Symbols have a special place in beautification and urban design. They are identity builders and reveal visual and meaningful perceptions. These symbols are formed with the help of architecture and sculpting and have a geometric arrangement that unconsciously draws the eye towards them. Symbols are known as characteristics of a city. Therefore, they should mingle with that city or area’s culture, art and historic signs. Do our urban symbols have such characteristics? Do they have a manifestation of our historical identity and cultural background? Are they meaningful and reduce the confusion of mind and soul, which is characteristic of crowded cities?
Urban symbols are sometimes called “memorial structures.” These structures have figures of humans, animals, or objects and are made with metal, stone, wood, and similar examples. Symbols can even have an unfamiliar and abnormal figure and be considered abstract art. The abstract is an art with no sample in nature and is subjective. Part of the abstract symbols of the city of Tehran can be seen outside the Museum of Contemporary Arts; they are imaginary figures and made in the mind.
There are several features that can make a symbol effective and give it an identity. First is the usefulness of the symbol. In the sense that the symbol must play a role in the daily life of the citizens or even remind them of meaning. Another is visual beauty. An easy understanding of the symbol can also be one of its essential features. Complex and abstract symbols confuse minds.
On the other hand, if urban symbols are functional (such as city stalls, buses, or subway stations), they should be easy to access and can be seen at a glance. Another important feature of an effective symbol is its sense of vitality. Other examples can be added to these features to make a sign suitable for cities with a historical and cultural identity.
Now let’s look at the urban symbols around us. Some of them are symbols, statues, and figures of historical and cultural figures. For example, we can mention the Ferdowsi statue in Ferdowsi Square and Khayyam statue in Laleh Park (both in Tehran). The figures are two famous cultural figures of Iran, and seeing them is a reminder of an essential and valuable part of the mind and behavior of every Iranian. Therefore, sculpting and displaying them in two of the busy parts of the city has been a valid act. But now, let’s take a closer look at these two statues. For months and years, the color and the white surface of Ferdowsi statue is covered with a layer of black soot and dirt. It has become so insignificant and invisible (and perhaps ugly) among the newly built and tall buildings around it that if we say it is not visible at first glance, it is not an understatement. The recent renovation has made it look uglier, to such an extent that it has caused anger and frustration among those who care about urban symbols. Khayam’s statue is also covered with a layer of dirt over time. Needless to say, there are breakages on it that need proper and artistic repair, then the haste used in its current rebuilding, which is easily visible.
Urban statues, ugly figures
Urban symbols make modern life somewhat tolerable and lessen its harshness. Among the many concrete, cement and brick buildings and the continuous traffic congestion, city life wears out the mind and soul. If symbols contain artistic qualities, they will play a constructive role in reducing mental and behavioral tensions, especially the statues that form an essential part of the symbols of every city. Most of the figures seen in our cities now are busts that show famous faces. What is missing in most of these busts is artistic beauty. Even if they are beautiful and spectacular at the beginning, after a short time, they lose their attractiveness under layers of smoke and blackness without a hand being drawn over them! A prominent example of such disfigurement is the bust of Dr. Eslami Nodoushan, one of the significant cultural figures, on Vesal Street in Tehran, which has been neglected in its beauty and magnificent and does not motivate passers-by to linger a moment and see it more carefully, and maybe even Read the writing on the side of the bust, which is a brief reference to Nodushan’s life story.
One of the goals of creating urban symbols is to spread historical, cultural, and geographical awareness. Do our urban signs have such characteristics? Do they make national and cultural attachments in the viewer’s mind? Historical structures, which are recognized as symbols of the identity of every city, are they guarded in such a way that there is no fear of vandalizing them?
City squares and symbols that are undergoing the most changes
Perhaps, in our cities, the squares, considered as one of the most important urban symbols, are bearing changes seen more than in any other symbol, and their shapes and figures are changing fast.
One of the oldest squares in Tehran is the Jomhouri Square. For many years, this square had an unorganized situation and was a place for unemployed people to hang out. This situation, especially in the summer of last year, caused complaints and dissatisfaction (Dana news agency’s report of Tir 5, 1401).
Sabzeh Meydan (on 15 Khordad St) is named as the first urban area of Tehran. In the recent years, this square’s historical identity has been lost, to some extent, and designs that do not connect to the area’s historical environment, have brought down its cultural and symbolic value. (Shargh newspaper, 25 Khordad 1401). While this old square of Tehran is surrounded by historical places, such as the Qajar palaces from one side, and the grand bazar of Tehran from the other; such historical and cultural identities have not been included in the current designing. It should be kept in mind that an urban design is a link between the historic spaces and modern feature.
Vali Asr Square has also taken a weird appearance and has turned into an underground square! This transformation has turned a beautiful square into a strange and unfamiliar place. It seems that the only reason that caused such a senseless design to appear there was to earn more business (news base of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development – 8 Amordad 1396). Now, there is no sign left of the beautiful fountains in the square that was a joy to look it!
In conclusion: urban symbols play a significant role in every-day life, mental health and behavioral norms of the citizens. Therefore, it is essential to be careful about how symbols are used. Even the names of streets, alleys, and squares can be considered a part of urban symbols, and therefore names should select very carefully. Do our cities have such characteristics, and do their signs bring peace to the citizens? Do the current transformations and designs preserve their historical and rooted identity? Unfortunately, the answer to these questions is not such that we can confidently say: all our urban symbols originate from our historical and cultural identity!
