Central city districts and their old roots in history have high potentials in terms of their geographical centrality, easy accessibility, as well as historical and cultural characteristics. Despite their positive characteristics, those districts suffer from physical problems (e.g., urban distressed fabrics), environmental issues, poor infrastructures, etc. Ahvaz is one of those cities with these characteristics whose urban fabric is distressed and needs strategic plans and executions. The aim is to direct the central district of Ahvaz towards sustainability with strategies and plans based on the sustainable development approach and using systematic vision models. Thus, the issue of regeneration of distressed areas is very significant in this regard. The research used the random sampling method to select the participants. The research analysis was conducted using Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat, Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix, Oregon Model and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) model approaches. The study is an applied, descriptive-correlational research. The data were collected via the library research and field study techniques. After analyzing and investigating the data comprehensively, the research offered executive strategies for the success of sustainable development of the study area. The most important strategies obtained from the analysis are constructing green spaces such as green belts in the riverbank of the Karun River, improving the state of paths leading to historical monuments to the tourists’ access, and beautifying walls of buildings near the riverbank.

Today, one of the main priorities of designers and urban planners is attention to the concept of citizens’ security and methods for its enhancement. This is the most important issue to improve the street access network and traffic congestion. As a result, the physical design of Allameh Majlesi Street in Isfahan and its environmental security enhancement are considered crucial in urban space for the welfare of the citizens. This paper has implemented a descriptive-analytic research methodology. The statistical population in this study is all the citizens in the Allameh Majlesi Street of Isfahan. According to Morgan table, 196 people were selected as the study sample. The data collection was through a questionnaire, observations and on-site interviews; decision making was done using the SWOT technique. Three alternative designs were proposed which were evaluated through the AHP technique to select the best alternative. The physical design of safe urban environment against damages was based on criteria to improve the sense of security, utilizing natural elements, environmental quality, and redefining the physical elements. As a result, after evaluating the options, the third alternative was selected based on the index.

Combining Persian miniature and literature together has been influential in the recent decades. Illustrated Shahnameh Demot (Book of Kings, Great Persian Epic), which is known as the most valuable illustrated artwork in the first Tabriz school, is considered to be the special style of Persian Illustration or Miniature during Mughal Ilkhanid era, taking advantage of interaction between literature and painting. This article attempts to examine artistic and visual qualities of the illustration “Alexander the Great (Sikandar) in conversation with WakWak tree” in Ilkhanid era. A descriptive-analytic approach is used to investigate the interaction between literature and illustration. The research results indicated that the tree is a concept existing beyond human mind, and that it is embodied through symbolism. In Shahnameh, WakWak tree or Talking tree is a symbolic tree where Alexander is in conversation with WakWak tree and the tree foresees his future. As the art is always influenced by the ideology underscoring the era, it could be alleged that mythological thought has been influential in the artistic structure of illustration, and it has been turned into an aesthetic language that has led to the reflection of the evolution of poetry in the illustration. In this illustration, by the adept composition of the debates raised, Ilkhanid illustrator subtly abducts the image from the heart of poetry, and intertwines his capabilities and potentials with words of poetry, such that visual symbolism and color, in keeping with the themes of Shahnameh, are some of the most important features embodied in the elements underlying the illustration.

One of the clothing requirements, especially for men, is the tie that was initially used by the ancient Iranians. The designing of ties without an Iranian design on them, despite the fact that they are originated out of Eastern traditions, is one of weaknesses of fabric and clothes design. One of the new methods to create designs on textiles is the use of new technology; in this research light was used for tie design. Due to the replica tie designs on the market, this study attempts to use original Iranian designs, through conductive fabrics, to produce light and to create a new design. This study uses graphene oxide for the production of conductive fabrics. Finally, the tie design by passing electric current through the tie has been simulated and a set of tie designs are provided.

This study aims to examine the design of the altars of the Jame mosque and the Vank church of Isfahan and explicate the similarities and differences of the two structures. The present comparative study shows that the aesthetic expression and visual art are different in the Islamic and Christian art. This means that the Islamic art lays more emphasis on isolated elements rather than tangible elements and the reality. This arises from the beliefs and Islamic teachings based on reluctance to iconography. In contrast, the creation of art is objective in the Christian art. On the other hand, both religions, despite their differences, have mysterious formal expressions in their manifestation. In this study, in addition to document collection for the written source, field survey, personal observation and photography of the mentioned altars have been conducted. The study results and comparison of the altars showed that religious beliefs have a significant role in the altar of the Jame mosque and Vank church of Isfahan. The Islamic art in comparison to Christian art has led to abstraction and avoidance from any portraits and iconography, while in Christianity, imaging and visual art are organized based on incarnation of God. Thus, expression and excellence in the Islamic art is the replacement of embodiment and reincarnation in its Christian counterpart.