Performance in the Sarās of the Historic Bazaar of Maragheh (Case Study: Saray-e Khameneh, Saray-e Meytoolār, and Saray-e Sadr-e Kabir)
Subject Areas : بافت تاریخی شهرهای تاریخی ایران
Habib Esmaeilfam behi
1
,
sahar Toofan
2
*
1 - Ph.D. Student in Architecture, Department of Art and Architecture, Ta.C. Islamic Azad University, Tabriz,Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Art and Architecture, Department of Art and Architecture, Ta.C. Islamic Azad University, Tabriz,Iran.
Keywords: Historic Bazaar, Sarā, Spatial Proportions, Commercial Performance, Maragheh.,
Abstract :
The Interaction Between Spatial Proportions and Commercial Performance in the Sarās of the Historic Bazaar of Maragheh
(Case Study: Saray-e Khameneh, Saray-e Meytoolār,
and Saray-e Sadr-e Kabir)
Habib Esmaeilfam*
Sahar Toofan**
Sarās, as inward-oriented and spatially organized components of traditional Iranian bazaars, were historically formed on the basis of a coherent system of spatial proportions that structured both economic activities and patterns of user presence. The historic bazaar of Maragheh represents a notable example in which the sarās have undergone significant spatial and functional transformations due to physical interventions, economic shifts, and managerial changes over time. This study aims to examine the relationship between spatial proportions and the quality of commercial performance in selected sarās of the Maragheh bazaar. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach based on a combination of documentary studies and field surveys. Three representative sarās Khamaneh, Mitular, and Sadr Kabir were selected as case studies. Their spatial proportions were documented through field measurements and analyzed using geometric drawings prepared in AutoCAD. To enhance the reliability of the findings, the results of the spatial analysis were evaluated through a parallel method, comparing morphological data with documentary evidence and observable patterns of spatial use. The findings indicate that sarās exhibiting coherent spatial organization, balanced courtyard proportions, and clear circulation hierarchies demonstrate higher levels of commercial vitality and user presence. Conversely, disruption of these spatial systems has led to a decline in spatial quality and weakened commercial performance. The study suggests that a critical re-reading of original spatial proportions should be considered a fundamental principle in strategies aimed at the revitalization of historic bazaar sarās.
Keywords: Historic Bazaar; Sarā; Spatial Proportions; Commercial Performance; Maragheh.
Introduction
The traditional bazaar, within the historical urban fabric of Iran, transcends its role as a mere economic institution; it has historically served as one of the principal organizing strata of urban structure and social life. The lineage of this complex spatial order dates back to the pre-Islamic era, achieving its zenith of spatial and functional coherence during the Islamic period, particularly with the establishment of the caravanserai and tīmcheh systems (Pirnia & Ma’marian, 2014). This historical substratum functioned not only as a locus of commodity exchange but also as an arena for the genesis of social relations, cultural practices, political dynamics, and religious rituals. This materialized through a sequential typology of physical elements such as rāstahs (long corridors), tīmchehs, and sarāhs, each endowed with a specific function in the urban spatial and economic ordering (Molaei & Saber-mand, 2020).
Among these constituent elements, sarāhs—acting as centralized cores for commerce, warehousing, and often production—held strategic significance. The dominant organizational paradigm in sarāh design is inwardness, predicated on the central courtyard (hayat). This geometric order, which dictated the arrangement of hojreh (cells/units), the hierarchy of access, and the definition of intermediary spaces (e.g., riwāq or portico), not only ensured security and sustained economic viability in past eras but also regulated the quality of user presence and interaction.
Regrettably, in recent periods, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and function transformation, many historic sarāhs have experienced severe spatio-physical discontinuity (Habibi & Maghsoudi, 2013). Incongruous interventions, the excision of original structural components, and the disregard for inherent geometric logic have led to the weakening of these spaces’ commercial efficacy. This trend suggests that functional decline is not solely rooted in physical deterioration but stems directly from the disruption of the original spatial proportions that guaranteed environmental legibility and sustained economic flow.
The primary objective of this research, predicated on the fundamental assumption that Iranian historical bazaars are cohesive spatial systems where built structure and economic function are inextricably interwoven, is to systematically elucidate the causal relationship between spatial proportions and the quality of commercial performance within selected sarāhs of the historic Bazaar of Maragheh. This aim necessitates an analytical inquiry grounded in fundamental concepts of spatial organization, moving beyond mere architectural description. To this end, we have empirically assessed physical variables, including the geometry of the central courtyard, the dimensional ratios of constituent elements (porticoes), and the hierarchical organization of the access network, as independent variables. Conversely, the dependent variable, “Commercial Performance Quality,” has been evaluated across three dimensions: user presence/accessibility, spatial legibility and perception, and economic sustainability. Adopting this approach, the research seeks to uncover the intrinsic logic governing the persistence of exemplar sarāhs (e.g., Sarā-ye Khāmeneh) in contrast to those exhibiting functional depreciation (e.g., Sarā-ye Sadr-e Kabir). Ultimately, the goal is the extraction of a consistent spatio-functional paradigm, one that can serve as both a theoretical foundation and an operational basis for formulating revitalization and restoration strategies for bazaar sarāhs within Iran’s historic contexts.
Theoretical Framework
This research is situated within the theoretical framework of Islamic architecture and the Iranian city, asserting the inseparable relationship between Form and Function (Saremi & Behra, 2021). In spatial analysis, dimensional proportions and plan geometry directly influence spatial perception and user behavior patterns. To analyze the spatial structure of the sarāhs, modern spatial analysis concepts are employed alongside traditional readings:
Spatial Organization and Central Courtyard Proportions: The central courtyard, as the organizing nucleus, requires balanced proportions to establish a robust perceptual centrality. Imbalanced ratios (e.g., elongated rectangles) invariably distort this centrality.
Access System and Hierarchy: The legibility of the access network, established through defined entry points and path hierarchies, determines the degree of Integration within the sarāh’s movement network. Dispersed entrances undermine hierarchy and reduce efficiency.
Mediating Elements (Porticoes): In Indo-Persian architecture, porticoes (riwāqs) serve beyond mere sun screening; they create continuous connective spaces that enhance the user Choice index for alternative routes and overall Integration, thereby improving the quality of presence.
The research posits that stability in balanced geometry and the retention of structural elements will lead to higher commercial dynamism, as a favorable movement experience encourages longer presence and, consequently, more sustainable economic activity.
Methodology
The research methodology employed is descriptive-analytical with an applied orientation. Data were collected and processed via two principal pathways:
- A) Documentary and Preliminary Field Studies: Collection of historical and administrative data pertaining to the Maragheh Bazaar and the case-study sarāhs (Sarā-ye Khāmeneh, Sarā-ye Mitoolar, Sarā-ye Sadr-e Kabir). The field survey stage involved documenting existing plans and elevations to record the current physical state and observable historical elements (e.g., porticoes and corridors).
- B) Geometric Analysis and Quantification of Spatial Proportions: The core phase involved precise geometric analysis of architectural plans utilizing AutoCAD software. In this stage, quantitative metrics of spatial proportions were extracted for each sarāh, including:
Central Courtyard Dimensional Ratio: Calculation of the length-to-width ratio to assess geometric equilibrium.
Coverage Ratio of Intermediate Spaces: Measurement of the percentage area occupied by porticoes relative to the courtyard’s perimeter.
Access Network Analysis: Coding of entrances and movement paths to evaluate the hierarchy and concentration of access points.
- C) Validation through the Parallel Method: To ensure the validity of the quantitative findings, the Parallel Method was utilized. This method mandates the correlation of geometric analysis outcomes (form) with behavioral data (actual performance). Behavioral observations encompassed the actual pattern of commercial presence, the density of activity across different sarāh zones, and their documented operational history over time. This triangulation confirms whether the derived spatial logic genuinely influenced economic vitality.
Case Study Analysis and Comparative Assessment of Proportions and Performance
The analysis of the three sarāhs in Maragheh across both physical and functional levels reveals a significant divergence in their commercial trajectories, directly correlated with geometric coherence:
- A) Sarā-ye Khāmeneh (Exemplar of High Spatial Integration)
Sarā-ye Khāmeneh (Total Area: 2150 sq. m.) stands as a successful case study in achieving high Integration. The retention of near-square proportions in its central courtyard ensures it functions as a “strong perceptual center.” Crucially, the presence of U-shaped wooden porticoes surrounding the courtyard creates a linear and continuous movement network on the first floor. These porticoes act to amplify the Movement Integration index; users are systematically channeled through logical and selectable paths to access any cell on this level, simultaneously benefiting from adequate shading—a vital factor for sustained presence during peak daylight hours. This spatial coherence directly translates into the highest level of sustained accessibility and preservation of retail functions.
- B) Sarā-ye Mitoolar (Exemplar of Geometric Imbalance)
Sarā-ye Mitoolar (450 sq. m.), despite the high geometric coherence of its nearly square courtyard emphasizing spatial centrality, has failed to reach the dynamism of Sarā-ye Khāmeneh. This functional gap is primarily attributable to the lack of a unified hierarchy in entrance organization (two main entrances), leading to an uneven distribution of activity concentrated along the dominant axis. While porticoes exist, the organization of these entrances negatively impacts the Choice index, preventing the optimal exploitation of the courtyard’s balanced physical potential. This suggests that courtyard proportionality alone is insufficient for optimal performance; the quality of the access system is a critical determinant of commercial performance sustainability in sarāhs.
- C) Sarā-ye Sadr-e Kabir (Exemplar of Severe Spatial Discontinuity)
Sarā-ye Sadr-e Kabir (1000 sq. m.) represents the apex of hierarchical organizational breakdown. The sarāh features four dispersed entrances that disrupt the movement hierarchy and severely diminish the Integration of the access network. Following adverse events, substantial portions of the structure were renovated, leading to the complete removal of the porticoes; this action destroyed the spatial quality of the first floor and compromised the daylighting of its cells. The excision of the riwāqs eliminated continuous visual and kinetic connectivity, being the primary cause of the isolation of the second floor and the palpable drop in commercial activity in those sections.
Comparative Analysis
The Parallel Method analysis demonstrated that stability in physical proportions has guaranteed functional stability:
|
Physical Feature |
Sarā-ye Khāmeneh |
Sarā-ye Mitoolar |
Sarā-ye Sadr-e Kabir |
Impact on Commercial Performance |
|
Central Courtyard Form |
Near-Square (Balanced) |
Near-Square (Balanced) |
Irregular Rectangle (Distorted) |
Balanced proportion Strong centrality Better dynamism. |
|
First Floor Porticoes |
Present (U-shaped, Continuous) |
Present (Quadrilateral) |
Eliminated (Spatial Discontinuity) |
Continuity of portico High movement legibility & presence quality. |
|
Access Hierarchy |
Strong, Courtyard-Centric |
Two Entrances, Relative Distribution |
Weak, Four Dispersed Entrances |
Well-defined access system manages flow efficiency. |
|
Current Performance Quality |
Most Active and Sustainable |
Moderate, Concentration near entrances |
Weak, Concentrated on Ground Floor |
Physical coherence is the main factor for functional continuity. |
As evidenced, Sarā-ye Khāmeneh, by maximizing geometric coherence (squareness of the courtyard and continuity of the porticoes), has successfully maintained its spatial quality and commercial dynamism over time.
Conclusion
This research, utilizing geometric analysis validated by behavioral and comparative assessment of traditional commercial spaces through the case study of three exemplary sarāhs in the Maragheh Bazaar (Khāmeneh, Mitoolar, Sadr-e Kabir), demonstrates that original spatial proportions—comprising balanced courtyard geometry and a distinct access hierarchy—directly influence kinetic legibility and the quality of user presence, serving as the primary factor for the persistence of economic life within the historical context of the sarāh. Deviation from this physical order, particularly through the removal of mediating elements such as porticoes (as in Sarā-ye Sadr-e Kabir) or imbalance in the plan (Sarā-ye Mitoolar), results in spatial discontinuity and the gradual erosion of commercial capacities. Therefore, this study validates the efficacy of comparative geometric analysis as a potent tool for interpreting the performance of traditional architectural spaces. The principal conclusion is that revitalization interventions in historic bazaar fabrics must move beyond formalistic approaches and prioritize the re-establishment of the organizing logic of physical proportions to ensure long-term success. This applied approach offers a precise methodology for enhancing the economic viability and preserving the spatial identity of sarāhs against functional decay, potentially serving as a template for the management and revitalization of other traditional bazaars nationally.
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* Ph.D. Student in Architecture, Department of Art and Architecture, Ta.C. Islamic Azad University, Tabriz,Iran.
0009-0005-4708-2378
** Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Art and Architecture, Department of Art and Architecture, Ta.C. Islamic Azad University, Tabriz,Iran.
0000-0002-1298-513X
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