Investigating the Visibility of Historical Elements in Urban Landscape; using a Two-Dimensional Isovist Analysis (Case study: Tehran Golestan Palace)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning & Design, Faculty of Architecture & Urban Studies, Art University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Master of Urban Design, Art University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Historical elements play an important role in enhancing the quality of urban landscapes. A qualitative analysis does not provide accurate information regarding the visual impact of historical and index elements on the urban landscape. Therefore, the application of quantitative methods in landscape analysis can be beneficial. The visibility approach, relying on techniques such as Isovist, has allowed for quantitative analysis of the city. In this research, a two-dimensional Isovist technique is employed to analyze the visibility of the Golestan palace complex as a historical and effective element in creating the quality of the urban landscape from the perspective of users on the Marvi and Panzdah-e Khordad streets. In this regard, the visibility maps of these spaces are produced in the Rhino software and analyzed by Isovist geometric criteria such as area, perimeter, circularity, and compactness. The results show that the Golestan palace complex in Marvi-centered space has very good visibility and boosts the visual quality of this space in the structure of this space. However, in the Panzdah Khordad Square, the visibility of the office buildings is more than the Golestan palace complex, which has weakened the visual quality of the Panzdah Khordad pedestrian way.

Keywords