“Taking Away Youth’s Last Pleasure”: Users React to “Pedestrian Circling” in Tehran / “Are They Going to Charge for Sidewalks Too?...”

Remarks by the head of Greater Tehran’s public-venue oversight police about Sanaei and Iranshahr streets, which he described as “pedestrian circling” areas, have drawn mixed reactions from Safir Arjan users.

According to Ambassador Arjan, the analysis of the comments published under the report "The Story of Pedestrians on the Streets of Tehran" shows that a part of the audience considers walking for young people as a low-cost entertainment in expensive conditions; A group also disagreed with this view and believe that young people have other options to spend their free time.

"This is the only cheap entertainment for young people"

One of the users pointed to the increase in entertainment costs and the restriction of the possibility of using cafes and restaurants and wrote that it costs a lot to go around by car and it has become more difficult for many young people to go to shopping centers and cafes. He further considered walking on the street or going to the park with friends as one of the few low-cost entertainments for young people.

Referring to the economic problems and restrictions faced by young people, another user wrote: "There is no work, no money for real sightseeing." He warned that keeping young people at home could lead to depression.

Among the comments, some audience have looked at the issue from a more emotional angle. Criticizing the restriction of people's happiness and fun, one of the users wrote: "Take this last pleasure of a series of young people." Another user also asked in a sarcastic tone: "Don't pedestrians also want to pay..."

From criticizing the limitations to opposing the sociologist's opinion

Of course, not all users agree with this view. Referring to the presence of parks, cultural centers, cinemas and educational classes, one of the audience raised the question why young people do not go to these places to spend their free time. This opinion shows that along with criticizing the restriction of the presence of young people in the street, there are also different views about the appropriate way to have fun and spend time.

On the other hand, a number of users consider the issue beyond walking on the street and link it to economic conditions, employment status, entertainment costs and social restrictions.

Referring to the way young people are in the street, one of the audience believes that walking can be more than a simple pastime, a way to show lifestyle and social differences.

Is the street for crossing or staying?

The discussion of the users below this report once again raises a question that Mehdi Qavamipour, a sociologist, also addressed in a conversation with Ambassador Arjan: Do citizens have to have a specific destination to be on the street?

Qavamipour believes that the street is not just a way to get from one point to another; Rather, it is a space for socializing, seeing and being seen, and experiencing social life. Explaining the presence of young people in the street, he says: "He is not going anywhere; It just wants to be somewhere."

The sum of published comments shows that "walking around pedestrians" is not just a question about the way of walking on the street for a part of the audience; Rather, it is tied to broader questions about the cost of recreation, opportunities for social presence, and the limits of citizens' use of public space.