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Majidi M, Afzali A. Façade as the Narrator of Power: A Case Study of the Historical Fabric of Qom. JORS 2026; 3 (9) : 5
URL: http://jors-sj.com/article-1-90-en.html

Over the past decades, rapid transformations in urban construction—particularly in building materials and architectural styles—have intensified the need for effective regulation of urban façades. As central visual elements of the cityscape, façades play a pivotal role in shaping residents’ perceptions of the urban environment. A clear distinction must therefore be made between the “city image,” as the physical manifestation of urban form, and the “urban landscape,” as the experiential and perceptual dimension of citizens. This distinction highlights the critical importance of façade design quality. Qom, with its historical and religious significance, has recently undergone substantial physical changes driven by development projects. These interventions have produced both positive and negative impacts on the city’s image and, consequently, its urban landscape—particularly within the historical fabric. Existing regulations intended to improve façade management in Qom, however, have proven largely ineffective in practice. As a result, visual disorder, identity loss, and incoherence have become evident in the cityscape. This study employs a qualitative approach, drawing on document analysis, previous scholarship, field observations, and open-ended questionnaires, to assess the current condition of façades in Qom. Findings demonstrate that the urban landscape is shaped through the interaction of political, economic, and social forces. The inability of municipal institutions to recognize and effectively manage these forces is identified as the main source of disorder. Accordingly, empowering urban governance to better identify and appropriately redistribute such forces is considered a necessary condition for improving the quality of Qom’s city image and, by extension, its urban landscape.