Journal of Iranian Architecture & Urbanism(JIAU)

Abstract Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: The positive position of space, or in other words, space-axial against a volumetric viewpoint, is one of the key aspects of Iranian architecture. In this regard, transparency is considered one of the principles and fundamentals and among the special and fundamental qualities in the spatial structure of Iranian architecture. Based on this, some contemporary Iranian architects have tried to make it visible and realizable and have continued it based on these principles and the inspirations from the eternal works of this land. Relying on the importance of addressing this indicator, the aim of this research is to measure the application of the transparency concept and how it manifests itself in the physical elements and spatial structures of contemporary Iranian architecture. Accordingly, in the current research, the way of realizing transparency in the contemporary architecture of Iran and the extent and quality of its emergence and development have been questioned and discussed. In order to examine this issue in detail, two cultural centers in the contemporary period that have paid attention to the formal and semantic aspects of Iran’s past architecture have been selected to be analyzed and measured in terms of transparency. The current research started with the hypothesis that the examination of the way transparency is represented in the two buildings of Dezful and Isfahan cultural centers reveals the differences and similarities that can be effective in enriching the contemporary architecture of Iran. Therefore, research questions about the quality of transparency in these two buildings are proposed and lead to measures to make the space transparent in contemporary Iranian architecture: Which physical elements and spatial structures have been used by each of the two cultural center buildings of Dezful and Isfahan and how to create transparency? What are the differences and similarities between the transparency appearance in these two buildings?
Methods: The current research has used two quantitative and qualitative strategies. So, the descriptive-analytical and analogical, and logical reasoning methods, as well as bibliographic and document studies, have been used to collect and analyze data. In order to investigate the transparency issue in contemporary Iranian architecture, the main factors that create transparency in architecture were extracted from the existing theories. Then, these components were categorized into four subsections containing the main indicators of spatial transparency. The reason for choosing Dezful Cinema Cultural Center and Isfahan International Cultural Center among existing contemporary cultural centers is the architect’s exceptional attention to the use of Iranian architectural elements and techniques. In order to perform a quantitative analysis using Agraph software, Justified Plan Graphs were first drawn from the floor plans. Since the amount of visible area at any point of the space is an important indicator in evaluating the transparency level, UCL Depthmap software was used to measure this component. In the final stage, each of the four indicators of the transparency concept was measured and concluded with a quantitative analysis of syntactic indicators.
Findings: Four syntactic factors of visual cone, spatial integration, connection, and depth were selected to evaluate the degree of transparency. Spatial connectivity and depth, as well as the number of spaces, were analyzed in Agraph software, and two factors of visual accessibility (Isovist) and spatial integration were analyzed and interpreted in Depthmap software. In Dezful Cultural Center, the location of the main volume of the building in the depth of the ground and the externally blocked walls have minimized the continuity and sequence of the internal and external areas of the building. While in Isfahan Cultural Center, the division of the plan into two inward and outward parts has maximized the visual transparency and continuity and sequence of inside and outside in half of the building. In the Dezful building, the depth indicator showed that despite the hierarchy and the distance of the spaces from the external area, the location of open and semi-open internal distributable spaces is in the points that created the continuity and sequence of the internal areas at great depths from the building’s entrance. In the Isfahan building, the low number of depth indicators for most spaces means more integration in the interior space. The comparison of the number of spaces in the two Dezful and Isfahan buildings, and its ratio to the maximum depth in the plan, shows that although there is a significant relationship between the number of spaces and the amount of integration, the presence of a large number of spaces in a slight depth can moderate the effect of high spatial multiplicity on integration reduction. The numerical and figural comparison of the local integration and the maximum and minimum values clearly shows the important role of the inter-space in spatial integration and transparency.
Conclusion: In this research, the results were obtained after analyzing the criteria related to the transparency of the spatial structure, including spatial openness, integration and overlap, continuity and sequence, and spatial coherence using the tools of depth, number of spaces, connection, visual cone, and integration. Transparency, in general, is observed in both buildings with the use of relatively similar measures. However, there are differences in how this transparency is created and its amount, which is caused by the difference in how these elements and spatial structures are used. In general, the measures adopted in the physical elements and spatial structures of Isfahan Cultural Center have mainly led to visual transparency. In Dezful Cultural Center, physical and mental transparency has emerged more than visual transparency.

Abstract Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: Background and aim: Despite the existence of many advantages in Iran’s rail transportation, only a certain range of users has benefited from this massively useful system due to its performance-based approach and reliance on visual cues. As a result, users have experienced difficulties with navigation- orientation, among other issues. These difficulties stem from a lack of attention to other sensory experiences and the need to enhance the sensory richness of users through thoughtful design of architectural and informational components within rail stations. Thus, explaining the suitable solutions to improve navigation - orientation has a significant impact in decreasing user confusion and establish a sense of place within these spaces. The general perception of navigation and orientation strategies in public spaces involves a variety of signage, boards, and information systems that have been employed at the city level, sometimes effectively and sometimes ineffectively. However, in this research, the purpose of navigation- orientation is to make the environment detectable and give it a strong structure by “informational” and “architectural” elements and components, which are the most important components for influencing routing and orientation in station spaces. The purpose of this study is to present solutions to facilitate and improve the performance of users’ routing and orientation in Tehran railway stations. It seems that the process of routing and orientation of subway users is facilitated by informational and architectural components based on sensory enrichment.
Methods: This study utilized a descriptive-analytical method to examine the navigation-orientation process in a selected case sample. After evaluating the sample and identifying areas for improvement, strategies were proposed to enhance routing and orientation within station spaces by emphasizing the sensory experiences of users. Valiasr Square subway station was examined based on some reasons, such as the complexity of the station, intersection and multi-functionality, the combination of underground and surface space and the diversity of the station’s users. The statistical population of the study was the users of Valiasr station, who are selected using a purposeful random method. Data for this study was collected through both bibliographic and field methods. The bibliographic method involved presenting the theoretical framework and identifying research components. The field method, on the other hand, utilized space syntax analysis and a researcher-designed questionnaire in two stages to gather the necessary information. The data collection instrument for this study was a closed-ended questionnaire consisting of 40 Likert-scale questions. The questionnaire was divided into two parts: the first part focused on personal characteristics of the respondents, while the second part comprised questions related to the research variables presented in an illustrated format. Finally, the validity of the questions was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis and its validity was verified using Cronbach’s alpha method. In the first stage, the sample station was analyzed using the space syntax method in the DepthmapX software. This is because of enriching the questionnaires by the users in the next stage of the research. In the second stage, the sample station was measured by completing the research process, developing an illustrated questionnaire, and creating special sensory conditions by the users. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (path analysis) with SPSS- software. 
Findings: The collected data was analyzed by path analysis. The increase of path coefficients from 0.435 to 0.536 and 0.571 by the impact of sensory richness on the informational and architectural components of the sample station verified the solidarity of the research hypothesis and the results indicated that the coefficient of sensory richness on the informational components is 0.462 and 0.531on architectural components. Also, information components with a coefficient of 0.218 and architectural components with a coefficient of 0.256 are effective in facilitating the navigation process for users. Indeed, these components mitigate the complexity of the space. The results of the analysis by space syntax, in the DepthmapX software (the sample station (Vali Asr Square)), indicate the improvement of the navigation-orientation performance of users in the station, in case of widening from the street level to the rail. The use of VGA analysis shows which spaces are more visible and which are less. Spaces that are more enclosed and lack vertical expansion restrict users’ depth and angle of view, leading to decreased legibility of the space and difficulties with routing and orientation. Conversely, expanding the central spaces of the station increases users’ depth and angle of view, directly enhancing the ease of routing and orientation within the space.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that sensory-based design of informational and architectural components is an effective approach to improving the navigation and orientation process. The study’s findings suggest that creating sensory-rich station spaces that fully engage users’ sensory perceptions, incorporating meaningful elements, and improving navigation and orientation can reduce confusion, enhance users’ sense of confidence, and provide psychological security. Furthermore, it can increase productivity and create opportunities for individual and collective memories, a sense of belonging, and complementing functions such as festivals, memorials, exhibitions, and urban gatherings. By improving the quality of station spaces from a mere functional space to a safe, diverse, memorable, and dynamic place, rail transport systems can become more efficient and accommodate more users while providing suitable sensory places for citizens. Most of these improvements can be achieved with minimal changes and low costs to existing station spaces.

Abstract Walkability has a vital role in identification of space identity and understanding of environment quality, and for this reason it has attracted multiple theoreticians. Given the recent attempts of planners and designers for the encourage people to walk, several models and methods are provided to measure the walkability potential. But, each one only considers certain aspects of the pathways. The lack of comprehensiveness methods led to conducting this study in which a few methods and models such as, Space Syntax, SPACES, Pedestrian Discomfort, and PAWDEX method indices are combined together to provide a rather comprehensive method in assessment of the walkability which can be used in case studies. For this purpose, at first, the main pathways in BagheFerdos and Zaeferanie districts are studied (the case studies in this article) through the method of Space Syntax and then the elected pathway in each district is assessed based on the three other methods. Based on the Space Syntax theory, the sequence of spaces positioning next to each other has a direct impact on the way of using a particular space. According to the final obtained scores, the walkability potential of Fayazi street (the elected street in Baghe Ferdos district) is found to be more than Asef street (the elected street in Baghe Zaferanieh district). Each street requires its design advancement and unique planning. At the end of the article, some approaches are provided to achieve this goal.