Natural environment of Zayande-Rood and the Safavid development of Isfahan

Isfahan is a historic city that has experienced several urban developments throughout its shining and glorious past. they began in al-buyid and seljuq periods, and continued through the safavid urban evolution in the sixteenth century. zayande-rood is an important and effective natural element in the city's landscape and plan. this article reflects the conclusion of a historic study on revitalization of zayande- rood's riverfront. the interaction of zayande- rood, its nature in isfahan plain and the city in safavid period is the main scope of this article. therefore, the historic changes of the natural-historic environment of the river are studied. the documents used in this study are historic texts, foreign and vernacular tourists' travelogues, and historic maps and pictures from natural – historic environment of the zayande- rood river. the conclusion is cognition of: i) interaction between zayande- rood river & isfahan in safavid era, ii) theory of the safavid development of isfahan in relation to the river. they provide a theoretical base for planning, conservation and development plans of the city, especially for the zayande- rood's natural-historic environment.