Constructing a New High Rise Building in Historical Places: In the Case of Jahan Nama Tower in Naqsh-E Jahan Square

Abstract

The adaptability of the historical setting to “changes”, to new technologies and new socio-economical standards is necessity for the vitality of it. Introduction of the new buildings is actually one aspect of change but also it is the reflection of changes in many cases on the architecture of the city. In this respect, new building as the last layer of the historical tissue comes out to be an urban conservation problem to be discussed. The city of Isfahan in Iran is aware that its historic square is part of our common world heritage. Naqsh-E-Jahan is a historical city square in Isfahan which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1979 at UNESCO’s conference in Egypt. Also, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Isfahan old city is one of the main destinations for tourists from all over the world (Vadiati & Kashkooli, 2011). Today a large number of historical cities including those in Isfahan are facing a challenge for harmonization between the conservation of cultural property and the development or economic interest. Reducing the height of Jahan Nama Tower up to the determined level is an inevitable task in order to save the position of Naqsh-E-Jahan Square in the list of World Heritage Site. Jahan Nama tower has a direct impact on how this historic square presents itself to the viewers by distracting the eye from the focus of the view. Accordingly, the present study on new buildings in historic environments, tries to evaluate the positive and negative impacts of the new buildings in historic environments according to views and vistas. It is investigated for two case studies, Naghsh-E-Jahan square in Esfahan, Iran which is affected by the height of Jahan Nama tower and London city hall nearby Tower Bridge. To achieve this purpose, influence of new buildings in historic environment and possible ways to create a balance between conservation and development in the World Heritage areas which is an important issue for each historic environment have been investigated. The method is qualitative and data collection is based on literature review and library study.

Keywords: historic environment, new buildings, cultural heritage, public squares, new developments; Isfahan-Iran