An Investigation on Elements Creating Sense of Place in Historical Site of Babol

The body of residential complexes is affected by social interactions between residents over time. Of the most important places for social communications are bazaars as the backbone of Iranian cities. Ancient bazaar of Babol in north of Iran contains natural features which makes a special sense of place. This essay tries to answer to how concept of sense of place is presented and what are factors affecting on sense of place; in historical site of Babol. Theoretical study of essay is based on Interpretive and qualitative approach through written documentaries. In this way first; the concept of sense of place is reviewed. After an explanation about the bazaar and the city, important features defining the site and their relations are analyzed through phenomenological approach. Then symbolic elements are identified and classified in fixed, semi-fixed and non-fixed feature elements, and their role on creating a Sense of Place is investigated. Any of fixed feature elements of the studied area like doors, columns, roofs, windows and doorways, transfer significant architectural qualities. Semi-fixed feature elements containing wooden elements, roofs, furniture, symbolic inscriptions, hung lights and plants; make a sense of dependency and safety. Nonfixed feature elements containing peddlers, voices, odors and climatic conditions depend on activities in place, prove the existence of human and modify a personal territory or place-behavior .Existence of these elements in the environment not only gives us an experience of sociality and public activity; but they also create a sense of presence and dependency or sense of place.

Keywords:

Sense of place , Symbolic Elements , PanjshanbeBazaar , Babol