Investigating the Role of Historical Public Squares on Promotion of Citizens’ Quality of Life

Public Square is one of the main pillars in social life that has effects on the social quality of the urban public space, and improving the level of social interactions of the citizens. Considering the effect of public space in quality of social life, in many modern cities, the public squares that have recently designed and constructed aren’t responsive for social needs, improvement of communications and the social relations of citizens. This matter appears because of poor conditions of cities during modernization and lack of attention to cultural, sociological and psychological needs, therefore analyzing the contributing factors on urban quality of successful historical public squares for improving citizens’ quality of life can introduce a guideline for designers and planners to solve contemporary urban problems. In this research, that has been developed based on descriptive procedure, the characteristics of Naghshe-Jahan Square as an active and vibrant historical public square has been examined to realize the effective factors on improving the quality of citizens’ urban life. The results of research indicate that quality of citizen’s urban life indicators in historical public square included visual aesthetic (Spatial continuity and hierarchy, emphasis on the axis of symmetry, balance and visual contrast, Sense of closure and introspection, Sense of wideness based on observer’s field of view), functional qualities (Special location in city core, political, religious, economical, commercial, tourism, recreation, cultural, historical and social values of the square, pedestrian accessibility, inclusiveness of square to different social groups, various ages and genders). However, results show that, in developing the design for this historical public square, a comprehensive attention was paid to non-physical aspects like social beliefs, culture, traditions and religion. Therefore, Naghshe-Jahan Square in Isfahan, served as a multifunctional historical public space for improving the quality of urban life in the Iranian urbanism history.