Hosna Varmaghani,
Volume 33, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Urban squares reflect urban planning cultures, and also to some extent even a reflection of overall nations’ cultures. Squares are microcosms of urban life, offering excitement and repose, markets and public ceremonies, a place to meet friends and watch the world go by. They have been shaped by popular whims, by topography and architectural fashion. Some grew piecemeal; others were planned at a stroke, as a symbol of power or the foundation stone of a new development. Here in this study effort is made to compare two selected cases from two different cultures, West vs. East - Savanna, Georgia, USA vs. Hamadan, Iran. In this comparison, the indicators of the biophilic city (pedestrian, nature-friendly, accessible and sociable city) have been considered. Descriptive analytical method was used to collect and classify the indicators and space syntax theory was used to analyze and compare the placing pattern of squares in urban contexts. The method of data collection was library and field survey and data analysis tool were UCL Depthmap software. The study of biophilic city in the two studied cities revealed differences and similarities that are effective in increasing theoretical understanding, recognizing anomalies and understanding how indicators work in these two different urban structures and contexts.
