(1820)THE ROLE OF AZADI SQUARE (FREEDOM SQUARE) AS A PUBLICURBAN FORM TO AFFECT SOCIAL INTERACTION IN TEHRAN,IRAN

摘要

“The literature of public life is a literature of loss.”- Michael BrillIn terms of architecture, Tehran is a super modern city with a New York like skyline and Americanstyle highways. Yet, even in modern Tehran, three different monuments in some ways compete assymbols of the city. The old Shahyad monument, since the revolution called Azadi square (FreedomSquare), was the scene of major rallies in the days of the revolution and became the symbol of thecity. Then there is the entrance to the old city in south Tehran. And now the Milad (Birth) Towerrecently built which will eventually be surrounded by panoply of excellent parks, shops, museums andwhich is designed to become the new symbol of the city. But, Azadi square would be the only one ofmany public places throughout the city that experienced a re-identification.The main concern of this paper is to study the way urban places engages in social, cultural andpolitical arenas. How does the type of designing provided in public spaces affect social interaction?Why people prefer to interact in some specific urban places? I have explored the role of Azadi squarein terms of an urban place to understand and search what has been lost and what needs to be done tomake it more ideal place, support and sustain it in form of public space.