COMPARATIVE SUSTAINABILITY OF BAZAAR IN IRANIAN TRADITIONAL CITIES: CASE STUDIES IN ISFAHAN AND TABRIZ

Bazaar is a traditional public space in the Iranian cities, and always a great section of commercial activities in urban life. Bazaar is not only the commercial centre of traditional cities in Iran but also the centre of social, cultural, political and religious activities. Sustainability of bazaar in Iranian traditional cities seeks to find solutions concerning the effects of city development on cultural heritage and urban element of the city. The main aim of this study is to explain the differences of the social and economical and environmental role of the bazaar in the historical Iranian cities. The case studies are the city of Isfahan and Tabriz in the center and North West of Iran. The main approach of this study is based on qualitative and quantitative data as well as qualitative observations of bodies in charge of urban elements of the Iranian traditional cities in four categories of 1- Mosque (Friday and daily), 2- Citadel, 3- Residential Quarters, 4- Bazaar, and quantitative value for compare bazaar sustainability in Isfahan and Tabriz which including socio-economic-environment aspect within the framework of the Iranian traditional cities.