“Young People Just Want to Be Somewhere” / Sociologist Responds to Debate Over “Dur-Dur” Walking of Pedestrians in Tehran

Qavamipour continues: “Within this framework, if a person appears on the street without a specific destination, their behavior is considered ‘dur-dur’ and meaningless. In other words, power does not only determine norms; it also labels what is deviant.”

The recent statements of the police chief of the supervision of public places in Greater Tehran about Sanai and Iranshahr streets and describing these two streets as "far away from pedestrians" have caused discussions about the way citizens are present in public spaces; Is the street just a place to pass from one point to another or can it be a destination for presence, socializing and experiencing city life?

According to Arjan's ambassador, "Mehdi Qavamipour", a sociologist, believes that this issue cannot be limited only to the behavior of young people and how they spend their time in the street. He says: "These statements are more than just describing or criticizing the behavior of young people, they can express a specific image of the street and the way citizens are present in the city; It is as if the street is the only way to pass and being there is meaningful when one has a specific destination."

He continues: "In this framework, if a person appears on the street without a specific destination, his behavior is recognized as "far away" and lacking in meaning. In other words, power not only determines the norm, but also names the abnormal.

The story of "Pedestrians around" in the streets of Tehran / Sociologist: Don't take the street away from the youth / The youth sometimes come to the street because they have no place to be.

The street is not just for reaching the destination

Questioning whether the street is just a way to pass and a path to reach the destination, Qavamipour explains: "Many city researchers believe that streets and sidewalks are something more than traffic routes."

Referring to Kevin Lynch's view of the city, he says: "Lynch considered paths as one of the important elements that shape the mental image of the city. The street is not just a path to get somewhere else; Rather, it is part of our experience of the city."

This sociologist continues: "Man walks on the street, sees others and is seen, meets his friends, spends time and experiences part of his social life. Therefore, being on the street should not necessarily be defined by having a specific destination.

According to him, changing the face of the streets during the last century did not happen only for the purpose of facilitating transportation and reaching the destination faster. "The street has always been a space for spending leisure time, socializing, watching the city, and developing a lifestyle."

Referring to the concept of "third place" proposed by Ray Oldenberg, Qavamipour says: "Part of public spaces can play the role of third place; A space different from home and workplace where social life takes place."

What kind of street presence is legitimate?

This sociologist continues to consider the street as a part of the daily life of citizens and says: "The street is a space where people meet each other and display their identities and lifestyles. But for this very reason, the street has always been associated with power."

He explains: "The power tries to control the public spaces, especially the streets, to impose its desired order and meaning on these spaces; To determine what type of presence is legitimate and what type of presence is considered undesirable or even abnormal.

The street is not just a road we cross to get somewhere. The street is where we live the city.

Of course, Qavamipour believes that the control of the public space to create a certain order in daily life is not always successful and adds: "The peak of this conflict occurs when social forces find the official institutions and usual channels insufficient to fulfill their demands and come to the streets. At this moment, the street turns from the space of everyday life into a field of political conflict.

Referring to examples from Iran's contemporary history, he continues: "The street has been the place of people's presence in different historical periods, from the constitution and the oil nationalization movement to the 1357 revolution, and the political power has always tried to control it."

"He's not going anywhere; It just wants to be somewhere."

Qavamipour emphasizes that the conflict on the street does not necessarily start from the moment of political protest and says: "Even the way of walking, socializing, gathering and presence of young people in the street is also a part of this social life."

According to this sociologist, therefore, about the young people who walk in the streets like Sanai or Iranshahr, you should not just ask, "What did they come for?"

"Perhaps the more important question is, why do you have to have a destination to be on the street?" he says.

Man walks on the street, sees others and is seen, meets his friends, spends time and experiences part of his social life. Therefore, being on the street should not necessarily be defined by having a specific destination.

Qavamipour concludes: "The street is not just a road we cross to get somewhere. "The street is where we live the city."

He continues: "Maybe that young man doesn't really know why he goes from the beginning to the end of the street and back again, but the answer may be simpler than we imagine: he is not going anywhere; It just wants to be somewhere."

According to Qavamipour, "it is this 'being' in the public space that turns the street from a way of passage into a social and political issue."