Urban Planning Principles Of Timurid KeshShakhrisabz And Their Significance For The Preservation Of Historical And Cultural Heritage
Keywords:
Amir Temur, Shakhrisabz, Timurid urban planning, architectural heritageAbstract
Shakhrisabz, historically known as Kesh, occupies a prominent place in the urban history of Central Asia. As the birthplace of Amir Temur, it became one of the leading political, administrative, and cultural centers of the Timurid Empire during the late fourteenth century. The extensive building programme initiated by Amir Temur transformed not only the architectural appearance of the city but also established an advanced urban planning model integrating administrative, religious, memorial, residential, and commercial functions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the urban planning principles of Timurid Kesh-Shakhrisabz and to evaluate their significance for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. The research is based on archaeological evidence, historical chronicles, architectural studies, historical maps, and comparative spatial analysis. Particular attention is paid to the planning structure of the historical centre, the functional zoning of urban space, and the interaction between monumental architecture and the overall urban composition. The findings demonstrate that the reconstruction of Shakhrisabz under Amir Temur represented a comprehensive urban planning programme rather than a series of isolated construction projects. The administrative district centred on Ak Saray Palace, the religious and memorial complexes of Dorut Tilovat and Dorus Saodat, residential quarters, craft districts, marketplaces, and defensive infrastructure formed an integrated urban system. This spatial organisation reflects a sophisticated medieval planning concept that harmoniously combined political authority, religious symbolism, and economic activity. Although much of the historical layout has survived, contemporary urbanisation, modern construction within the historic centre, and changes to the traditional architectural environment increasingly threaten the integrity of the historic urban landscape. Therefore, the study of Timurid urban planning principles provides an essential scientific basis for developing effective approaches to the preservation of historic cities and their architectural heritage
References
1. Barthold V.V. 1968. Turkestan Down to the Mongol Invasion. London: Luzac & Co.
2. Buryakov, Y. F. (1975). Historical Topography of the Cities of Central Asia. Tashkent: Fan.
3. Bogoukhov, A. K. (1983). Measured Drawings of Traditional Residential Architecture of
Shakhrisyabz. Archive of UzNIPIrestavratsiya.
4. Bryukhanov, V. A. (1983). Historical and Architectural Survey of the Residential Quarters of
Shakhrisyabz. Archive of UzNIPIrestavratsiya.UNESCO. 2000. Historic Centre of
Shakhrisyabz. UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
5. Vinogradov, A. N. (1953). Report on the Kok Gumbaz Mosque in Shakhrisyabz (1947–1951).
Archive of the Main Scientific and Production Department for the Protection of Cultural
Heritage, Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Inventory No. 1492.
6. Voronina, V. L. (1969). Materials on the Vernacular Architecture of Kashkadarya Region. In
Central Asian Ethnographic Collection (Vol. 2). Moscow.
7. Golombek L., Wilber D. 1988. The Timurid Architecture of Iran and Turan. Princeton
University Press.
8. Gilmanova, N. V. (2021). Timurid Architecture in Miniature. Tashkent: Renessans.
9. Gilmanova, N. V. (2026). Kesh. Tashkent: Ta'lim Nashriyoti.
10. Korchuganov, A. V. (1983). Architectural Research on the Historic Residential Development
of Shakhrisyabz. Archive of UzNIPIrestavratsiya.
11. Lunina, S. B., Usmanova, Z. I., Sultanov, H. T., & Dresvyanskaya, G. Y. (1993). Shakhrisyabz
(Parts I–II). Tashkent: Universitet.
12. Mankovskaya, L. Y. (1979). Architectural Monuments of Kashkadarya. Tashkent: Uzbekistan.
13. Masson, M. E., & Pugachenkova, G. A. (1953). Shakhrisyabz under Timur and Ulugh Beg.
Proceedings of the Central Asian State University, New Series, Vol. XLIX.
14. Masson, M. E. (1977). Archaeological Investigations of the Kesh Archaeological and
Topographical Expedition. In Archaeology of Central Asia. Tashkent.
15. Pugachenkova, G. A., & Rempel, L. I. (1965). History of the Arts of Uzbekistan from Antiquity
to the Mid-Nineteenth Century. Moscow: Iskusstvo.
16. Pugachenkova, G. A. (1953). Architectural Characteristics of the Monuments of Shakhrisyabz.
Proceedings of the Central Asian State University.
17. Rtveladze, E. V., Sagdullaev, A. S. (1986). Monuments of Past Centuries. Tashkent:
Uzbekistan.
18. Sultanov, H. T., Gilmanova, N. V. (2022). Historical, Architectural and Artistic Heritage of
Kashkadarya. Tashkent: Fan va texnologiyalar. ISBN 978-9943-8584-4-2.
19. Hillenbrand R. 1994. Islamic Architecture: Form, Function and Meaning. Edinburgh
University Press.
20.UNESCO. 2011. Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape. Paris: UNESCO.
21. ICOMOS. 1964. International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments
and Sites (Venice Charter).
22.ICOMOS. 2011. The Valletta Principles for the Safeguarding and Management of Historic
Cities, Towns and Urban Areas.
23.Yakubov Y. 2018. Urban Development of Medieval Shakhrisabz. Journal of Central Asian
Studies, 25(2), 45–61.
