Problem statement: Public spaces in general—and historical urban spaces in particular—are closely linked to users’ behavioral patterns and needs. Perceived capability (affordance) is a key concept in environmental psychology that helps explain the relationship between user behavior and environmental features. One of the central challenges in the conservation of urban heritage in Iran, especially in historical squares, is the predominant reliance on top-down planning and directives from higher authorities. However, stakeholder engagement and their interactions with the environment play a critical role in the conservation of urban and historical spaces. The concept of affordance offers valuable insights into how stakeholders perceive and engage with spaces such as Ganjali Khan Square—a historic urban square—and can inform more participatory, bottom-up conservation approaches.
Research objective: This study aims to identify and interpret the perceived affordances of Ganjali Khan Square in Kerman as a public historical urban space, in order to inform conservation and restoration strategies.
Research method: In this applied research, stakeholders’ perceptions of the characteristics of Ganjali Khan Square were collected through semi-structured, open-ended interviews. These perceptions were then categorized using the Gaver model of affordance classification. Through a process of logical reasoning and refinement via focus group discussions, the affordances were prioritized, and general strategies were proposed for use in conservation and revitalization planning.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that understanding the affordances of historical spaces—and how they are perceived by stakeholders—can significantly enhance conservation decision-making. Classifying these affordances into three categories—perceived, false, and hidden—provides conservationists with critical insights that can shift the conservation process toward more inclusive, bottom-up approaches.