Journal of Iranian Architecture & Urbanism(JIAU)

Abstract Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: Change of values, intellectual customs, lifestyles and human relationship with the universe and nature, distortion of long-standing physical, socio-cultural cohesion are among the challenges of contemporary Iranian cities that have led to forgetting collective memories and changing the concept of the city. The research problem begins with the general concept of “collective memory” in Iranian cities. In order to observe the indigenous originality of the research, the research has been defined based on a “problem- oriented” research with a comparative evaluation of existing challenges of collective memory in Iranian cities and identifying the concept of “change” as the key issue of collective memory in Iranian cities. Therefore, while delimiting the scope of the study, the aim of the research is to study change, continuity and constancy of the concept of city and collective memory and determine its optimal threshold in Tehran historical center as a symbol of change in Iranian cities.
Methods: The research uses a qualitative method and a phenomenological strategy (descriptive phenomenology). In this article, while reviewing the literature of collective memory, change, continuity and constancy, a theoretical framework for phenomenological study has been developed and accordingly, an in-depth semi-structured interview with 41 residents of the historical center of Tehran (people born in different decades and among various social groups) has been conducted. 
Findings: The results of this research encompass not only the categorization of collective memories (home and neighborhood memories such as the culture of acquaintance and neighborhood, courtyard, children’s games in the alley, socio-cultural memories such as the nicknames of people, storytelling, ritual of Pahlavani and peaceful coexistence of religions, religious memories including home prayers, Muharrams and Mid-Sha’ban celebrations, national-political memories such as the coup of August 19, 1953, the Islamic Revolution and the Imposed War, natural memories like the organic relationship of human with nature at home and neighborhood, water supply system and Qanats, and harmony with nature through summer migration to Shemiran and urban memories such as new streets building in Reza Shah reign and the construction of modern urban buildings and facilities such as Plasco Building and electric buses), but also include the theoretical formulation of the concepts of “change”, “continuity” and “constancy” in the historical center of Tehran. In order to explain and analyze the concept of “change” in the historical center of Tehran, the theory of “continuous change” has been proposed, which introduces a kind of repetitive and continuous patterns of radical change in the city. According to this theory, the historical center of Tehran in the contemporary period, after encountering modernity, faces four syndromes including “continuous change syndrome”, “syndrome of leaving the paternal neighborhood”, “Empty Nest Syndrome” and “continuous forgetfulness syndrome”. Also, the analysis of the concept of continuity shows that the “continuity of the identity structure” of the historical center of Tehran in some physical dimension (through the presence of historical buildings and architectural traditions), functional dimension (continuity of religious sites, the continuity of residence in some neighborhoods and functional continuance of Tehran Bazaar) and meaning-memory dimension (continuity of local character of some places and neighborhoods) are relatively still established. However, in terms of ecological structure, this continuity has been distorted over time and therefore needs to be revived by restoring the role of wooded yards in creating a balance between private and public green spaces. Persistence of some historical buildings and urban spaces (such as Golestan Palace, 30th Tir Street), some religious rituals, historical bazaars and some natural elements (such as the continuous shadow of Alborz and the old plane tree of Imamzadeh Yahya) also indicate the constancy of physical, behavioral, subjective and natural anchors of memory in the historical center of Tehran.
Conclusion: Based on the theoretical framework of the research, it can be concluded that the optimal threshold of change, continuity and constancy in the historical center of Tehran is achieved when the “continuous change” of the area stops. This should be reached by continuing the identity structure through dominance of restoration culture over culture of demolition and new construction, preserving the character of the historical center, original lifestyles and permanent dwelling, which entails “stopping leaving the paternal neighborhood” and “returning to empty nests”.  Also, the anchors of memory should be stabilized by preserving or finding physical clues (historical buildings), social clues (social context) and cultural clues (stories, proverbs and the sweet language of Tehran), which in turn leads to cessation of “continuous forgetfulness” and preservation of collective memory.

Abstract The changes in urban life today has resulted in the less importance or complete loss or of many known urban spaces and social and cultural functionalities. These changes are mostly by disorientation, lack of identity and disaffiliation of citizens in social activities, whereas urban identity reinforces the link between city and citizens, and brings them special social characteristics, through the association of memories and sense of belonging in them. One way to accomplish this matter is utilizing the capacity of historic evocative buildings in the cities. Based on this, the purpose of this research is the feasibility study for the revival of urban space around the historical bridges of the city with emphasis on citizen’s identity and collective memory. The case study for this research is urban space around the historic bridge of Langroud city. In this research, effective factors in creating evocative urban space for citizens were evaluated by a questionnaire. The research
method presented in this paper was survey method using a case study. For this reason, two kind of questionnaires has been used and the reliability of each ones has been verified by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. Also, the questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS software. The results indicate that elements such as meaning, structure and activity have the highest impact respectively, in the revival of urban space and creating sense of belonging around the historic bridge of Langroud city. The final result is that structural planning around historic bridges should be done in order to improve appropriate social and cultural activities, and give meaning to the city. It also indicates the role these valuable elements have in creating evocative urban space and identity for citizens.