Rethinking the Conceptual Challenge between Plan and Design in the Discourse of Iran's Urban Development: From Education to Practice

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Urban Development Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Development, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.

2 MA in Sociology, University of Guilān, Rasht, Iran

3 MA in Urban Planning, Imām Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

Problem Statement: Applying the academic skills to the profession has always been one of the most important concerns of the governments. In addition to establishing a link between the University and the profession, it could direct and give meaning to each of them. This issue has more sensitivity for some specialized disciplines such as the urbanism which has a tangible and comprehensive relationship with everyday life and the social needs of citizens. However, there are some problems in the contemporary Iranian urban discourse whose roots go back to the early years of the emergence of this branch of science, almost simultaneously with the establishment of the Plan and Budget Organization in 1948. Among the discrepancies in this discourse that have caused many disruptions in the urban development have been the contradiction and misunderstanding of the two dominant conceptual-operational paradigms of 'plan' and 'design'.
Objective: The purpose of this article was to explore the roots of this paradoxical inefficiency between the 'plan' and 'design' and to find solutions to overcome these conditions.
Method: In the research process, while posing the conceptual questions at the beginning of the research, using the discourse analysis method and based on the existing experiences in Iran's urbanism with a focus on the comprehensive urban plans and examining the reflection of the academic education in this process, it has been analyzed and critically evaluated.
Result: Findings revealed the factors affecting the process of Iran's urbanism in 10 separate axes. They were reviewed in accordance with the academic education environment of this discipline. These axes were, in fact, categorized and presented as answers to the questions posed at the beginning of the research process.
Conclusion: Most of the criticism raised in the shortcomings of Iran's urban discourse is due to the failure to comply with the hierarchy of "plan" and "design". The emphasis on preparing thecomprehensive plans to address all the problems of the cities has added to the intensity of the existing contradictions.

Highlights

Most of the criticism raised in the shortcomings of Iran's urban discourse is due to the lack of respect for the hierarchy of "plan" and "design". The emphasis on preparing the comprehensive plans to address all the problems of cities has added to the intensity of the existing contradictions.

Keywords

References

Alvandipour, N. Abbaszadegan, M. Sarbandi, M. (2017). Introduction to Design Approach of Design-Based Planning in Urbanism Education. Green Architecture, 4, 9-18. (in Persian)
Bahrainy, H. Fallah Manshadi, E. (2015). Analyzing the Most Important Skills Needed For Urban Planners In Iran And The Success Of The Undergraduate Education in Transferring Those Skills. Honar-Ha-Ye-Ziba, Memari-Va-Shahrsazi university of Tehran, 9, 4, 5-16. (in Persian)
Ebtehaj, A. H, (1997). The memories. Tehran: Elmi publication. (in Persian)
Farivar Sadri, B. (2005). A Review of Forty Years of Iranian Urban Development. City & Building Journal, 13-25. (in Persian)
Hamraz, V. (2000). Iranian society and Point Four Program. Journal of the History of Foreign Relations, 1, 81-97. (in Persian)
Judi, P. Sharifzadegan, M. (2019). Institutional Behavior of Planners in Urban Planning Discourse of Tehran Metropolis. Honar-Ha-Ye-Ziba, Memari-Va-Shahrsazi university of Tehran, 23, 4, 5-14. (in Persian)
Karbasian, A. (2000). An Analysis of the Results of Implementing Point Four Program in Iran. Gozaresh Journal, 107, 64-72. (in Persian)
Katouzian, M. (2007). The Political Economy of Modern Iran. Tehran: Markaz publication. (in Persian)
Lacoste, Y. (1973). Underdeveloped countries. Tehran university press. (in Persian)
Majidi, A. Farmanfarmaian, Kh. Godarzi, M. (2003). Development in Iran. Tehran: Game-No pub. (in Persian)
Majidi, A. Lajevardi, H. (2010). Memories of Abdul Majid Majidi Advisor and Head of Budget and Planning Organization. Tehran: Safhe-Sefid pub. (in Persian)
McLeod, Thos, H. (2017). National planning in Iran: a report based on the experiences of the Harvard advisory group in Iran. Tehran: Ney Publication. (in Persian)
Piran, P. (2003). Globalization and social development. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the Conference on Policy and Management of Growth and Development Plans in Iran, Tehran. (pp. 45-67). (in Persian)
Rashidian, A. (2015). Postmodern encyclopedia. Tehran: Ney Publication. (in Persian)
Bostock, F & Jones, G. )1989(. Planning and Power in Iran: Ebtehaj and Economic Development under the Shah. Routledge.
Keller, R (2011). The Sociology of Knowledge Approach to Discourse (SKAD). Human Studies. 34 (1): 43–65.
Joshi, R. M. (2009). International Business. New Delhi and New York: Oxford University Press.
Mills, (2008). Winning the Peace: the Marshall Plan and Americas Coming of Age as a Superpower. New Jersey: Wiley publication.
Modelski, G. (2007). Globalization as evolutionary process. In Globalization as evolutionary process (pp. 31-49). Routledge.
Muir, J. )1985 (. transcript of interview with Hector Prud'homme. Washington: the World Bank, IFC archives.
Shannon, M. K. (2017). Losing Hearts and Minds: American-Iranian Relations and International Education during the Cold War. Cornell University Press.
Schain, M. (2001). The Marshall Plan: Fifty Years After. New York: Palgrave publication.
U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the United States: (1955) table 1075 p. 899.
Zali, N. Ebrahimzadeh, I. Zamani-Poor, M. Arghash, A. (2014). City branding evaluation and analysis of cultural capabilities of Isfahan city. European spatial research and policy, 21, 213-234.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 15 September 2019
  • Revise Date: 08 December 2019
  • Accept Date: 09 December 2019

Share

How to cite

Statistics