tehran

This study investigates the evolution of void space in Tehran’s residential architecture and analyzes its role in the spatial structure of buildings from the past to the present. The main issue of the research is the transformation of the function and position of void space in the development of residential architecture, particularly in relation to its impact on spatial quality, social interactions, and the principles of Iranian architectural design. The primary objective of the study is to trace the changes in these spaces and assess their alignment with the traditional principles of Iranian architecture. The research employs a qualitative methodology based on historical and comparative analysis, drawing on library studies, architectural document reviews, and selected examples of historical and contemporary buildings. The findings reveal that in the past, void space served as a central element in Iranian residential architecture, playing a key role not only in terms of climate and functionality but also as a platform for social interactions and the creation of spatial identity. Over time, with increasing urban density, these spaces have undergone significant changes and, in many modern buildings, have lost their prominence. In some instances, efforts to redefine void space in contemporary architecture are evident, where it is considered not only as a functional element but also as an aesthetic and conceptual factor in building design.

Public spaces, as the heart of cities, play a crucial role in shaping urban identity, fostering social interactions, and creating a sense of belonging among citizens to their living environments. One effective approach to enhancing the identity of these spaces is adopting a citizen-centered urban planning perspective. This approach focuses on addressing the needs, demands, and values of the local community, aiming to design and create spaces that not only meet the needs of diverse social groups but also preserve their cultural and historical identity. Despite the significance of this subject, limited research has explored the impact of citizen-centered urban planning on the identity and quality of public spaces. This study aims to identify the key variables influencing the enhancement of public space identity within the historical fabric of District 12, Tehran. The research methodology is structural and employs the MICMAC software, with purposive sampling of 15 urban planning experts. Seventeen variables across functional, physical, and identity dimensions were identified. The findings revealed that variables such as easy access to urban services and amenities, mixed land use, paving, preservation of historical buildings and spaces, and the design of cycling paths are the primary drivers for enhancing the identity of public spaces in the historical fabric of District 12, Tehran. These results provide valuable insights for sustainable planning and management of public spaces in the area.

This study investigates how two Iranian martyrs’ memorials architecturally encode cultural memory and national identity. Analyzing the memorials at Imam Hossein University and Pounak Research Science University through semiotic methodology, we examine five design systems: environmental context, structural composition, circulation patterns, functionality, and landscape. The Imam Hossein memorial’s minimalist “white box” geometry evokes spiritual transcendence, while Pounak’s traditional techniques connect to Iran’s architectural heritage. Both successfully translate martyrdom concepts into spatial experiences through Islamic proportions, symbolic materials, and carefully designed pathways that guide commemorative rituals. Three key design syntheses emerge: blending historical principles with contemporary needs, materializing cultural values, and mediating between individual and collective memory. Findings reveal these memorials function as three-dimensional narratives where every architectural element carries layered meanings. They transform visitation into collective memory journeys while balancing spirituality with physical design. The study demonstrates how traditional Islamic design principles can address modern commemorative needs through innovative spatial storytelling. While limited to two case studies, the research provides architects with a framework evaluating the physical and cultural dimensions of memorial design. It shows how architecture can preserve complex historical narratives across generations through a culturally grounded spatial composition that resonates with contemporary audiences. The memorials’ success lies in their ability to maintain profound semantic depth while meeting modern functional requirements - offering valuable insights for designing meaningful commemorative spaces in culturally specific contexts worldwide. This work contributes to architectural theory by highlighting design strategies that sustain cultural continuity while innovatively addressing present-day commemorative needs. It positions architecture as a powerful medium for transmitting collective memory through carefully crafted spatial experiences rooted in, yet not constrained by, tradition.

Problem statement: 

The disorders of Tehran’s urban appearance are a point of consensus among groups concerned with urban facades. However, an examination of urban specialists’ opinions on the matter reveals a lack of consensus regarding the ideal urban appearance.What epistemological foundations underpin the architectural and urbanism trends in Iran concerning the issue of disorder in Tehran’s urban appearance, and which of these foundations is more suitable for managing urban appearance?

Research objective:

This study aims to analyze the philosophical origins of the actions of Iranian architectural and urbanism trends concerning the disorder of Tehran’s urban appearance.

To answer the research question, a qualitative method was employed in two stages based on logical reasoning. Initially, historical library studies were conducted to determine the temporal origin of the phenomenon of urban disarray. Subsequently, based on the classification of intellectual trends in Iranian architecture and urban planninga phenomenological description was made of the views of urban specialists on the causes of Tehran’s urban appearances’ chaos, and these views were compared to their intellectual characteristics, presented as a series of dichotomies. Finally, by examining the philosophical foundations by determining the epistemology of these dichotomies, the research question was addressed.

There is no consensus on understanding the word “Disorder” among architecture and urbanism Trends. Tending to either side of the dichotomy of form and its attributes or content is rooted in our epistemology, where the philosophical explanation of the relationship between the objective and the subjective is crucial. The kind of relationship between objectivity and subjectivity leads to two distinct outcomes in urban appearance. In the case of separation, urban appearance is perceived as an external matter, dominated by geometry and inclined towards Deterministic order, hence managed by specialists. The comprehensive plan for Tehran is a product of this approach. Conversely, in the case of the intertwining of the object and the subject urban appearance becomes perceptional, and beautifying it is neither external nor formal, thus cannot be delegated to specialists. This approach appears to be philosophically more defensible than others. The order derived from this perspective corresponds with the agency and dynamic existence of humans, characterized as inferential, minimal, and fluid.

This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of thermal comfort models in mid-rise residential apartments in Tehran, focusing on the discrepancies between theoretical standards and the actual comfort experienced by occupants. Tehran's variable climate and suboptimal construction quality present unique challenges in achieving thermal comfort, making it crucial to develop context-specific approaches. The study examines the limitations of the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index, a key component of national standards in Iran, which often fails to account for occupant behavior, local environmental factors, and adaptive strategies. The goal is to identify gaps in these models and inform the development of more responsive thermal comfort guidelines, appropriate to the climate and cultural context of Tehran.

A convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Environmental measurements, including air temperature, humidity, air velocity, and mean radiant temperature (MRT), were taken across seasons in 35 residential units. Qualitative data were collected through surveys of 112 residents (60 females, 52 males) to understand their perceptions of thermal comfort and adaptive behaviors. Statistical power for the survey was set at 0.95, with surveys exploring residents' responses to different indoor conditions and their use of heating, cooling, and window management strategies.

The study found that the PMV index accurately predicted thermal comfort only 17% of the time, highlighting its limitations in Tehran conditions. Discrepancies between PMV and dry bulb temperatures were particularly pronounced in summer, resulting in significant discomfort Residents preferred neutral temperatures of 20.55°C in summer and 23.86°C in winter, which differed from PMV predictions. Poor insulation, inadequate windows, and inappropriate building materials were identified as major contributors to thermal discomfort.

The results highlight the inadequacy of static models such as PMV in the residential context of Tehran. Adaptive thermal comfort standards that incorporate environmental and behavioral factors are needed to reflect local climates and occupant behavior. This approach would promote passive design strategies, reduce energy consumption, and improve occupant comfort, thereby promoting sustainable residential environments.

The main objective of this research is to examine the factors influencing the improvement of the design quality of pedestrian tourism routes in selected routes in Tehran city and identify the challenges and issues associated with these routes, as well as the expectations of tourists from these routes.

The analytical and descriptive methodology is employed in this study. The required information and data are gathered from library sources. In the next stage, through field surveys, a questionnaire is developed and administered. The study population consists of 384 experts in the fields of tourism, management, and urban design, as well as street vendors and tourists in the targeted area. They were selected using a simple random sampling method. The research questionnaire was developed by the researcher and its content and face validity were confirmed by the guidance of professors, advisors, and experts in the field of management and urban design. SPSS23 software was used for data analysis.

the findings include two quantitative and qualitative divisions; to answer the research questions in the quantitative analysis findings of the SPSS software and the qualitative findings based on the main purpose of the research, by examining the domestic and foreign scientific research articles, the five main factors influencing the quality improvement of walking tourism routes have been achieved.

In this study, five questions including the role of diversity of use, vitality, cultural flexibility, importance to the environment and accessibility in the design quality of walking tourism routes have been examined.

The performance of city councils in reviewing and enacting approvals is one of the important fields in urban management. The significance of this field originates from the nature of these approvals that affect the various life aspects of citizens. Also, an investigation of this topic is necessary regarding the paradigm of public participation of stakeholders and influential groups in the decision-making process, because city council members perform as elected agents of people and make decisions on various urban subjects and challenges in the urban planning system of Iran. Thus, this study aims to examine a real experience of decision-making in the Islamic City Council of Tehran by adopting a pragmatic approach to discuss the compilation, review, and enactment of an idea in the city council through a practical process. To do so, content analyses, documentary, and narrative studies have been used to review the theoretical texts in this field, analyze the available documents and antecedents, and the practical procedures and margins done to compile, review, and enact the considered approval. The results of this study confirm that the pragmatist approach must receive greater attention in the process of revising the plans, projects, and approvals in the field of city and urban planning. Adoption of this approach and attention to the real experiences of the action field (in the field of decision making) draws the attention of theorists to the point that stakeholders (even those who are irrelated to the topic) have hidden powers in the cities, and can disturb an urban project or improve its performance. Moreover, regardless of all of its aspects influencing the cities, processes respective to urban management have raised many worries for power authorities, so the interaction with them requires specific capabilities for urban planners. These capabilities appear through the assessment of experiences in the field of action or practice and existing realities of society.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a fundamental approach to enhancing stakeholder participation and sustainability in smart cities, as it increases access to information, improves communications, and enhances transparency in urban decision-making processes. In this regard, the aim of the research is to investigate the role of ICT in advancing urban sustainability amidst rapid urban population growth and the implementation of smart projects in Tehran. The research method is descriptive-analytical and falls within the path analysis branch. Data collection tools include standardized questionnaires on ICT, smart urban sustainability, stakeholder participation, and urban resilience. The target population consists of all urban experts, with a sample size of 70 determined using the snowball sampling method. Structural Equation Modeling (PLS) is utilized for data analysis. Descriptive results indicate that the mean for ICT variables (3.72) is at a semi-stable level, while smart urban sustainability (3.72), stakeholder participation (3.86), and urban resilience and adaptation (3.8) are determined at a stable level. Inferential results suggest that the impact of ICT on stakeholder participation with a significant coefficient (2.41), the impact of ICT on smart urban sustainability with a significant coefficient (4.706), the impact of stakeholder participation on smart urban sustainability with a significant coefficient (4.766), the mediating role of stakeholder participation in the relationship between ICT and smart urban sustainability with a significant coefficient (2.130), and the impact of urban resilience and adaptation on smart urban sustainability with a significant coefficient (3.363) which are all greater than 1.96, are confirmed. Therefore, the concept of this study facilitates optimizing the influence of the urban environment based on ICT and creates sustainable and resilient communities that meet the needs and priorities of all members of society.

The purpose of this study is to examine the degree of compliance of the current urban governance system of Tehran with the desired governance system that is in line with the vision and strategies determined in the statement of the second step of the revolution. This research is in terms of practical purpose and the method of collecting documentary-survey information. The statistical population is the experts and administrators of Tehran municipality and the number of statistical samples was 185 people. The results obtained in this research show that in the current state of Tehran municipality management, out of the eight governance components according to the statement of the second step of the revolution, the components of leadership and Jahad movement and the component of transparency and control of corruption are at the highest level. The two components of participation and legalism have the lowest degree of compliance in Tehran's urban management with governance according to the statement.

Research related to the quality of life has been raised as a new topic in social studies during the last fourteen decades of the 20th century in many countries. The concept of the quality of urban life today has gained traction in the schools of welfare and social justice, and in Iran since the past, various discussions and efforts have been made in the field of improving urban life quality. Therefore, in this article, using theoretical discussions and also the most important indicators in this field, the quality of life of the residents of the neighborhoods in One District of Tehran has been measured. In general, the purpose of this article is to investigate the contexts and factors related to the quality of life of the citizens of one district of Tehran, based on various indicators such as housing, transportation, security, health, and urban management. Quantitative research method and data were collected by survey method and then analyzed using HLM software with a multi-level approach. The findings of the research show that the quality of life of the residents of Region 1 varies at the neighborhood level. According to the findings, the neighborhoods of Naft, Jamaran, and Niavaran have the highest average quality of urban life, while the neighborhoods of Sohank, Derke, Zafaranieh, Darband, Evin, Gulabdara, and Mahmoudieh have the lowest average scores. Based on the differences between these neighborhoods, the findings indicate that objective variables such as age and education at level one, and subjective variables such as the feeling of social security at level two have a significant relationship with the dependent variable, i.e., quality of urban life.

Bicycle-sharing is a relatively new idea, but concerns about its popularity, benefits, and potential harms behind it have sparked heated debate in the public and academic circles. However, there is still a gap between describing the phenomenon and evaluating its effectiveness. Therefore, a correct understanding of the decision-making processes in the adoption and use of shared bicycle systems can enable operators to plan their services in a more optimal way. The bicycle distribution system, if planned well, can play a complementary role in the existing transportation infrastructure. Due to the recent growth of bicycle sharing systems in large countries such as China, Europe, and the United States, there is a great interest in identifying factors influencing this system to encourage people using it. Therefore, one of the most important challenges in this field is the factors affecting the level of user satisfaction, and better identification and understanding of these factors can help improve the user experience and increase the use of this system. So far, many researches have been conducted on the components affecting the functional stability of the shared bicycles system, for example Si et al. in 2020 found that factors of efficiency, economic benefits, environmental awareness, and infrastructure incentives influence the willingness to use the shared bicycle system. Also, other studies in this field have found factors such as mental norms, behavioural norms, appearance quality, ease of use, flexibility, and safety to be effective on the willingness to use the shared bicycle system (X. Li et al., 2022; Shao et al., 2020; Zhou & Zhang; 2018). But this issue has not been fully investigated yet. Dockless Bicycle Sharing system (DBSS) with different brand names such as: Mobicycle, Ofo, Youbicycle, etc., and recently with Bidood brand, have been expanded in Iran. Therefore, according to the issues and needs raised, as well as the few studies that have been conducted in the field of investigating the efficiency and use of shared bicycles in Iran, especially in the metropolis of Tehran, the current research seeks to identify the factors affecting the use of the bicycle sharing system in Tehran in the field of urban planning and policy making, to provide guidance for city managers and operators of the shared bicycle system.

In the current research, structural equation modelling (SEM) has been used to analyse latent variables, their relationships and test hypotheses according to the conceptual model of the research. It used the simple random sampling method and the required data was collected through a questionnaire, the items of which were mainly obtained from the review of the literature related to shared bicycles, its mechanism, and the presented conceptual model. A questionnaire was distributed both face-to-face and non-face-to-face (through virtual platforms such as Eitaa etc.). To check the validity and reliability of the measurement tool, improve the questions, format and scales, a pilot study of potential participants was conducted. Finally, 270 questionnaires were collected, and after screening the data, 248 questionnaires were approved. Descriptive analysis of collected data was done through SPSS version 26.0, such as data screening, frequencies, percentages and reliability analysis, and AMOS version 26.0 software was used for modelling, model analysis and hypothesis testing.

Based on findings, the five components defined in the conceptual model, including quality and performance, distribution and parking, comfort and flexibility, safety and environment, and the usefulness of services, affect the satisfaction and use of users of the shared bicycle system. The results of the squared multiple correlations, which express the degree of explanation of the data variance by the model, showed that the five variables in question constitute 64% of the variance of the satisfaction variable (R2 = 0.64), with comfort and flexibility having the greatest impact on the satisfaction and use of the shared bicycle system. After that, quality and performance, service desirability, safety and environment, and distribution and parking have the most impact respectively. The findings indicate that the better the quality and performance, the conditions of distribution and parking, and the comfort and flexibility of the shared bicycle system, the greater the satisfaction and the amount of usage. In the same way, the more the shared bicycle system has higher safety and provides better services to users (have more safety and desirability), the more satisfaction and the amount of usage will be. The findings from the descriptive statistics showed that the quality and performance of bicycle sharing in terms of lightness and easy portability of bodies, beautiful design and lock function, the condition of distribution and parking of shared bicycles, the ease of access and parking, the number of bicycles, the method of deployment and management, the comfort and flexibility of bicycle sharing in terms of ease of movement in traffic, the freedom of action in choosing the route and ease of access to public transportation, and the safety of bicycles and cycling paths are not at acceptable levels. On the other hand the bicycle sharing system was considered acceptable by respondents in terms of environmental (low pollution and reduction of carbon consumption). The service quality of the bicycle sharing system was found not at a suitable level in terms of rental cost, reasonable deposit, application performance and QR sensitivity. In terms of the compatibility of the application (APP) with the mobile operating system and the ease of the registration process, however they were found at a relatively favourable level. The findings of the descriptive statistics from the satisfaction variable showed that the overall satisfaction of the users (tendency to reuse and recommend this system to others) is at a very low level, but if the services is improved, they will accept this green transportation system.The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the use of shared bicycle systems in Tehran metropolis, to provide guidance for city managers and relevant operators in the field of planning, decision-making and policy making. The results of this research showed that 5 components: quality and performance, distribution and parking, comfort and flexibility, safety and environment, and the desirability of service influence the satisfaction and use of the shared bicycle system. Therefore, it is necessary for managers and urban planners and policymakers to take measures to improve the performance level of the five components proposed in this research, including the integration of shared bicycle system with public transportation, better management of distribution and parking of bicycles, increase safety of bicycles and improvement of servic

The problem of thermal comfort of users has long been the concern of architects and designers of residential spaces. In the traditional architecture of Iran, according to the climate of each region, the form, the placement of spaces and the design of open spaces are formed according to the climate of each region. In modern times, due to the increase in the population of cities and the increase in the need for residential spaces and traffic space, the issue of open and social spaces and its role in providing human comfort has been given less attention. Residential has become effective in providing thermal comfort to the residents. For this purpose, using the study of scientific texts, the components of urban form affecting the thermal comfort of urban open spaces were extracted in a hierarchy from texture to building, then ENVI-met software was used to simulate and analyze the design factors, and each of the blocks Residential houses with a certain height are simulated in the software. The results show that the nine isolated cubes provide better heat in the open space. The better performance of this arrangement in providing thermal comfort in the open space can be attributed to the distribution of building blocks, which prevents the creation of open spaces without large shadows inside the site. The shade created by the building blocks prevents the temperature from rising too much in the summer afternoon hours.

Cities worldwide serve as hubs of thought, competition, and growth. Knowledge-based urban development (KBUD) is a practical facet of sustainable development, addressing contemporary urban challenges. A knowledge-based city, the result of KBUD, thrives on a knowledge-driven regional economy with high value-added exports, created by research, technology, and intellectual capital and designed to encourage and strengthen knowledge. This study aims to identify and analyze the drivers of KBUD in the metropolis of Tehran.

The current study is a descriptive-analytical research and considered a practical research in terms of purpose. Key drivers were identified through qualitative content analysis using the Delphi method, which involves multiple rounds of expert surveys. In this method, the survey is conducted over two or more rounds, with the results of the first round provided to participants in the second round, allowing them to revise their initial evaluations or add to their previous comments if desired. The Delphi method in this research was evaluated by 20 expert screeners in three stages using a two-way matrix, covering 9 dimensions and 43 indicators. The structural analysis followed four stages: initial discovery, probabilistic stage, integration stage, and implementation stage, utilising MicMac software. Cross-effects analysis was used to determine the direct and indirect impacts of these drivers on the future of knowledge-based urban development in Tehran. It is important to note that analysing these systems is more complex than stable systems due to the involvement of multiple factors. These factors are categorised into five groups: 1) Determining or influencing factors; 2) Two-faceted factors, further divided into risk and target subgroups; 3) Influential factors, representing system outcomes; 4) Independent factors, which are split into discrete and secondary leverage factors; and 5) Regulatory factors.

After analysing the perspectives of experts over three different decades and studying the experiences of various cities and countries in both theory and practice, as well as examining urban development patterns, the criteria were evaluated qualitatively. This analysis relied on the consensus of 20 urban experts, including professors, managers, and specialists in the field, derived from the Delphi method. The criteria encompassed physical, human, technological, communication, planning, political, educational and research, cultural, and infrastructure factors. In physical infrastructure, sub-criteria included a coordinated approach to building, physical form, and urban structure. In human infrastructure, the experts highlighted enhancing the skills of residents and employees, social order, social quality, highly skilled organizations, strengthening human capital, social justice, knowledge worker overflow, and motivating population knowledge. For technical infrastructure, sub-criteria like technical capacity, technological knowledge, technology dissemination, and knowledge-enabling technologies were identified. In communication infrastructure, criteria such as communication and transportation, strong spatial relationships, accessibility, and connectivity emerged.In strategy and planning infrastructure, sub-criteria included knowledge policies, city management planning, people-centered planning, coordination between public and private sectors, quality administrative environments, and local planning. In political infrastructure, key sub-criteria were social participation, market-oriented management, transparent policymaking, political activity integration, active society, knowledge managers, and equality. Cultural infrastructure involved sub-criteria like cultural institutions, cultural diversity, and communication. Lastly, in educational and research infrastructure, expanding and systematizing research capabilities, educational innovation, and triple helix communication (government, private sector, and university) were emphasized, while location infrastructure highlighted location quality, fairness, permeability, and proximity. Among the variables analyzed, the most influential were: market-oriented management from political infrastructure with a direct impact of 408 (ranked first); human capital strengthening from human infrastructure with a direct impact of 400 (ranked second); and knowledge managers and integration of political activities from political infrastructure, both with a direct impact of 361 (ranked third). Additionally, the integration of political activities (political infrastructure) had a direct impact of 361 (fourth place), and social quality from human infrastructure had a direct impact of 356 (fifth place).

The study concluded that political and human infrastructures are the most influential factors in KBUD in Tehran. Drivers like market-oriented management, human capital strengthening, and integration of political activities have a significant impact. Strengthening these drivers can help overcome social barriers and create opportunities despite resource limitations. In a knowledge-based city or region, the government’s focus is on providing the necessary infrastructure for knowledge-based development, which, unfortunately, has not yet been achieved in Tehran. The lack of an integrated approach to knowledge-based urban development is a significant challenge for countries seeking progress but still outside the development loop, and this confusion in urban management is evident in Tehran. In this context, the government’s role in policymaking and developing infrastructure to support knowledge-based activities is crucial. KBUD heavily relies on human intellect, making education and the training of skilled human resources essential. An effective and efficient educational system that continually enhances knowledge at all levels is necessary for this. To realize knowledge-based urban development, in addition to producing and distributing knowledge, it is vital to focus on applying knowledge effectively to expand capacities and improve resource utilization, which is key to creating a knowledge-based city. The expansion and specialization of labor have boosted market efficiency and productivity, driving technological economic growth and increasing the interdependence of people.

Collapsing the distributing system of service centers in cities is among the most important consequences of urban rapid growth that caused equality in accessing urban inhabitants’ services. Therefore, Providing the city with appropriate welfare services and fair spatial distribution is one of the most important missions of urban planners and managers. This research investigated the spatial distribution of 16 services and their relationship with real estate prices in Tehran's municipal districts. The data was provided from the statistical documents of Tehran Municipality and Iranian Statistical Center analyzed as the indicator of the number of services per 10,000 population using descriptive statistics and ranking. Findings indicate that District 12, which is the only municipal district that is completely located in the historical fabric of Tehran and corresponds to the market and the business center of the city, is superior in terms of services. The reason is the persistence of many elements of the Islamic city. After this, the districts of 6 (as an academic center and medical services center), 13, and 1 have better services, respectively. District 1 ranks fourth in terms of services although it is the most expensive and prosperous district of Tehran. The correlation coefficient of +0.235 indicates that, in general, in districts with higher real estate prices, urban services are in a better situation. Ten indicators have a direct correlation, in which the correlation coefficient of 3 medical indicators and university and garden indicators is higher. There is an inverse relationship between the sports hall and mosque index with real estate prices (-0.58 and -0.50). To achieve spatial and social justice, it is necessary for planning and urban management to choose the location of urban service centers in accordance with the less suitable areas that are explained in the study.

The city was born in the channel of geography and changes or dissolves over time under the influence of various factors. The way of coexistence of various classes and groups of society in every city is crystallized in the physical space of residential neighborhoods and the internal relationships between each component and the connection of each with other urban spaces.protest actions and revolutions are the result of confrontation between the government and new social movements in the urban space. The location of Tehran and the political and social concentration of movements in it have been the cause of various historical events in this city. In order to identify the political center and border of a government in social events, situational analysis studies should be done. In this approach, the dispersion of spaces and works in the landscape is a key to identify the political center and borders. Recognizing the effects of political activities of a government in archeological documents is possible through the examination and study of the territory and documents related to socio-political activities. The material manifestations of social factors in the formation of protest events have a direct relationship with the cultural works of humans and the social structure of urban spaces. The role of political competitions and protests in the formation of social actions in urban spaces is investigated and studied through urban archaeology. In archaeological data, which is related to society, there is a dialectical relationship between past and present. The way of placement of spaces, social groups and different cultures, in general the spatial organization and the constituent elements of the city are connected through communication. The quality of urban design and types of spaces have a great impact on the society. Discourse in the city can be understood as a form or a practice.

The purpose of the research is to analyze the relationship between the nature and goals of political and social events and the way Tehran's urban spaces are used in contemporary protest events (case study: Islamic Revolution).

The method of this research is library (documents), field (visiting buildings) and with a descriptive-analytical approach.

In order to interpret the urban spaces and establish a connection between the protest event and the said spaces, the quantitative criteria of the space in terms of dimensions, the quality of connection with the surrounding context, and from the symbolic point of view, their connection with the structure of the whole city and the buildings around them are taken into consideration Has taken.

During the protests at the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, clerics of different times and strata played the most important role in the streets and urban spaces. The marches were held in Shahyad Square, 24 Esfand Square, Tehran University, Qaytarieh Hills and religious places of the city, which are among the most important urban spaces in this era. At the time of the 1957 revolution, due to the greater position and influence of religious people, especially clerics, and the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini (RA), they were able to influence the target society. The difference between the use of urban spaces in this event and other events investigated in this research was in the type of welcoming, supporting and accepting the invitation of activists and protesters, and it led to the maximum use of important urban spaces. The relationship between spaces and spatial organizations with audiences and social interactions in the investigated events in the city of Tehran is two-way. During the investigated event, it was found that the spatial organization of the city of Tehran includes the government, civil and administrative headquarters, religious center, economic center and other urban elements with this event has been related.

Problem: 

This article unfolds a collective educational journey that while initially faced by serious doubts, ultimately received positive feedback from the students in an online urban design workshop.  During a rampant global pandemic, one of the two instructors communicating from overseas, who is experienced in teaching face-to-face courses, raised initial pedagogical concerns.

To remedy these, the two instructors dedicated the first part of the workshop to theorizing urban complexity.  Exposure to theory, while less common if not uncommon in design studios, removed the students’ initial misgivings.  Gaining student confidence boosted their spirit in crafting idiosyncratic interpretations based on personal memories, and paved the way toward assuming agency, and subsequently integrative learning.

This technique enabled students to connect discrete structural learning domains to produce more complicated outcomes, and by doing so experienced three states of mind.  Melting away initial doubts coincided with thematic arrangement.  Boosting confidence through conceptual connectivity and self-discovery, then, resulted in ebullience in designing through purposeful action.

This article contributes to the scanty literature on coping mechanisms in the face of looming uncertainties both for students and instructors in teaching studios.