The Capacity and Function of Murals in the Interaction and Improvement of Urban Spaces

Introduction: 
:  In contemporary urban life, the most significant elements of a city are its buildings and architectural structures. Although murals and the use of visual and decorative components were initially carried out with the aim of decorating architecture and public spaces, the transformation of urban structures in the modern era and the emergence of new urban planning concepts have turned the art of murals into a new and innovative phenomenon. Today, mural art has undergone many changes in its nature, scope and purpose and has become one of the fundamental branches of urban art. This art has cultural and historical significance and plays an important role in shaping the visual identity of urban spaces. Mural art also contributes to the cultural, educational and commercial life of citizens, and enhances community life, national identity and visual awareness. Despite the fact that mural art is one of the most effective tools in urban design – helping to beautify the environment, harmonize public spaces, and improve the quality of urban aesthetics – its role is often overlooked in architectural and design programs. However, in recent years, designers and urban planners around the world have shown increasing interest in this art form as a creative opportunity to energize urban environments and improve the quality of urban life, both in large cities and small towns.
Methodology: The present study uses a descriptive-analytical approach to explain and analyze the functions and visual elements of mural art in urban beautification and identity creation. Data collection was conducted through direct observation of urban spaces and review of relevant documentary materials. Also, this study has achieved comprehensive findings by using qualitative content analysis and using a wide range of library resources and academic databases, reviewing previous research and analysis in the field of mural art and urban spaces.
Results: Urban murals, as a type of visual arts that is mainly formed on walls, architectural buildings, and urban spaces, have diverse and extensive functions based on their existential nature and the type of connection and dependence they have on walls, architecture, and urban spaces, which can be observed and studied in various fields such as visual arts, architecture, urban planning, and even social sciences and communications.
Discussion: Meanwhile, considering the expressive structure of architectural structures and the visual nature of urban spaces, murals as an effective visual medium, with attention and a specialized and expert management approach, can achieve many urban cultural and social goals and objectives. 
In addition to decorative functions and beautification of urban environments, its communication capabilities can be used to convey messages and axes that need to be conveyed to society.
Conclusion: Urban mural art is generally shaped within the framework of societal beliefs, cultural values, and community interactions. The creation and development of murals occur through a continuous dialogue with urban communities and environments, transforming them into reflections of social identity and cultural expression. In other words, murals are a manifestation of urban life itself—formed by the structure, history, and spirit of the city. As one of the most dynamic forms of public art, murals evolve under the influence of geographical, climatic, and architectural factors, as well as unique cultural and social characteristics of each region. It acts as a mediator between architecture, space, and society, promoting harmony and movement between the physical form of the city and its cultural essence. The interdisciplinary nature of mural art allows it to engage with multiple fields such as architecture, urban planning and visual arts, offering a wide potential for creative and applied expression. Through its communicative and symbolic capacity, mural art contributes to the formation of cultural identity, spatial unity and urban beautification. By doing so, it increases the expressive potential of public spaces, transforms them into meaningful visual experiences, and strengthens the collective memory of urban society.  Moreover, mural art plays an important role in beautifying cities, reducing visual pollution, and balancing the aesthetic rhythm of urban environments. By softening rigid architectural forms and controlling environmental dissonance, murals create a sense of comfort, relaxation, and visual balance, enriching the emotional and physical space of the city. Because murals interact harmoniously with the architecture, built environment, and cultural and historical context of their surroundings, they constitute an essential component of cultural regeneration and urban identity renewal. Future research and artistic activities in this field should emphasize creative collaboration between muralists, urban planners, and cultural managers, ensuring that mural design integrates artistic vision with urban function. Ultimately, through thoughtful design, artistic innovation, and cultural insight, murals can serve as a vital tool in shaping the aesthetic, social, and psychological well-being of modern cities. By promoting harmony, unity, and creativity, it not only improves the physical appearance of the urban environment, but also strengthens the spiritual and cultural identity of urban life.