Journal of Researches in Islamic Architecture

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Bahrami Kian Z, Akbari A. Analysis of the originality of subjectivity in semiotics of place as a basis for intervention in religious places (Case study: Shrine of Hazrat Abdul Azim). JRIA 2022; 10 (3) :69-85
URL: http://jria.iust.ac.ir/article-1-1477-en.html

Since the sacred shrines are mainly located in the historical contexts of cities, preserving the historical identity of the context is one of the challenges in new developments. In some plans of developing holy places, it has been observed that the principles of planning, regardless of the existing spaces and the historical memory of pilgrims of the building and identity of the surrounding texture, has destroyed the intergenerational memories of individuals and cut off their mental connection with the building. Considering the social and cultural necessity of preserving the spacial and historical identity and mental relationship of people with the place in development planning, this study tries to base on the viewpoint of users in their lived experience of worship in the shrine of Hazrat Abdul Azim, define and examine the research hypotheses; Then interpret the data in a phenomenological way and offer operational solutions as the basis of intervention in holy places. The philosophical paradigm of research is critical discourse. Due to the nature of the variables, the research approach is qualitative; research method is the survey and research design is descriptive-analytical. Explaining the theoretical foundations of research and determining research variables has been done through library studies and field studies, including direct observation, interview and distribution of questionnaires.
To analyze the originality of people's mentality in the face of space, three hypotheses were proposed: 1. it is assumed that the geometry of spatial relationships, the type of connection with the shrine (dome) increases the sense of place attachment in the users. 2. It is assumed that the use of spatial quality factors affecting the perception of users leads to greater presence in the place. 3. It is assumed that the signs of historical identity play a role in the meaning of space and place attachment among users. The contribution of each factor has been analyzed and effective in designing new spaces. In the first hypothesis, the result of Pearson correlation test between the components of spatial relations – connection with the shrine and the sense of belonging, the correlation coefficient is 0.377. The value of a significant number is less than 0.01 and therefore there is a significant relationship between these two variables at the 99% confidence level. In the second hypothesis, the result of Pearson correlation test between the component of spatial quality factors affecting users' perception and the presence of people in the place shows a coefficient of 0.311. The value of the observed significant number is less than 0.05, which is less than the standard significance level (α = 5%). Therefore, there is a significant relationship between these two variables at 95% confidence level. In the third hypothesis, the result of Pearson correlation test between the component of the sign and its structure and the component of meaning and memory in place shows a coefficient of 0.377. The observed significant number is less than 0.01, which is less than the standard significance level (α = 5%). Therefore, there is a significant relationship between these two variables at 99% confidence level. Finding results of the discussion show that the spatial hierarchy of the building, visual relationship with the dome, quality factors affecting users' perception in any space and the existence of meaningful signs have a direct, positive and significant effect on the components of place attachment in people mental identity of place and preserving them makes the place more identifiable. According to the analysis in this study, it can be concluded that the most important issue in the development plan of historical religious sites is the originality of the mentality of individuals towards spaces and places. The mental thing formed in the subconscious mind of the people remain the guarantor of the creation of the spiritual mentality of the people in the space and basically forms the subjective nature of the space. This is more important and fundamental than the objective nature of the building because meaning is the most essential element of being in spiritual situations. This issue was also indicated in the statistical tests of the research. Therefore, in the context of religious history, the presentation of the same and modified copies (which is also contrary to international rules and regulations) calls into question the value, efficiency and desirability of the initial model and reduces its historical significance. As a result, in development projects, giving a repetitive motif, pattern or elements can not solve the context problem, and this leads to the unification of anonymity. Depending on the potential of each field, the presentation of development plans will be numerous in cities. Citizens' dissatisfaction with the current development plans shows that the sense place attachment among the users is enormously important. Therefore, disturbing memorable situations under the pretext of development without effective planning will reduce the value of the place.