ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the revolutionary character of modern architecture in promoting political ideologies through the study of utopian urban projects in Tehran. First, this chapter aims to historicize and contextualize the revolutionary character of modern architecture. Then, it will establish the interrelationship between architecture, urban utopia, and heterotopia through Tehran's urban planning and transnational transfer of modern planning ideas and practices. Followingly this part will analyze the socio-political arrangement of capital as “Metropolis of Tomorrow” and its urban transformations during the second Pahlavi era (1941–1979) until Islamic Revolution, comparing it to the development that was taking place in the region. While modern architecture tries to impose a utopia through grandiose urban projects in Tehran, the heterotopia was created as a postmodern reaction to the status quo. Following this perspective, this chapter examines Tehran's utopian and heterotopian urban projects (1941–1979) within its related national and international socio-political context. While the term “utopia” has its roots in the context of European culture, this chapter aims to show that each utopian ideal would respond differently to different political conditions. While the dates are offered as 1941–1979, this leads to a very different utopian vision than before or after.
