Modernization of Mashhad after the Islamic Revolution of Iran, a combination of threats and opportunities (with emphasis on political development)

Modernization is a term used to describe the process of social change in which less developed societies acquire the common features of advanced societies. Modernization brings many positive and negative consequences for cities. Mashhad is one of the metropolises of Iran that despite its traditional and religious context, has been modernized during the last century. Modernization of Mashhad after the Islamic Revolution of Iran has created threats and opportunities for the development of this city. The results of the present study show that economic, commercial, industrial, tourism and political development prosperity, which includes rationalization of authority, promotion of popular participation, increase of soft power, establishment of a regular and separate administrative structure, are among the most important opportunities and disproportionate change of the historical and cultural context of the city, environmental pollution, social and cultural problems have been the most important complications and threats of modernity for the city of Mashhad after the Islamic Revolution of Iran..