A Geospatial Framework for Heritage-Led Smart Governance: Space Syntax, Adaptive Reuse, and a Distributed Heritage-Anchor Corridor

Abstract

This study examines heritage-led regeneration in the historic fabric of Kermanshah, western Iran, where the conservation of Qajar-era residential heritage must be balanced with new contemporary uses that support everyday urban life. It proposes a spatial decision-support framework combining space syntax analysis, field-verified heritage data, and adaptive reuse evaluation. Six nationally listed Qajar houses in the Javanshir and Feyzabad quarters, along with a proposed commercial-cultural infill site, were analyzed. The findings show that these houses form a north-south distributed heritage anchor corridor of about 1,128 meters. The proposed infill site has a higher spatial integration value than all six houses, making it a strategic location for future intervention. The study also shows that restoration has depended on a recurring partnership between heritage authorities, government loans, and private investment, while local residents remain largely excluded. Overall, the research offers a transferable model for heritage-led regeneration in Iranian and Middle Eastern historic cores.