Pardisan
Encyclopedia
Pardisun park
(also called Shahrak-e Gharb's Forest Park , is a multi-purpose complex covering more than 270 hectares located in north-west Tehran
.
This complex is primarily an educational, research and cultural
center with the objective of creating suitable facilities for the
study of the environment in all its different aspects. However,
in addition to scientific activities, facilities have been created
in Pardisun Park
for visitors to spend time in an inspiring,
educational atmosphere. In other words, this Park is a multipurpose project, providing education in fun and relaxed surroundings aimed at increasing public awareness about natural environment. Pardisun Park contains the Biodiversity Museum, a wildlife park, a theatre, playgrounds and several other facilities
In the park there live many animals like the Pallas's cat, or manul. Pallas's cat is a small Asian cat that was named after a German
naturalist, Peter Pallas, who first described it, noting that it is missing the front pre-molar teeth, giving it 28 teeth instead of 30, as in most fields. He also, suggested that it was the ancestor of the Persian breeds of domestic cats because of its long fur, stocky build and flattened face.
The original design of the park is attributed to Ian McHarg
of the University of Pennsylvania
.
began the planning phase of a project for the Shah of Iran
, an environmental park to be called Pardisan, unlike any the world had ever seen. The park was to demonstrate the heritage of the Iranian people, as well as to illustrate the major ecosystems of the world. McHarg was enthusiastic about this project, and greatly invested in the work. The other partners of the firm, however, believed the project to be a significant risk, despite the fact that Iran was wealthy from the sale of oil. Their concerns became justified when the Shah was overthrown
and the firm was left with a large amount of debt from the project. Pardisan was never constructed.
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
(also called Shahrak-e Gharb's Forest Park , is a multi-purpose complex covering more than 270 hectares located in north-west Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
.
This complex is primarily an educational, research and cultural
center with the objective of creating suitable facilities for the
study of the environment in all its different aspects. However,
in addition to scientific activities, facilities have been created
in Pardisun Park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
for visitors to spend time in an inspiring,
educational atmosphere. In other words, this Park is a multipurpose project, providing education in fun and relaxed surroundings aimed at increasing public awareness about natural environment. Pardisun Park contains the Biodiversity Museum, a wildlife park, a theatre, playgrounds and several other facilities
In the park there live many animals like the Pallas's cat, or manul. Pallas's cat is a small Asian cat that was named after a German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
naturalist, Peter Pallas, who first described it, noting that it is missing the front pre-molar teeth, giving it 28 teeth instead of 30, as in most fields. He also, suggested that it was the ancestor of the Persian breeds of domestic cats because of its long fur, stocky build and flattened face.
The original design of the park is attributed to Ian McHarg
Ian McHarg
Ian L. McHarg was born in Clydebank, Scotland and became a landscape architect and a renowned writer on regional planning using natural systems. He was the founder of the department of landscape architecture at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. His 1969 book Design with Nature...
of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
.
History
In 1975 Wallace McHarg Roberts & ToddWallace Roberts & Todd
Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC is an urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, and architecture firm based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
began the planning phase of a project for the Shah of Iran
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
, an environmental park to be called Pardisan, unlike any the world had ever seen. The park was to demonstrate the heritage of the Iranian people, as well as to illustrate the major ecosystems of the world. McHarg was enthusiastic about this project, and greatly invested in the work. The other partners of the firm, however, believed the project to be a significant risk, despite the fact that Iran was wealthy from the sale of oil. Their concerns became justified when the Shah was overthrown
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
and the firm was left with a large amount of debt from the project. Pardisan was never constructed.