Shafaqī, Sīrūs

Shafaqī, Sīrūs (1933–2023/1312–1402), a contemporary geographer and scholar on Isfahan.

He was born in Urmia, Iran. He completed his primary and secondary education in Urmia and Tabriz, earning a diploma in literature in 1955/1334. Shafaqī then enrolled at the University of Tabriz, where he pursued studies in History, Geography, and Educational Sciences, graduating with summa cum laude in 1959/1338. In same year, he traveled to Germany to continue his academic education, focusing on Urban Geography at the University of Cologne. After six years of research, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, titled The City of Tabriz and Its Hinterland.ⁱ

In 1965/1344, after defending his doctoral dissertation, Shafaqī began teaching Cartography and Nomadism at the University of Cologne. About a year later, upon learning of a call from the Iranian Ministry of Higher Education inviting graduates of foreign universities to return to Iran, he decided to come back. He explored academic opportunities in both Isfahan and Shiraz and eventually chose Isfahan as his place of residence and academic work.¹ In 1966/1345, Shafaqī became a full-time faculty member at the Faculty of Literature and Humanities at the University of Isfahan. Shortly thereafter, he founded and developed the university’s Department of Geography.² He taught a wide range of geography-related subjects, including Human-Economic Geography and Physical Geography. In the early years—due to a shortage of specialized faculty—he sometimes taught up to 25 hours per week³. Fluent in German, English, and Turkish, Shafaqī dedicated part of his time from the outset to writing geographical texts and academic articles.⁴ His most important publication is Jughrāfiyā-ye Esfahān* (The Geography of Isfahan), published in 1974/1353. According to Muṣṭafā Muʾmenī, a professor at the Geography Department of Shahīd Beheshtī University, Shafaqī’s book placed him among the pioneers of urban geography writing in Iran.⁵

Sīrūs Shafaqī steadily advanced through both academic and administrative ranks at the University of Isfahan* in accordance with the official regulations for faculty members, ultimately attaining full professorship in 1977/1356. In addition to founding and chairing the Department of Geography and Social Sciences, he also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, director of the university’s evening programs, and held several other key responsibilities. He was also a long-time member of the university’s academic promotion committee⁶. Shafaqī was an active member of the Geographical Societies of Iran and Germany, as well as the International Geographical Union.⁷ His scholarly contributions include writing academic articles and participating in national and international geography congresses and seminars. In 1975/1354, he published an article in German titled “Ārīyashahr: The New Steel City near Isfahan.”ⁱⁱ The following year, he participated in a geography conference at the University of Tübingen, and in 1978/1357, he served as the secretary of the Sixth Congress of Iranian Geographers held at the University of Isfahan. In 1979/1358, he contributed an article entitled “The Formation of Regions in Isfahan”ⁱⁱⁱ to the book titled: an interdisciplinary volume on Iranian studies^iv published in Wiesbaden, Germany.⁸ In May 1986/1365, he took part in International congress on the History of Turkish-Islamic Science and Technology in Istanbul, and in 2000/1379, he participated in a housing conference in Abu Dhabi. His research covered a broad range of topics but was especially focused on urban geography, agricultural issues in Iran, nomadism, and tribal studies. Alongside his teaching and research activities, Shafaqī also served as a consultant for the comprehensive and detailed development plans of the city of Isfahan. Although he officially retired in 2002/1381,⁹ he continued to collaborate with the University of Isfahan until 2010/1389, when the Faculty of Geography and Planning became independent from the Faculty of Literature. With this institutional change, his academic activities at the university formally concluded. Nevertheless, he remained active in scholarly circles and, in 2018/1397, attended a geography conference at the University of Marburg in Germany.

Sīrūs Shafaqī passed away on 6 Ābān 1401/October 28, 2022, in Isfahan. His funeral was held on 10 Ābān/November 1, 2022 at the University of Isfahan, and he was buried in the Notables’ Section of Bāgh-e Reḍvān* Cemetery.¹⁰ Some experts believe Shafaqī was among the first in modern times to combine the disciplines of geography and history, studying geography through a historical lens. He conducted enduring research on Isfahan, leaving a lasting legacy. Another achievement was his pioneering role in cartography, where he extensively used maps in Isfahan studies and produced hundreds of them. In an interview, he mentioned this pioneering role, stating that organizations such as the municipality and the military sought maps after his initiatives. One of his academic contributions at the University was making thesis writing mandatory in various programs within the Geography Department.¹¹ According to his students and colleagues, Shafaqī was a dedicated teacher who eagerly supported those interested in learning.

Scholarly Works

Books

1. Jughrāfiyā-ye Esfahān (The Geography of Isfahan): In this book, Shafaqī provides a geographic-historical perspective on Isfahan, examining its physical and social aspects. Published by the University of Isfahan Press, the first edition appeared in 1974/1353 and comprises four chapters across 490 pages. The first chapter discusses geology, topography, water resources, climate, soil, and vegetation in Isfahan, with a focus on water-related topics such as the diversion of water from Kūhrang* to the Zāyande Rūd River*, the construction of Shāh ‛Abbās Dam* (later renamed Zāyande Rūd Dam), and water distribution. The second chapter explores the historical evolution of Isfahan, addressing why the city developed in Iran’s arid geographical landscape. The third chapter, titled “The Population of Isfahan,” covers demographic changes, including population growth rates, age and gender composition, household size, employment, income, literacy, and the founding of institutions like the University of Isfahan. The final chapter, “Religious Minorities,” examines the Jewish and Armenian* communities of Isfahan, using both historical records and personal observations to provide detailed insights into their presence and role in the city’s history.

The book includes a bibliography, an index of names, and around thirty black-and-white images. One of its standout features is the inclusion of seventy maps, diagrams, and photographs, such as a detailed map showing the boundaries and neighborhoods of Isfahan. Demographic concepts are visually represented through charts and diagrams, making the data more accessible. Shafaqī’s goal in writing this book was to document the remarkable changes that Isfahan underwent during the 1340s/1960s, such as the construction of the Steel Company [Dhub-e Āhan]* while also creating a practical resource for urban planners. In the introduction, he addresses the challenges brought on by the city’s rapid industrialization, including disproportionate population growth, transportation problems, and inadequate health and education services. With a forward-thinking perspective, he also highlighted the looming threat of water shortages and the increasing competition for water resources.¹²

In 1381/2002, nearly three decades after the initial publication, Shafaqī released a thoroughly revised and expanded second edition of The Geography of Isfahan, now spanning 650 pages. This edition featured significant updates, including revisions to existing chapters, the addition of a new chapter, and the inclusion of 150 new maps, charts, and photographs. Among the updates to the first chapter were discussions of key water management projects, such as the development of the second and third Kūhrang tunnels, water transfer schemes to the cities of Yazd and Kashan, and other initiatives in Isfahan province. The newly added chapter provides an in-depth analysis of Isfahan’s neighborhoods and their contributions to the city’s urban growth. Over 90 pages, it examines these areas in detail, offering spatial and structural case studies of two certain neighborhoods: Pusht-e Masjed-e Emām and Jūbāre/Jūybāre*.

2. Bāzār-e Buzurg-e Esfahān* (The Grand Bazaar of Isfahan) is an in-depth exploration of Isfahan’s historic bazaar and its related structures, including big caravanserais and small ones which is called tīmche. Published in 2006/1385 by the Cultural and Recreational Organization of the Municipality of Isfahan*, the Center for Isfahan Studies, and the House of Nations*, the book spans 856 pages and is divided into seven chapters. The opening chapter introduces the bazaar, discussing its general characteristics and its role as a key spatial and architectural feature in Islamic cities. The second chapter traces the historical development of both the bazaar and the city of Isfahan, incorporating insights from travelogues written by foreign visitors. The third chapter examines the architectural layout and spatial functions of the bazaar in detail. The fourth chapter focuses on the economic and administrative systems that underpin the bazaar’s operations. The fifth chapter highlights the handy crafts produced and sold within the bazaar. The sixth chapter discusses issues of property ownership and the significance of religious endowments (waqf) in maintaining the bazaar’s longevity. The final chapter presents a comprehensive catalog of the bazaar’s elements, with each item systematically identified and described.
3. Darāmadī Bar Shenākht-e Shahr-e Islāmī-Īrānī (An Introduction to Understanding Islamic-Iranian Cities) delves into the principles, techniques, and experiences of urban planning in Islamic cities, focusing on how the Islamic worldview has shaped their structure and design. In this comprehensive work, Shafaqī examines significant Islamic cities across the Middle East and North Africa, including Isfahan, Kufa, Basra, Fustat (Arabic, al-Fusṭāṭ), and Kairouan. He explores essential urban elements such as bazaars, mosques, and squares, emphasizing their role and integration within the overall cityscape. Published in 2016/1395 by the Cultural and Recreational Organization of the Municipality of Isfahan, the book spans two volumes and eleven chapters. It provides an in-depth analysis of the distinct features of Islamic cities and traces their historical evolution, offering valuable insights into their cultural and architectural significance.
4. Barrasī-ye Manāteq-e Khushk va Kavīrhā-ye Īrān (A Study of Iran’s Arid Regions and Deserts) is a concise 46-page textbook published in 1969/1348 by the University of Isfahan Press. In this book, Shafaqī differentiates between the concepts of ṣaḥrā and kavīr, offering insights into the unique characteristics of Iran’s deserts. He also highlights the views of various scholars on these regions and discusses research conducted by the National Iranian Oil Company on Iran’s desert landscapes. Despite its short length, the book provides valuable information on this specialized area of Iranian geography.

Articles

Sīrūs Shafaqī authored numerous articles in Persian, English, and German, many of which were published in scientific journals or presented at national and international conferences. According to the Civilica database^v, twelve of his conference papers and fourteen journal articles are cataloged. Additionally, the Nūr Specialized Journals Database (Noormags)^vi lists 23 of his articles, while the Comprehensive Humanities Portal (Purtāl-e Jāme‛-e ‛Ulūm-e Ensānī)^vii includes 25 of his works. These articles reflect his broad academic engagement and contributions to the fields of geography and urban studies.

Additional Academic Contributions

Based on data from the Central Library of the University of Isfahan*^viii, Sīrūs Shafaqī guided or advised 190 theses and dissertations during his tenure at the university. He also contributed to four major research projects recorded in the library’s archives. Four research projects by Shafaqī are also recorded in this database, with the following titles: Parakandegī-ye Mawqūfāt dar Shahr-e Eṣfahān va Barrasī-ye Atharāt-e Tārīkhī, Ejtemā‛ī, Farhangī va Eqteṣādī-ye Ān; Naqsh-e Bāzār dar Sākhtār-e Faḍāʾī-ye Shahrhā-ye Eslāmī; Jughrafiyā-ye Tārīkhī-ye Shahr-e Eṣfahān; and Taḥlīl-e Faḍāʾī-Kālbudī-ye Bāzār-e Eṣfahān. Shafaqī also served as one of the consultants for the book project Aṭlas-e Kalānshahr-e Eṣfahān, which was prepared under the supervision of the Department of Planning, Research, and Information Technology of the Isfahan Municipality, with contributions from a team of specialists. The atlas was published in 2015/1394 by Hamṣedā Publications in Tehran.

/‛Abdulmahdī Rajāʾī/

Bibliography
Shafaqī, Sīrūs, Jughrafiyā-ye Eṣfahān: Be Ḍamīme-ye Haftād Naqshe va Nemūdār va ‛Aks, First Edition, Isfahan: University of Isfahan, 1974/1353.

Shafaqī, Sīrūs, “Sīrūs Shafaqī: Jughrafīdān va Eṣfahān-shenās” (Interview), Aparat, 2021/1400.
Retrieved Apr. 14, 2025, from https://aparat.com/v/d7313px.

Shafaqī, Sīrūs, “Guft-u-gū bā Sīrūs Shafaqī, Bunyān-guzār-e Gurūh-e Jughrafiyā-ye Dāneshgāh-e Eṣfahān”, interviewer: Zuhre Rūḥī, Ensānshenāsī va Farhang, 2010/1389.

Retrieved Apr.14, 2025, from https://anthropologyandculture.com.

‛Alāmatsāz, Muhammad-Hussein, Ganjīne-hā-ye ‛Ilmī-ye Dāneshgāh-e Eṣfahān, Isfahan: Hasht-Behesht, 2003/1382.

ISNA News Agency, “Marāsem-e Tashīy‛-e Peykar-e Bunyān-guzār-e Gurūh-e Jughrafiyā-ye Dāneshgāh-e Eṣfahān,” Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), 2022/1401.

Retrieved Apr. 14, 2025, from https://www.isna.ir/photo/1401081006677.

Muʾmenī, Muṣṭafā, Pāygāh-e ‛Ilm-e Jughrafiyā dar Īrān, Tehran: Farhangestān-e ‛Ulūm-e Jumhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān, 1998/1377.

1. Schafaghi, Sirus, “Die Stadt Tabriz und ihr hinterland”[↩]
2. “Ariaschar: die neue Eisenhüttenstadt bei Isfahan”[↩]
3. “Bildung von stadtvierteln in Isfahan”[↩]
4. Interdisziplinäre Iran-Forschung[↩]
5. https://www.civilca.com[↩]
6. https://www.noormags.ir[↩]
7. http://www.ensani.ir[↩]
8. https://www.lib.ui.ac.ir[↩]

1. Shafaqī, 2010/1389.[↩]
2. Shafaqī, 2021/1400; Mu’menī, p. 107.[↩]
3. Shafaqī, 2010/1389.[↩]
4. Muʾmenī, p. 107; Shafaqī, 2021/1400.[↩]
5. Muʾmenī, pp. 69–70.[↩]
6. Shafaqī, 2010/1389.[↩]
7. Alāmatsāz, pp. 334–335.[↩]
8. Muʾmenī, p. 409.[↩]
9. Shafaqī, 2010/1389.[↩]
10. “Funeral Ceremony of the Founder of the Geography Department at the University of Isfahan,” 2022/1401.[↩]
11. Shafaqī, 2021/1400..[↩]
12. Shafaqī, 1974/1353, Introduction, p. 15.[↩]