Application of Resilience Theory in the Architectural History of Iran: A Focus on 9th/15th Century Structures in Isfahan

In the field of architectural history studies, if we aim to move beyond structural studies and start to investigate architecture in connection with social life, certain concepts from the social sciences that also apply to historical societies can serve as useful tools for our understanding and interpretation.The aim of this article is to explore one of these concepts, the concept of resilience, which has recently garnered attention from researchers in various fields of the humanities and is utilized for interpreting and explaining how human societies behave during times of crisis.This concept can also be highly relevant in understanding architectural developments in precarious periods.The question is, if we want to employ the theory of resilience in architecture studies, what topics should we investigate?The historical example chosen for this article is Isfahan during the 9 th /15 th century, which was one of the most challenging periods for the city.However, Isfahan, with the help of certain factors, managed to be resilient and regained its prosperity.During this century, only a few public structures were built in the city, but it seems that the functions of these structures can be studied in the context of the city's overall resilience.Investigations show that the new constructions and the interconnected human network, both played a role as social, financial and physical assets in enhancing the city's resilience; and with simultaneous material and spiritual support from various segments of society, they contributed to overcoming the crisis period.