Yazd: A Traditional Iranian Desert City

This chapter investigates the history of human settlements and urban developmentsUrban developments in IranIran and in YazdYazd through written documents, oral histories and ethnographical findings. The overall intent of this chapter is to understand how social and physical fabrics of traditional IranianIranian cities have been formed and translated over time. This chapter is divided in two parts. At first, general information is given of IranIran, where the case studyCase study, YazdYazd, is located (Fig 3.1). Through this information, the chapter discusses the reflection of various names, which have been given to the country, on the nation’s identityIdentity; how the country preserved its PersianPersian origins over time; and how traditional IranianIranian cities have been formed and developed since ancient times. The chapter, then, speaks of YazdYazd and its inhabitants. Within this part, it examines the various names given to the city; how the desertDesert and religionReligion have affected the localLocal culture and architecture of Yazd followed by the influences of modernisation on the city as a whole. Throughout reviewing the urban developmentUrban developments in Yazd, the chapter also argues as how different types of shoes can be used to symbolise the diverse urban morphology of Yazd. Finally, the chapter argues as to why specific neighbourhoods-FahadanFahadan, Nersi/Nasr-AbadNersi/Nasr-Abad, and SafaiehSafaieh-have been selected for this detailed study.