Analyzing the Function of Urban Signs in Representing National Identity Case Study: Mural of District 6 of Tehran

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
1 Geography Department, Department of Political Geography, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Political Geography, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
3 Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran
Abstract
Urban space is combination of two parts including form and meaning. The signs in the urban space together with its codes form the part of urban space meaning. Signs are the part of the visual media which are presented for the citizens, So the citizens discover code's meaning by decoding of internal concept and are influenced by it. The question is that the signs which are presented to citizens as a visual media what relations they have with national identity elements? Urban signs can have meanings of national identity elements into their codes. It is notable that prominence of some elements and factors rather than others has role in formation, reinforcement and representation of national identity. Therefore in this research an attempt has been made to evaluation of relations between the signs meaning in urban space and elements of national identity factors in the 6th, mural district of Tehran as a case study by using of qualitative analysis and the basics semiotics. The results of this research in the 6th district of Tehran indicated that urban signs are influenced by national identity factors and they have meanings and concepts of it inside themselves. Also prominences of some national identity features rather than other features lead to formation of national identity and also play the important role in reinforcement and representation of national identity by repeating the meanings influenced by national identity.

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