Impact of Modernization on the Physical-Spatial Structures of Tehran in the First Pahlavi period and those of Kabul in Amani Period

Problem statement:

Apart from mental effects, the ideas of modernization in the form of a pervasive current in the culture and literature of the world have been objectively manifested in the architectural forms and the cities. Such changes have transformed the forms of cities and given a rise to new words such as modernist cities . While significant changes were taking place in Tehran with the echo of modernization during the first Pahlavi era, Kabul was experiencing changes in political and social aspects and an urban body with a similar theme to Tehran was being shaped.

Research objective:

This study attempts to explain the role of the modernization project and compare its effect on the changes in the physical-spatial structure of Kabul city in the period of Amani with that of Tehran city in the first Pahlavi period. For this purpose, the following question was raised: How was the urban development of Tehrandifferent from or similar to the one in Kabul in the mentioned periods in terms of structures, nature, and aspects?

Research method:

This is a historical-comparativequalitativestudyemploying and documentary data analysis. The historical-interpretive research method was used for collecting the historical theoretical foundation of the study and the descriptive-analytical research method was drawn upon to analyze and compare physical-spatial structure changes in Tehran and Kabul.

A comparison of the modernization measures by Reza Shah and Amanullah Khan shows that there are many similarities in the intensity and diversity of these measures. It can be said that the formation of the cities in these two countries has not been endogenous, reproductive, evocative, and dynamic. Moreover, it has not arisen from the context of society rather it has been the result of a policy of modernization and westernization based on the wishes and orders of the governments.