Journal of Researches in Islamic Architecture

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Historical context as a dynamic and live system needs to change and transform during the time. Among the key drivers of changes, economic and political dimensions are effective on determining the type, nature and implications of transformation. On the other hand, the needs of residents in such contexts is also constantly changing. Socio-physical assets in the context of historical contexts due to non-recurring values in them, than other urban contexts are important. Urban development documents act as the tools of the quality and identify control in historical contexts. Review of previous interventions indicated that any large-scale intervention in addition to the social impact of architecture, have interactive impact on the type and severity of subsequent changes and the whole of old city. The purpose of this description and analysis of large-scale interventions and mega structure projects in four neighborhoods of the old city of Najaf as a negative catalyst and urban design principles of the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali redevelopment projects as a positive catalyst for the future transformation as a guide. The study also examined the context of the old city of Najaf and examples of the development plan of the holy shrine as a positive catalyst and interventions in the commercial and residential areas as negative catalysts. This study reviews the documents and apply the comparative research method and using the deductive techniques and case study research method for examine of large-scale interventions. Using the case study method allows analysis of the cases. Based on the results, a comprehensive view of holistic approaches, sensitivity to context, control of unpredictability, the effectiveness of developmental and gradual and progressive effectiveness and branding and distinction become parts of the most important criteria for guiding large-scale projects toward changing to positive urban catalysts. Application of the conceptual model in evaluating cases reveals that, paying attention to the new development projects in historical areas based on a comprehensive approach, maintaining grain proportionality, tangible and intangible identities in accordance with the time characteristics values have been the characteristics of the shaping the positive development catalysts in the historical context of old city of Najaf Ashraf. Among the principles and strategies considered in the development plan for the Alavi Holy shrine and indicators for converting previous interventions into a catalyst for negative development, four key strategies to explain interventions in historical contexts have been presented as a catalyst for positive development; 1. Explain the role and place of design in the whole city. 2. Explain the method of intervention on a large scale in the historic city. 4. Pay attention to the pattern of historical development. 5. Prevention of domino changes. Achieving clear definitions of coherence and complexity in respect of the above indicators provides the basis for preserving historical contexts in the path of development and preventing of a negative catalyst.

Keywords: Large-scale projects, urban catalyst, Dominoes changes, Imam Ali holy shrine surrounding development plan, the old city of Najaf.

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