On Cultural Landscapes and Identity - Towards a Pragmatic Approach of Place in Globalizing Societies: the Case of Darband, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This research deals with challenges posed by the rapid transformation of contemporary urban landscapes in the globalisation era compared to their pre-modern counterparts. This phenomenon causes a crisis of identity due to transformations in the collective identity of users. The focus of the research revolves around the question of how the attitude towards the build environment in the case-study-area of Darband, Iran, has been changing due to global influences. Tracing the historical trajectory of studies exploring the values embedded in cultural landscapes, two selected approaches are applied to investigate shifts in users' values: cultural analysis (i.e., Rieger-Jandl, 2006; Rapoport, 1969; 2008) and the role of place in globalisation (i.e., Relph, 1976; 2009). The dissertation centres on the Darband Neighbourhood of Tehran, Iran.The research aims are to- analyse the evolving values held by the users of the Darband urban landscape amidst cultural globalisation, by employing a participatory approach.- create a set of guidelines and recommendations for future developmental initiatives by governing bodies.My fieldwork adopts a mixed method of qualitative research methodologies and fieldwork techniques for data collection, namely semi-structured interviews, observations, a comprehensive literature review, surveys of households, and comparisons of maps and images from both traditional and current Darband, accompanied by dialogues with experts. Interviews, Photo Recognition, and Sketch Maps facilitate the investigation of place meanings. The emergence of common themes enables my comparative analysis, shedding light on the nuances and disparities across distinct socio-economic groups.My empirical analysis indicates that the values held by the residents of Darband embody a dynamic interplay of continuity and change, profoundly shaping the built form amid its ongoing transformation. My research unveils the focal values that demand attention in future planning endeavours. Most studies exploring cultural landscapes tend to be confined to Western settings, often adopting singular analytical approaches. In the realm of non-western contexts, this field of research remains relatively uncharted. Furthermore, empirical inquiries into the dynamics of transforming cultures and the built environment are sparse.The thesis findings indicate the significance of participatory approaches as an invaluable tool for deciphering the values and aspirations of residents prior to commencing planning processes. Moreover, the results highlight the imperative need for careful observation in the face of developments and transformations that could lead to radical alterations in the urban landscape, potentially culminating in a sense of placelessness. This theses develops strategies that harmonize the preservation of cultural heritage with the imperative for development and progress.