Traditional urbanism and lessons for global cities: the case of Isfahan

This paper is about a discussion and a record on the ways traditional places can help us re-establish meaning and a sense of belonging, in a world now increasingly defined by pointlessness. The traditional city of Isfahan is selected for discussion and analysis because Isfahan, through its methodical urban development, maintained a balance that stood between nature, culture and society and is the result of an evolving process through many generations. With its marvelous architecture, of pavilions, gardens, mosques and lavish ornamental profusion of building facades, Isfahan bears the hallmark of a culture and architecture that provides us with lessons of history and opens up for us the imaginative myth of human consciousness. Traditional architecture and planning is adoptable to our modern needs and aspiration and can enrich our lives beyond the material and mechanical capacity.