The Chronological Process of Changes in Iranian Urban Spaces–A Case Study: Tehran and Its Squares

One of the key current challenges in urban design and planning worldwide is the notion of “scale”, which is important in various levels of decision making for urban spaces such as squares. How “scale” is defined in the field of design and planning will lead to divergent approaches towards urban spaces, such as adaptation, obeying, alteration, and neglect. In order to create successful urban spaces with suitable scales that respond to users’ expectations, it is necessary to minimize the gap between the subjectivity and objectivity, and to this end, this paper studies the chronological process of such changes in Tehran and their impact on the design of one type of space: the urban square. Furthermore, this paper aims to identify if and how the subjectivity and objectivity of squares in Tehran have been changed as a result of chronological phases of transformation, particularly since the foundation of the city in 1524. The findings reveal how aspects of the city’s squares are disappearing, but need to be revived to achieve socio-cultural sustainability. The main methods applied include a review of the related literature, an appropriate analysis, and direct observation.