The Sustainable Architecture of Bazaars and its Relation with Social, Cultural and Economic Components (Case Study: The Historic Bazaar of Tabriz)

Urban commercial quarters such as bazaars can be found all over the world, from Turkey toEgypt, from Tajikistan to Iran. In Iranian cities, bazaars have very specific and unique architectural features and theyhave played an important role as economic and social engines. In addition, bazaars are an integral part of the culturalgeography of Iran and have contributed to the definition of urban development patterns. This paper aims to criticallyexplore sustainable architectural elements in historic bazaars and their relation to social and cultural components. Thispaper’s theoretical exploration is developed by detailing relevant findings from a case study on the significance ofthe sustainable architectural elements of the historic Bazaar of Tabriz, and it debates the relationship between thosearchitectural elements and socio-cultural and economic components. A qualitative methodology, specifically in-depthinterviews with shop-owners and customers and in loco observation, was employed. Findings show that the Bazaar ofTabriz has preserved its sustainability both in terms of architecture, by rigorous preservation, and in terms of socioculturaland economic components, by maintaining an exciting daily dynamic and a healthy relationship between shopowners,customers, local administration and the city of Tabriz. The preservation of unique and authentic sustainablearchitectural features, together with the maintenance of public spaces, such as mosques and schools, benefits thepopulation of Tabriz and brings visitors every day to the shopping area of the complex, thus maintaining a constant fluxand social, cultural and economic dynamics.