Recognition of Site Precedent from the Perspective of Integrated Conservation, Case Study: Tabriz Blue Mosque Surrounding Site

During the recent years and following several decades of modern experiences in valuable urban texture conservation, Integrated Conservation approach has been considered as a more favorable solution by urban restoration experts. This viewpoint which covers extensive material and spiritual dimensions takes into account the commitment to supply current needs of the city and citizens along with the commitment to support the historical values. But having full knowledge of historical and site structure evolutions is one of the requirements for adopting this approach. The purpose of having such knowledge is to provide a background for a knowledge-based action in line with promoting the quality of the proposed plans; an issue that has unfortunately gained little attention in most of the contemporary interventions in the historical textures of Iranian cities. Historical texture of Iranian ancient cities is one of the main fields affected by the thoughtless and tactless developments. The measures that have been taken in these valuable regions, have often affected the historical and even functional identity of them. An obvious example of this claim is the inadvertent interventions in Tabriz Blue Mosque historical site, resulted in irreparable consequences for the historical prestige of the Two decades ago, i.e. in the early 70s (Hijri Shamsi), simultaneous to civil actions after war, the city governors with the consultation, cooperation and investment of a cultural institute in Tehran tried to destruct interwoven texture around the Blue Mosque. The purpose of this group in destructing the historical structures, was to bare, or in other words, clarify the physical appearance of the
Blue Mosque in urban landscape; in addition, another goal was designing and constructing trading complexes around it in order to return the capital and interest. This project that had a high process speed at first and it was expected to end soon, suddenly faced with a crisis and got stop for several years. The situation was another manifestation of “development and conflict” discussion in the third world societies. Although project managers insisted on work continuation and completion, resistance and opposition of public opinions especially the cultural sympathetic strata of the city became a barrier to it. Generally, it should be mentioned that although this non-expertise actions did not merely focus on destruction of architectural buildings and heritage around the Blue Mosque, but it totally destructed a
wide section of subsurface works hidden in lower layers. The present research has an environmental consideration and reflection while “Integrated Conservation” approach has become the basis of discussion in this. By understanding the mentioned issues we try to find an answer to the question: what is the role of layer study analysis in remaining traces from the excavation at surrounding site of Tabriz Blue Mosque in promoting the quality of the proposed plans for this site. This study has used a descriptive-analytical method of research and the findings indicate that more attentions should be paid by the programmers to this site which has a considerable antiquity dating back to Iron Age as a place in which human societies were settled during several millennia. The findings of this study further reveal that haphazard decisions in different districts of urban designing management have been harmful and evil for the fate of this site. If Integrated Conservation approach had been adopted to save and organize it from the beginning, the aforesaid site could now be an active and attractive cultural pole while preserving its true dignity. Now, for saving this historical site, it is necessary to provide a reasonable and long-lasting protection opportunity, from the viewpoint of Integrated Conservation approach.