Spatial analysis of grand bazaars: Tabriz and Istanbul

Tabriz and Istanbul are located on Silk Road and this point makes them an important trade center in history. The trade aspect of these cities causes to construction of great business fields, high trade volume and many business centers. Trade field can be proposed as cities' main communal fields. And always reflects the society's cultural identity. Nowadays Grand Bazaars are among the greatest representatives of cultural identity. Grand Bazaar has covered a great part of business and trade activities throughout the history in a city's daily life. In addition, Grand Bazaars were the center of cultural, social, political and religeous affairs in traditional cities. The main object of this thesis is to explore the current condition of these places and help to improve the cultural and functional sustainability of these places. Pursuant to this object, Tabriz and Istanbul as two of these important trade centers are considered and their difference and similar points are explored. The thesis is created from three main parts. In first step, the concept of Grand Bazaar and relevant to it the subject of trade ways is considered. Iran and Turkey's Grand Bazaars' features are investigated in summery in this part too. In second step Tabriz Grand Bazaar and the places inside it and in third step Istanbul Grand Bazaar and trade places inside in have been studied. In last part the similarities, difference points and general features of this trade places have been studied.