Analytical Study of Different Approaches to the Revitalization of Iranian Historic City Centers: The Case of Yazd, Iran

Achieving a unified approach to cope appropriately with the revitalization of historic city centers has been a great challenge in many countries. There has always been a debate regarding conservation of historic environments and forceful technology-driven modernization. In developed countries, many scholars have declared that the balance between old and new as well as continuity and change is essential to develop an integrated approach for revitalization of historic urban fabrics. However, many developing countries are facing impediments to implement such an approach and Iran is no exception. Although many initiatives have been taken to revitalize the historic cores of Iranian cities, they have never been unified as cohesive efforts. The literature exemplifies that the historic cores of Iranian cities have been undermined due to various waves of physical regeneration and redevelopment. This dominant approach, mainly employed by central government agencies rather than solve, has intensified the existing problems of the historic cores. During the last two decades, however, the intension to revitalize the Iranian historic city centers, has achieved a different impulse. Various factors provided a basis for the formation of the new approach. There has been the lack of research on the nature of these approaches and assessing their results. Therefore, this research aims to provide a deeper insight and develop a better understanding of approaches to the revitalization of historic urban centers in Iran. Yazd city has been selected for detailed analysis under this study. The research aims to identify the employed approaches at national and provincial levels and addresses their deficiencies, explores factors that shaped the approaches, examines and interprets the features that characterize the approaches and assesses their outcomes and impacts. The research has employed an in-depth case study methodology supported by quantitative as well as qualitative analysis. As the focus of the study is on mechanisms and driving forces that affected and shaped the existing approaches, the conceptual framework adopted for the research is based on identification of the agencies involved, the role they played, and their strategies and interests within the economic, political and cultural contexts in which they operated. The Conceptual framework has been implemented on two project areas, each representing a certain approach employed by urban authorities. Project areas are parts of the historic core of Yazd city. The project for Construction of Basij Boulevard represents the physical-led redevelopment approach and the program for The Revitalization of Yuzdaran Axis exemplifies conservation-led regeneration approach. The major implications of the study are summarized in four elements including 'Identification and formulation of existing practices into defined approaches', 'Reforms in roles, strategies and interests of development agencies', 'Integration between responsibilities of central and local authorities' and 'Strengthening local community participation'. The findings of this study provide insights into the issues that policy-makers and practitioners should consider in designing revitalization policies and developing programs and effort dealing with the problems of historic environments