Physical Transformations and the Evolution of Identity in Iranian Rural Settlements in Relation to the Notion of Modernization

Human beings often derive a sense of identity from the character and meaning of their physical environment; when this identity is perceived as inadequate or fragmented, they may readily disengage from that place. In Iran, widespread physical transformations in rural settlements have reshaped spatial forms, yet these changes have not translated into a renewed or coherent rural identity. As such, rural identity has become a pressing issue—one that demands critical reconsideration after decades of structural reform, spatial interventions, and socio-political reconfigurations. This study explores the evolution of rural identity in Iran within the broader framework of modernization. It traces the morphological trajectories of change to equip planners and policymakers with the necessary insight to diagnose structural shortcomings and redirect rural development toward more sustainable and identity-sensitive pathways. Drawing on documentary sources, field research, and case studies of rural development plans, the findings suggest that although modernist ideologies have dominated planning discourse, Iranian villages have not internalized this paradigm in a way that generates place-based identity. Without adopting a geographically grounded and culturally responsive planning approach, there is a growing risk of producing rural landscapes detached from both historical continuity and future relevance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Modernization ، Rural Morphology ، Land Reforms ، Rural Guide Plan ، Rural Identity