In traditional Persian architecture, a kucheh or koocheh (), is a narrow especially designed alley.Fallāḥʹfar, Saʻīd (). The Dictionary of Iranian Traditional Architectural Terms (Farhang-i vāzhahʹhā-yi miʻmārī-i sunnatī-i Īrān ). Kamyab Publications (). Kāvushʹpardāz. 2000, 2010. Tehran. US Library of Congress LCCN Permalink: http://lccn.loc.gov/2010342544 pp.182 Remnants of it are still seen in modern Iran and regional countries.
Before modernisation, Iran's old city fabric was composed of these narrow winding streets, often made with high walls of adobe and brick, and often roofed at intervals. This form of urban design, which was commonplace in Iran, is an optimal form of desert architecture that minimizes desert expansion and the effects of dust storms. It also maximises daytime shading, and insulates the “fabric” from severe winter temperatures.
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