Type: Urban Planning
Date: 2011
Location: Isfahan, Laybid
Employer: Isfahan Province Department of Roads and Urban Development 
Laybid, with over four centuries of history, is an ancient settlement whose origins trace back to the Safavid era. The city’s historical core was established around a 350 year old fortress in the northern reaches, a site chosen for its proximity to vital water sources and fertile lands. Etymologically, the name Laybid - meaning among the willows - evokes a landscape once defined by springs and lush greenery, illustrating a deep-rooted harmony between human settlement and the natural environment.
The physical fabric of Laybid has evolved through distinct stages of expansion, initially radiating from its historical nucleus toward the east and west before extending predominantly southward. This spatial progression has resulted in a legible urban contrast: the central districts retain traditional construction methods and vernacular textures, while the peripheral expansions exhibit contemporary materials and modern planning patterns.
Geographically, Laybid is situated on the rugged foothills of the northern highlands within the Shahin Shahr and Meymeh region, overlooking the Mouteh plains. The city’s high-altitude, semi-arid climate has historically constrained large-scale agriculture, shifting the region’s socioeconomic trajectory toward the industrial sector. The discovery and extraction of rich stone quarries in the northern mountains have transformed Laybid into a specialized industrial hub, where mining and its associated services now serve as the primary drivers of urban economy and regional influence.
The city’s connectivity is anchored by two major regional axes on its eastern and western flanks, linking Laybid to the broader provincial road network. However, the internal circulation system suffers from a lack of clear hierarchy and a fragmentation between pedestrian and vehicular realms. Furthermore, natural topographies to the north and the imperative to preserve remaining agricultural lands impose significant constraints on horizontal growth.
Guided by these environmental and structural realities, the proposed development strategy prioritizes inward urbanism, consolidating vacant inner-city plots and revitalizing underutilized spaces to foster a more cohesive urban form. Central to this vision is the revitalization of the historic pedestrian axis, reconnecting the ancient square and fortress to the proposed civic center. By integrating its industrial strength with the preservation of its historical and ecological identity, Laybid is positioned to evolve into a resilient and multi-functional urban environment.