Explaining the effective indexes in the restoration of the natural landscape (Case Study: ancient Iranian historical bridges)

Rostami, Fatemeh; Keramati, Ghazal; Soltan Zadeh, Hossein

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2025.2063285.1315

Explaining the effective indexes in the restoration of the natural landscape (Case Study: ancient Iranian historical bridges)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fatemeh Rostami

Ghazal Keramati

Hossein Soltan Zadeh

Department of Architecture, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/ijumes.2025.2063285.1315

Abstract

Historical buildings, especially architectural structures such as bridges, hold a special place in architecture and the natural landscape, reflecting humanity's ability to combine art and function. Currently, many restoration projects in third-world countries are carried out without adequate attention to natural landscape and architectural indexes, leading to a decrease in the cultural and aesthetic values of the monuments. Meanwhile, throughout history, the architecture of ancient Iranian bridges has played a significant role not only as functional structures but also as cultural and artistic symbols in shaping the natural and cultural landscape of the region. The aim of this study is to examine and develop effective indexes for restoring the natural landscape of ancient Iranian historical bridges. This research is analytical with a practical purpose. The paradigm of the study is interpretive, and the research design is qualitative. Data collection was conducted through library and documentary methods. Initially, content analysis and inductive reasoning were used, followed by a participatory decision-making approach utilizing the fuzzy Delphi model. The findings indicate that conservation of architectural elements, restoration standards, and resilient materials rank highest, with scores of 23.4, 19.4, and 16.4, respectively, in finalizing the model. The conclusion is that the identified indicators should be assessed collectively and simultaneously so that restoration projects can maintain their durability, sustainability, and cultural identity in the long term, and the natural landscape of historic bridges can be properly preserved and restored. Future studies could explore the internal and structural relationships among the indicators.

Graphical Abstract

Explaining the effective indexes in the restoration of the natural landscape (Case Study: ancient Iranian historical bridges)

Highlights

The study aims to develop effective indexes for restoring the natural landscape of ancient Iranian bridges, emphasizing cultural and aesthetic preservation.
Using a qualitative, interpretive approach, eight key factors were identified through expert consensus, including conservation of architectural elements and restoration standards.
Conservation of architectural elements, restoration standards, and resilient materials ranked highest in significance for effective restoration.
The findings suggest that indicators should be assessed collectively to ensure the durability, sustainability, and cultural identity of restoration projects.

Keywords

Bridges of ancient Iran

historical bridges

indexes of natural landscape restoration

landscape

natural landscape and architecture

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