Urban Space Production Policies Based on the Regeneration of Historic Squares in Iran: The Case of Regeneration of Atigh Square

Public urban spaces are fundamental to realization of social life in cities. Consideration of the trends of producing new spaces can result in developmental competition among cities. As a major recent approach which is widely adopted in developing cities, regeneration contributes to the improvement of economic, physical, social, and environmental conditions in the areas to be changed. In Iran, development of regeneration projects in the center of historic cities such as Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, and Zanjan has seen a dramatic growth, receiving both positive and negative feedbacks. With its rich historic background and urban spaces, Isfahan has experienced structural and spatial transformations throughout the process of modernization. Open spaces like historic squares which were once counted as central urban spaces were replaced by modern streets. Atigh square of Isfahan is a historic square that has been revitalized as a result of macro-level policies of regeneration of destroyed open spaces, thereby turning once again into an open urban space in the historic fabric of Isfahan. The present study seeks to investigate the quality of Atigh square as a regenerated space in its historic form in Isfahan. The spatial quality of the square is measured by means of data that were collected through field observations, interview with experts, and administration of questionnaires to people. The results of the quality analysis of the newly regenerated space contextualized within the network of public spaces would indicate that the adopted measures have been mainly based on physical aspects rather than social, economic, and cultural issues. This project has driven the inhabitants as well as the businesses away from the central space toward outer layers, leading to increased deterioration of the surrounding fabric. Lack of comprehensive management plans as well as appropriate implementation policies with regard to the regenerated space, insufficient involvement of the inhabitants in the completion of the project, and negligence in consideration of the role of dynamic urban and cultural events in the liveliness of the space are adverse consequences that have led to lack of public satisfaction and failure of the project in producing a new urban space.