There has not been any other city where all of its buildings have been systematically wiped out in a short time (and then re- placed by ugly and defective buildings), had its building density multiplied, turned into a huge car park, and had its physical and monetary assets wasted. It can be calculated how much pollu- tion, including noise, is created in the process of each demoli- tion and rebuilding: an infernal symphony of hammers, drills, and shouts that has become the natural background sound in Tehran.
Roger K. Lewis, Shaping the city, Jan 16 2010
Western corner of Jomhouri and Si-e Tir Original ceramic mosaics