A study on the form contemporary developments of Tabriz leather and shoe Bazaar (marketplace) from the late Qajar to current period

Abstract

Bazaars are considered essential components of a society's economy and significant features in the urban context of cities, which have emerged based on exchanging goods and meeting people's needs. Since the late Qajar period, amidst the rapid changes resulting from interaction with modernization, the form of Tabriz Grand Bazaar has undergone significant changes. The research aims to explain the contemporary transformations of marketplace form in the leather and shoe sectors. The objectives aim to elucidate the contemporary physical, functional, and sementic changes and propose strategies. The research method is qualitative, with a phenomenological approach. The results indicate that the Bazaar has lost some physical and sementic functions. Despite providing goods, it has failed to meet the public's demands because of eliminating production workshops by changing the productive function to service-oriented and the size and shape of spaces. The decline of religious activities is also one reason for the diminished sementic dimension. Regarding functional and physical aspects, some proposed solutions include preserving the authenticity of the spaces and utilizing suitable Functions with the dominant architectural style. Regarding sementic characteristics, suggestions include enhancing the sense of identity.