Privacy and Social Interaction in Traditional Towns to Contemporary Urban Design in Iran

Abstract

Privacy as an inherent feature of Iranian culture is evident in formation of Iranian traditional towns. Put differently, attention to the inside was one of the most desirable principles in Iranian traditional architecture as well as urbanism. However, privacy did not lead to isolation in Iranian culture and social contact was also of a great importance to Iranians. Problem statement: Although sense of privacy as well as sociality are still parts of Iranian culture and have been transferred from one generation to another, contemporary cities do not meet these needs. Newly designed cities have encountered a decrease in sense of privacy and social interaction among residents. Approach: Coming up with an alternative solution for urban design which would respect this culture in cotemporary cities while matching the new life style of people, would contribute to achieving a sustainable urban form one of the principles of which is social and cultural sustainability. This article, therefore, aimed to reveal how the traditional urban form considered resident’s needs of privacy as well as social interaction simultaneously and how to regenerate sense of privacy and social contact in the contemporary neighborhoods in Iran. The method used in this study was analysis of data gathered through library study. Results: This study suggested that the existence of transitional spaces in traditional cities was the main reason for simultaneous generation of privacy and social interaction, thus, a contemporized form of those spaces in contemporary residential areas might help in increasing the aforementioned attitudes in contemporary cities. Conclusion: This study has an important implication for those involved in development of new neighborhoods. It would be hoped that this study triggers creative future design solutions that would consider the socio-cultural issues in designing as well as planning processes.