Golshan Garden - Iran

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Name	Golshan Garden
Place	Tabas city
Country	Iran
Author(s)	Hamid Gohari
World Heritage	...

Why is this case relevant?

Golshan Garden is one of the most important gardens and one of the unique historical heritage of Iran, which is estimated to be about 200 years old.

This garden is located in Tabas city, in the range of connection of two main deserts, the Lut Desert and Kavir Desert. Generally, this garden is inherited the main elements from the Persian garden including the special structure, water and vegetation, and the palace. But specifically, this garden has different geometry, varied vegetation species, and special water distribution network, which make it unique one from the other Persian gardens.

Golshan garden has evolved in the context of the Persian city and is one of the main features in the city’s structure. Over the years, its shape and function have changed to suit the needs of the city and created this amazing complex in the heart of the desert.

Which idea of ‘design with nature’ guides the design concept of this site?

The design pattern of this Persian garden is based on the Chaharbagh pattern. The geometry shape of the garden is square, which makes it different from other Persian gardens. From that, the length and width of the garden are equal and there are three main crossed pathways in the garden.

There are, also, two crossed water streams which always have permanent running water. Another feature that makes the garden different one is various type of fruit trees with different weather climates in the garden.

At this time, two important features of this garden have been neglected: water and plant diversity. Drought and the destruction of traditional water supply systems are the main causes of water loss in the garden. beside it, the new planting patterns were done regardless of its historical context.

Which challenges is this landscape facing?

The most important challenges in the Garden are in two scales, City scale and Garden scale, as follows.

City scale:

1- Lack of water in the garden:

- Lack of water in the garden.

- Disregarding traditional water supply system (Qanat).

- Traditional agriculture around the city.

2- City Identity:

- City developing regardless of the traditional pattern and historical elements.

- Decreasing the number of public and private gardens in the city.

Changing the style of the main corridor (street) connected to the garden.

Garden scale:

3- Maintenance and restoration of the garden:

- Changing the planting pattern in the garden, from fruit trees to decorative trees.

- Unattached space in front of the garden’ entrance.

What would be your strategy for improvement?

Base on the main challenges, some strategies are suggested to improve the current situation:

-Changing agriculture pattern.

-Renovating the existing Qanat in the city region.

-Planning for an integrated urban garden network in the city.

-Planning and design for green corridors.

-Planning for planting pattern based on traditional one in the city.

-Defining different buffers for the garden to protect the historical values.

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Image Gallery

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  Tabas city and gardens

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  Golshan garden pattern

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  Before and present

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  Garden and Qanat

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  Garden Pattern

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  Challenges

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  Street scape, before and present

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  Strategies

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References

• http://www.manzar-sj.com/article_68095.html

• http://www.tabasenc.ir/

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