Developing Iran: Company Towns, Architecture, and the Global Powers

This book explores the emergence of modern company towns in Iran by tracing the architectural, political, and industrial histories of three resource-based projects built in association with the 'Big Three powers of World War II. It provides critical insights into three ideological design paradigms and contributes to understanding the geopolitical confrontation of these nations in the Global South.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the fascinating emergence of modern company towns in Iran, shedding light on their architectural, political, and industrial histories through the lens of three distinct resource-based 'company town projects' constructed in collaboration with the 'Big Three powers of World War II'. The narrative unfolds chronologically, tracing the formation and development of the oil, steel, and copper industries, each favored by Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States in this region. By employing a tripartite research design, the book offers critical insights into three distinct ideological design paradigms: postcolonial regionalism, socialist universalism, and rationalist modern nation building. From a global political perspective, this work contributes to our understanding of the geopolitical confrontation between these three nations in the Global South, aimed at expanding their sphere of influence following the Second World War. Moreover, it showcases how postwar architectural modernism was embraced and adapted by each power to fulfill their unique social, cultural, political, and economic objectives.

Through a comprehensive transdisciplinary approach, the book explores intricate interconnections between architecture, politics, and industrial development. Extensive fieldwork, site surveys, and the meticulous analysis of original multilingual documents form the foundation of this study. As such, it holds immense appeal to researchers and students specializing in architecture, history, international relations, and Middle Eastern studies. By delving into the architectural, political, and industrial landscapes of these company towns, this book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex social, economic, and cultural transformations that occurred in Iran during the postwar period.

Weight: 571g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032431123