Explaining the factors affecting the creation of a sense of place in the ImamZades (Imamzadeh Seyed Hassan and Imamzadeh Saleh)

Today, concepts such as place attachment, sense of place, meaning of place, place identity, and ... has devoted many studies in literature of architecture and urban design particularly in the field of environmental psychology. ImamZades, as a religious building, can help to the religious teachings. ImamZades were built in all over of Iran in different architectural styles. They during the course of history caused social unification and make the spiritual life of pilgrims and other people. Some of these buildings have been rehabilitated in recent decades due to various reasons such as the damage caused by the war or the effect of destructive natural disasters. The shape and space organization have been effective in terms of the level of place attachment. Any changes in the physical and mental dimensions of the building could have influenced its sense of place. Some ImamZades have been damaged in western and southern provinces during wartime or natural erosion, which has led to the rebuilding. The change of body, form and spatial systems can be effective on the spiritual senses of pilgrims and their geography of memory. The authors focus on understanding the relationship between physical-functional changes and sense of place, with the aim of examining the concept of the sense of place to recognize the most important indicators affecting its creation and promotion in ImamZades. The research question is what factors influence the formation of a sense of place in religious monumental buildings like as ImamZades? Two ImamZades in Ilam were selected and studied. In this regard, SPSS software was used for data analysis. To measure the relationship between variables, Pearson Correlation Method was used and Simple Linear and Multivariate Linear Regression tests were used to determine the relationship and intensity and direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The Path Analysis was used to determine the direct and indirect effects of variables on the sense of place. According to the results, physical, perceptual, and social components have the most impact on Imamzadeh's sense of place, and the functional component has less effect on the sense of place enhancement. Also, variables of visual diversity, social communication, vitality and spirituality are directly affecting the sense of place, and the variables of previous memories and attachments, spatial quality and activity are indirectly influenced by other variables on the sense of place in the imamzades. In other words, in order to promote the sense of place in the buildings of the religious shrine, physical interference should be minimized and changes made to changes and creation of communal spaces.