Urban texture

Urban texture is harmonised with conditions of life and natural factors and uses these factors in the very unsuitable climate of this city. The important aspects of in urban texture are as follows:

1. Very dense texture.
2. Urban spaces are completely surrounded.
3. Narrow, irregular and sometimes covered Alleys.
4. Buildings are connected together.
5. Buildings shaped by sun and wind direction.

This city is very similar to a cactus in the desert, it has a very hard skin and is completely closed. Consequently people run their lives inside this skin. All the spaces are well protected against dusty winds and they are shaped to use cool wind in the summer and sun in winter. The urban texture is dense and alleys with tall walls and zig-zag form in plan do not let the wind blow easily. Some of the alleys are just wide enough for two people to pass so as to produce more shading.

A. Very dense texture

As you can see in the accompanying photos, Yazd has connected buildings and covered bazaars. So that in a total overview you can see it as a single roof with holes (courtyards), and some alleys cut in this roof. Monochrome colour and the same material insure this feeling. This worked as a protection against both natural harsh and enemies who attacked the city in days gone by.

B. Urban spaces are completely surrounded

All the public and private spaces are surrounded with tall walls and they have internal courtyards to decrease the effect of hot and sandy winds.

C. Narrow, irregular and some covered alleys

To provide shade and protect from hot sun and dusty winds, the alleys are not straight with tall walls and roofs in some parts.

D. Buildings are connected together

To achieve minimum absorption of solar energy by outdoor walls. All the buildings abut each other.

E. Buildings are shaped by sun and wind direction:

The main axis of all court yards is toward south-west. With this order they use the winter sun fully on two sides of the courtyard and they use the wind.