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https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.44.2019.3.180-205
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Secular Atmospheres: Unveiling and Urban Space in Early 20th Century Iran
Säkulare Atmosphäre: 'Entschleierung' und urbaner Raum im Iran des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts
[journal article]
Abstract Drawing on sociological approaches to urbanism and secularization, as well as the affective turn in anthropology, this article explores the implementation of secular policies in Iran after the 1936 Unveiling Decree. I argue that constructing transparent social relations reflects the emergence of a n... view more
Drawing on sociological approaches to urbanism and secularization, as well as the affective turn in anthropology, this article explores the implementation of secular policies in Iran after the 1936 Unveiling Decree. I argue that constructing transparent social relations reflects the emergence of a new level of secular binds and relies upon the modalities of urban infrastructure and architecture. I find that modernization and secularization in Iran are interlinked by transformations in urban planning that tended to eliminate sites of ambiguity and to homogenize structures and forms of interaction in public and domestic spaces. The article makes use of autobiographical narratives that give witness to manifest changes in the urban atmosphere between the 1930s and 1950s. I will show how the Pahlavi regime took an active role in attempting to build a secular city by invoking segmentations and divisions in urban spaces to promote a secular atmosphere and limit religious ideas.... view less
Keywords
policy implementation; modernization; town planning; urbanity; urban development; privacy; social relations; anthropology; statutary order; Iran; secularization; urban sociology; conception; public space; twentieth century
Classification
Social History, Historical Social Research
Sociology of Settlements and Housing, Urban Sociology
Free Keywords
Secularity; affect; unveiling decree; atmosphere; architecture
Document language
English
Publication Year
2019
Page/Pages
p. 180-205
Journal
Historical Social Research, 44 (2019) 3
Issue topic
Islamicate Secularities in Past and Present
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed