam and principles of Islamic human-recognition. It is Iranian, because it has been obtained by the Iranian idea and innovation. Based on this, he considers necessary the four main realms for progress:
- The realm of thought (the elite starts and is then extended to the public).
- Science (which should be considered as fundamental and profound and as technology advances and applications on the short term).
- The realm life (including security, justice, prosperity, independence, national dignity, freedom, cooperation, and the right dominance).
- The realm of spirituality (which is the soul of all said realms).
Architecture and urban development realm as one of the most influential elements in life, that starts from houses and would be extended up to the life depth of human and for the new Islamic civilization we must define all the exact and effective dimensions of this field. The Supreme Leader means that Islamic-based development has a high productivity that at following we will say its use in house architecture.
Islamic-Iranian Architecture
The soul of the Islamic-Iranian architecture is the idea in the context of the philosophical views. Tradition-based art is a developmental process from the concept stage to the body that the apparent and the hidden dimensions are simultaneously placed in relation to each other. "The spirit of architecture in the context of the philosophical perspective b creating self-organizing, seeks the ultimate goal of art based on tradition namely achieving balance and unity so that creates a synergy with diversity. Traditional art via symbolism, adapted with cosmic laws, style of this and even the facility with which the traditional craftsmen teach this art, transfers the knowledge "(Nasr, 2002: 496).”Bodies are dependent on the time and location can relatively evoke sense because the metaphysical concepts due to belonging to the world outside of the limitations of the world of physics always have to fall from the initial concept to the position as a result of the first step of the process of creating a work of art namely existence understanding: accepting material contracts" (Ardalan et al., 2002). Metaphysical concepts are a highly variable subject. The change from two directions: Firstly, the rate of concept and understanding of every one will be changed over time; secondly, the perception of people towards each other is different variable. "Bodies are the tools for a spiritually appropriate course of human and have credit aspects; therefore each concept can be manifest according to this code (A.H Noghrekar. 2009). at architectural work, it refers how the frame is made and the architectural elements such as (Doors, windows, columns, ceilings, etc.); since these elements are resulted by technology, they are always changing. Therefore the architectural codes should always be influenced by an effective factor so that through the influence by it, a hierarchy of relationships arises. Iran is so famous in architecture that the history owes it and Iranian-Islamic works have adorned the research works of the Orientals. The thing that has been considered more than the Iranian works is Iranian-Islamic Thought as a back for its product which has always been influential in the region and world.
Islamic Revolution supported by the Islamic theoretical principles and based on the Iranian features seeks its historical role and changes the look of human, society and the secularist dominance in the world. But what should be considered but all experts and officials, is the pale and colorless effect of this thought current in social science and achieving the appropriate works of this thought. But the nearly two centuries of colonialism and its influence in all parts of the country in the 35 years of the Islamic Revolution indicates that the lack of access to the results is logical, and makes action more important and considers this change necessary in the idea and science and practice realms. After the Iranian revolution, artists matched with the ideology of the revolution and titles such as the theater, the visual arts, etc. emerged. Now the question arises that why do not we have the revolution architecture? Is not the revolution ideology enough that the architects would be coordinate with people's demands! The discussion that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution arose and with debating lifestyle, called attention to the class of elite and influential group, especially young believers and thinkers in this arena.
Disregarding the architecture is related to before the Islamic Revolution that a wholly western architecture came into the country and it is related to the Unveiling Issue. This policy was this that the veil was attacked from all sides and the Iranian architecture was taken from Iranian nation. The policy was this that we should be weak and every powerful element related to our culture should be taken of us. The western culture came into the society and the apparent veil was removed from our culture. This is while we had relation with the world by our architecture and by which we talked and exported our ideas and had impact on the region. This tool was to be taken of us. But why the community of the architects was silent?
We should accept that the architecture has a close relation with the ideology of people and the architect goes after the idea of people. But in recent decades we see that architecture does not pay attention to the people ideology and the position that should be present and create civilization is being removed. Again this approach can be found in people's life, because the true definition of architecture is not building but is designing of human life and perhaps we can claim that the architecture can change the life of human. Human makes the cities and the cities make human.
The leader says in this regard: "We urge that the architecture should have content because it is the most tangible symbol of life...If it has no content it is an empty and useless thing, like many of today's architecture, unfortunately continues to this day with no value!. Cement, bricks and other materials with no meaning and concept. Or the other aspect of it is imitation." (Meet the artists and cultural officials 13.7.1994). Architecture directly affects culture. "Culture in a general sense, is a way of living and thinking evolved over centuries of the life of the nation. Set of beliefs, knowledge, education, and customs and values that society has evolved on the basis of their beliefs according to which it lives "(Naghizadeh, 2007). One of the emphases of the revolution leader is the preservation of national identity in constructions. "The identity, in a philosophical perspective means” ((existence)) and public understanding and common sense mean ((nature and dignity))" (Noghrekar; 2011). The main feature of human beings compared to other creature is free will in making identity. The human identity can be formed at bottom to top, and is the only determinant of his sincerity and purpose to achieve perfection (Noghrekar, ibid. 23).Therefore at Islamic system that is governed by Shiism, we should not be silent in these issues. A fully aware stream at various sections moves our behavior to a certain direction which has roots in both inside and outside the country. What kind of architecture is taught at our university campuses? Unfortunately on one hand, we state the past architecture of the country only with the introduction of its body superficially and without the expressing its truth, and finally we come to the conclusion that the architecture is without the ability to re-create. On the other hand, a extremist stream makes the space so that has not any link with Iran's Islamic identity, as we see today. These streams have caused elimination the identity of Iranian-Islamic architecture. Today we have a leader who is very knowledgeable about the field of architecture and very precise, concise and specific has guidelines in relation to architecture which require the attention of architects committed and faithful. Our fathers were in the past years with a degree of mystical ideology, showed its impact on the architecture well; let alone the fact that we have a father who is the deputy of Imam Mahdi (AS) and a is at a high level has architectural ideas and plans.
Investigating the mental dimensions of Islamic Republic governance and leading documents in architectural dwellings:
As information are collected in written form in two areas of speeches in public and practitioners groups and also general policies of Islamic Republic Regime, their importance is determined orderly as general recommendations towards country interest and finally as the necessary points in general policies and it is demonstrated as analytical table in the following page. It should be noted that general policies of the regime are determined as leading documents and Leader's commands are as foundations of tactics in these tables.
Table 2: investigating the mental dimensions of Islamic Republic governance (reference: according to the investigation and processing of the research from the author).
| Commands of supreme leader of Iran during meeting with authorities in relation to settlement | |||
| Row | Title in settlement architecture | Description | |
| Meaning orientation in settlements | 1 | Traditionalism in settlement | Fortunately, today we see that traditional Iranian architecture is emphasized in television and lectures and speeches. I do not know how it is in practice. However, it is obvious that this ancient and large nation has already an especial architecture style before being affected by European architecture. 10.7.1995 |
| 2 | Content orientation in settlement (identity bearing architecture) | We insist that architecture should have content; as it is the most tangible symbol of life. 13.7.1994Maintaining the identity and originality of the cities and villages and dedication to Islamic and Iranian architecture… 29.4.2007 | |
| 3 | Architect's attention to the reality of the universe (sympathetic and faithful architect) | Muslim artists should be fostered who are ready to express truth and originality with their art. 25.11.1992Values such as honesty, sympathy, personal dedication and preferring other's interest to yours will advance the works. 15.6.2000 | |
| 4 | Reciprocal effect of the settlement on family's culture | …our old houses create some kind of family and attitudes and apartments create another kine of family. 10.7.1995 | |
| 5 | Settlements consistent with the real needs and moral of the people | Settlement construction pattern of the country should be provided by considering the real needs of the people's life and be consistent with the culture and morals. 15.6.2000 | |
| Settlements standardization | 6 | The necessity of precision and speed in the trend of performing settlement issue | Settlement issue is now an effective problem in living, spiritual, social and moral subject duo to economic matters which should be solved by serious correct planning. 15.6.2000 |
| 7 | Legal settlement (efficient housing) | Engineering system of the country should bring out the disciplines and regulations and supervisor engineer should seriously monitor the construction of the buildings. 24.2.2004In addition to emphasizing on the construction of the mosque, suitable amenities, security and educational equipment should be considered in constructing the settlements. 15.6.2000 | |
| 8 | Strength and nativism of the settlement | Bothe the issue of reinforcing the structures all over the country and also the readiness for countering these incidents are important; as the first moments of an incident are valuable and important…. These need prior preparation. 3.5.2005 | |
| 9 | Town construction and mass construction by maintaining the quality | In addition to constructing the mosque, amenities, security and educational facilities should be considered in town construction. 15.6.2000 | |
| 10 | Particular settlement for the poor | Settlement is really a very important matter and it forms the main part of household expenditure and is the base of the life and it would be an important task if you could pick this burden up from the shoulder of the poor. 15.6.2000 | |
| 11 | Cheap settlement for young people | One of the ways of preparing the context to provide the settlements for the people, especially underpaid classes, is reinforcing and supporting the housing institute. 15.6.2000 | |
| Identity bearing embellishment | 12 | Similar and harmonic texture of the settlements in the city | Incongruent and disharmonic architecture of Tehran and the significant difference among the neighborhoods of Tehran is a very important matter. These should be recognized. 8.12.2003 |
| 13 | Symbolism architecture in the settlements | Developing the symbols of the religion and morality….should be always considered… in service list of the councils. | |
Table 3: investigating the mental dimensions of Islamic Republic governance (reference: according to the investigation and processing of the research from the author)
| General policies notified by gear leader of the revolution about housing section | ||||
| Row | The title of the general policy | Short description of the notification | Architectural approaches for the statements and notifications | |
| Supplying thefoundations | 1 | Supplying and managing the land for housing | Land management to provide housing and develop the city and village according to the frameworks of developing new cities. | Identifying and analyzing capable lands by professional workgroups and classifying the lands according to quality and quantity indications |
| 2 | Improving the scientific knowledge level in housing section | Strengthening the research and improving scientific knowledge level in housing section. | Enhancing the trend of teaching in educational system and expressing revolution Iranian-Islamic architectural indications. | |
| Administrational laws in housing | 3 | Lawful housing | Obligating construction standards and national regulation of building and energy savings plans. | Explaining national regulation of building and other standards in educational system and removing deficiencies and then pursing their execution |
| 4 | Cheap housing | Government planning toward providing housing for low-income groups and the poor and supporting the formation of charities and strengthening them and supporting people's innovations to provide housing for the poor. | The necessity of supporting the private sector toward low-income housing as administrative section and paying attention to forming the professional workgroup in administrative institute for selecting and supporting the best architectural plans toward cheap housing | |
| 5 | Housing consistent with the culture | Following cultural values and maintaining the purity and dignity of the families in settlement's architecture | Composing the trends and indications of revolution Iranian-Islamic architecture and explaining them ins architecture section. | |
| 6 | Mass construction of the settlements | Supporting the professional, mass and industrial production of the housing. | Paying attention to the formation of professional workgroup in administrative institutes to select and support the best architectural plans toward mass production of housing and using modern technologies to accelerate it | |
| Administrative rules of improving the housing | 7 | Optimizing the old textures | Rehabilitation of old textures of cities and villages through effective methods. | Representing visual memories in renovating old textures by preserving revolution Iranian-Islamic indications along with modern technologies of construction with native construction materials |
| 8 | Improving rural housing status with preference of vulnerable regions | Comprehensive planning for improving rural housing status with the preferences of regions vulnerable to natural disasters and consistent with native characteristics | Accelerating the renovation of rural vulnerable sections or using modern technologies of city construction with nativism approach | |
| 9 | Creating information bank of land and housing | Creating and amending taxing system and creating information bank of the land and housing. | Composing, classifying and precise planning toward compiling administrative rules, monitoring the implication and qualitative and quantitative statistical feedback from the administration | |
Investigating the Administrative Regulation In Housing Architecture
To achieve the assigned tasks of 20-year development prospect and coordinate planning studies and structure designing, urban areas and urban development plans with urbanism characteristics and Iranian-Islamic architecture, general policies of the regime approved by expediency discernment council of the regime which were represented by supreme leader of Iran and article 169 of fifth economic, social and cultural development plan law (the subject of composing and extending urbanism and Iranian-Islamic architecture trend) were determined by urbanism and Iran architecture council in the meeting of 5.3.2012 to reach urbanism and Iranian-Islamic indications. These disciplines and indications are divided into three groups of general indications, disciplines and indications in urbanism scope, disciplines and indications in architecture scope which are studied by analytical comparison with leading documents (general policies of architecture and urbanism represented by the supreme leader of Iran) in the following tables.
Results of analyzing the tables show that most statements of the leader in architecture and urbanism which are represented to the related institutions as leading documents, are considered by urbanism and Iran architecture council as circulars. In some cases, its importance is stressed by approving several resolutions about a subject. In other words, some of the topics of the represented general policies have several resolutions in two or each three districts of urbanism and architecture council. In some cases, these resolutions are just implicitly pointing to general policies. One of the very important issues is that some of the topics of the represented general policies are not considered at all. Not considering any of these general policies in urbanism and architecture sector have consequences whose effect will be obvious in long term.
Table 4: investigating administrative regulations in housing architectural districts (reference: according to the investigation and processing of the research from the author)
| Row | The title of the general policies in housing district | Resolutions related to statements relevant to disciplines and indications in architectural district | |
| Supplying foundations of the housing | 1 | Supplying and managing the land for building the settlements | 1.3.1. Following typology, morphology and graining in urbanism and architecture of the cultural and historical era (by considering the oldest aerial pictures of the city and the village) is necessary in designing structures for new urban and rural developments. |
| 2 | Improving the knowledge of housing | 1.3.21. Considering the usage of clean energies and also new technologies for reducing energy consumption and environment conservation is very important in planning, studying and designing urban structures. | |
| Administrative regulationsin housing construction | 3 | Lawful housing | It is implicitly considered in rule sets. |
| 4 | Cheap housing | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| 5 | Housing consistent with the culture |
1.3.7. Following the principle of privacy, neighborhood right and no overlooking is necessary in architectural designing and composing construction disciplines of urban development plans.1.3.8. Taking suitable measures is necessary for creating privacy in the entrance of homes.1.3.9. Possible usage of confined spaces (open and half-opened) related to the house should be considered in designing residential units, light provision and ventilation.1.3.10. It is suggested that building open kitchen be avoided in designing and constructing residential units.
1.3.11. In designing buildings and contemporary urban areas, it is necessary to improve the quality of a place by consistent usage of three type of open, half-open and closed spaces and following the hierarchy. 1.3.14. It is suggested to utilize historical symbols and signs of historical and cultural eras in contemporary architecture by obeying the honesty principle in architecture. 1.3.15. Using false and dummy signs separated from the architecture of the constructions are forbidden. |
|
| 6 | Mass production of housing | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| Administrative regulation of housing improvement | 7 | Optimizing the old texture | 1.3.19. It is advised to maintain and extend traditional arts related to urbanism and architecture (such as porcelain knot, brickwork, etc.). |
| 8 | Improving rural housing statute with the preference of vulnerable regions | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| 9 | Creating information bank of land and housing | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. |
Table 5: investigating administrative regulations in architectural scopes of housing (reference: according to the investigation and processing of the research from the author)
| Row | The title of the general policies in housing district | Resolutions related to statements relevant to disciplines and indications in architectural district | |
| Supplying foundations of the housing | 1 | Correct locating in the framework of logistic plans | It is implicitly considered in law sets. |
| 2 | Vertical and horizontal development of the cities according to the interest of Islamic community and obeying its environmental necessities |
1.3.2. Considering climate and urban tradition is necessary in determining the orientation of the constructions.1.3.3. it is necessary to present solutions for optimum development and usage of God's gifts in the process of providing urban and rural development plans (utilizing solar radiation, wind flow, preventing contamination of environmental resources, connecting with nature symbols such as sky, plants, etc.,)1.3.4. The conformity of artifact content (architectural buildings, urban furniture, etc.) with natural characteristics of the plan bed is necessary.1.3.5. Using native plant species consistent with natural identity of the city is necessary in designing the buildings, urban areas, parks, etc.
1.3.6. Considering security through creating secure areas and defendable places is necessary in designing urban areas, park, etc. 1.3.12. in designing residential units, it is necessary to create a central area whose relation with the other areas, nature, spatial quality etc., has more importance than other areas from functional point of view (the space where is active and vivid center of the house) 1.3.13. Utilizing distinct and direct natural light is necessary in designing main parts of the house. 1.3.18. It is necessary to maintain construction tradition, manage and preserve urban gardens (instead of urban parks). |
|
| Administrative regulation of urbanism | 3 | Uniformity of the regulation approval and their coordination | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. |
| 4 | Supplying stable resources for development and construction and urban management | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| Administrative regulation of housing improvement | 5 | Maintaining the historical identity along with renovation of other old textures as necessary | 1.3.20. Predicting the conservation, renovation, optimization and reconstruction activities is necessary in composing building laws and regulations for existing sections (including historical and contemporary section) |
| 6 | Preventing the issue of marginal settlements | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| 7 | Reinforcing and rehabilitating engineering system | 1.3.16. Using native construction material is necessary. Ministry of road and urbanism is obliged to present methods of increasing the strength and creating variation in native construction material through necessary studies and researches.1.3.17. It is advised to utilize modern technology only for standardization, quality improvement and varying native construction material. Modern technology usage should not prevent the coordination between the architecture of the buildings and natural, historical and cultural contexts. |
Table 6: investigating administrative regulations in architectural scopes of housing (reference: according to the investigation and processing of the research from the author)
| Row | The title of the general policies in housing district | Resolutions related to statements relevant to disciplines and indications in architectural district | |
| Supplying foundations of the housing | 1 | Supplying and managing the land for housing | 1.1.1. Coordination with natural, cultural and historical background and considering particular benefits of the city1.1.8. During planning, designing and monitoring the implementation of urban and rural development plans, destroying forests, gardens, urban view and also decreasing green space per capita should be prevented and environmental consideration should be maintained. |
| 2 | Improving scientific knowledge in housing section | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| Administrative regulationof housing | 3 | Legal housing | 1.1.3. Following the principle of discipline and the system by considering natural, cultural and historical backgrounds of the city |
| 4 | Cheap housing | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| 5 | Housing consistent with the culture | 1.1.2. Following the principles of privacy in different levels which are consistent with cultural and natural characteristics of the cities and villages and their functions1.1.7. Identifying and planning for removing obstacles of fulfilling valuable Iranian-Islamic architecture and urbanism | |
| 6 | Housing mass production | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. | |
| Administrative regulation of housing improvement | 7 | Optimizing the old textures | 1.1.5. Providing suitable contexts for changing economic profitability ideas toward urban and architecture, especially in historical cities and textures.1.1.6. Preserving and protecting cultural and historical buildings and textures and exploring their hidden values |
| 8 | Improving rural housing situation with the priority of vulnerable regions | 1.1.4. Providing suitable contexts for improving social structures of the cities and villages and creating and reinforcing social capital | |
| 9 | Creating information bank of the land and settlements | *** Unfortunately this important issue is ignored. |
Table 7: investigating decuple factors affecting Mehr settlement architecture (reference: cited from the article of studying Mehr settlement plan-engineering system of the Fars town)
| Row | Title | Explanation of the difficulty | Solution of removing the difficulty |
| 1 | Inconsistency between the capacity of housing and housing demand | Housing demand and maximum production capacity of the building sector in the country implicate this inconsistency. | Government plan regarding housing sector should present its proposed policies in the form of long term, medium term and short term planning and all related issues should be considered. |
| 2 | Limited power of the government | Limited facilities of the government in solving the problem of housing shortage in the form of public sector in the economy cause government not to be able to respond to all housing demand of the country. | In addition to the executive, Islamic council should also pay attention to approving facilitating regulations toward advancing the purposes of Mehr settlement. |
| 3 | The necessity of stressing and planning for production and employment | Solving the problem of employment will definitely adjust housing demand in medium term as other trends of providing temporary housing such as renting and mortgage | Prerequisite of solving housing problem at macro level is paying attention to land logistic and moving toward harmonic development of the regions of the country including rural and urban regions along with employment planning (orientation toward production and guiding wandering capital to this sector) |
| 4 | Locating the projects of Mehr settlement | Locating construction projects of Mehr settlement from different aspects, especially the position and distance from the city and foundations, should be considered carefully. | There should be more monitoring on correct administration of construction and engineering system plays the most important role. |
| 5 | Negligence of construction expenditures | Regarding finished expenditure of constructional units as apartments, economic gain and housing utility cannot be justified in these cities. | Regarding the notification of resistive economic policies, most service should be represented to the poor by removing the middleman and careful monitoring with low interest. |
| 6 | Neglecting cultural and climate conditions | The trends of Mehr settlement construction do not pay the necessary attention to climate, cultural, social (household dimension) and economic (household income) conditions. | Construction should be according to geographical conditions of each city and also to cultural conditions of each region. |
| 7 | Uniformity of Mehr settlement trend and neglecting the applicant conditions | It seems that the gaps dominating housing trend are not considered regarding the size of settlements, uniformity of used trends in housing design, service, etc. | A general look should be in designing dimension and then we should go for details. Embedding supplementary spaces before and during the implication is necessary. |
| 8 | Hastiness and consequent weak monitoring and qualitative control | Firms do not have experience in planning and civil works. | It is the duty of the government as an administrator to manage and correctly divide the tasks into related institutions, to work hard in monitoring and provide the context. |
| 9 | Inconsistency of housing facilities with construction expenditure | Inability of the low-income classes to repay the financial facilities. As preparing costs, repaying loan payment, expenditures during the project administration are not consistent with annual inflation. | Regarding the representation of resistive economic policy, best service should be presented to the poor by removing middleman, careful monitoring and very low interest. |
| 10 | The necessity paying attention to technology | Housing technology has not yet found its main direction in the country and it results in traditional structure of time, capital, labor and energy wasting. | The most modern technologies should be utilized for housing and they should become native if possible. |
Investigating the Comparative Sample (Mehr Settlement)
The necessity for eternity of a work is simultaneous attention to all humanistic dimensions discussed in architecture context such as human, artist, society, history, nature and the God and both the artist (with elite-oriented look) and the society (with general look) as human are in contact with two other dimensions of the nature and the God which are approaching unity and can create an eternal work. Principles presented by the deceased Pirnia for tradition architecture of Iran including people-like plans, necessities, self-sufficiency and avoiding inefficiency are eternity keys observed both in the nature and in the nature of the God. "These descriptions are logical before being native and traditional so Iranian-Islamic architecture forms a symbol of eternal architecture" (Noghrekar,2009). It can be stated in the discussion of architecture that "an architect who wants to provide the existence vessel and the living bed of a human should not be confined to one dimensional and stationary characteristic but should accompany all different attitudes of the humans and be coordinated with human in multiplicity and unity, quiet and excitement, sadness and happiness, among population and in solitude, inside and outside etc., and provide suitable context for the movement of the spirit and the body toward superior understandings and also deeper conceptions" (Hamze Nejad, 2002). And in this way it responds to human requirements in all dimensions and provides peace and quiet. Maybe that is why Poop says: "Iranian architecture, especially Islamic architecture, has humanistic spirit" (Poop, 2009).
Regarding Iranian-Islamic architecture is can be said that settlement architecture has superior position in it. In fact, settlement is one of the most functional issues in architecture which men have always coped with it. Today, settlement is one of the most important and the most challenging issue of the country which play an important role in solving the problems of the country in the form of Mehr settlement. Experts have always paid attention to the Mehr settlement despite its numerous positive and negative points; so that Supreme leader of Iran stated about Mehr settlement: "this issue of Mehr settlement which was discussed or these unfinished plans which you are increasing, works that government is doing- which are both good and necessary- will lead to the increase of liquidity. You should find a solution for this problem. You are professional people, you have experience, you are engaged on the work; find a solution for these. Lead this increased liquidity toward centers helping solve people's problem, such as production." (24.8.2013)
One of the most fundamental requirements of the city is housing for the poor and low-income people. Emam Khomeini also stated:
"In unpopular regime of Pahlavi, housing was one of the most tragic social problems of our people. Most people were seeking for providing a land and having a home and maybe they were oppressed all their life by banks and jobbers and marauders to be able to provide a home for their families… Islam system do not bear such oppression; and this is (the minimal of) human right of have settlement… the problem of the housing should be solved and all poor people should use this divine gift. All the poor should have home. No one should be deprived of having home in any part of this country. It is the duty of Islamic government to find a solution for this important issue and people should cooperate in it.
I have opened an account with account number of 100 in all branches of National bank and invite those who are capable to help building houses for the poor by deposing money to this account. And a group at least consists of three engineer and urbanism and housing experts and a clergyman and a representative of the government should be selected in each neighborhood from honest and trustful people to construct cheap houses with economy and precision and present them to the poor; no money should be paid for buying the land. I hope those who have vast lands help this important humanistic-Islamic work and devote suitable lands to this plan. Also anyone who has the power should help in supplying construction materials to develop this Islamic service and put labors to work (10.04.1979).
According to article 31 of the constitution, having a house consistent with the needs is the right of any individual and Iranian family. Government is obliged to provide the context for administrating this article by considering priority for those who are more deprived especially peasants and labors. Housing and settlement issue is a discussion which has always been considered by effective classes of the society. House, as the most private location for an individual, is a place in which boundaries are expressed in the most complete compositional and physical form. By studying and reflecting on different aspects of Iranian society and individual and social interactions, we observe that our current aspect and way of living as an imitation of our predecessors and based on Iranian and Islamic cultural characteristics is very introverted. But Iranian living has changed due to following "universal culture of the west" and new methods of community and "apartment living" have changed private and semi-private areas. One of the points that supreme leader of Iran has always stressed is apartment living and housing. House brings peace. Pirnia agrees that previous houses had deficiencies. But he believed that "solutions of contemporary houses have not removed them and create other deficiencies" (Dezhkam, 1985). In the fifties, housing problem formed not only as an independent problem but as a problem caused by imposing economy of the country. The economy of the country was based on agriculture and rural production in this decade; so that 38 percent of the internal gross production in 1959 was agricultural products and 70 percent of the population of the country were located in villages (human residency quarterly, No. 24, 3). The right of supplying housing for the society has been recognized as one of the "citizenship rights" in developing countries from the early of twenty century and it has gradually become one of the tasks of the government. However, despite emphasizing on the importance of housing as a basic need and fundamental right in developing countries, significant percent of urban households are not able to afford it. So the mentioned problem is becoming more complex day by day and the situation of the households exacerbate more and more. In order to determine the suitable position of the housing in development and management plans and resource allocation, it is necessary to create a close relation between goals and housing policy and purposes and general and public policies of social and economic development in urban plans. It can be said regarding the Mehr settlement that the policy of utilization right of the land which considers eliminating the finished cost of the building is an action which definitely will have positive results in housing section and adjusting land market if all of its dimensions are considered. But as it seems that the current situation of housing sector in our country stems from complicated conditions, any intervention in this section such as Mehr settlement requires comprehensive studies and it should be in the form of comprehensive housing plan of the country. So the followings are significant matters under the title of Mehr settlement regarding the recent measures of the states:
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Figure 1: Collapse of Mehr settlement structure in Golbahar city of Mashhad (reference: Economy world newspaper, No. 2392, 26.7.2011, p 7- photo from Fars News). The biggest problem of mass constructors and administers of the plan is hastiness and poor monitoring and qualitative control. Excessive and incorrect increase leads to more reduction of the quality. (Analysis from the author) Click here to View figure |
Results
Our contemporary architecture does not reflex and indicates its residents' identity at all; also it can rarely be observed as a conscious attempt toward implying our Islamic and national identity. Most signs and symbols of our cultural identity are lost or only a glimpse of them can be seen in our cities. After the revolution, experts recognized that there is serious invasion of the enemy in areas such as religion, culture, etc., so measures should be prepared to counter them. But this risk was not considered in architecture section and let the enemy grab this valuable tool which is a powerful element in the civilization of the countries; let them attack numerously so that today improper architecture is a threatening element for Iranian-Islamic civilization.
Today, we have many loyal young people who can extend revolution architecture to its favorable place. The principals of the old architecture are so unique that they can enrich us. Dung years after the revolution, we have escaped toward the west or the past. However, the need for creating modern Islamic civilization is completely necessary at the moment. Why architecture is not partitioned in the outlook document of 2025? Why is there no section in this document to indicate our architecture characteristics? According to Ayat Allah Khomeni, architecture should have content and Islamic and revolution symbols in it and should be Islamic architecture. If these principles are utilized truly in architecture and urbanism, there will be a deep evolution and in addition to satisfying the physical and spiritual needs of the Iranian, they can be distributed and pervaded at least in Islamic world. Now it is time that humanistic values and spiritual and physical needs be considered during urban planning and urban plan creation and we should secure both needs and reflect on building healthy, vivid cities with logical and natural relation instead of building skyscrapers. Some of humanistic purposes are also involved. Not only suitability and favorability of residency is important, but elements and sections forming urban areas and architecture should be harmonized (Fanni, 1999).
It is obvious that plotting new horizons for Islamic architecture of Iran will be possible only by relying on wisdom principle as the most progressive element of Islamic architecture. Wisdom principle is the fundamental element of Islamic architecture definition and it can be used as a criterion and measure for the correctness of the selected methods and solutions for contemporary architecture. Spiritual look is the common language of Islamic architecture throughout the Islamic architecture history and the future of Islamic architecture can be rebuilt by relying on it. A future when like golden age of Esfahan school, there is a bridge of art between material and spiritual need and the way of prosperity and honor is reopened for the people of this land in the context of transcendental wisdom (Mahdavi Nejad, 2004).
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Figure 2: Analytical diagram (reference: according to the investigation and analysis of the author) Click here to View figure |
In addition to the action should be taken by universities, other managers and decision makers should also cooperate and do necessary planning. For example, in order to promote Islamic architecture, some institutions and ministries such as municipalities, the ministry of housing etc. should oblige firms, contractors and architectural engineers to use Iranian-Islamic contents. Municipalities should consider religious and sacred symbols in urban planning and try to build cities and structures by reconciliation between traditional and contemporary architecture which are consistent with Muslim's livings and meet the physical and spiritual needs of their life; so Mehr settlement can also be effective and play an important role. Other organizations such as television centers and media should act in this context to notify and study this section and prevent more variation of the architecture of Iranian Muslim citizen and provide necessary background for promoting the culture, civilization and Islamic architecture.
In the end, a statement from the supreme leader of Iran:
"We should recognize the vulnerabilities; why have not we advanced in this section? After finding the reasons, it is time to see how we can treat them. Vulnerability recognition means considering vulnerabilities in this context and seeking the reasons of these vulnerabilities…I am not the proponent of a sudden collective and public movement about the cloths, housing or other things; no, these works should be done gradually; there is no obligation; these needs culture-building." (meeting with youth of Northern Khorasan- 15.10.2012)
Acknowledgements
I want to thank my knowledgeable and honorable assistant professor Hamze nejad for their careful instructions and deep scientific and moral advises.
The information contained in this article was extracted from a master’s thesis by the author Sayyed Mohammad Hosein Alipour Yazdi International University of Imam Reza, Mashhad , Iran)
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