Public-Municipality Confrontations over Authoritarian Street Construction in Shiraz during the Pahlavi I Era

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, School of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 MA of Urban Design, Faculty of Art, Terbiat Modares University

10.30484/ganj.2024.3200

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the process of street construction in Shiraz during the reign of Reza Shah (Pahlavi I), aiming to assess the effects of authoritarian modernization on the city’s social, economic, and cultural structure.
Method and Research Design: Drawing on historical documents, official correspondence, and relevant events, the research analyzes the social consequences of street construction projects and the public’s responses to them.
Findings and Conclusion: The street construction initiatives, carried out under the banner of urban modernization, resulted in the extensive demolition of residential, commercial, and religious structures. These actions provoked widespread dissatisfaction, especially among lower-income groups. The public protests were driven by concerns over violations of property rights, threats to the city’s historical identity, and the erosion of urban cohesion. In some instances, these protests succeeded in limiting the extent of demolition or altering specific project plans.
The street construction projects in Shiraz served as a symbol of imposed modernization, producing not only physical changes but also a profound disconnect between development plans and the community’s actual needs. This study highlights the dynamics of interaction and confrontation between municipal authorities and citizens, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of urban transformation and its impact on Shiraz’s historical identity.

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 12 October 2024
  • Accept Date: 15 November 2024

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