Volume 14, Issue 52 (8-2025)
Haft Hesar J Environ Stud 2025, 14(52): 53-72 |
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Mahmoudian Mosleh S, Saeideh Zarabadi Z S, Tabibian M, Habib F. Rereading the dimensions and components of the timeless urban space based on Grounded Theory Method. Haft Hesar J Environ Stud 2025; 14 (52) :53-72
URL: http://hafthesar.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-2243-en.html
URL: http://hafthesar.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-2243-en.html
Abstract: (434 Views)
Introduction: In the face of identity crises and declining quality in contemporary urban spaces, this study investigates the concept of the timeless urban space as an enduring, meaningful, and adaptable spatial phenomenon. Unlike ordinary urban environments shaped by fleeting trends or rigid historical preservation, timeless urban spaces integrate cultural memory, spatial continuity, and emotional resonance. While many previous studies have focused on the durability of architectural monuments or the aesthetics of historical spaces, few have explored the multidimensional essence of timelessness in urban design. This research aims to identify and categorize the dimensions, components, and criteria that define timeless urban spaces.
Methodology: This study adopts a qualitative, exploratory–explanatory approach using Grounded Theory Methodology as developed by Glaser and Strauss. The data was gathered through systematic review of literature (books, peer-reviewed articles, and theses), followed by a multi-step coding process (open, axial, and selective). In the open coding phase, 76 concepts were extracted from 131 significant quotations. These concepts were then grouped into 18 components and ultimately into 8 core dimensions: meaning, form, perception, identity, culture, politics, economy, and time. The axial coding organized these dimensions according to Strauss and Corbin’s paradigm model, identifying causal conditions, strategies, contextual factors, and consequences.
Results: The findings highlight that timelessness is the result of a holistic balance among spatial, social, cultural, and symbolic factors. Dimensions such as meaning, identity, and continuity emerged as dominant themes in shaping timeless urban space. Other influential components include spiritual expression, collective memory, sense of belonging, presence, flexibility, legibility, accessibility, and material durability. The research also confirms that timelessness entails both temporal continuity and spatial adaptability—embedding emotional, symbolic, and functional values across generations. A key insight is that meaning and identity are not static, but actively constructed through engagement, ritual, and cultural interaction within the urban environment.
Conclusion: A timeless urban space is one that evokes emotional resonance, sustains social and cultural interactions, and adapts to shifting temporal and functional needs. It must support symbolic expression, material resilience, and user presence, while respecting local values and ecological context. Timelessness is neither pure nostalgia nor resistance to change—it is the capacity of urban space to remain relevant and meaningful through time. This study offers a strategic framework for integrating timeless qualities into urban planning and design.
Methodology: This study adopts a qualitative, exploratory–explanatory approach using Grounded Theory Methodology as developed by Glaser and Strauss. The data was gathered through systematic review of literature (books, peer-reviewed articles, and theses), followed by a multi-step coding process (open, axial, and selective). In the open coding phase, 76 concepts were extracted from 131 significant quotations. These concepts were then grouped into 18 components and ultimately into 8 core dimensions: meaning, form, perception, identity, culture, politics, economy, and time. The axial coding organized these dimensions according to Strauss and Corbin’s paradigm model, identifying causal conditions, strategies, contextual factors, and consequences.
Results: The findings highlight that timelessness is the result of a holistic balance among spatial, social, cultural, and symbolic factors. Dimensions such as meaning, identity, and continuity emerged as dominant themes in shaping timeless urban space. Other influential components include spiritual expression, collective memory, sense of belonging, presence, flexibility, legibility, accessibility, and material durability. The research also confirms that timelessness entails both temporal continuity and spatial adaptability—embedding emotional, symbolic, and functional values across generations. A key insight is that meaning and identity are not static, but actively constructed through engagement, ritual, and cultural interaction within the urban environment.
Conclusion: A timeless urban space is one that evokes emotional resonance, sustains social and cultural interactions, and adapts to shifting temporal and functional needs. It must support symbolic expression, material resilience, and user presence, while respecting local values and ecological context. Timelessness is neither pure nostalgia nor resistance to change—it is the capacity of urban space to remain relevant and meaningful through time. This study offers a strategic framework for integrating timeless qualities into urban planning and design.
Keywords: Timelessness, Urban Space, Continuity, Identity, Grounded Theory, Sense of Place, Cultural Memory
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2025/08/3 | Accepted: 2025/08/1 | Published: 2025/08/1 | ePublished: 2025/08/1
Received: 2025/08/3 | Accepted: 2025/08/1 | Published: 2025/08/1 | ePublished: 2025/08/1
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