Residential and Livelihood Patterns in Najafabad’s Historic Houses

چکیده مقاله

Problem statement: Throughout Iranian history and culture, the house has served not only as a place of residence but also as a platform for economic and social activities. Different livelihoods have given the house various roles, such that houses, as centers of production and work, played a key role in meeting the family’s needs and contributing to the self-sufficiency of cities. This city, due to its economic importance and commercial position during the Safavid and Qajar eras, is a noteworthy example of this residential pattern. Research objective: This study aims to investigate the living and livelihood conditions in the historical houses of Najafabad, Isfahan. Research method: This research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing descriptive-analytical methods and case studies to examine these houses. To gain a more accurate understanding of the link between work and residence, the local economy of Najafabad was studied at the time these houses were constructed. Then, using library resources and field interviews with people who had lived in these houses, economic and livelihood activities were identified within the buildings’ physical structures. Conclusion: The historical houses studied in this study were identified into two categories: commoner and nobler patterns, according to the occupation and social status of their owners; each of these patterns, with distinct physical and behavioral characteristics, made a fundamental contribution to meeting the needs of families and the livelihood of the city of Isfahan.