A medieval discourse and a modern city: the politics of capital relocation in Iran
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A medieval discourse and a modern city: the politics of capital relocation in Iran Ashkan Rezvani-Naraghi
. Farshad Amiraslani
Springer Nature B.V. 2019
Abstract Iran is one of the countries with the highest number of the cases of capital relocation throughout its history. During the past four centuries, at least, six different cities have played the role of the capital for the country. This paper examines the most recent push for the capital relocation in Iran. By examining the public debate over the topic in the major periodicals of the country, the paper analyzes the underlying discourse that gives political impetus for the capital relocation. It shows that while the majority of the academics opposes such a move, politicians eagerly pursue such a massive project. More importantly the analysis suggests that in the twenty-first century, an old-established discourse on the role of the capital still plays a significant role in forming the public debate and political decisions on the capital relocation in Iran. Based on this discourse, the political system observes the capital relocation as a vital way for encouraging decentralization and decreasing the population of Tehran. The paper suggests that the underlying discourse for the capital relocation in Iran is in bold
A. Rezvani-Naraghi Department of Urban Planning and Design, University of Tehran, Enqelab Street, Tehran, Iran e-mail: [email protected] F. Amiraslani (&) Department of RS/GIS, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Enqelab Street, Tehran, Iran e-mail: [email protected]
contrast to the common themes of capital relocation in other countries, particularly newly formed nations. Keywords Tehran Capital Relocation Discourse Public Debate
Introduction On January 13, 2014, the Kayhan newspaper published an article titled as ‘‘Moving from Tehran: Yes or No?’’ The cartoon on the main page of the article shows a dense smog over Tehran, the capital of Iran, that covers everything except the top of the Milad Tower, the highest building of the country. Four hands stretching out from beneath the smog resemble the hands of people drowning in water who, in their last attempt to survive, stretch out their hands for a savior (Tavangar 2014, 5). This cartoon perfectly summarizes the political rhetoric over the capital relocation in Iran. During the last 10 years, facing massive environmental and social crises, the Iranian government and Parliament have proposed various projects to relocate the capital, transfer some governmental organizations and offices away from the city, or build a new administrative capital somewhere out of Tehran. Two presidents, four cabinets, and four Parliaments have pushed for these projects. As this paper demonstrates, the official discourse on the capital relocation sells
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these proposals to the public as the sole antidote to the critical condition of Tehran. By investigating the state’s repetitive futile efforts for the capital relocation in Iran duri
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