Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development

Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development

Review the architecture of historical towers in the agricultural heritage system of Ghoshchi city

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hosein Raie 1
Shirin Dadashpour 2
Shakila Soufi 3
1 Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran Univesity of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Master of Science in Urban Heritage Restoration, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
3 Master’s student in the field of conservation and restoration of architectural heritage, School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/aaud.2026.557385.3008
Abstract
Agriculture and animal husbandry were the mainstays of the Iranian economy until the end of the Qajar period, and many of their systems can be identified across the geographical extent of Iran. In this manner of them is the agricultural heritage of Ghoshchi in west azerbayjan province, which included elements such as gardens, agricultural lands, canals, and historical towers. The components of this system had functional and physical continuity until previous decades, but now, in the course of urban and rural development, they have lost their function and are in the process of decay. So the research problem is the lack of sufficient knowledge about this system and its components and the need to obtain more information in this field. This article aims to take a general look at the agricultural heritage system of Ghoshchi and to examine in detail the historical towers as one of its important and hidden components. For this purpose, two questions are raised about the characteristics of historical towers and their functional role. The aim of the research is to better understand and introduce the agricultural heritage of Ghoshchi city, and to achieve this goal, a descriptive-analytical method has been used.
The findings have shown that historical towers, as part of the agricultural heritage of Ghoshchi, were formed by the local community due to the lack of stability and security during the Qajar period and have played an active role in the village from a biological and livelihood perspective. This article examines them based on qualities such as function, location, ownership, geometry, structure, and construction period, and considers them to be divisible into two types: observation and cultivation. They require documentation and registration on the national register of historic Places and have a meaningful connection to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
Keywords
Ghoshchi
Keshkhani Tower
Watchtower
Agricultural heritage
GIAHS
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Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development
Volume 19, Issue 55
Autumn 2026
Pages 35-52

  • Receive Date 04 November 2025
  • Revise Date 29 May 2026
  • Accept Date 12 June 2026