مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوری مطالعات شهر ایرانی-اسلامی 2228-639X 16 60 2026 2 3 Structuration of Kermanshah Houses Architectural Pattern Since the 1980s ساخت‌یابی الگوهای معماری خانه‌های کرمانشاه (از دهه 60 تاکنون) 89 120 fa معین آقایی مهر دانشگاه هنر اسلامی تبریز مینو قره بگلو دانشگاه هنر اسلامی تبریز محمدتقی پیربابایی دانشگاه هنر اسلامی تبریز 2024 7 3 Structuration of Kermanshah Houses Architectural Pattern Since the 1980s   Moein Aghaeimehr*<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a> Minou Gharehbaglou**<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a> Mohammad Taghi Pirbabaei***<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a>   Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory, with its emphasis on social action and rules and resources of Structuration, provides an effective framework for explaining the processes of production and reproduction of residential spaces. Drawing on this theoretical perspective, the present study analyzes the structuring components of contemporary residential architecture in the city of Kermanshah over recent decades. The main research question addresses how the prevailing conditions governing contemporary residential spaces in Kermanshah can be understood and how these conditions are interpreted through transformations in the structuring components of residential architecture.The study adopts a descriptive–analytical approach based on a post-hoc research strategy and employs case study, comparative analysis, and systematic qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate that transformations in Kermanshah’s residential architecture have resulted from a complex interaction between authoritative and allocative resources, legal regulations, and concepts and ethical values related to dwelling. Accordingly, the dominant residential patterns are classified into four typologies: early villas, later villas, early apartments, and later apartments. The results demonstrate that residential spaces in Kermanshah have been shaped neither solely by top-down structural forces nor merely by individual choices of social actors; rather, they have emerged through a continuous and dynamic process of reciprocal interaction between structure and agency. Ultimately, the governing conditions of the four residential typologies are explained within the framework of authoritative resources, allocative resources, concepts, norms and ethical values, and legal rules and regulations.   Keywords: Anthony Giddens, Structuration theory, Kermanshah, Residential Architecture, Housing studies.   Introduction Residential architecture constitutes a critical interface between social structure and everyday life, reflecting broader demographic, cultural, and economic transformations. In this regard, cities undergoing rapid urbanization offer particularly fertile ground for examining the mutual constitution of space and society. Kermanshah, as one of the major urban centers in western Iran, has experienced significant population growth and structural change over the past several decades. The city’s population increased from approximately 290,000 inhabitants in 1976 to a projected figure exceeding 1,085,000 by 2025. This demographic expansion, accompanied by a decline in average household size—from 5.2 persons in 1976 to 3.3 persons in 2016—has generated an urgent demand for housing and placed increasing pressure on existing residential patterns. Following the Iran–Iraq War, large-scale reconstruction efforts and shifts in family structure accelerated the transition from low-density, courtyard-based villa housing toward apartment living. Traditional single-family houses were gradually replaced by multi-story residential buildings, particularly in newly developing urban neighborhoods. While these changes enabled the city to accommodate population growth, they also introduced challenges, including the reduction of open and green spaces, increased residential density, and tensions between emerging architectural forms and long-standing cultural norms. Against this background, the present study addresses the following central question: What conditions have governed the formation of residential spaces in Kermanshah since the 1980s, and how can these conditions be interpreted through transformations in the structural components of housing structure? Drawing on Giddens’ concept of structuration, which explains how social structures are produced and reproduced through human action, this research moves beyond purely descriptive analyses and seeks to uncover the social mechanisms shaping residential architecture. Although a growing body of Iranian architectural literature emphasizes social and cultural dimensions of housing, much of this research remains limited to morphological description or symbolic interpretation. Few studies employ sociological frameworks capable of explaining how residential spaces are produced through the interaction of institutions, cultural values, and everyday practices. By applying structuration theory, this study addresses this gap and offers an integrated understanding of the structure–agency relationship in the residential architecture of Kermanshah. The research is positioned as fundamental–applied and contributes to both theoretical debate and housing policy discussions.   Theoretical Framework Structuration theory, developed by Anthony Giddens, provides a framework for analyzing the reciprocal relationship between social structures and human agency. Social systems consist of practices recursively organized across time and space, while structures function simultaneously as the medium and the outcome of social action. Human agents draw upon rules and resources in their everyday practices, and through this process, structures are continuously reproduced or transformed. In residential architecture, this perspective conceptualizes housing as a social system rather than merely a physical artifact. Giddens distinguishes between authoritative resources, referring to control over people and institutions, and allocative resources, which involve control over material and economic assets such as land, capital, and construction technologies. Rules are divided into two dimensions: signification and legitimation. Signification refers to shared cultural meanings and interpretive schemes, including concepts such as privacy, hospitality, and symbolic architectural elements of traditional Iranian houses. Legitimation encompasses normative rules, laws, and regulations, including urban planning codes, building standards, and religious prescriptions. Together, these components provide an analytical lens for understanding how residential forms are produced, reproduced, and transformed through the interaction of power, culture, and regulation.   Methodology This study adopts a retrospective research strategy and employs a qualitative methodological framework. A case-study approach was selected to enable in-depth analysis of residential transformations within a specific urban context. The research area comprises selected sections of the 22 Bahman neighborhood in Kermanshah, an area characterized by continuous residential development from the late Pahlavi period to the present. This temporal depth makes the neighborhood particularly suitable for examining changes in housing typologies and their underlying social conditions. Data collection was conducted in two main stages. First, a comprehensive review of secondary sources—including population statistics, housing studies, and theoretical literature on structuration—was undertaken to establish the conceptual framework. Second, fieldwork was carried out using direct observation as the primary method for identifying physical and spatial characteristics of residential units. Semi-structured interviews with local residents and builders were used as a complementary tool to clarify and contextualize observational findings. In total, 36 residential units were examined, including 20 villa houses and 16 apartment units, with eight samples used as pilot cases. The collected data were analyzed through systematic qualitative content analysis. Thematic coding was conducted within the framework of structuration theory, focusing on the interaction between agency, resources, and rules. To enhance the validity of the analysis, data triangulation was employed by cross-referencing observations, interview data, and documentary sources.   Findings The analysis identified four dominant residential architectural typologies in the study area: early villas (from the 1950s to the late 1980s), late villas (from the early 1990s to the early 2000s), early apartments (from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s), and late apartments (from the mid-2000s to the present). Early villa housing typically consisted of one- or two-story buildings, with or without basements, organized around a central family living space that functioned as the main distributive node. Kitchens were enclosed and spatially separated from reception areas, and strong distinctions were maintained between private and semi-public spaces. In later villa models, spatial configurations gradually shifted toward greater openness: internal partitions were reduced, corridors connecting the courtyard were removed, kitchens became open-plan, and parking spaces were incorporated into the residential interior. These changes reflected both evolving cultural preferences and emerging regulatory and economic pressures. The transition to apartment housing was closely linked to urban development incentives and regulatory changes aimed at increasing construction density. Early apartment buildings were typically low-rise, lacked elevators, and allowed shared or open parking arrangements. Interior layouts emphasized integrated living and reception spaces and open-plan kitchens. With the gradual enforcement of stricter building regulations—particularly mandatory private parking and safety requirements—unit sizes increased, while open and green spaces within residential plots declined. In late apartment typologies, elevators, fire-resistant doors, and enhanced structural and mechanical systems became mandatory features, reflecting the growing influence of institutional authority and technical standards. Across all four typologies, residential forms were shaped by shifting configurations of authoritative resources, allocative resources, cultural meanings, and legal regulations. These configurations varied over time, producing distinct spatial outcomes and patterns of domestic life.   Discussion and Conclusion The findings demonstrate that the formation of residential architecture in Kermanshah cannot be adequately explained by reference to physical constraints or market forces alone. Instead, housing transformations emerge from a complex and continuous interaction between human agency and structural components. In the early villa period, authoritative resources were largely concentrated in individual property owners, who shaped housing forms in accordance with prevailing cultural values. Over time, authority increasingly shifted toward construction companies, municipal institutions, and professional regulatory bodies, fundamentally altering the conditions of housing Structuration. Allocative resources also underwent significant transformation. Land and capital gradually became embedded within speculative housing markets, driven by population growth, rising land values, and advances in construction technology. These changes facilitated high-density apartment construction while simultaneously constraining traditional spatial practices. Cultural signification rules evolved in parallel: values such as privacy, family security, and hospitality—central to early villa housing—were progressively reconfigured in response to urban migration, reduced household size, increased female employment, consumerism, and the adoption of modern technologies and lifestyles. Legitimation rules, including religious norms and building regulations, likewise changed in response to shifting governmental policies and urban planning frameworks. Contemporary regulations place increasing emphasis on energy efficiency, lighting and ventilation, structural safety, neighborhood relations, automobile accommodation, and legal definitions of ownership and privacy—dimensions that have profoundly reshaped residential space. From the perspective of structuration theory, residential spaces in Kermanshah are neither the direct outcome of top-down structural forces nor the result of individual choice alone. Rather, they are produced through an ongoing process of mutual constitution between structure and agency. This study contributes theoretically by demonstrating the analytical value of structuration theory in housing and architectural research and by reinforcing the necessity of a dual structure–agency perspective. Practically, the findings offer insights for architects and housing planners by highlighting the importance of aligning design strategies with local power structures and cultural values. The structuration-based framework developed in this research can be applied to other Iranian cities and may support the formulation of socially and culturally grounded housing policies.   Refrence Aghaeimehr, M., & Gharehbaglou, M. (2020). Identity-Based Contemporization; Case Study: Iran Contemporary Urban Districts in Pahlavi Era. 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Journal of Simulation, 18(6), 973–987. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17477778.2024.2325428">https://doi.org/10.1080/17477778.2024.2325428</a> Karimi, K. (2023) 'The Configurational Structures of Social Spaces: Space Syntax and Urban Morphology in the Context of Analytical, Evidence-Based Design.' Journal of Land. 12 (11), 2084. 1-23. <a href="https://doi.org/">https://doi.org/</a> 10.3390/land12112084 Segre, M. S. (2014) Contemporary Sociological Thinkers and Theories. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315573946   <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"></a>* Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, National University of Skills, Tehran, Iran. Disa.ag@gmail.com 0000-0002-1415-9608 <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2"></a>** Corresponding Author: Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran. m.gharehbaglou@tabriziau.ac.ir 0000-0003-2639-2906 <a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3"></a>*** Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran. <a href="mailto:pirbabaei@tabriziau.ac.ir">pirbabaei@t abriziau.ac.ir</a> 0000-0002-6305-9611 نظریه ساخت&zwnj;یابی «آنتونی گیدنز» با تمرکز بر کنش اجتماعی و قواعد و منابع ساخت، چارچوبی مناسب برای تبیین فرایند تولید و بازتولید فضاهای مسکونی فراهم می&zwnj;آورد. این پژوهش با اتکا به نظریۀ ساخت&zwnj;یابی، به تحلیل مؤلفه&zwnj;های ساخت معماری فضاهای مسکونی معاصر شهر کرمانشاه در دهه&zwnj;های اخیر می&zwnj;پردازد. پرسش اصلی پژوهش اینگونه شکل گرفته است که شرایط حاکم بر فضاهای مسکونی معاصر شهر کرمانشاه چگونه است و این شرایط، چگونه با تحولات مؤلفه&zwnj;های ساخت فضاهای مسکونی قابل &zwnj;تفسیر است. روش پژوهش، توصیفی - تحلیلی و مبتنی بر راهبرد پس&zwnj;کاوی است و از روش&zwnj;های مطالعه موردی، تطبیقی و تحلیل محتوای کیفی به &zwnj;صورت نظام&zwnj;دار بهره می&zwnj;برد. یافته&zwnj;های پژوهش نشان می&zwnj;دهد که تحولات معماری مسکن در کرمانشاه از دهه ۶۰ تاکنون، نتیجۀ تعامل پیچیده میان منابع اقتداری و تخصیصی، الزامات قانونی، مفاهیم و ارزش&zwnj;های اخلاقی مرتبط با سکونت است. بر این &zwnj;اساس الگوهای غالب فضاهای مسکونی به چهار گونۀ ویلایی اولیه، ویلایی متأخر، آپارتمانی اولیه و آپارتمانی متأخر دسته&zwnj;بندی می&zwnj;گردد. نتایج بیانگر آن است که فضاهای سکونتی کرمانشاه نه صرفاً به&zwnj; وسیله ساختارهای بالادستی شکل گرفته&zwnj;اند و نه صرفاً انتخاب&zwnj;های فردی کنشگران هستند؛ بلکه در فرآیند پیچیده و پیوسته&zwnj;ای از تعامل متقابل میان ساخت و عامل به &zwnj;وجود آمده&zwnj;اند. در این راستا در گام نظری با بهره&zwnj;گیری از نظریه ساخت&zwnj;یابی، مؤلفه&zwnj;های ساخت&zwnj;یابی فضاهای سکونتی تبیین شده، در گام میدانی، الگوهای مسکونی منتخب شهر کرمانشاه تحلیل و تفسیر می&zwnj;گردد. در نهایت شرایط حاکم بر شکل&zwnj;گیری الگوهای چهارگانه فضاهای مسکونی در چارچوب مؤلفه&zwnj;های «منابع اقتداری»، «منابع تخصیصی»، «مفاهیم، هنجارها و ارزش&zwnj;های اخلاقی» و «قواعد و الزامات قانونی» تبیین می&zwnj;شود.

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