MANZAR, the Scientific Journal of landscape
Scientific Quarterly Journal

An Exploration of the Pre-Islamic Spatial Organization Evolution within the Historic City of Shushtar

https://doi.org/10.22034/manzar.2024.477793.2312
Volume 17, Issue 70
Spring 2025
Pages 34-43
MANZAR, the Scientific Journal of landscape

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Arezou Afsharbagheri 1
Ali Omranipour 2
Mohsen Vafamehr 3

1 Ph.D.Candidate in Architecture, Department of Architecture, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran and Kashan, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Art & Architecture, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract
Until the Qajar Era, the historic city of Shushtar served as the administrative center of the Khuzestan plain. Water and the location of the river relative to the city influenced the city and the establishment of its core. This research employs a historical-interpretive method to investigate the historical impact of the natural elements of water and river, human-made urban elements, as well as agriculture and other water-related human activities concerning the spatial organization of this city. The research aims to explore these factors in several layers during the pre-Islamic era to represent the inner order and spatial organization of the city.The spatial organization of historic Shushtar was studied and interpreted by examining this historical era through studying historical documents, records, and evidence, as well as searching for events, occurrences, and conditions that influenced the emergence of this city in the pre-Islamic era. The interviews with experts were then utilized to verify the field observations and perceptions.This article concludes that water has played a significant role in forming the spatial organization of the city as an influential element in the prosperity of the region. The findings contradict previous archaeological findings, historical documents, and texts. Therefore, this study seeks to provide a more accurate picture of the city’s spatial organization during the pre-Islamic era by identifying stated contradictions. The research findings ultimately reveal that the natural elements of water and the Karun River were the main factors for settlement in the region. The initial point of the spatial organization formation of this city was the Shushtar city core, located at a strategic point compatible with the natural landscape and water elements. The religious values, economy, politics, needs, and life activities developed under the influence of said natural environment.

Keywords

Shushtar
Historic City
Sassanids
Spatial Organization
Evolutionary Process
Subjects
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