Pathology of Building Facade Design Regulations and Criteria Based on the Pattern of Iranian-Islamic Architecture and Urbanism (Case Study: Behesht Boulevard, Qom City)

Objective: Rapid urbanization and city development in Iran—particularly in religious cities like Qom—have progressed with insufficient attention to facade design quality and the principles of Iranian-Islamic architecture. This has led to visual disharmony in the urban landscape. The present study aims to assess the current condition of urban facades in Qom and to propose strategies for restoring Iranian-Islamic identity within the cityscape.
Methodology: A mixed-methods approach (quantitative–qualitative) was employed, including literature review, analysis of national and local planning documents, and fieldwork consisting of direct observation and semi-structured interviews. Initially, indicators and components of Iranian-Islamic architecture were extracted from Quranic texts, religious narrations, and contemporary urban theories to create an evaluation framework. Behesht Boulevard was selected as a representative urban axis for case study analysis.
Findings: Field observations showed that most facades along this axis lack visual coherence, spatial hierarchy, privacy considerations, appropriate use of local materials, and geometrical patterns aligned with Islamic principles. Furthermore, planning document analysis revealed the absence of detailed implementation guidelines, leading to subjective interpretations and weak facade quality control.
Conclusion: This study addresses the gap between regulatory documents and the physical realities of urban development by introducing measurable facade design criteria based on Iranian-Islamic principles. Findings suggest that achieving a cohesive Islamic urban identity and enhancing public space quality in cities like Qom require the integration of theoretical foundations, practical guidelines, and a deep understanding of sociocultural contexts.