Investigating the Role of Livestock Products Production in the Spatial Organization of Houses in the Historical Village of Liqvan, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nahideh Rezaei ¹

Rana Najjari Nabi ²

Rahmat Mohammadzadeh ³

¹ Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran

² Shahid Rajaiee University, Tehran, Iran.

³ University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22067/jrrp.v14i1.2412-1119

Abstract

Purpose- This research attempts to analyze the role of livestock production in the spatial organization of the houses in Liqvan village that is one of the famous rural areas at the national level in Iran, and it owes most of its fame to the dairy products produced there (especially cheese).
Design/methodology/approach- This study has been carried out in two sections: library and field studies. The theoretical part is done from available and accessible library resources (including books, magazines, articles, and authoritative sites). The field part is done using the "phenomenology" method.
Findings- Studies show that in the traditional livelihood period, the role of livelihood was influential in the formation and spatial composition of the houses in this village, and the old living spaces of Liqvan were shaped to respond to the functions, with appropriate internal divisions, to provide long-term living facilities. However, along with the contemporary wave of modernization and changes in the needs of the present era, and especially the significant shift in income from traditional activities to mass dairy production, in the newly built houses, the residential spaces have often been converted into living spaces that do not have much affinity with local customs and traditions and do not have compatibility with the native architecture.
Original/Value- Given the significant changes in the livelihoods of rural communities, it is crucial to implement strategies for developing and regenerating villages like Liqvan. This includes stabilizing rural centers, creating production and promoting income centers, and revising development strategies and policies. The focus should be on leveraging local potentials. The study also advocates introducing new productions and reviving past activities and services through production clusters with technical and specialized consultations. Furthermore, the preservation of indigenous architecture and the regeneration of local spaces can contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in the village.

Keywords

Animal production

Livestock production

Spatial organization

Housing

Liqvan village

Iran

Subjects

• Rural Studies

---

References

1. Ahmadi, B. (2002). Marx and Modern Politics. Tehran: Markaz Publishing. [In Persian]
2. Amanollahi, S. (1983). Social-Political System of Baharvand Tribe and Its Evolutions. Ahah, Tehran. [In Persian]
3. Bourne, L. S. (1981). A Geography of Housing. Black well Publishing, New York.
4. K. Ching, F. (2007). Architecture: Form, Space, and Order. Translated by Ali Reza Taghaboni and Sedighe Ghoydel. Tehran: Ketab Arad in collaboration with Andishe-ye Khaligh.
5. Erickson, B. (2002). Urban Design. The Design Process. Edited B Marion Roberts and Clara Greed. England: Long man.
6. Giddens, A. (2008). Sociology. Translated by Hassan Chavoshian. Tehran: Ney Publishing. [In Persian]
7. Hall, E., Barnard, N. (1996). Persian Kilims. Iran: Yasavoli Publishing. ISBN 978-9643060053.
8. Hedayat-Nejad, M. (1996). Tenantry, Pshyco-Social Consequences and Solutions. Paper Series of 3rd Seminar of Housing Development in Iran, 2nd Volume, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Publishing, Tehran. [In Persian]
9. Imani, B., & Alavi, S. (2022). An analysis of the infrastructure for the development of rural ecotourism in Ardabil Province. Journal of Research & Rural Planning, 11(4), 73-98. https://org/10.22067/jrrp.v11i4.2207.1053.
10. Jahansoozi, M., Farahani, H., Mohammadi Yeganeh, B., &Einali, J. (2024). Modeling the Impacts and Consequences of Climate Change on Sustainable Livelihood of Rural Communities (Case study: Rural Households in Mashhad County). Journal of Research and Rural Planning, 13(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.22067/jrrp.v13i1.2307-1084. 
11. Liu, J., Cao, G., Song, Y., & Liu, T. (2025). Exploring spatial restructuring of villages and towns in rural China: Insights from villagers’ subjective willingness. Journal of Rural Studies, 119(103775). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103775. 
12. Sendich, B. (2006). Planning and Urban Standard. Routledge, New Jersey.
13. Shakuei, H. (2010). New Ideas in Philosophy of Geography, 1, 12th Edition, Gitashenasi Publishing, Tehran.
14. Shams al-Dini, A., Shakoor, A., & Rostami, R.A. (2011). The Impact of Rural Housing Reconstruction on the Livelihood Economy of the Rural People. JHRE. 30(135), 57-70. [In Persian]http://jhre.ir/article-1-203-en.html
15. Madanipour, A. (2016). Urban Design, Space and Society. Translated by Behnaz Amenzadeh and Razieh Rezabeigi. Tehran: University of Tehran Press. [In Persian]
16. Mahdinejad, J., Sharghi, A., & Asadpour, F. (2017a). A reflection on sustainable rural housing. the third conference on architecture and sustainable city, Tehran. [In Persian]
17. Mansouri, S. (2007). The Spatial Organization of Iranian City in Two Periods: Before and After Islam Based on the Evidences of Kerman City Evolution. The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar, 4(7), 50-60. [In Persian] https://www.bagh-sj.com/article_67.html 
18. Ministry of Cultural Heritage. (2020). Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran, 2020. [In Persian]
19. Moradi, G. (2015). Recognition and Prioritizing Valid Patterns of Rural Housing in Sustainable Development of Rural Architecture by Use of MADM Techniques in Masal County. Urban Management, 14(40), 381-395. [In Persian] https://doi.org/22059/jhgr.2017.60338.
20. Mohammadzadeh, R., & Rezaei, N. (2019). Analysis of residential "karaan" in historical village of "Kandovan" with livelihood approach. Journal of Fine Arts: Architecture and Urban Planning. 23(4), 55-66. [In Persian] https://doi.org/22059/jfaup.2019.266036.672122.
21. Mohammadzadeh, R., Rezaei, N., & Mohammadzadeh, N. (2017). Assessment of the Architectural– Climatic Quality of Post-Disaster Housing in the Rowshanaq Village of Ardebil. Journal of Emergency Management, 6(1), 105-119. [In Persian] https://doi.org/1001.1.23453915.1396.6.1.8.0. 
22. Musavi, A., & Salehi, F. (2005). Analyzing Social Dimensions of Traditional and New Housing Patterns. Journal of Housing and Islamic Revolution, 12(112), 28-43. [In Persian] https://www.magiran.com/p317246
23. Norberg-Schultz, C. (2005). Residence Concept: Into the Figurative Architecture, Translated by: Yarahmadi, A., Agah Publishing, Tehran. [In Persian]
24. Norberg-Schulz, Ch. (1985). The Concept of Dwelling: On the Way to Figurative Architecture, New York: Rizzoli Press; 1st edition.
25. Philo, C. (1992). Neglected rural geographies: a review. Journal of Rural Studies, 8(2): 193-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/0743-0167(92)90077-J
26. Rapoport, A. (2013). Pour une anthropologie de la maison. Persian edition. Translated by Kh. Afzalian, Kasra Publishing, Tehran. [In Persian]
27. Rezaei, N., & Haghparast, F. (2020). The study on the effect of lifestyle on spatial organization of the houses in historical- tourist rural aress; Case study: Kandovan village of the East Azarbaijan province. Geography and Regional Planning, 10 (38), 1-2, 239-253. [In Persian] https://doi.org/1001.1.22286462.1399.10.38.47.2.
28. The Rural Guidance [Hadi] Plan of Liqvan Village. (2016). Islamic Revolution Housing Foundation, East Azerbaijan Province. [In Persian]
29. Torabi Farsani, N., Hekmat, M. Ta'aghob, S. M. (2023). Research for promoting tea tourism in rural areas of Guilan Province, Iran. Journal of Research & Rural Planning, 12(3), 1-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.22067/jrrp.v12i3.2302-1073.
30. Taghavi, Z.B., Rahbari Manesh, K., & Armaghan, M. (2020). The Impact of Economic Change on Livelihood Spaces (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry). Qazvin Rural Housing. JHRE. 39(172), 3-16. https://doi.org/10.22034/39.172.3. 
31. Zargar, A. (2007). An introduction to the knowledge of rural architecture in Iran, 4th edition. Shahid Beheshti Publications. [In Persian]
32. Saeedi, A., Hosseini Hasil, S. (2009). Foundations of Locating and Establishing New Villages. Tehran: Shahidi Publications. [In Persian]
33. Zaheri, M., Hosseini. SH., N., & Hashemi, S. (2018). Investigating the Changes in Rural Housing Pattern and Evaluating Their Economic Effects: A Case Study of Aji-Chay and Meidan-Chay Sub-districts in Tabriz County of Iran. Village and development, 21(3), 25-49. [In Persian] https://sid.ir/paper/94747/en