Public Spaces in IRAN, the Evolution of Forms and Functions

The general research on public space, women, and the youth in Iran was made by a mixed group of different experts in different fields such as sociology, urban planning, history and others. In this article we review the results and the outcomes of that research. First we review the historical characteristics and the changes of public spaces in terms of their function and form during two different time periods in Iran: 1- Before the modernization (until 1900) 2- After the modernization (after 1900) The main public spaces during the first period were: - Bazar - Religious places - Tea houses - Citadels - Sport clubs - Public baths - Schools (mainly religious schools) - Streets The main public spaces during the second period were: - Parks - Streets and squares - Restaurants and coffee shops - Public libraries - Shopping centers - Mountains - Theaters and cinemas - Internet cafes The functions of each of the different public spaces, groups of people who attended those public spaces and their different forms were reviewed and studied. Further we discussed and analyzed the changes of the public spaces in Iran within the last decades.