Evaluating the Role of the Spatial Configuration of the Iranian Garden in Environmental Sustainability as a Development Framework (Case Study: Abbas Abad Garden, Behshahr)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial Design, Planning, faculty of Art and Architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 Master of Science in Landscape Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

The present study analyzes the physical system of Abbasabad Garden in Behshahr, as one of the most prominent examples of Iranian gardens, and examines its impact on environmental sustainability. By combining natural and artificial elements, this garden offers an outstanding model of sustainable interaction between architecture and nature. The focus of the present study is on three main components including water system, planting system, and building system, each of which plays a fundamental role in improving environmental quality. The research method was carried out with a mixed approach including field studies, statistical analyses, and structured questionnaires, and data were collected through direct observation, interviews with experts, professors, and surveys of tourists and analyzed with SPSS software. The findings show that the Abbasabad Garden water system has been able to manage water resources optimally by using reservoirs, canals, and engineered structures. The planting system, by utilizing native, drought-resistant vegetation, has reduced soil erosion and increased ecological sustainability. Also, the building system using local materials and compatible with the region's climate has improved energy efficiency and created greater adaptability to environmental conditions. The results of this research show that Abbasabad Garden is an inspiring example of sustainable design that can be used as a practical model in contemporary environmental and urban planning. This research emphasizes the need to restore and protect this valuable heritage in order to strengthen environmental sustainability and preserve cultural identity.

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