Defensive Modernization & Evolution of the Forms in the Urban Structures of Tehran (Naser al-Din Shah Era)

The Naserid era changes in Tehran are visible both within the architecture and in the urban aspects, this includes basic developments and evolutions. Modernity and modernization are turning points for a radical revision of the design of the city. After the nineteenth century, and because of the desire of the Nasir al-Din Shah to leave the magnificent modern city (Dar al-Khalafah Naseri), most of the changes are similar to those of the French city. And most innovations happened in Naserid Tehran as the Construction of Tūpkhāneh square, creating new streets, building a defense wall, and employing Austrian and French teachers, which are developments related to this order. With the inspiration of European teachers and planners in designing the city, the style of Vauban architecture was influenced by local and indigenous styles. Modernism has a lot of influences on local styles. By comparing the effects of the new style in Tehran and beyond its boundaries, one can consider the effects of the styles and patterns of the native architecture of the occupied territories. This paper aims to study the adaptive pattern of city development; squares, streets, and other important urban changes inside the borders of Tehran, and to understand the effects of non-local on national landscape influences on the morphological features of the city of Tehran.

Keywords:

Modernization and Urban Changes , Naser al-Din Shah , Vauban Style , Defense Wall , Dār al-Funūn Deeds