Abstract:

“The literature of public life is a literature of loss.”- Michael Brill

In terms of architecture, Tehran is a super modern city with a New York like skyline and American style highways. Yet, even in modern Tehran, three different monuments in some ways compete as symbols of the city. The old Shahyad monument, since the revolution called Azadi square (Freedom Square), was the scene of major rallies in the days of the revolution and became the symbol of the city. Then there is the entrance to the old city in south Tehran. And now the Milad (Birth) Tower recently built which will eventually be surrounded by panoply of excellent parks, shops, museums and which is designed to become the new symbol of the city. But, Azadi square would be the only one of many public places throughout the city that experienced a re-identification after the revolution. After almost 30 years, Azadi Square is still keeping its symbolism for Iranian people until present that it became a most important political public place in the Middle East.

The main concern of this paper is to study the way urban places engages in social, cultural and political 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 square in terms of an urban place to understand and search what has been lost and what needs to be done to make it more ideal place, support and sustain it in form of public space.

Keywords:

Azadi, Freedom, Public urban place, Social interaction, Political view, Middle East, Tehran.