Type: Urban Planning
Date: 2019
Location: Isfahan, Gorgab
Client: Isfahan Province Department of Roads and Urban Development

The City of Gorgab is a historic settlement whose formation is closely linked to underground water resources. The city’s name consists of two parts: “Gor,” meaning plentiful, and “Gab,” meaning water. The historic castle served as the city’s original core, and the city gradually expanded over five developmental phases to reach its current boundaries.
Gorgab’s identity is closely linked to its qanats, gardens, agricultural lands, local products such as melons, and religious landmarks. These elements not only reflect the city’s historical, cultural, and economic character but also serve as a foundation for strengthening urban identity and promoting tourism development.
The city’s overall appearance is predominantly shaped by low-rise buildings. Based on field surveys, buildings are classified into five height categories, with single-story structures accounting for the largest share. This construction pattern reflects a gradual process of urban development and an emphasis on maintaining a human-scale urban environment.
The Detailed Urban Development Plan of Gorgab City is based on three main principles: enhancing and upgrading the service role of the Imam Khomeini and Motahari axes; limiting urban expansion within the existing city boundaries while identifying land and directions for future development; and restoring the city’s historical elements in both physical and functional terms. These principles define the framework and limits of urban development and guide the overall planning of the city.
Additionally, protecting agricultural lands and gardens, preserving qanats and strengthening ecological corridors, developing urban services in proportion to population growth, and creating cultural and lively public spaces are considered key approaches for ensuring sustainable development and improving the quality of life for residents.