Boolean Study on Causes of Collective Forgetting in the City: A Case Study on Abandoned Buildings of Babolsar City

Babolsar City has changed rapidly during the recent years. These changes are similar to losing the long-standing memorial places. Collective memory can play an important role in the feeling of belonging to the place. The existence of abandoned buildings in the city indicates a disorder in collective memory and in the acute form it represents forgetting. From this perspective, the present study has focused on abandoned buildings in the city in order to explore the major determinants of the collective forgetting of these memorial buildings. Methodologically, this study is based on a combination of documentary and historical approaches and oral history. It also relies on the theories developed by Crinson and Cannerton. According to the results of this study, although the reminding harsh order and tyranny are significantly important determinants, they cannot still provide a comprehensive explanation. For instance, other relevant determinants such as the foreigners’ dominance and the lack of financial and service benefits for the last 40 years contribute for a more comprehensive explanation.